Drip, drip. Inhale. Drip, drip. Exhale. Boom! That's all it took, one bang and I was gone. One moment I was there, standing, breathing in the cool autumn air, soaked in the ice cold rain; the next moment, everything went to a blur. Then it all stopped. I was gone. I didn't think it would be so easy, so simple. I thought there would be more to it. I expected more pain. That was then though. It's not like that anymore, it all changed the day I fell into the shallow end.
"Is she okay?" the words were soft and childlike.
"I'm not sure. Go on, get another blanket and more towels." This voice was different. Stern, shaky, almost life-less.
The air was warm and had a sweet yet bitter smell to it, kind of like an old empty house. I tried to move my arm up but it was restricted under a thick cloth. My mind rushed through blurs in search of any recognition to my surrounding, I couldn't think of anything. My eyes slowly blinked opened coming to the sight of a girl. She was sitting on the edge of a table her face turned while she watched her hands work at something, giving her full attention to whatever it was she was doing.
"Where am I?" I tried to say with power and harsh concern but it came out soft and weak.
"She's awake!" I looked over to where the voice echoed from. A small boy stood in a narrow hallway hugging several cloths against him as if dropping a single one would be threatening. The girl looked over at me and halfway smiled. The boy ran up to me setting down the cloths gently and kneeling down in front of me. "Are you okay?" He whispered with concern.
"Gaz, back off. Give her some space." The girls voice was soft yet deep.
"Gaz?" I mumbled still unable to grasp onto my surroundings.
"It's short for Gastone, that's my name." The boy said still in front of me as he smiled.
"Where am I?" I tried again still as weak as last time.
"Gaz, go get a glass or water and seriously back off." The girl commanded. The boy threw his hands up as if surrendering.
"Okay, okay. Gotcha." He whined in an annoyed tone as he stood and walked down the narrow hallway again.
"That's my brother Gaz, he's kind of a pain in the butt, but he's pretty cool. I'm Eden. This is my house. It's nothing big and it's nowhere near impressive but it's warm so I guess it works." She explained smiling. She turned her head again and ringed out a towel over a bowl. "Here, put this over your head." She placed the warm, wet rag against my forehead. I looked at her with confusion causing her to begin speaking. "Do you remember anything?" I tried to recall what happened before this but nothing came to mind. I lightly shook my head telling her no. She nodded and began to explain. "Sometimes Gaz and I go on walks through the woods and along the old beach, we've seen you there a few times before but you always looked so sad so we'd turn back and leave you alone. Yesterday we saw you running into the water, you fell to your knees as you screamed something. I ran towards you but by time I reached you, you had fallen and blacked out in the shallow end. I picked you up and carried you here, you've been out cold for about twelve hours now." She gave a sympathetic look and half smile. I took in what she said trying to remember anything but nothing came to mind.
"Thank you." That was all I was able to say. I looked around taking in all of my surroundings. The building wasn't big; it wasn't even an actual house it was a trailer. The living room was cluttered with furniture and unnecessary décor but it was cozy. The kitchen was connected to the living room making the walk space narrow.
"Do you want to go to the hospital? You look pretty beaten." I turned my gaze back on Eden. I studied her for a moment forgetting that she even asked a question. She had dark eyes and long dark hair that seemed soft and slightly tamed. Her face was round, yet thin. She looked like she was young but she also looked older as if she has aged before her body. She smiled and licked her lower lip nervously. "I can take you?" I snapped out of my gazing and thought about who I was.
"I would rather not, I want to remember more then maybe I will go, but for now I feel fine." She nodded. I finally smiled slightly, "Thank you for helping me out, you two seem like very kind people."
"Well we couldn't have just let you die there, that would've been horrible. My mom's a nurse, she should be home soon. She wants to check you out and see how severe things are, she said she'll make final call on the hospital decision." Her tone wasn't as stern as before but it still held complete concern. Gaz set two cold water bottles on the table next to Eden and whispered something in her ear making her smile, he kissed her nose and she kissed his forehead, it seemed like a usual nighttime routine they had.
"Goodnight- " Gaz turned to me but froze, "Umm, what exactly is your name?" I panicked as my mind raced for the answer.
"Gaz!" Eden lightly hit his arm, "She doesn't remember things."
"Ow! It's a fair question!" He exaggerated holding his arm to him. Eden sighed rolling her eyes.
"He's right, it is fair enough," I thought harder then it came to me, "My name is Celestine."
"See! She remembers." Gaz teased sticking his tongue out at Eden.
"Oh hush, get to bed charmer." She teased back at him pushing him in the direction of the hallway.
"Goodnight, Celestine, I hope you get better!" He called over his shoulder as he was pushed away. I smiled and told him goodnight.
"You two seem close." I said and smiled at Eden as she handed me one of the bottles. She returned the smile.
"Yeah, I've done a lot of help with raising him, he's not actually my full brother. I was eight when he was born, his biological mother died giving birth and our father didn't want him on his own. My mom was good friends with his mother so she found out quickly and eventually adopted him. She works a lot though so I take care of him most of the time." She explained, her hair falling into her eyes while she shifted her position on the wooden coffee table.
"Wow that seems pretty tough, that's sweet you're there for him though." I smiled.
"Yeah-" She started to mumble something else but was cut short when a tall, thin, woman barged through the door.
"I'm home!" The woman shouted not realizing we were so close. She set a few bags down on the table in the kitchen then walked over to us. She sat next to Eden and started at me for a long moment.
"Mom, this is Celestine, the girl I texted you about." Eden informed her.
"How are you feeling, hun?" Her voice was soft and caring, almost like Eden's.
"I feel okay, I'm just a little sore and can't remember much. Or anything, really." I replied starring off into space.
"She looks like she was beaten and has a mild case of amnesia, if she would rather not go to the hospital then we can keep her here until she gets better. If you would like to watch over her I'm sure she would appreciate that." The woman spoke to Eden and she nodded back at the woman. She then turned to me. "My name is Prue, I'm a nurse at the local hospital and this is my daughter. Are you okay with staying here for a while? At least until you remember more that is." I copied Eden's reply and nodded. "I'm aware that you've slept all day but you should try to get more rest, maybe you can dream something that will help you remember?" Prue insisted. She was right I had slept all day but still my eye lids felt heavy and a yawn escaped. Prue was talking to Eden about something as I zoned out, I watched her get up and walk down the narrow hallway without returning. Eden gathered the blankets Gaz had brought out earlier and started making a bed on the ground.
"You're going to sleep there?" My words held concern and uncertainty.
"Well, yeah. I have to keep an eye on you, plus this is kinda my room." She motioned showing off the small living room. I wanted to object and tell her to lay by me, the couch did seem large enough, but before the words fell she had already cuddled up into her little nest and sleep had taken her over.
"Goodnight, Eden. Sweet dreams." I whispered before falling back asleep myself.
