Discovering the Past
(A/N) this is a DQ story eventually but it is set in 2004. Stick with it.
DQ comes in eventually.)
Chapter 1 The night was cold and damp and a harsh wind was moving across the plains. A young woman walked across the open unadorned land, her skirt flowing in the wind. Suddenly, something caught her eye and the woman took off running. Before she knew it, trees surrounded her. Their large trunks towered above her, their leaves covering the opening to the sky.
It was pitch blank amongst the trees, but Melissa did not stop. She ran and ran until her legs wouldn't move anymore. Planting herself in one spot, she willed the world to stop turning. She couldn't catch her breath and she felt dizzy from the lack of oxygen. Placing her hand on a tree, she tried to steady herself. Her head was spinning uncontrollably. As she felt her hand slip down the bark, Melissa first tried to stop herself. It was a failed attempt. She couldn't stop it. Landing in a pile of leaves, she simply sat and looked around. There was no one around and she felt lost, lonely, frightened.
As Melissa sat in the leaves battling her emotions, she felt a hand touch her shoulder. She looked up and a woman was standing before her. The woman placed her hand under Melissa's chin and lifted her head. Taking her other hand, she gently placed it in Melissa's. She helped the girl rise. "Now what are you doing all the way out here on your own?" the woman asked.
"I.I don't know." Melissa answered. "I was just walking and then I was running. I don't know what happened."
"You look lost."
"Everyone tells me that." Melissa said, avoiding the woman's stare.
The woman gestured to their right. Melissa assumed that was where she lived. "Why don't you come with me to my homestead. I'll get you something to eat and we'll see about finding your family."
"I don't have any family." Melissa revealed.
"No family?" The woman was concerned. "Then you must stay with me and my family."
"I couldn't intrude."
"Nonsense. We have plenty of rooms and I'm sure you have nowhere better to go."
"You're right about that." Melissa knew her chances with this stranger were far better then if she were to go back to the life she knew. Yet, something was stopping her from accepting the hospitable offer. "But I really can't.there's someone.I couldn't put you and your family in danger."
The woman's face turned worried. "If you're in some kind of trouble, maybe we can help."
"There's nothing you can do to stop him."
"Who? Who can't we stop?"
"Please ma'am. Just leave me here." Melissa requested. "Let him kill me.then this will all be over with.and the pain will be gone."
The woman gasped in horror. "Let him kill you?" she exclaimed. "I could never."
"He will succeed no matter what I do. It's better for you not to get involved." Melissa warned.
"I can't accept that." The woman protested. "Please, at least come to my home and have some food, get washed up. And please talk with our sheriff."
Melissa hesitated momentarily. She looked around and saw nothing that frightened her. So she agreed to go with the woman.
The home was beautiful. Way out in the country, far from any cities. The craftsmanship was awe-inspiring as was the surrounding property. But something about it was strange, and yet familiar. That house caused Melissa to shiver.
Melissa woke with a start. She bolted out of bed immediately collapsed to the floor. Her leg couldn't hold her up. Using the bed to support her, Melissa got back up and grabbed her crutches. She then hobbled to the window for some fresh air. Breathing deeply, she tried to calm her nerves. She kept having these nightmares. Well they were nightmares to her. To someone else, they may simply be seen as a dream. Tonight's was especially frightening.
It started as all the other dreams did. The forest, the running, the falling against a tree. It happened every night. But the woman who rescued her, the homestead.these were new developments.
Somehow all the dreams ended differently. One night she was taken away by a tall dark stranger to live as his slave in a shack. In another she stayed in the forest and was slowly consumed by the foliage until she was dead. Some were happy. She was rescued by friendly people who took her in and loved her. Melissa recognized the people. They were from her past and she knew they cared for her. Only she was never truly happy.
This night, the woman who rescued her from the forest was not someone she knew. None of it made sense. Why was this dream so frightening? Why did it cause chills to travel down the spine of its dreamer? Melissa calmed her breathing and returned to her bed, leaving the window open to feel the chill of the night. Sitting on the edge of the bed, she turned on the lamp by her bedside. She took out a small notebook and wrote down her dream. The doctor told her it was important to write things down. Maybe one day she'd remember something.
It was an odd situation. Melissa recognized every person that appeared in her dreams. But she didn't remember who they were. The doctor said they must be her family, but Melissa couldn't say weather or not he was right. They loved her, she knew that. But that was as far as the recognition went.
Then there was the man who lived in a shack. She recognized him as well but couldn't tell you anything about him besides that. He looked familiar. But every time he appeared in her dreams, Melissa felt that he was somehow trying to reach her. He was really trying to take her as his slave.
