-6-

Something was off, something definitely doesn't make sense. Why does nothing make sense?

Honestly, it doesn't make any sense to me too. What did you do, Amber? Why don't I know? How will I effectively ruin your life if I don't know what is going on in it? How did you make a life decision without telling me?

I had woken up with a throbbing pain in my head. My eyes sting because of the bright lights this room had. The stark white walls only reflected those lights harsher onto me, making it difficult for me to focus my gaze. I had little choice but to close my eyes and protect them from damage.

As my sight betrayed me, other senses came to rescue. My olfactory sense was suddenly awakened and stimulated by the strong stench of disinfectant. I focused my attention on the auditory sense, it could hear some muffled voices but nothing of serious consequence, I would like to believe.

My skin was cold and tongue dried. I could feel the cracks in my tongue, I need water. I was overcome by this need for water which made me restless. I can't still open my eyes, my head is hurting but I need water.

I squinted my eyes, tried to focus my gaze – too bright. Disinfectant, muffled voices, white light.

Nothing made sense. Why does nothing make sense?

Did I hear footsteps, were they coming towards me? I could not tell. I tried squinting my eyes more, they were almost closed. Bright lights are not my ally.

I felt moisture on my lips. It was water, flowing inside my mouth. I let it, I have to. I gulped down what I think was the longest sip of my life.

"More." Was all I could say and more I got.

I wanted to say thank you but someone pinched my arm. My gratitude can wait for the darkness threatens to engulf me. It is scary but my fear can't stop what is going to happen next. Darkness engulfs me and for a moment all I could think was, if neither the light comforts me, nor the darkness, where am I supposed to find peace?

***

I woke up again. This time I was much more composed than the last time. Still, nothing made sense but I could make some things out now that my senses were under my control.

I opened my eyes, I was dizzy but my sight regained focus quickly when I put a hand on my head, in an attempt to steady it. The white walls and the light reflecting off it seemed much softer now. The smell of disinfectant was still in the air.

I was in a hospital. My other hand had a drip attached to it. That has never happened to me before. I looked around, no one was in the room. What was I doing here?

I closed my eyes, I could hear something, the muffling, muted voices were slowly taking the shape of a conversation that I could hear.

"Her dose must have worn off by now. You should go in and talk to her."

"Why me? It is not my job."

"Not mine either." Silence. "You brought her in, she is your responsibility now."

"You've got to be kidding me!"

"I'm not. Fine, I will go in with you."

I couldn't recognize those voices. One seemed sort of familiar, like a song once heard on the radio and then forgotten, with just the faint traces of melody struck in the head. The other voice though was definitely an unreleased tune.

I looked intently at the door. Was someone going to come in? Were the voices outside talking about me? The thinking was distressing. I decided to lay down, whoever comes, let them.

The door opened slightly and then it closed.

"I don't want to get into it." The slightly familiar voice was clearer now. What was it like?

Deep, sexy, smooth; like a velvet cuff earring tailor-made for your ear. The kind of voice which with its abrasiveness yet gentle tone brings comfort to you like a lullaby. If that is the voice you are expecting, sorry to burst your bubble but that doesn't simply exist. Not in this fictional universe, at least.

I couldn't tell what it was like. An everyday male voice, perhaps deeper? No, pitchier. I can't really tell. Slightly frustrating but still less than not knowing the reason why I was here.

"Don't be a sissy." This voice which was slowly becoming familiar to me was mocking. The tone held a perpetual mockery, a permanent sarcasm. Whoever this person was, was rude in general, I could tell. I am used to living inside people's heads through the characters I create and edit.

"Shut up. I just won't know what to say or do once I'm inside. How am I supposed to talk and deal with her? You are the doctor you do it."

"You will be the one conversing. I'm too far removed from her reality to give her any comfort."

Honestly, they both sounded very far removed from my reality. If I was the concept of the chair, they were certainly the twice removed physical imitations of it.

Muffled voices took over again. I didn't bother straining myself to hear further. I didn't know what was happening, I was too tired to think about it. In the true fashion of Scarlett O'Hara, I decided to let today be, I will think about it tomorrow.

The door suddenly opened and I heard footsteps approaching me. I didn't want to but I got up though my eyes refused to open. I tried though and they cooperated.

My gaze first fell on the man I didn't know. He was a doctor, he didn't wear a white coat but an ID hung from his neck. He shoved his stethoscope in his pocket, it was half falling out. If my eyes worked fine I maybe would have tried to read the name of his ID.

Then my gaze fell on the other man, the man I didn't know yet have known for quite some time now. What a time to meet the boss of the bosses. Shocked was an understatement but nothing had made sense till now and there was no reason to think whatever will happen next will.

Jerome Peters was standing there, looking intently at me. That was another thing that has never happened before.

A lot is going to happen that has never happened before.

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