Shattered

•One•

NOW

Someone bumped into my bed, startling me. I hadn't even realized I was sleeping until I opened my eyes, slowly. Instantly, a panic rose in my chest and at first, I wasn't exactly sure why. My vision was slightly blurry and all the blinking in the world didn't make it clear up any faster. I squinted to focus better. Lifting my hand, I tried to rub my eyes but something prevented me from doing so. Looking down at my arms, I noticed tubes sticking out of the back of my hands. My initial panic was beginning to make sense.

I had no idea where the hell I was. I cried out, or at least I thought I did, and sat up. My heart was thumping so hard, I could hear the blood rushing through my veins. I continued to squint, trying to figure out what was going on. A dark figure stood at the end of the bed, facing away. Without a second thought, I began to tug at the tubes. The tape holding them down ripped at the delicate hairs on my skin.

Finally, the figure in front of me spun around and rushed to my side. They placed their hands on my arm, calling behind them, out the door, for help.

Words stumbled out of my mouth. I could feel my mouth moving but I don't think the words were forming correctly. Two more dark figures ran into the room. One of them stuck me with something, causing me to whip the back of my hand toward them, hitting them in the face. The first figure grabbed my arm and held it down while the other second figure held down the other. I cried, terrified beyond belief.

I didn't realize a high pitched squealing was deafening me until it began to fade out. The first figure was speaking but it was hard to understand. Their hold on my arm softened as I struggled to hear.

Trying to focus my eyes on them, I could tell he was male. He ran his fingers through my hair, trying to comfort me.

"Chrissy... Christine, it's going to be okay. I'm here, you're going to be alright..."

Christine?

I suddenly felt tired. Like someone had hit the off switch to my body and my mind. I lay back, gently, the man helping.

He let go of my arm and turned to the table next to me. He brought something toward my face and I sat completely still as he placed a pair of glasses over my nose and ears. My eyes adjusted quickly and I could see he was handsome with largely unique dimples down the sides of his cheeks. He gave a tiny smile and grasped my hand.

My eyelids felt so heavy. I tried so hard to keep them open. I didn't want to fall asleep. Wasn't I just asleep? I whimpered and the man shushed me, squeezing my hand.

"You're going to be okay. You just need to sleep and calm down a little. Rest and then we'll talk. I love you, Chrissy."

He kissed my cheek and my eyes closed. My thoughts turned off completely and I fell to sleep.

•••

He was still holding my hand once I woke up. This time, I remained calm. It definitely helped that I could see clearly. I pushed the glasses further up the bridge of my nose. Taking in the room, I noticed every surface was covered with flowers. The scents finally hit me hard and I felt a bit nauseous. The man pressed a button on my bed before he spoke.

"How are you feeling? God, I thought I'd lost you for good. "

I started to speak but my throat was scratchy. He grabbed a glass of water next to us on the table and handed it to me. I sipped through the straw and cleared my throat, swallowing back the nausea.

"Where am I?" My voice was soft.

He put the water back on the table. "We're at Saint John's, sweetie. You had an accident."