Finding Myself

*Bruises, bumps, and grazes

I felt very tired. My limbs felt very sore and weighed down. It was a struggle just to move my fingertips. One of my legs felt tense and strapped down. My other leg was noticeably freer but still had a burning sensation. My throat felt impossibly parched and dry. Using my voice was useless; all I could manage was a croak.

Then a cold solid form was pressed to my lips coaxing them to open. I spared no hesitation. I opened my cracked lips and let the cold liquid substance glide down my throat. I felt small drops of water slide down my lips and onto my chest.

My eyelids cracked open only to cringe from a bright white light. I heard a light feminine chuckle. I licked my lips feeling a deep grove in my bottom lip that lightly tasted of blood.

I felt a small weight between my upper lip and nose. I lifted my hand with effort to try to take off whatever was on me but a frail hand grabbed my wrist and patted it.

“No honey, you don’t want to do that.” I opened my eyes once again this time ready for the harshness of the bright light. I recognized four white walls and the sterile quality of the place. The large bed I was in was light blue and a soft dark blanket covered me from the waist down. I lifted the blanket to find one of my legs bandaged. That explained the feeling of being tied.

The door was on my right side taunting me, daring me to open it. The gentle and caring laugh I had heard earlier belonged to a slim elderly lady dressed in the typical white nurse outfit. Her graying hair was tied into a bun at the base of her neck. Her wrinkles were more pronounced around her eyes and mouth. She gave me a warm smile. Her clear blue eyes still held their youth. Her long skinny legs were covered in nude colored stockings. Her feet were dressed in ugly white shoes normally associated with nurses.

She laid my hand on the bed.

She gave me more water that I embarrassingly needed help with before asking me, “Do you remember anything darling?”

Trying to delve into my memories caused an ache in my temple. It was quite hazy as if trying to find something that didn’t want to be found.

I took things one step at a time. My name is Nina and I have an older brother named Erick. My parents were often away. My best friend is Missy and my arch nemesis is Pamela. It seemed that I remember the most basic of things but as to how I ended up in the hospital was a mystery to me.

“I can remember things such as my name but…how long have I been here? What happened to me?”

The nurse gave me a worried look and shook her head sadly, “Oh dear, let me call the doctor,” and then she proceeded to push a red button on a remote control that was attached to my bed.

A scratchy bored voice that seemed to communicate with a bad signal responded, “How can I help you?”

“Miranda? Its nurse May. The patient has woken up so if you could please be so kind as to notify the doctor,” my nurse politely commanded.

“Will do,” the voice called Miranda replied before the line went dead.

“Why do you have to contact the doctor?” I asked a small wave of anxiety beginning to creep up my spine.

Nurse May only gave a heavy sigh before answering partly,” I’ve been notified to contact the doctor the moment you woke up. As to how long you’ve been here? Yesterday was Monday and today is Tuesday so a day.”

Before she could tell me anymore there was a knock at the door before a man dressed in a long white coat entered. He was taller than the nurse and fuller. He had dark black hair peppered with gray around his ears. He pushed his tiny spectacles up his thin nose and hummed while he read my chart.