Meet Me Under the Willow Tree

Chapter Five: Cassie

In every book I've read (which is not many, by the way), the main character who's in the hospital wakes up to blinding lights. The beeping sounds of a room that seems alive. I'll admit that's what I expected.

But as I woke, I heard something different. Very different. No beeping. Instead, I can hear the wail of angry storm winds hitting the walls and making a horrible moaning sound.

As I open my eyes, I realize that here is no light in the room around me.

The crash of what I think is thunder hurts my ears and I jumped slightly at the sound of the boom. The room is momentarily engulfed in light from the lightning.

I feel the warmth of a hand in mine. I try to say something but it just comes out like a little murmur. My mouth is dry.

I need water, but I can't make words to ask for it. My mouth opens, then closes, then opens again as I try to form words.

"Cassie? Cassie, it's okay, I'm here," My mom says frantically. She gently brings the back of her hand to my forehead, checking my temperature. I don't have a headache anymore; just a few very, very tender spots on my head. I wince at her touch.

"What's... happening?" I ask, speaking slowly so that I could piece the words together.

"It's just a little thunderstorm, nothing serious," Maeve says gently, "Don't be scared. You love thunderstorms."

But I am scared. Not of the thunderstorm, but of how disoriented I am. I can barely even register 'Cassie' as my name. Was I gonna... Pass... Out? Maybe...

"Why are the lights out?" My voice sounds breathy, panicked. Nothing like how I usually am. Are the lights out, or are my eyes not even open? I... don't... know.

"The power is out, honey," Said a voice. This voice, though, I don't recognize. I look up. There's another woman in here, one I don't know. I didn't know she was there until a blinding flash of lighting illuminates the room. Her name tag reads 'Isabelle.' Oh, I know her. She's the lady from the lobby that I liked.

"I'm Isabelle and I'm going to be helping you tonight," She says, but I'm not really paying attention to her. I guess that's one thing that's still normal about me. My attention span is still annoyingly short.

But it's mainly because the earth is rotating too quickly for me to be able to keep up. I feel like I'm on some sick roller coaster that I can't get off of. It's too late, I'm already buckled up for the ride.

I nod in greeting at Isabelle and she asks if I want water. I could really use some water. I nod ravenously. The nurse's smile is warm and kind, but I'm not yet comfortable around her, no matter how much I like her at first glance. I'm not comfortable at all.

What am I doing here?

"Where's Dad?" I ask, though I sort of know the answer. I remember what happened, but it feels more like it happened a year ago than it happening tonight. I had already been hit with the cold realization that this wasn't just a dream. I had woken up and I was in the same situation. Why was all this happening to me?

"Don't worry about it, Cass," Maeve says, looking at her hands. I can tell it's an uncomfortable topic for her. My mom takes over the conversation.

"You have us, and we're right here. Hopefully, you'll be out by tomorrow. Isabelle says your vitals are looking stable and healthy. But... a bleeding head is never a good thing." My mom says, and I note a sense of deep worry in her voice. She buries her forehead in her hands. Oh, this is what this is about. My bleeding head.

"I'm... fine, Mom," I say, though I don't really feel fine. I'll just say I do and try to take all the attention and worry off of me. I kinda hate this whole hospital thing.