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Chapter 26

AN-Sorry. It's been rough, and I've had so many finals. Luckily, school ends next week, and that should free up some writing time. I really appreciate all the reads and votes, thank you!

Katherine's POV
All of us except Mom go out to the hallway. Lauren and Dani sit down with their backs to the wall. Dani laying her head on Lauren's shoulder. I smile, those two are just so cute. I watch Christina pace back and forth, and Amy tries to get her to calm down. It doesn't really work, and Amy looks at me for a second before shrugging, and she leans against the wall next to me. I grab her hand and we stand there, waiting to hear anything about Lisa.

Lisa's POV
I'm floating. It's an odd feeling, but is very peaceful. I haven't felt this calm in so long. Is this what being dead feels like?

I start to hear an odd beeping sound, and I feel a bit confused. What is that noise? Then I hear voices, I can't make out any words, just the sound of it. Things start to become a bit clearer, and I begin to make out individual voices.

"She....more alert....should be...any minute..."
"Lisa? Wake up now...You can do it...just open your eyes..."

I recognize that last voice...Mom! It has to be, but why would she be talking to me, she's not dead.
"Lisa, time to wake up. Lisa...." Mom says.

I slowly gain awareness of my body. The dull pain in my arm, soreness of my throat, and the feel of what must be sheets and a bed beneath me. I struggle to open my eyes, and only manage to open them for a second before closing them again at the brightness of the room.

"That's it Lisa! Open your eyes! Come on, just try!"

I try again, and am thankful that the light has dimmed a bit. I slowly open my eyes, and the first thing I see is Mom's face. Her eyes are red, her cheeks tear stained, but she is smiling. She hugs me, thanking god and smoothing my hair away from my face. She then backs up, and I look at the woman who has taken her place. She takes out a light and has me follow it with my eyes, and does a few weird tests.

I try to ask what's going on, but the only sound I can make is more of a strangled gasp than words. I try again to speak, but pain explodes in my throat. I try to reach up and grab my neck, but something is tied around my wrists, holding them down.

I start thrashing, trying to get up, but my ankles are tied down too. In my panic, I didn't realize anyone was talking to me, but after a minute, I can hear Mom telling me to calm down, that everything is okay. I finally give up, slumping into the pillow. I am sobbing, but only a strangled groan comes out of my mouth.

After what seems like forever, I calm down. I look around the room, and see several doctors and my mom. Mom is crying, and one of the doctors is talking to her. Then the woman that seems to be in charge says my name. I look at her, and she starts talking to me.

"Hello Lisa. My name is Dr. Wesley, and I'm in charge of your treatment." Dr. Wesley points to a kind looking woman beside her, "This is Dr. Hannah Richards, she is your psychiatric doctor. We are all here to help you, okay? I know that it's scary to be unable to talk, but we believe that it is only temporary."

I nod hesitantly, then move on of my arms, staring at the restraint pointedly. Dr. Wesley sighs before answering. "You are in restraints because you had hurt yourself when you were brought in, and we didn't want you to tear out your IV when you woke up. I know it's hard, but until we can confirm that you aren't a danger to yourself, the restraints will have to stay on."

I shake my head, years forming in my eyes once again. I'm such an idiot. I obviously can't do anything right, I'm such a failure I didn't even manage to kill myself. And now I'm tied to some bed, and I can't talk. I go to wipe away the tears, but remember I'm in restraints. Mom walks up and cleans them up with a Kleenex. She smiles weakly at me, and I attempt to smile back, but it doesn't really feel like it's real.

I don't want to have to deal with this. It's just too damn hard. If I didn't exist, I wouldn't be putting her through this pain.

I didn't realize I had said that last thought aloud, but Mom immediately started crying harder, and Dr. Richards walked up and tried to talk to me.

I am just so tired though, I just want to sleep, so that I don't have to think anymore. Maybe if I'm lucky, I won't wake up...