Obsession

Chapter 43

When my eyes flutter open, I'm met with blinding sunlight. It takes a while to adjust to the brightness, but when I finally do, I see that I'm in a hospital room. I try to sit up, but I'm restrained. I look down and notice the straps around my wrists.

I start to panic.

I try to wiggle free, but it's not use. I growl and scream out in frustration. I have no idea where I am, why I'm here, or why I'm being confined like this.

A couple of nurses enter the room in a hurry. One of them quickly rushes to my side and plunges a needle into my forearm.

"What are you doing?! Get away from me!" I shout. "Let me...go...I...want...."

I'm suddenly so sleepy I can't stand it. My eyes close on their own and within seconds, I'm consumed in darkness.

I'm not sure how much time has gone by when I finally wake up again. This time, it's dark outside. It's quiet. The only sound that can be heard is the faint buzzing of the machine next to me and the occasional beat of my heart monitor.

I need to know why I'm here. I'm not hurt. I feel fine. Where's my dad? Where's Leo?

Since I can't move, I can't even press the call button for a nurse. All I can do is wait. This time, I won't go crazy. This time, I need answers.

Several hours go by before I finally hear the door creak open. A nurse wearing hot pink scrubs walks into the room holding a clipboard.

"Oh, you're awake," she says in surprise.

"Why am I here?" I croak.

She gives me a sympathetic look. "You've been through a lot, sweetie. We're just keeping you here for a while to make sure you're okay."

"Why am I strapped to the bed?" I ask.

"You were hysterical when they brought you in. It's for our safety as well as your own," she replies. "I'm sure they won't mind taking them off once we've got you settled down."

I nod while she goes on checking my vitals. What is the last thing I remember? I think back, trying to retrace my steps. The last thing that comes to mind is being in art class with Rue. Who knows how long ago that was now. It feels like ages.

"How long have I been here?" I ask the nurse.

"A few days," she replies softly.

Something about her reminds me of my mom. Maybe it's her long brown hair, pulled back into a ponytail. Or maybe it's her soft, blue eyes. Whatever it is, she makes me feel safe.

"Where's my dad?"

"He's been in and out," she replies. "I'm sure you'll see him and that handsome boyfriend of yours in the morning."

I smile sheepishly. Leo's been here too. And between him and my dad, maybe I can find out why I'm here, why I was hysterical when I arrived and get answers to the millions of other questions that have been clogging up my brain.

"Everything is looking good. Get some rest, sweetie," she says, taking the call button and placing it underneath my fingers. "If you need me, just press this button."

"Okay, thank you," I say as she's leaving the room.

I try to close my eyes and rest, but my mind is racing. What happened to me? Why am I here? Why was I hysterical? I don't remember anything happening. Nothing serious, anyway.

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I'm startled awake when the door to my room creaks open. I blink a few times, trying to focus on the person walking towards my bed.