The Unexpected Visit

Chapter 6

I wake up to bright fluorescent lights. Why do I always wake up in a foreign place? I know I go unconscious a lot, like a lot. Why I may never know but maybe it's because my parents seem to hate each other and both want me with them. Yup, that would pretty much some things up.

An unknown voice enters the room and approaches me. My vision is too blurry to make out their facial features. "Finally, I was worried you would be out for a while. After you passed out, they took you to the ER and operated on your ankle. They thought you were waking up in the middle of the surgery and made you fall asleep again. Pretty cool, huh? I mean, how on earth did they figure out how to do that? Medicine has come a long way since the caveman days. When you were supposed to be unconscious for a while, they just hit you on the head! That must've hurt."

"You sound like you were just in a library and read too many books. I think I may have to send you back to the cavemen days and let them knock you unconscious before I do," I respond bluntly. The figure is not as blurry as before and I can now tell that this is a young woman.

"....."

"Sorry, I thought you were a boy. They really seem to be getting on my nerves lately, not that my mother hasn't been but she isn't here. What's your name?" I ask, trying not to hurt her feelings.

"....Anna. I heard that your name is Rebecca..." She says slowly.

"Nice to meet you, Anna. Now, what was it you said about surgery? How long have I been out?" I ask while looking around. This place looks like a standard hospital but I have a vague feeling that isn't where I am.

"I was saying that they knocked you out during your surgery on your ankle because they were afraid that you were waking up. I believe you have been out only a few days. You should probably try and go back to sleep. Let me increase your pain medication." She replies, reaching for my IV.

"I assume you're a nurse and you have permission to do this because my life has been a whirlwind of excitement ever since I woke up in that cellar. Although I have to say I kind of like this crazy life minus the wounds and fighting; how long has it been since I woke up in that cellar?" I say quickly imitating her

"I am a nurse. The doctor told me to do whatever was necessary to keep you alive. Don't hold me to this, but I think that it has been 9 weeks since you were in that cellar. Do you like it here? It surely must be different than your cozy apartment in New York with your adopted family. I looked them up and they seem like nice people. This isn't coming out right, is it? Do you want me to restart? I don't think this is what I wanted to say," Anna says.

"No, we aren't restarting," I say slightly cheerfully, "In fact, I think I know you."

"You do? I'm surprised you remember; you were little when our dad found us. He could only take me, though. Shortly afterward--maybe a year or two--Jackson ran away to find our dad. He would've taken you with him but you were in the hospital with a broken leg from playing soccer. You got the injury from scoring the winning goal, remember? I was watching you, and so was Dad. That's the only reason Jackson ran away--because he knew that we were always watching," Anna says, starting to sound sentimental.

"So I take it you're my sister?" I ask, wondering if I should feel like she has been a stalker, but smiling broadly all the same.

"Yes." Anna looks down at me once again with a broad grin on her face.

I smile. "I thought I saw you that day--when I was scoring the winning goal. The only reason my leg rammed into the goalpost was that I was looking at you. I wasn't paying attention to where I was going and I have to say it was worth every second," I explain, still smiling. "Where's Jackson?"

"He's been listening the whole time. He's been under your bed for the past few days since they brought you here. Before you ask, Owen isn't allowed in here. According to the doctor and Dad, boys distract girls from their health..." she says, practically reading my mind. It definitely sounds like she doesn't believe the last thing she said.

"How much older are you? Jackson, you can come out now." I say, looking under the bed.

"Well, you and your twin are what, 18 now? I'm 2 years older than you both, so that makes me...."

"Makes you what, what age does it make you!" I sort of shout cutting her off even though I know how old it makes her

"That makes her 20." Jackson says, coming out from under the bed.

"Hey, Jackson, can you please try to convince Dad to let Owen in?" I ask, taking a peek at my phone sitting on the table behind Anna. "He has literally blown up my phone with texts and phone calls. He sent me about 70 text messages and called me 35 times."

"Why are you asking for Owen?" Anna asks, seemingly oblivious to our relationship.

"He's my boyfriend, and he seems like he's probably going to blow up the room and take me by force. I honestly didn't know he was like this. I really hope he doesn't hurt anyone, that would be bad. By the way, when were Mom and Dad on good ter--"

"Beca! Jackson finally let me in!" Owen shouts, charging toward me like a bull.

"Hold it, buddy," Anna says, quickly standing to stop Owen from crushing me, "If you want to hug or even touch her, you have to listen to a few rules of mine--and listen patiently; if you break one rule, you leave and aren't allowed to see her ever again," she says with an evil grin on her face.

"Anna come on..." I start but quickly stop talking. Anna looks at me like she could scare a lion off. I shrink back.

"Beca, it's okay, I can take it," Owen begins to reassure me but glances at Anna's intense glare, "...maybe."

"We are going to be here awhile," Jackson says quietly, taking a seat.