The room was white, almost like something out of a silent hill movie where the only sound is the faint beeping of a machine. My arm stung as I tried to reach up and rub my eyes. "Don't." A soft voice spoke. It took a moment until I was struck with the realization that I recognized the voice. A warm body lay next to mine, arms holding me tightly as my eyes fluttered open to see him. "Arie?" I mumbled hoarsely, rolling over to lay my head on his chest. "I'm here." He spoke in the same soft tone.
Most would ask what happened upon awakening in a hospital bed, but not me. I remember what happened clearly. They tried to kill me, but Arie saved me like he always does. An unfamiliar voice pulled me out of my thoughts, "Elizabeth?" It said. I knew it was a detective and that he wanted to ask more questions, just like all the times before. I told the paramedics what happened and I know they didn't believe me, no one ever does. They think that I'm crazy, that I'm delusional, and that the injuries are self-inflicted. I'm not crazy though, I see Arie clear as day and he's real, I just know he is. I'm not crazy.
The man speaks again, "Elizabeth, I need to ask you some questions about what happened." Anger welled up inside me, I wanted to tell him off, to rip the wires and tubing from my skin. Sensing my fury, Arie placed a gentle kiss on my temple. After a moment, I gathered the self control to speak, though I was still angry. "I already told you." I spoke through clenched teeth. His expression softened, whether from pity or understanding, I don't know. "I just have to clarify a few things. Is that okay?" His voice was gentle now. Did he just ask me for permission? "Fine." I grumbled.
I watched as he pulled out a pen and a small notepad. "Now, how did you get your injuries?" He asked. "They tried to kill me." I replied, a heavy sigh rolling off my lips, letting him know just how frustrated I felt. "Who are they?" He asked. The world seemed to stop as my silence created a heavy tension. Finally, I answered him, my voice a mere whisper, "I don't know." My own confusion surprised me. After everything they had done, I still didn't know anything about them. Who were they? I had no idea, but they wanted me dead.
With that, the detective pulled a small card out of his suit pocket and laid it on the small table next to the bed. "Call me if you remember anything else." Was the last thing he said before leaving the room. My mind was reeling, almost like a hurricane, ripping everything to shreds, a disaster waiting to happen. Who were they? The question swirled in my head with the storm, destroying everything I thought that I knew. Was it possible that maybe I was delusional like they said? No, I couldn't be, could I?
The longer the question spun in my mind, the more the panic began to set in. Arie cupped my face in his hands, forcing me to look into his icy blue eyes before gently kissing my forehead. I knew something that I shouldn't, about how they had made people lose their minds, ripping secrets and events from memory, and that's why I refused to take the pills they gave me. They're trying to control me, to take my mind away, but I won't let them. I refuse to give them my mind like so many others have done and that's why they want me dead. Despite the doctors telling me that I'm delusional and paranoid, I know the truth. They are real, they have to be.
A nurse opened the door, carrying a small tray with her. Noticing that I was awake, she smiled at me, speaking gently, "Dinner." She held up the tray, "How are you feeling?" She asked, setting the tray on a table before rolling it over to the bed. Anxiety shot through my entire body as I stuttered a response, well, attempted to respond. The groggy high I experienced upon awakening had allowed me to mumble a few words to the detective. I looked up desperately at the nurse, trying to force the words out and failing miserably. She had dark brown hair that laid straight and seemed to flow past her shoulders with dark eyes that reminded me of chocolate.
I suppose she had noticed how hard I was struggling to speak. Most people around me knew I was selectively mute, but new people never seemed to understand. She smiled knowingly and handed me a small whiteboard with a marker, "I'm Amanda." I gratefully accepted the board and scribbled a response, "I'm Elizabeth." My hands shook slightly as I held up the board for her to see. Amanda nodded with a gentle smile, "You have some people here to see you, is that okay?" I nodded slowly, I wanted to see my mom.