And now there was this new woman. Should Melissa know her as well? If so, why did she not remember her face? If not, why was she in the reoccurring dream? She made a mental note to ask the doctor about it in the morning.
Before Melissa could settle back into bed, a man came running into her room. Not far behind him were four other people. He stopped suddenly, seeing Melissa sitting in bed, perfectly well. "What happened in here?" the man asked.
Melissa was confused. "Nothing happened. I just couldn't sleep."
"You're monitors were going off." The man said, his breathing beginning to calm. He ushered the other people out of the room and shut the door. Taking a seat on the bed, he took Melissa's hand. "We thought you were."
"Dead?" Melissa assumed. "Well as you can see I'm not."
"Then why.something's going on."
Melissa let out a small chuckle and pulled up a few cords from the bedside. "I must have pulled them off when I got up to get some water.I'm sorry if I frightened you."
"You know we can get you water if you need it." The man said. "Just ring."
"I'll try and remember that." Melissa said. "Thank you."
The man stood and walked to the door. "You best get some sleep now."
"I will." ***
A small knock sounded on the door. Melissa woke from the sound and sat up in bed. But she didn't want visitors so she remained silent. "It's time for your morning medication." The nurse called from the door.
Melissa let out a sigh and signaled the nurse to enter. There was no avoiding the medication, even if she wanted to. "You felling ok this morning dear?" the nurse asked.
"As well as can be expected I guess." Melissa said.
"I heard you had a little problem last night." The nurse began.
"No problem." Melissa lied. "Just a small accident."
"What happened?"
Melissa again pulled up the cords. They had yet to be put right. "I accidentally pulled them out."
"Pulled them out?! I can see that now! Heavens child those are important. Didn't anyone bother to put them back?"
"I think they were quite shaken up. They thought I was dead."
"Who wouldn't?" the nurse asked. Holding up one cord she continued, "This one here's your heart monitor. No monitor, no heartbeat."
Melissa tried to lighten the mood. "So that's why they brought the crash cart."
The nurse was not amused. Holding another long wire she added "And this one's your IV. You can't get your meds without that. Or fluids."
"Is that why I'm so thirsty?" Melissa again attempted humor. She knew perfectly well what all those cords did. But she was almost ready to be released. Certainly they were no longer so important.
"Most likely dear, most likely.Now let's see if we can get you back together.what were you doing that caused this disaster."
"Just getting some water." Melissa lied again.
"Just some water? You know we will get that for you if you just ring."
Melissa sighed heavily. "Yes I know you will bring water. But I hate being waited on. I can get it myself."
"Seems ya can't dearie." The nurse said. "You've been through a lot. Let us help you."
"I'll try. I just want to get out of here.
"The doctor said he'd be in about an hour from now." The nurse informed. "He wants to change some of your meds I think."
Melissa shifted in her bed uncomfortably. She needed those pills. "Why would he do that?"
The nurse shot a liquid into the IV tube, and then proceeded to take her patient's temperature and other vital signs. "Well he's certain that you are recovering from your injuries well.and you mental problems may be from those injuries so he wants to see how you do off the medicines."
"I'm not remembering anything." Melissa complained. "Shouldn't I be by now?"
"Some people take longer. You had a pretty nasty lump on your head. Give it time."
Melissa sank into the mattress. That wasn't what she wanted to hear. She wanted someone to tell her that she'd be better soon and she could go back to her life. She was tired of sitting in this bed, doing nothing except remain confused. Then again, what life would she be getting back to?
She'd been in the hospital for weeks. After being found almost dead by the side of a creek, she had been brought to the nearest hospital. The doctors worked for hours to keep her alive. Finally, she was stabilized and moved to her own room. But things were rough going from there.
Melissa did not regain consciousness for two weeks. The staff at the hospital had considered taking her off the machines and letting her die. But that was not there decision. That was something left to her family. Unfortunately, no family had been located. So they kept the young girl alive, hoping that either she would wake up, or someone would claim her.
When she did wake, Melissa was confused. She had no idea where she was or why. Doctors informed her of what they knew, and hoped that she could provide more details. But Melissa had amnesia. She couldn't remember who she was or where she came from.
After a few more weeks of surgeries to repair injuries to her right leg and plastic surgery on a badly scarred area of her face, Melissa was on the road to recovery. Physically anyway. Emotionally, she was in ruins. She battled daily with serious depression. Under the circumstances, no one was surprised. She had been to hell and back and now she didn't know who she was.
