Chapter 2
“Are you waking up?”
My eyes fluttered open against harsh light. “Where …” My voice was weak.
“It’s okay. You’re okay. I’m Ella, and you don’t have anything to worry about. How are you feeling?”
My eyes adjusted and I realized I was in a hospital room. Worry filled me—not just worry, but panic. “How did I get here?” I remembered being in the rain and then in his car.
That man.
The woman gently patted my arm. “Don’t worry. You’re in Refuge Falls Hospital, and our own police officer, McCrae, brought you in. He’s my brother-in-law, and he’s just wonderful. How are you feeling?”
I tried to sit up, and pain ripped through my body. “Ow.”
“I'll call the doctor, lay still.” She ran to the door signaled the nurses station.
More pain filled my head. I moaned and closed my eyes.
“It’s okay.” She was back. “Can you drink?”
I felt the straw at my lips and sipped the water. I opened my eyes again.
Ella smiled. “There.” She pulled the water back. “Better?”
“No.”
“Hold tight. The doctor is coming.”
Panic filled me. “Why am I in here?”
“Now, calm down and let’s take a deep breath together. Ready? Breathe in, two, three, four—out, two, three, four.” She took my hand in hers.
I did as I was told because I didn’t know what else to do. I felt around in my brain and tried to remember something, but nothing came to mind. “Why am I in here?” I asked again, yanking my hand away from Ella’s.
Ella’s face remained calm. “Listen, we don’t know. You came in last night.”
I thought of the man who’d helped me. “I—the cop.”
Ella smiled, the corners of her eyes crinkling. “That’s right, sweetheart. That’s my brother-in-law, McCrae. He’s the one who picked you up. Do you remember anything else?”
“I just remember waking up last night and walking and walking in that rain and falling.” I grabbed my chest, feeling the bandages beneath my gown. “I think I fell on a rock.”
Ella’s eyebrows went up. “I think more than that happened to you. But what else do you remember?” She took my hand again, her fingers warm against my cold skin.
“I remember the cop coming and getting in his car, and then …” I trailed off, the memory fading. “I don’t remember.” I started to cry. “What happened to me?”
Ella shook her head. “I don’t know, but it’s okay. Dr. Chavez is coming.”
I squeezed my eyes shut, steeling myself against the pain. Tears ran down my cheeks. “I can’t remember anything.”
Suddenly, there was a cup at my lips. “Take another drink, and take a deep breath again. We’re going to figure this out.”
I opened my eyes and did as I was told. The water felt cool and calm against my throat.
She pulled back and put the water down.
“Where is the cop?”
Ella shrugged, her scrubs shifting softly with the movement. “You’ve been out for about twelve hours. That’s a long time.”
Twelve hours. “What time is it?”
“It’s almost noon. You’re probably hungry.”
I shook my head. “Not really.” But my stomach growled loudly in the quiet room.
Ella paused and smiled. “I’m going to go get you some food, okay? I’ll be right back.”
I nodded, and then Ella left, her footsteps fading down the corridor.
I felt lost, alone, a little bit scared in the impersonal hospital room with its beeping machines and antiseptic smell. I didn’t like it.
It wasn’t long until someone else walked in the room. He was wearing a white coat with the words “Dr. Chavez” embroidered on it. He had dark eyes and a neatly trimmed beard. His stethoscope hung around his neck. “Well, hello, you’re awake. I’m glad to see that.”
“Hi,” I said softly.
He came to my side and immediately took my wrist. “I just saw Nurse Armstrong, and she told me you’re awake, but she hadn’t had a chance to check your vitals. How about we just do that?”
Suddenly, I was under the microscope. He checked my pulse, heartbeat, throat, and ears, and then he gently touched the back of my head. I pulled away, wincing as pain shot through my skull.
He frowned, the lines in his forehead deepening. “I know you’re a bit beat up. Your head has a bump and a slight gash, but it’s not too bad. A couple of stitches. The rest of you seems bruised too, but nothing’s broken.” His face went somber as he glanced at my chart. “Do you remember anything?”
I shook my head slowly. “All I remember is waking up in that storm and walking around and freezing, and then I remember getting picked up by that cop. And then my stomach started hurting and I passed out.”
Dr. Chavez nodded, making a note on his clipboard. “That’s what McCrae said.”
I was putting everything together. “And he’s the nurse’s brother-in-law.”
He nodded again, a slight smile playing on his lips. “Yes, that’s him.”
“Does he know anything about what happened to me?”
Dr. Chavez shook his head as he continued to inspect my body. “I don’t think so.” He nodded to my gown. “Can I take a look?”
I nodded, although I hated it. “Yes.”
He gently pulled up the gown and then pressed on my ribs and then down one side of my leg.
I winced.
He pushed the sheet back down. “Well, you’ll be okay.”
Ella walked back in, carrying a tray loaded with food—some mashed potatoes, crackers, what looked like some peaches, and a pudding cup.
She moved a cart over and put the food down.
“I thought we’d just start you simple. I don’t know what you can handle, and I don’t want you to get sick.
” She opened up the crackers and offered one to me.
I took it. It tasted good. “Thank you.”
“Of course.”
Dr. Chavez picked up the tablet and seemed to be making notes.
“What else did McCrae say?” I asked.
Ella walked over to the monitor and pressed some buttons, the machine beeping in response. “Nothing.”
“I need to talk to him.”
She nodded. “I can text him.”
My mind blitzed. “I had a note card. I think it said ‘Pete’s Trucking.’ I remember seeing that before I passed out.”
Ella looked concerned. “I’m letting McCrae know you’re awake and that you want to see him.”
Worry flickered through me again. “Why can’t I remember anything? Who am I?”
Dr. Chavez frowned. “Your car was on its side. That explains the trauma to your head and ribs and the right side of your body.”
Panic swelled up inside of me. “Will I be able to remember soon?”
The doctor frowned. “I’m not sure, but you woke up, that’s good news.”
“What do you mean that’s good news? I have to remember.”
Ella nodded, adjusting the IV line that ran into my arm. “You’re going to be okay.”
Panic overtook me again. “Who am I?” I started full-on crying. “Isn’t anyone trying to find me?”