Hiding Inside

Waking Up

     I love you Chrissy. The words played over and over in her subconscious as her mind slowly climbed into the present. Christine tried to open her eyes, but a bright light forced her to keep them closed tightly. She tried to move her arms, but she was halted by the searing pain shooting through her spine. She tried to move her legs, only to find them restrained in what felt like large, heavy boots. She felt as if she was wrapped in vines, freezing in the middle of the jungle.
     Where am I? She thought to herself. What happened?
     She fluttered her eyes open, attempting to get a glimpse of her surroundings. The room she was in gradually came into focus. Still a bit fuzzy, Christine was able to figure out that she was in a hospital room. They were not vines that she was wrapped in, but IVs.
     As she gained her composure, she realized she had two large casts on her legs, running from her thighs down to her feet. Her legs felt numb, yet they were extremely itchy. She was very groggy and tired, but she couldnt help to feel an overwhelming sense of fear. She had no idea why she was in the hospital, but she knew something terrible had happened.
     "Well, good morning, Sunshine." The gentle voice startled Christine. Unable to turn her head, she couldn't see who was speaking to her.
     "We have been waiting a long time to see those pearly blues." The voice continued. It was a woman. Her voice sounded familiar, but Christine couldn't figure out who it belonged to.  She tried to ask her who she was, but her words were stopped by something in her mouth. She swallowed, but her saliva was trapped in her throat, accompanied by a sharp pain. Whatever was in her mouth went all the way down her throat. She started to gag, which reminded her of the pain in her back.
     "Calm down, Sweetie! You are going to knock your IV right out." The woman insisted, placing her soft hand on Christine's forehead. The woman's face finally came into view, and Christine recognized her. It was Dr. Getz! She was the doctor that helped Christine through her previous tonsil removal surgery. Her heart was comforted at this revelation, finally having some sort of reality to hold onto. But one though kept racing thought her head. Where are Mommy and Kate?
     With the breathing tube prohibiting her speach, Christine could not ask where her family was, but Dr. Getz could see the angst in her eyes.
     "I'm sure you have a lot of questions." The doctor fluffed the pillows under Christine's legs. "We should be able to take those tubes out soon. You are on a lot of pain medicine, so just try to rest for now."
     Dr. Getz was avoiding the moment that she knew was inevitable. The moment when this innocent little girl would ask where her mother and sister are. How could she tell a six-year-old that the only family she has ever known is dead?