False God | Quinn Hughes & Jack Hughes

Chapter One

May 24, 2023

A piercing light broke through the darkness, pushing its way through Carter's eyelids and dragging her toward consciousness. She let out a low, painful groan, squinting against the brightness overhead. Everything felt too sharp, too real, like she was on the wrong side of a nightmare. Slowly, her eyes adjusted, and the cold, sterile walls around her came into focus.

"Carter?" The voice was soft and trembling, familiar but soaked in worry. She looked over and saw her mother sitting beside her, eyes red and brimming with unshed tears. "Honey, can you hear me?"

"Mom?" Carter's voice was raspy, her throat dry as if she hadn't spoken in days. Her mother's face split into a smile, one that seemed to shudder with relief. The image of her mom's face seemed surreal, like a dream. "Where...where am I?"

"You're safe, sweetheart," her mom replied, reaching over to gently take her hand. "You're in the hospital. It's over, Carter. You're safe."

"Safe?" she whispered, struggling to understand. Her mind was a muddled blur, and her body felt like it had been through a warzone—aching, throbbing, and heavy all over.

Her father stepped up from the foot of the bed, his face weathered with worry but softened by relief. "You got out, Carter. You're back with us." His voice cracked, and he gave her hand a small, reassuring squeeze.

Carter let her gaze wander, and for a moment, her vision blurred. She took in the white walls, the bright lights, the machines beeping softly beside her. Everything was so...bright. Too bright.

"How long have I...?" Her words came out shaky, hesitant.

Her mom exchanged a look with her dad, a silent message passing between them. "It's...it's been a while, honey. You've been through so much." Her mother's voice shook as she brushed a strand of hair from Carter's face. "But you're safe now. We're here."

Carter shifted, wincing as pain shot through her side. "Ow," she breathed, instinctively wrapping an arm around her ribs.

"Careful, sweetheart." Her dad's hands hovered, wanting to help but unsure of how. "You...you have a few injuries. The doctors said you've got three broken ribs and some bruises, but they'll heal."

She blinked, trying to process it all. "How did I...?" The memories were fractured, shards of darkness and flashes of a face she didn't want to remember. She closed her eyes, breathing through the pain. "How did I get out?"

Her mom gave a soft, tearful laugh. "You did it, Carter. You found a way out." Her grip on Carter's hand tightened as if reassuring herself that her daughter was really there. "You're stronger than you know."

Carter's gaze drifted, staring at the ceiling. The overwhelming brightness was a harsh reminder that the dark, suffocating basement was no longer her reality. "What day is it?" she asked, her voice barely a whisper.

Her parents looked at each other again, and her dad took a deep breath. "It's May 24th."

May 24th. The date hit her like a slap to the face. She had lost track of time, days and nights blurring together in the basement, swallowed by shadows and silence. The last date she remembered was weeks ago...or had it been months?

"May 24th..." She repeated the words, trying to ground herself. Her voice sounded foreign, like it belonged to someone else. "How long was I...?"

"Honey, don't worry about that right now," her mom interrupted, squeezing her hand reassuringly. "The important thing is that you're here, with us."

"But—" Carter's voice wavered, her heart racing as fragmented memories surfaced. The cold, damp walls, the darkness pressing in, her own breaths echoing in the silence. "It...it felt like forever."

Her dad reached out, placing a steady hand on her shoulder. "I can't imagine what you went through," he said, his own voice barely steady. "But you don't have to go through it alone anymore. We're here now."

Carter blinked back tears, her body shivering as the stark contrast between the hospital room and the basement flooded her mind. "It's so...bright," she murmured, looking around the room as if seeing it for the first time.

Her mom brushed a thumb over the back of her hand, gentle and comforting. "I know, honey. I know. It'll take some time to adjust."

Just then, the door creaked open, and a doctor stepped in. He was young, with kind eyes and a calm, professional demeanor. "Good to see you awake, Carter," he said warmly. "How are you feeling?"

Carter's mouth opened, then closed, unsure how to answer. "I... I don't really know."

The doctor nodded as though he understood perfectly. "That's completely normal. You've been through a traumatic experience, and your body's still recovering." He gestured to her shoulder, where she hadn't even noticed a dull ache until now. "I'm going to give you a sling for your arm, and we'll help manage your rib pain."

She nodded, feeling a little detached from her own body as he slipped a sling around her shoulder. "It might feel strange at first," he explained, adjusting the straps, "but this will help support your shoulder and ribs while they heal."

She looked down at the sling, taking in the bruises and scratches littering her arms like battle scars. Each mark held a memory, a reminder of the darkness she'd left behind.

"I'm...I'm not sure what happened to me," she whispered, more to herself than anyone else.

Her mother's face softened, eyes shimmering. "You don't have to remember everything right now. Just know you're safe."

The doctor gave a small, reassuring smile. "Recovery will take time, physically and mentally. If you ever feel overwhelmed or want to talk to someone, we're here to help."

Carter nodded, the reality of her situation settling over her like a weight. "Thank you," she said softly, her voice barely a whisper.

The doctor gave her parents a nod before leaving them alone again.

"Carter," her dad said gently, his voice barely above a murmur. "We'll be here every step of the way. Whatever you need."

She glanced between her mom and dad, her heart squeezing as she took in their tired, worried faces. She could see the toll her disappearance had taken on them—the sleepless nights, the constant fear. They had been through a nightmare of their own.

"I...I didn't know if I'd ever see you again," she whispered, her voice breaking.

Her mom choked back a sob, her fingers tightening around Carter's hand. "But you're here now. That's all that matters."

Carter closed her eyes, letting their words wash over her. She was safe. She was free. But as the relief settled in, so did the fear—fear of the memories lurking in the dark corners of her mind, waiting to resurface.

Her dad's voice pulled her back. "When you're ready, you can tell us everything. But there's no rush. We just want you to focus on healing."

She swallowed, nodding. "I...I'll try."

Her mom leaned in, pressing a kiss to her forehead. "That's all we ask, sweetheart."

For the first time since waking, Carter felt a flicker of hope. She didn't have to face this alone. She had her parents, her family, and maybe, just maybe, she could find a way to reclaim the pieces of herself that had been lost in the darkness.

But as she looked around the bright, sterile room, she couldn't shake the lingering shadows, the memories that whispered in the corners of her mind. She was free, but the basement—the darkness—had left its mark. And she knew that escaping was only the beginning.

Authors Note
The first 3 chapters are kinda just like the intro chapters to each year.
Also, make sure to watch which year it is or it could get a little confusing.