Dreamland// P. Parker

2. A New World

Wednesday, October 25, 2017.

It was sudden, like a jolt from slumber. I was disoriented, tired, and I felt weak. All the energy I had was long gone. But at the same time, a new source of energy coursed through me.

I heard voices, like echoes. It sounded so far away, but I could tell it wasn't.

Okay, was I abducted by aliens?

"I think she's waking up!" A boy's distant voice boomed, making my head split. Nope. Definitely not aliens. So if it wasn't aliens, then who was it?

Don't tell me I was kidnapped.

I managed to let out a noise, which caused a stir in the room.

And I suddenly woke up, my eyes opened and alert. The fluorescent light made my eyes and head hurt. I winced in pain but managed to look around.

I was in a hospital, in bed. Two women sat on the right side next to me. One looked more aged than the other, but both very youthful. The older one of the two had long brown hair and glasses. Her clothes looked thrifted like they were aged. The other one had long, curly, blonde hair and glasses. Concern laced her eyes, and her body was tired looking. She was wearing scrubs; she looked like a nurse or dentist or pharmacist.

They looked at me with intent, and I curled up nervously.

'Am I dreaming?'

"Lilo, baby, can you hear me?" the blonde-haired girl asked.

'How did she know my name?'

"What...Who are you?"  I frowned, looking at the two.

'And why did she call me baby?'

Before they could answer, the door opened. A doctor walked in, followed by a younger boy.

"Good evening, Ms. Laney, Ms. Parker. I'm Dr. Tanner." He greeted the two women; they both quietly greeted him back.  A white coat adorned his body. His brownish-black hair swept to the side, which made him look laxer and cool.

The younger boy, who looked to be around my age, had his sweater-clad arms crossed. He leaned against the hospital wall awkwardly. I could tell he was uncomfortable or tense like he was waiting for something to happen. His reddish-brown hair was slicked back by gel, and his white converse scuffed against the floor as he shifted. His face held concern as he drew his lips in a tight line. We exchanged lingering eye contact, and I looked away shyly.

Whew, he was cute.

I...didn't say that.

Dr. Tanner turned to me, a sympathetic smile laced his features. "Hello, Lilo," he said and grabbed a stool, sliding over to the left of the bed. "How are you feeling?"

I looked at everyone in confusion; I didn't know any of these people. They were all strangers, but they looked at me with care and expectance. I curled inward more, falling nervous under their gazes.

I turned back to the doctor, his eyes patient and caring. Slight hesitance laced my voice when I said, quietly, "I don't know what's going on."

The blonde-haired woman sucked in a breath, causing me to look in her direction. The older one was holding her hand; the younger one was beginning to clam up, her tears no longer hidden in her eyes. She looked at me, a small frown formed on her lips, and I frowned in unison. I turned away and looked back at the doctor.

"That's okay, Lilo. We're going to take this one step at a time. Can you remember what happened before you blacked out?" he opened his laptop and put it next to me on the bed, waiting for a response so he could type.