The only clue she had was a picture in her wallet that had her name, Melissa, and the date, July 2003, on the back. The picture had been torn in half. It was assumed there was another person in the originally, but he or she had been ripped from the print. There was no last name, no driver's license, nothing else. Only her dreams offered further insight into her past. Dr. Stevens was very interested in Melissa's case. He was working on a research project with a few of his students on amnesia. He visited her everyday to discuss her progress.
When he arrived that morning, Melissa told him about her dream. "It was so much like the other dreams." She told him. "Except I didn't know this woman."
Not at all?" the doctor wondered. "Nothing about her was familiar?"
Melissa took out her notebook, to confirm. "I.remember her house. Well a little.It was weird. It was as if I'd been there before, but at the same time, I hadn't."
"I think you're getting your memory back." Dr. Stevens beamed.
"You do? I still don't remember anything."
"But you are having familiar things appear in your dreams. Before you know it, you'll remember when you're awake."
"Does that mean I can get out of here soon?" Melissa hoped.
"I think if we wean you off your medication, and find a place for you to stay then there's no point in you staying here."
"But I have nowhere to go. I don't even know what state I'm in, or where I used to live."
"You're in Massachusetts of course." Dr. Stevens told her. "And I think I can help you with where you used to live."
"You can?"
"There's a man here who wants to take you home."
"A man? You're gonna send me home with just any random guy that comes along?"
"I don't think he's just any man Melissa.he seems to know you quite well."
"He does?"
"Would you like me to bring him in?" the doctor offered.
"I don't know. What if I don't recognize him? What if he's someone I didn't like? What if."
"I'll stay with you. There's nothing to worry about."
"Alright." Melissa said hesitantly. "Bring him in."
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Chapter 1 The night was cold and damp and a harsh wind was moving across the plains. A young woman walked across the open unadorned land, her skirt flowing in the wind. Suddenly, something caught her eye and the woman took off running. Before she knew it, trees surrounded her. Their large trunks towered above her, their leaves covering the opening to the sky.
It was pitch blank amongst the trees, but Melissa did not stop. She ran and ran until her legs wouldn't move anymore. Planting herself in one spot, she willed the world to stop turning. She couldn't catch her breath and she felt dizzy from the lack of oxygen. Placing her hand on a tree, she tried to steady herself. Her head was spinning uncontrollably. As she felt her hand slip down the bark, Melissa first tried to stop herself. It was a failed attempt. She couldn't stop it. Landing in a pile of leaves, she simply sat and looked around. There was no one around and she felt lost, lonely, frightened.
As Melissa sat in the leaves battling her emotions, she felt a hand touch her shoulder. She looked up and a woman was standing before her. The woman placed her hand under Melissa's chin and lifted her head. Taking her other hand, she gently placed it in Melissa's. She helped the girl rise. "Now what are you doing all the way out here on your own?" the woman asked.
"I.I don't know." Melissa answered. "I was just walking and then I was running. I don't know what happened."
"You look lost."
"Everyone tells me that." Melissa said, avoiding the woman's stare.
The woman gestured to their right. Melissa assumed that was where she lived. "Why don't you come with me to my homestead. I'll get you something to eat and we'll see about finding your family."
"I don't have any family." Melissa revealed.
"No family?" The woman was concerned. "Then you must stay with me and my family."
"I couldn't intrude."
"Nonsense. We have plenty of rooms and I'm sure you have nowhere better to go."
"You're right about that." Melissa knew her chances with this stranger were far better then if she were to go back to the life she knew. Yet, something was stopping her from accepting the hospitable offer. "But I really can't.there's someone.I couldn't put you and your family in danger."
The woman's face turned worried. "If you're in some kind of trouble, maybe we can help."
"There's nothing you can do to stop him."
"Who? Who can't we stop?"
"Please ma'am. Just leave me here." Melissa requested. "Let him kill me.then this will all be over with.and the pain will be gone."
The woman gasped in horror. "Let him kill you?" she exclaimed. "I could never."
"He will succeed no matter what I do. It's better for you not to get involved." Melissa warned.
"I can't accept that." The woman protested. "Please, at least come to my home and have some food, get washed up. And please talk with our sheriff."
Melissa hesitated momentarily. She looked around and saw nothing that frightened her. So she agreed to go with the woman.
The home was beautiful. Way out in the country, far from any cities. The craftsmanship was awe-inspiring as was the surrounding property. But something about it was strange, and yet familiar. That house caused Melissa to shiver.
