LYRA*

I'm unsure how long I've been in this dream world of mine, but it's quite pleasant here. Therefore, I’m going to stay. Who would want to return to a fractured mind and a damaged body? Not me, that is for sure.

In my enchanting dreamland, the air carries whispers of mythical creatures, their existence seen only in words and on screens. When Vega graced my presence, reality embraced me, but as she departed, I slipped back into the dream. Here, unicorns prance with grace, dragon's roar with thunderous might, and centaurs gallop through lush meadows. Fairies flit and shimmer, their delicate wings creating a symphony of tinkling melodies. The salty breeze carries the lingering scent of the sea, where mermaids splash in iridescent waters. Even the earthy aroma of damp moss hints at the presence of werewolves and other shape-shifting beings who call this ethereal dream realm their home.

My mind has taken me to another planet altogether. Where different races of humanoid creatures live. Maybe all of those stories my mom has told Vega, and I about the planet Lyra, have molded their way into my subconscious. My mom should write a book about this supposed planet we all lived on in a past life. She would make millions.

In the depths of the night, the universe erupts in an explosion of vivid, luminescent hues. A realm adorned with two mesmerizing moons unfolds before me, a sight beyond words. It's a perplexing sensation, as if traversing through a reverie. The line between reality and illusion blurs, leaving me bewildered in the wake of such palpable authenticity. One fateful night, an ethereal being, my guardian angel swept me away. My damaged mind plays tricks, making it arduous to discern the boundaries of fantasy and truth. Although I am not departing from this world, I find myself trapped in an ethereal limbo, a realm of dreams so extraordinary that it surpasses the comprehension of ordinary souls.

It is like that movie, the lion, the witch, and the wardrobe. You know, where the kids show up in Narnia, everyone knows who they are. But here they call me Alexi Anna. It's always nice to have time to be a whole new person. And being here is the only way I can do that at the present moment.

They immersed me in the tranquil sanctuary of my little dream world, feeling content. However, my sense of tranquility shattered when Vega, who had become my anchor to reality with her daily presence, announced that she wouldn't be seeing me the following day. It was as if someone had flipped a switch in my mind, and my mystical realm vanished, leaving behind only a suffocating darkness. In that abyss, I awaited Vega's return, unsure of how much time had passed in that dreamless void. Through the oppressive darkness, I heard Vega's voice, offering a glimmer of hope. I willed myself to awaken, to make even the slightest movement, but my body betrayed me, refusing to respond. Panic gripped me, intensifying with each passing moment.

'Am I going to be forever stuck in this vegetated state? Is this going to be my life? Am I ever going to wake up?' I screamed within the confines of my mind.

It's incredible what unfolded next. Amidst the eerie silence, a deep, resonant voice pierced through the air, reaching my ears. Gradually, the sensation returned, coursing through my limbs like a gentle electric current. Although unfamiliar, the man's voice gave a soothing calmness, alleviating the overwhelming anxiety that had consumed me. I had the chance to listen to someone other than Vega's relentless chatter. As the tingling sensation enveloped my entire being, I longed to leap with uncontainable joy, if only I could. Yet, despite the resurgence of feeling, my body remained immobile.

'Come on, Lyra, all you have to do is raise a finger. Just one freaking finger. Wake up Lyra.' I thought to myself, however, nothing happened.

I could feel the gentle, yet unsettling sensation of someone shifting my broken leg, a remnant of the crash. The pain wasn't as intense as I had expected. Instead, it manifested as a dull, persistent ache. It's difficult to put into words, but that's when my senses heightened, my brain going into overdrive. A lump formed in my throat, constricting my airway, and my heart raced. It was a suffocating, visceral experience, as if I were reliving the agony of dying all over again. Every breath became a struggle, my body attempting to trigger the gag reflex, but the foreign object lodged in my throat obstructed any relief.

"Nurse, page Doctor Williams quick! Lyra's waking up!"

My eyes burst open and I started thrashing around. I started trying to pull at all the wires and objects that were causing me to suffocate.

A man grabbed my wrists, holding them captive. "Lyra. Lyra, look at me. Calm down. You are going to be alright. We will get the breathing tube out, but you must calm down. Try to relax, and it won't be so painful."

I relaxed, but tears were streaming down my face. I was gagging and choking, and there was nothing I could do about it.

More doctors and nurses filled the room, their footsteps echoing against the sterile walls. With determined focus, they began extracting the foreign object lodged in my throat. The sound of medical instruments clinking and the rustling of their swift movements filled the air. As they removed it, I attempted to utter words, but my throat throbbed with discomfort, making each syllable an arduous task. The dryness in my mouth resembled the texture of cotton, leaving me parched and unable to find relief.

Panicking, I frantically scanned the room, searching for any sign of Vega, but she was nowhere to be found. The doctors bombarded me with a relentless barrage of questions, their voices blending together in a cacophony of noise. I shook my head back and forth, silently pleading for them to cease their incessant inquiries. Their words, like fleeting whispers, entered one ear and exited the other. My parched throat begged for relief, so I pressed my trembling fingers against my dry lips, silently imploring them to understand my desperate need for water.

