Project Holiday

Chapter One

I opened my eyes. The light was blinding, and for a moment, as my vision adjusted, I realized I was in a hospital bed, surrounded by the sterile whiteness of medical scrub and the beeping of machines. A gentle breeze caressed my face, and I could smell the faint scent of flowers from a vase on my nightstand. The silence that had permeated the world only moments ago had given way to the muted murmur of nurses and doctors moving about their duties. The sound of a vase shattering splintered through the air.

"You're awake!" A nurse's face appeared above me, her expression a mix of relief and surprise. "How are you feeling?"

I tried to speak, but my throat was raw and hoarse. I cleared it and croaked out a reply. "Where am I?"

She pressed a red button and looked back at me. "You're in the hospital, you've been in coma for 20 years. The nurse paused, taking in my confused expression. "I mean, you've been here since the battle. The doctors have done everything they can for you, but you've been in a coma. You're finally awake." She smiled reassuringly.

"Who am I?"

"Well, we don't exactly know, but we have called you Holiday, that was the name on your dog tag."

"Dog tag?"

The nurse fumbled with something around my neck and then held up a small metal tag with an inscription. "This was found on you when you were brought in. It has your name and your unit on it."

I took the tag from her and examined it closely. "Holiday...that doesn't sound familiar."

The nurse patted my hand. "Well, don't worry about it now. The doctors will help you figure things out."

She left me there to ponder the mystery of my identity, and as I lay in the bed, I couldn't help but wonder about the life I had led before this moment. I looked down to see two metal arms attached to what used to be my arm, and a long scar running from my shoulder to my elbow. I reached up to touch it, feeling the rough, numb skin where my fingers brushed against the scar.

Two people walked into my line of sight: a man and a woman, the woman was dressed in a dark blue suit, while the man was in a light blue uniform. They walked up to me and the woman exented her hand to me. "I would shake it, but I dont know how to." I said looking at my protect arm.

The woman smiled warmly and replied, "My name is Ophelia, and this is my partner, nurse Jason. We've been taking care of you since you arrived. We're here to help you adjust to your new life." Her eyes glistened with empathy. I stared back at her, unable to process her words.

"What...new life?" I croaked.

Ophelia's expression turned somber. "You see, Holiday," she began, "you've been in a coma for the past 20 years. A lot has changed since then. I'll start from the beinging. You were 18 when you went into war. A battle near the capital started and they sent out there best soilders. You were one of the best soilders they had ever trained. You were trained since you were 5, as our records read but that could be off by three years or so. You went into battle against China and they lonched a nuclear bomb at the battle, and well, you were lucky to be found alive. The doctor managed to save your life, but you were left in a vegetative state. The bomb killed 100 million poeple and left most to die of radiation, world war three was stopped and world when into shut down. China launched nine bombs and we launched five, we all lost. The world now is run by smaller or closed in nations, there is no more United States, China, or any other contry. All of the smaller nations are generally run by people who have survived the war and know how to survive, people like you."

She paused taking in a breath. "The radiation from the bombs changed the world. Most people are sterile and can't have kids. There's a lot of sickness and disease. The technology has regressed. Some animals got larger others shrank. Some plants can't be eaten anymore and some have become toxic. People live in small villages, and survival is the main goal."

I looked at her, trying to process this information. "How did I survive?"

"No one knows for sure. Your body seems to have been able to withstand the radiation. You broke the bounds of science, Holiday."

"No, I didnt, my body did."

Jason cleared his throat, breaking the silence that had fallen between us. "Well, Ophelia shouldn't you teach her how to use her arms?"

The Doctor nodded, "Holiday, to use your arms, you need to imagine moving your arm, mimic what it would feel like to move it. Try to focus on the sensation of movement. The more you practice, the easier it will become." she guided my hands to the edge of the bed and helped me sit up a little. As I tried to move my arm, it felt stiff and foreign to me. The sensation of movement was unfamiliar, but with each attempt, it became a little easier.

Ophelia smiled encouragingly. "See, you're doing great. You'll be able to use your arms like before in no time." She glanced at Jason, who nodded in agreement. I continued to practice, feeling the muscles in my arm tense and release as I moved it. It was strange and unfamiliar, but with each attempt, it became easier to control.

After a few more minutes, Ophelia helped me lie back down. "You've done very well today, Holiday. You should rest now and we'll continue with your exercises tomorrow."

"No, I don't want to rest, I'm fine." i looked at them with determination in my eyes. I closed my eyes and imagin the feeling of my arm moving again, the weight of my body supporting itself.

"Holiday, you have to listen to Ophelia. You need your rest so you can get stronger." Jason's voice was firm but gentle.

I opened my eyes and looked at them, "I'm fine."

"Holiday, I insist. You need your rest," Jason repeated firmly.

I sighed, unable to deny their insistence. As they helped me lie down and adjust my pillow, I tried to ignore the feeling of annoyance brewing within me. I knew they were only trying to help, but I felt so close to regaining my independence.