Alethea
My eyes feel heavy, as though they’re weighed down by unseen forces. Each time I try to open them, something drags me back into a suffocating abyss of darkness.
It feels like I’m floating in a void. I try to lift my hand, but it’s as if it’s made of iron, heavy, and immovable. The effort is excruciating like fire surging through my veins.
Desperate to break free, I force myself to move a single finger. Pain ripples through me, but then, faintly, I hear a voice. It’s distant, and muffled, with no clarity.
Something brushes against my face, gathering every ounce of strength I have, I push against the darkness and force my eyes open. Blinding light, pierces through my vision.
“Sorry!” a voice exclaims. I hear hurried footsteps as the figure rushes to the window, pulling the blinds shut to shield me from the rays of sunlight.
When the room dims slightly, I cautiously open my eyes. My head throbs as if it’s been struck by a train.
Blinking against the light, I see the face of an older woman standing near me. She looks like she could be in her early forties, her dark hair neatly packed into a bun with strands of gray hair.
I furrow my brow, in confusion. I don’t recognize her. Who is she? Her face radiates with love and concern; this feels foreign to me.
No, this can’t be my mother. My mother wouldn’t look at me like she’s never cared enough for me.
“Ally, thank the goddess, you’re well again,” the woman says softly, “you gave me quite a scare.”
Her words snap me out of my thoughts. My face twists in confusion as I stare at her, trying to make sense of who she is.
She notices my expression, takes a cautious step forward, and sits in the chair beside the bed.
I glance around the room, taking in the machines and medical equipment surrounding me. My hand is connected to an IV drip, and it dawns on me-I’m in a hospital.
“What happened to me? Where am I? And who are you?” The questions tumble out of my mouth all at once as I look at the woman sitting by my bed.
The moment I ask who she is, I catch a sense of hurt in her expression, and I regret it instantly.
“I’m Selena, you were in a coma after being hit by a vehicle.”
“Coma?” I echo, this new information leaves me momentarily speechless.
“Yes, child,” she says gently.
“But where are my mum and dad? They should be here, right? And what about my sisters? Are they here?” The questions spilled out in quick succession.
Selena hesitates, then slowly, she shakes her head. They haven’t come to see me.
I already knew the answer, deep down, but seeing her confirm it hurts in ways I can’t explain.
My chest tightens, a lump forming in my throat as I struggle to accept the reality. They haven’t come.
Selena reaches out, her hand is warm. “I know it’s hard, Ally,” but you’re not alone. I’ve been here with you every day, waiting for you to wake up.”
Her words are kind, but they don’t dull the ache in my chest.
I let out a slow breath and slumped back against the bed.
“I’d like to run a few more tests now that you’re awake,” Selena says after a moment. Her tone is kind like she’s trying to ease me into the idea.
“Thank you,” I murmured sincerely. I may not recognize her, but it’s clear from the look in her eyes how much she cares. It hurts to see how pained she is with the fact that I can’t recognize her.
“You’re welcome, child.”
Then I notice her eyes glaze over for a moment, it looks like she must be mindlinking someone. Moments later, the door opens, and a man in a white coat steps inside.
I glance between Selena and the man, trying to piece together what’s happening.
“Hello, Alethea. It’s good to see you awake,” the man says with a warm smile that instantly soothes my nerves. “I’m Dr. Trent.”
His calm demeanor puts me at ease as he pulls up a small stool and sits beside the bed.
“Okay,” he begins, “I’ll start by doing a quick examination. First of all, how many fingers do I have here?” He raises his pointer finger, holding it steady in front of me.
“One,” I reply, with a raspy voice.
He nods and then raises his thumb to join the pointer finger. “And now?”
“Two,” I answer again, feeling a small sense of relief that I’m getting it right.
“Good.” He smiles and he puts something down in his notepad. “Do you have any headaches?”
“Yes, it feels like I’ve been hit by a train,” I say with a slight grimace
Dr. Trent chuckles softly, “Alright,” he says, scribbling another note. “Now, can you tell me what you remember?”
I freeze at the question, my mind is void. I search for memories, anything that feels solid, but there’s nothing but fragments.
“As far as I can remember,” I begin hesitantly, “I don’t have a life. The only thing I know is that I’m bullied and beaten… looked down on by my parents and siblings because I don’t have my wolf yet.”
The words come out quieter than I expected. Dr. Trent’s pen pauses, and I notice Selena’s expression tighten, with pain crossing her face.
“Do you know this woman sitting here?” Dr. Trent asks, pointing to the woman who has been by my side since I woke up.
I turn my gaze to her, hope shining in her eyes. She looks at me as if she’s silently begging for recognition.
But the truth is. I’ve never seen this woman before. And yet, there’s something about the way she’s looking at me, so full of longing-that makes my chest ache.
I slowly shake my head, unable to meet her eyes. Instead, I stare at my hands resting in my lap, not wanting to see the disappointment I’m sure is now written all over her face.
Dr. Trent clears his throat gently, breaking the tense silence. “Alright, Alethea, I’ll check your vitals and do a physical evaluation. After that, we’ll run an MRI scan to look for any signs of brain injury, bleeding, or abnormalities, especially since you don’t seem to recognize Dr. Selena.”
Selena. The name rolls around in my head, but it doesn’t trigger anything familiar. I keep my face neutral. Instead, I give a small nod and let Dr. Trent get to work.
He moves methodically, checking my blood pressure, heart rate, and reflexes, all while jotting notes in his notepad.
Selena remains silent, her hands clasped tightly in her lap. I can feel her eyes on me, but I don’t look up. I don’t know how to face the hurt I’ve caused her without even knowing who she is.
As Dr. Trent finishes his initial checkup, he offers me a reassuring smile. “The MRI will help us understand more about your condition. For now, just try to rest.”
I nod again, feeling like a stranger in my own body, surrounded by people I can’t seem to connect with.
I slump back against the bed, as soon as they leave the room. My thoughts spiral, with questions I can’t answer. Why can’t I remember anything? Where are my parents and sisters? Why haven’t they come to see me?
I run my hands absentmindedly over my arms, until my hand drifts lower, brushing against my stomach.
That’s when I freeze.
My eyes widen, and my breath catches in my throat as I press my hand firmly against my abdomen.
This can’t be real. It can’t be.
A choked cry escapes my lips, quickly turning into a full-blown scream, echoing through the room.
The door flies open almost immediately, and Selena bursts in. “Alethea! What’s wrong?” she demands, rushing to my side