The man who was here with me when I woke up got up from my bedside. "Lyra, my name is Jared Wise. I'll run and get you some water, alright. Calm down. Everything is going to be ok. I promise."

After nodding to give him the leave, he walks out the door.

A moment later, he returned. "Let me speak with Lyra for a moment. Let her get used to being awake, and I'll page you when she has comprehended and accepted everything. She needs space, and everyone is crowding her."

After handing me a solo cup with a lid and straw, he steps outside with the others, their murmurs too faint for me to hear. I sigh and take a sip of the cool water, feeling its soothing effect on my mouth and throat. A few minutes pass, and Jared returns to the room, settling into a chair beside my bed.

"Would you like for me to call your sister Vega?"

My eyes widened, and a grin adorned my lips as I nodded yes.

"I'll be right back, alright. It's a good sign you know who I'm talking about. An excellent sign indeed."

As Jared rose from his seat and left, I couldn't help but think, 'Of course, I remember my sister. Are you crazy? She's my other half. Who in their right mind wouldn't remember their own twin sister?'

I continued to take tiny sips of cool water, relishing the refreshing sensation as I waited. The coolness soothed my parched throat, providing much-needed relief. Despite this, my heart throbbed, as if racing a mile a minute. I hoped Jared wouldn't keep me waiting for too long.

He was attractive, with his short, curly black hair framing his face. His deep, kind brown eyes seemed to hold a world of secrets. I couldn't help but notice his light chocolate skin tone, which added to his allure. Tall and slender, he exuded a quiet strength, clear in his toned arm muscles.

As I sipped my water, my mind wandered to thoughts I knew I shouldn't entertain. It was absurd to be fixated on the appearance of the African-American man who had just left the room. But at least my brain was functioning now, allowing me to appreciate his handsome features.

Jared walked back in a few minutes later with a smile on his face, showing off his straight white teeth. "Jace and Vega are on their way. Are you feeling any better? Would you like for me to adjust your bed for you? Maybe get you some more pillows?" Jared asked.

"Yes, please." I winced and placed my hand on my neck. "My throat hurts."

Jared assured me, "It will get better. I'll have the nurse administer some pain medication through your IV." He then adjusted my bed and pressed the nurse's button.

"Are you a Doctor?"

"Yes, ma'am," Jared replied, leaning back in the chair next to my bed. "I am a Physical Therapist and a part-time Orthopedic Surgeon here in the hospital. I performed the surgeries on your arm and leg. You and I will work together twice a day for a couple of weeks to help you regain strength and mobility."

"When can I go home?"

"That is something you and your family will need to go over with the rest of your other doctors and me. We have notified your parents and they should be here soon. They are both here working in the hospital. However, you need to stay in the hospital for at least two weeks."

"Okay, I guess. But I'd like to go home as soon as possible."

It was then that the nurse walked in. "Did you need something, Jared?"

She walked through the sliding door. Then walked over and placed a blood pressure cuff on my arm, and gave Jared a flirtatious smile.

"Yes, I do. Could you page Lyra's other doctors to come back to the room? Also, I need to get her a light sedative," Jared said, grinning back at her.

"I'll get right on that for you, Jared. How are you feeling, Lyra? I am so glad you are awake."

She smiles but not as wide as she had smiled at Jared and takes the blood pressure cuff off of my arm.

"I feel disoriented, unsure of what's real and what's not. The things I've witnessed just don't seem to make sense."

As I laid there in silence, my words drifting away like smoke, I pondered what my next words should be. If I should say anything at all. The room felt heavy with judgment, and I wanted to avoid being labeled as crazy. My voice remained feeble and rough, a reminder of my vulnerability. I hesitated, not wanting to strain my vocal cords any further.

"Oh dear, you've been unconscious for quite some time. I've heard many stories about people waking up in the ICU. But don't worry, nothing you say could convince me you're crazy. Let me notify your doctors, and your parents should be here soon. Now that you're awake, they might consider moving you to a private room, although I'm not certain."

She smiles, then winks at Jared before turning and walking out of the sliding glass door.

I pointed at the door with furrowed eyebrows. "Are you both like a thing or something?"

Jared chuckled and turned red in embarrassment. "With Heather, the nurse that was just here? No. She has been pursuing me for quite some time, though. I don't think that I'm her type, though. I'm twenty-eight and a virgin."

"There's nothing wrong with you being a virgin at your age. In fact, I think it's a good thing. Despite being twenty-one, I have had sex yet, and it's quite possible that I'll remain a virgin even as I grow older. Vega often tells me I'll end up as an old cat lady, alone in my bed."

As Vega entered the room, she ran up to me with a sense of urgency. "Oh my God! Thank goodness you're awake!" she exclaimed, embracing me.

Vega looked over at Jared. "Thank you so much for calling me. I'm so glad you're awake, Lyra! I've been so lost without you!"

How much time had slipped away in my whimsical realm? Could it have been years of slumber? I pondered my age in this unfamiliar reality. Tears cascaded down my cheeks, their salty taste mingling with the air. My breath came in rapid bursts, causing my chest to tighten. And then the world faded into darkness, engulfing me.