Missing Puzzle

Chapter 1

I woke up with a bright light binding my vision. I forced myself to open my eyes. I looked around and saw unfamiliar place I never seen before. Where am I? Why can't I remember a thing? Who even am I? After regaining my energy back, I quickly took the IV that was attached to my hand. I was about to stand up when the door suddenly opened and a girl at around her 40's came in.

"Astrid! You're not allowed to stand up right away. Now, lay down," she said while assisting me to lay down.

I quickly moved her hand away and hugged myself. Who is this woman? I will not allow her to touch me! What if she's going to hurt me? Or worse kill me? I won't let that thing happen. I may not remember anything but doesn't mean I will be stupid not to protect myself.

 "Astrid, it's me, your mom! You don't remember me?" she spoke.
Mom? Are you my mom? Astrid? My name's Astrid? No! Don't believe her! You can't trust anyone as of the moment.

 "Astrid!" She touched my arm again, but I quickly shook it off.

"Don't touch me!" I finally spoke while trying my best not to show how scared I am now.

The woman just stepped back and placed her both hands to her face, covering her mouth in shock while tears streamed down her face. The door suddenly opened and a guy in a suit came in.

"Alex, call the doctor please!" the woman said to the guy who just stood there and studying me with his eyes.

"Yes, ma'am!"  

  I just stayed in the corner of the bed when the door opened again and the same guy came in again, but this time he's with someone which I presume was the doctor.

"Astrid, you should not force yourself to stand up. You need to rest first," said the doctor who immediately went my way and assisted me back to lay down. I didn't argue with him and just followed him.

"Where I am? Is my name's Astrid? Why can't I remember a thing? What happened to me?" I need these questions be answered right away.  

"Yes, your name is Astrid and to answer all your questions, will you promise me first that you will just stay on your bed and listen to me?"

"Yes," I replied softly.

"Good. You were in a very bad car accident and luckily you survived but unfortunately, you had an amnesia that's why you can't remember anything. You've been in this hospital for a month now. You were in a deep coma. Look, I can assure you that what I'm saying right now is real with this pictures," he said trying to explain to me everything and give me an envelope which I opened right away.

 It was like I was stabbed by a knife right through my heart as I saw myself on a hospital bed laying lifelessly. The next picture was a car in front of a tree, completely smashed into pieces, that I believed was mine. I just can't stop myself from crying as I continued looking at the pictures. What if I didn't survive? What if I was not given another chance to live? These questions kept on running on my mind while scanning through the pictures. The young woman came to me and hugged me. This time I didn't shake her off, but instead, hugged her back. She was surprised by my sudden action and hugged me tighter.

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 After everything, I am starting to slowly process the events in my mind. The woman was still beside me and never left my side. We didn't have much chitchat after that emotional scene we had earlier, except when I need water or food, etc. She's in the left side of the room peeling some oranges. I hate this awkward atmosphere so I decided to start a conversation with her.

"So, you're my mom, right?" I asked nervously.

She laughed and replied, "Yes Astrid. Look, don't we have any similarities? You got your green eyes from me, dear."  

  I laughed too and started asking more questions.

"So, do I have any siblings?"

"Yes. You have an older brother. Unfortunately, he can't be here right now because he's having a business meeting in London but I already told him that you woke up already and he said he will fly right away here when everything is settled there and maybe that will be still next week," she replied.

"Mom, mom, do I have a dad?  

  "Of course, honey, but God took him back early. You were still 10 when he died."

"Oh. Ok," I said while positioning myself in bed to take a nap.

"And by the way Astrid," she added.

"Yes?"

"The doctor said that we can go home next week. You recovered fast, but he said that you need to take more bed rest for now and that's why we're hiring you a private nurse."

"Ok mom," I spoke and with that, I brought myself to sleep.