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A Strange Awakening

Soft. That was the immediate thought pounding through my mind as my eyes shot open to reveal a scene most peculiar. The bath robe that hung loosely on my figure was indeed comfortable, but I had little time to appreciate it, seeing as I was worrying too about the fact that underneath the robe, there was nothing. As my eyes adjusted to my surroundings, I started to panic, my awakening brain taking in all possibilities of what just happened to me. I tried desperately to process my thoughts and line them up orderly enough for me to read them, but only one thought had room to grow in my heart and mind. Where am I? Oh no, oh no, oh NO.

I wrapped the robe tightly around my chest, my bare neck making me feel exposed and vulnerable. I looked down to discover the source keeping me up against gravity. A dark leather recliner was the culprit, and I sank into the depths of the seat, trying to find any corner to hide away in.

Where am I?

Although fear fought to overtake me, the serenity and normalcy of the room seemed to counteract the dread creeping into my being. To my left was a small bay window looking out into a suburban street filled with naïve children and young mothers burdened with strollers and colorful diaper bags; a typical scene. The sun was smiling and shining its warm and inviting rays as if everything was perfectly alright and nothing in the whole wide world was wrong. I envied the sun for his position. Directly in front of me was a platinum screen TV, a humble size, not too large and flashy, yet not so small as to embarrass the owner. It lay vacant and black now, but the way the power button was indented, it seemed to be loved and used on a daily basis.

What is going on?

The worn oak coffee table just inches from my folded knees was strewn with solo cups and plates that harbored residue of many long-forgotten dinners and parties. There were random articles of clothing in haphazard positions on the sandy, but still in all this mess, it was a pleasant place to be.

I’ve never seen this living room in my life, I pondered incredulously. With a thump to my forehead, I tried to recollect anything I could about my past. I couldn’t. My mind went as blank as the walls of the prison I was currently being held in. Only current details came to mind. I decided to speak them out loud to solidify them, make them facts, “I am Lindsay. I am fifteen. I am a girl, and I have hazel eyes and dark brown hair. I’m short and pale… and I don’t know anything else.” My terror increased tenfold as I came to the realization that I knew no more about myself than a random stranger could describe. A little digital clock on a side table to my left read 4:28 p.m. Amongst all the chaos ascending on my mind, I held onto this detail, possible because it was the only tangible thing I could uncover at the moment.