Chapter 9

[Chapter 9]


“Raign, I’m sorry we weren’t there for you.”


“We’re sorry we walked out on you when you needed us.”


*


“I didn’t have it in me to tell you but I guess what I wanted to say was, I love you.”


*


“I didn’t know you that long Reign but I you made me feel better than I had since, ever.”


*


“Reign, Honey. I’m sorry I never stopped your father from doing those things to you but you don’t need to worry about him anymore. When you wake up you’ll be with a new family. A family that will treat you with love.”


~@~


Yelling. It’s all that I hear. More yells, a crash and a thump.


“He’s my son and I have the right to see him!” An unfamiliar voice echo’s through my ears. A voice that makes me wince.


“I’m sorry Mr. Carter but he’s no longer your son. From the looks of him he’s been abused by someone in the household.” Someone relies. “We’ve already gone through the papers, he’s going to a different family.”


“You can’t do that!” They yell back. My brows pull together in confusion.


“We already have, now all I suggest is leaving before we call security.”


A door opens and closes and there’s whispering around me. Slowly I crack my eyes open, the bright severe light burning my eyes. I blink a few times and someone shuffles.


I take a deep breath, something in my mouth making it awkward. I choke slightly and watch as faces snap in my direction. Everyone around me seems to be in a daze as they stare at me lying here. I look past them all and at the white walls and flooring, where am I? Am I dead?


“Floyd, get the doctor.” Someone says and another door opens and closes, shouting and then someone in white walks in. More white? Really?


He fiddles around for a second and moments later the tube is removed from my mouth and nose. ‘Where am I?’ I try to say but it’s mumbled and unrecognisable.


The man pulls out a clipboard as everyone else stands back and watches on with wide eyes. I don’t meet any of their gazes and instead keep my eyes fixed on the clipboard man who starts speaking to me, “Drink this.” He hands me a small cup.


For a moment I stare at it, trying to make my muscles to wake up. One by one they come to life and shakily I reach for the cup and swallow all the cold liquid. It runs down my throat, thick and tasteless.


“Try to speak.” He says, not looking up at me from his board.


“T-Try to s-s-speak.” My voice is deep and hoarse like I’ve been asleep for eternity.


“Good now follow my finger.” He places one in front of my eyes and moves it back and forth. I follow it as best as I can. Shortly after he pulls it away and nods to himself, writing something down.


For what seems like hours he does multiple tests on me, writing a report on every one, “Everything seems to be good so far.” He says after yet another one.


“Now, tell me what your full name is.” He says.


My eyebrows crease in concentration. It stands at the tip of my tongue ready to leap out but no matter how much I push it, it doesn’t come. What’s my name? My, name. Hello my name is… blank. I can’t think of what my name is.


The man looks up from his board expectantly. I run a hand over my crinkled forehead. He places his board on the bed beside me and removes my hand from my head but doesn’t release it. There’s gasps caused by the people around me and quiet sobs but I can’t care about that at the moment. What is my name?


“Let’s try something else.” He suggests, sitting down next to me, blocking my view from the people.” Either blocking me from seeing them or the reverse.


I nod, breathing deeply, a horrible smell reaching my nose. “How old are you?”


I stare at him blankly, nothing coming to mind. He stands up and quickly leaves the room. I look down at myself, there’s no blanket on me and a thin material covers my body.


The man returns before long with a thin smile on his face. “I have to leave now, is there anything you’d like to know before I leave?”


“Yes.” I say, my voice cracking, “Who are these people.”


I look behind him, towards the unfamiliar faces. “They’re your friends and family.” He says quickly like he doesn’t want to be here any longer except there’s still one more question I need to ask him.


I turn to meet his dark eyes, “Who am I?”



 

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