Chapter 1

I don't remember anything. I don't know who I am, where I am or even if this is real. It's dark. It's cold. I'm lying on the ground, naked. I can feel liquid beneath me. It may be blood. Is it my blood? I'm not sure. My body aches, yet I cannot feel any wounds. My sobs ring out in the room. I can't tell whether the room is large or small. For all I know, I'm not in a room. Perhaps I'm in a chasm, long and deep, praying for someone to save me, yet knowing no one will ever find e or my corpse. But that's not true. I'm in a room. I don't know how I know, but I do. Something shifts to my right. I try to call out, but my throat is parched. I make only a hoarse coughing sound.

"Welcome back to the world of the living." Her voice is soft, feminine, with a hint of worry.

"Where am I? Who are you?" In my mind, those words echo in the room, yet I know better. Just more coughing.

"Try not to speak. It has been several days since you have had something to eat or drink." I feel her hand in clasp around mine. She opens my fingers and places a cylindrical metal object on my palm. "Drink it. It's fresh water, somewhat of a rarity around here lately." Though I cannot see her, I sense her warm smile.

I pour the cold liquid into my yearning mouth. Swallowing is painful. The water feels like cold daggers in my throat. I don't care though. I down the entire bottle, feeling upset when the last drop is gone.

"May I have some more water?" I actually hear the words this time. Harsh, yet audible.

"I'm sorry. Any more water than that and you'll vomit it all back up. It's not good for a dehydrated person to engorge themselves on water." She sounds generally concerned.

"How do you know all this? Who are you?"

"My name is Lisa Garland. I'm a nurse at this hospital. You stumbled into the reception area covered in blood. This was the only room I could find that wasn't filthy."

"Hospital? Why is it so dark? Why am I naked?"

Lisa gives a cute laugh. "Open your eyes! You must have a very active imagination." I feel her hand on my shoulder. A confused look spreads across my face. Open my eyes? They are open . . . aren't they?

Despite my own beliefs, I open my eyes farther. A pretty girl with long blonde hair stares down at me. She is wearing a red sweater over a one piece nurse outfit. Perhaps girl is not the correct word. I can see lines of age across her face. Her eyes look dead inside.

The wall behind her is a decayed brown color. The window is smeared with dirt and grime. The dim light barely filters through. I look down at myself and see I am wearing a thin hospital gown. There are several blood stains on it. I feel embarrassed by my nearly naked body.

"Don't worry about the gown. It's long enough to cover everything." She smiles sweetly. "And don't be embarrassed, you look pretty good in it." Her smile becomes corrupt.

I blush slightly. Then I remember the disgusting room I am in. "Lisa, why is this room so dirty?" My throat still feels dry.

"All the rooms are like this. They have been for a long time. No one has ever come back to clean them. I have tried, but it's just so much work for one person." Her eyes give a look of hopelessness.

I can't help but feel sorry for her. "What happened here Lisa? Why hasn't anyone been here?"

"People have been here. Travis, Kaufmann, Harry. Yes, people have been here. They all have left me alone. I get so scared when it gets dark out." Lisa looks at me. I can't tell if she is genuinely frightened, or if she is putting on an act.

Her hand is still on my shoulder. I try to sit up, but she pushes me back down. "Please don't move, you'll only agitate your wounds. Now that you're awake, would you mind if I asked a few personal questions?"

"Sure, why not?" I smile at her, trying to give her some comfort. She looks away when I do.

"I only need three things. Your name, date of birth and blood type. Oh, four if you count any health problems."

I think for a moment. My name? What is it? Nothing comes to my mind. Amnesia. I don't need a doctor to tell me that. I can't recall any answers to her questions. "I'm sorry Lisa, I just can't remember. I must have hurt my head."

She smiles at me. "Alright. You rest up here for a while. I'll be back in a few hours to check up on you."

As she walks away, she slides her hand down my arm. I shudder at the feeling. Her skin is cold.