The first thing I notice is a bunch of beeping noises, mostly slow and steady. All from machinery of some kind, I think.
The second thing I notice is sore pain throughout my body, and my head is throbbing just slightly. A small groaning noise of pain startles me, and It takes me a second to realize that it came from me. A rustle and the sound of shifting feet alerts me to someone's presence and I force my eyes to open. The light blinds me and I squeeze hurriedly squeeze them shut once more, a gasp of pain escaping my lips.
"Are you in pain?" A gentle voice cuts through the blackness behind my eyelids, "Would you like some medication?"
Slowly this time, I open my eyes enough to peer through my eyelashes, enough to see that the person speaking so softly to me is a handsome man. Probably around my age, whatever that is. Twenty I think? He has dark black hair, and deep dark brown eyes. They seem like kind eyes to me, if that's a thing.
"Yes please." I test my voice, whispering softly. I wince at how scratchy it sounds to me.
He nods, confusion filtering through his expression so quickly that I'm sure I must have imagined it. I can't think of a reason he would be confused, so it must have been all in my head. "Ok." He says after a pause before moving away from the side of the bed to do something, get the medication he mentioned I suppose.
Letting my head roll to the side a little, I watch him move around the small room, grabbing a few items that I can't see from here. When he turns to face me once more he still looks a little wary, but he steps back to my side anyway and I can see he is indeed holding a bottle of something and a syringe. He seems to search my face, and he must find whatever it is he's looking for because he nods slightly and begins to read something on the bottle.
I can barely read the label, and words and instructions leave my mouth before I can think too much about what they are. His eyes shoot back up to me, shock clearly present in them now. He blinks and I confusion floods my system, and I scrunch my nose up, "Wh-what? Am I a nurse or a doctor or something?"
"You don't remember?" Both his eyebrows raise at this new information and I shake my head to the side and wince from the quick movement. "N-no. I-I don't re-remember a-anything." I stammer as I speak now, nerves bubbling up inside me.
"It's all right," His voice is soothing, comforting. "We'll figure it out." He offers me a smile before he turns his attention to the stuff in his hands once more. Calmly he administers the pain medicine into an iv bag that I only now realize is in my arm. When his eyes dart back to me after he's finished, I realize my mouth has opened just the slightest bit, and I avert my own eyes again, feeling a little embarrassed to be caught watching so intently.
"Uh, thank you." I bite my lip, a nervous tick that I feel is vaguely familiar to me like it was something I'd done often in the past for whatever reason. Maybe this was a usual feeling for me as a teenager or something.
"Hey, Raymond," A new voice calls out, startling me and I feel myself jump in surprise. Once again, I am wincing from the pain that seems to be coming from moving quickly. In the doorway, I am met with a slim man in a wheelchair and I have a feeling that he would be taller than me if he could stand. Yet, I am glad that he's now provided me a name for the kind man next to me.
"Hmm." He looks to acknowledge him, "Yes Doctor Wells.?"
"When you're finished in here," He eyes me, and I get the distinct feeling he does not like me, "would you please join me in the lab." His request sounds more like an order to me and I get the feeling that there is no room for discussion at the moment.
"Of course," Raymond sighs and Dr. Wells nods, satisfied at his answer and he is quick to leave.
I clear my throat before trying to speak again "So, uh your name is Raymond then? It's nice to meet you." My voice sounds a little clearer than before, to my relief it's almost smooth.
"Oh, uh," He shakes his head, "I'm Ronnie, Raymond is my last name." He scratches the back of his neck and gives me a half-shrug. "I guess, I've got to go." He purses his lips slightly as he crosses his arms in front of his chest. He pauses another moment and I don't think to ask my question until he's already almost out the door.
The second his foot is past the threshold my eyes widen I tense up, "Wait!" bursts from my lips. Ronnie turns halfway around, "What?"
"Uh, do you- "I bite my lip again, "um, do you happen to know what my name is?" I ask hopefully. At least having that would be nice, a starting point really to begin figuring out all the things I can't seem to remember.
"Oh." He blinks, surprised again I think, "I actually do." He offers me another smile, "Your name is Caitlin. I'm sorry, that's all I know so far."
"Caitlin." I muse, testing it on my tongue. "It's nice." I give him a half-shrug.
"You should get some rest while you can, I'll-uh- I'll check on you later."
"Thank you, Ronnie. I will."
He gives me one last tight-lipped smile before he disappears out of the doorway and I am left alone. Relaxing back into the bed, I resolve to at least try to get some rest like Ronnie suggested.