Melissa woke with a start. She bolted out of bed immediately collapsed to the floor. Her leg couldn't hold her up. Using the bed to support her, Melissa got back up and grabbed her crutches. She then hobbled to the window for some fresh air. Breathing deeply, she tried to calm her nerves. She kept having these nightmares. Well they were nightmares to her. To someone else, they may simply be seen as a dream. Tonight's was especially frightening.
It started as all the other dreams did. The forest, the running, the falling against a tree. It happened every night. But the woman who rescued her, the homestead.these were new developments.
Somehow all the dreams ended differently. One night she was taken away by a tall dark stranger to live as his slave in a shack. In another she stayed in the forest and was slowly consumed by the foliage until she was dead. Some were happy. She was rescued by friendly people who took her in and loved her. Melissa recognized the people. They were from her past and she knew they cared for her. Only she was never truly happy.
This night, the woman who rescued her from the forest was not someone she knew. None of it made sense. Why was this dream so frightening? Why did it cause chills to travel down the spine of its dreamer? Melissa calmed her breathing and returned to her bed, leaving the window open to feel the chill of the night. Sitting on the edge of the bed, she turned on the lamp by her bedside. She took out a small notebook and wrote down her dream. The doctor told her it was important to write things down. Maybe one day she'd remember something.
It was an odd situation. Melissa recognized every person that appeared in her dreams. But she didn't remember who they were. The doctor said they must be her family, but Melissa couldn't say weather or not he was right. They loved her, she knew that. But that was as far as the recognition went.
Then there was the man who lived in a shack. She recognized him as well but couldn't tell you anything about him besides that. He looked familiar. But every time he appeared in her dreams, Melissa felt that he was somehow trying to reach her. He was really trying to take her as his slave.
And now there was this new woman. Should Melissa know her as well? If so, why did she not remember her face? If not, why was she in the reoccurring dream? She made a mental note to ask the doctor about it in the morning.
Before Melissa could settle back into bed, a man came running into her room. Not far behind him were four other people. He stopped suddenly, seeing Melissa sitting in bed, perfectly well. "What happened in here?" the man asked.
Melissa was confused. "Nothing happened. I just couldn't sleep."
"You're monitors were going off." The man said, his breathing beginning to calm. He ushered the other people out of the room and shut the door. Taking a seat on the bed, he took Melissa's hand. "We thought you were."
"Dead?" Melissa assumed. "Well as you can see I'm not."
"Then why.something's going on."
Melissa let out a small chuckle and pulled up a few cords from the bedside. "I must have pulled them off when I got up to get some water.I'm sorry if I frightened you."
"You know we can get you water if you need it." The man said. "Just ring."
"I'll try and remember that." Melissa said. "Thank you."
The man stood and walked to the door. "You best get some sleep now."
"I will." ***
A small knock sounded on the door. Melissa woke from the sound and sat up in bed. But she didn't want visitors so she remained silent. "It's time for your morning medication." The nurse called from the door.
Melissa let out a sigh and signaled the nurse to enter. There was no avoiding the medication, even if she wanted to. "You felling ok this morning dear?" the nurse asked.
"As well as can be expected I guess." Melissa said.
"I heard you had a little problem last night." The nurse began.
"No problem." Melissa lied. "Just a small accident."
"What happened?"
Melissa again pulled up the cords. They had yet to be put right. "I accidentally pulled them out."
"Pulled them out?! I can see that now! Heavens child those are important. Didn't anyone bother to put them back?"
"I think they were quite shaken up. They thought I was dead."
"Who wouldn't?" the nurse asked. Holding up one cord she continued, "This one here's your heart monitor. No monitor, no heartbeat."
Melissa tried to lighten the mood. "So that's why they brought the crash cart."
The nurse was not amused. Holding another long wire she added "And this one's your IV. You can't get your meds without that. Or fluids."
"Is that why I'm so thirsty?" Melissa again attempted humor. She knew perfectly well what all those cords did. But she was almost ready to be released. Certainly they were no longer so important.
"Most likely dear, most likely.Now let's see if we can get you back together.what were you doing that caused this disaster."
"Just getting some water." Melissa lied again.
"Just some water? You know we will get that for you if you just ring."
Melissa sighed heavily. "Yes I know you will bring water. But I hate being waited on. I can get it myself."
"Seems ya can't dearie." The nurse said. "You've been through a lot. Let us help you."
"I'll try. I just want to get out of here.
"The doctor said he'd be in about an hour from now." The nurse informed. "He wants to change some of your meds I think."
Melissa shifted in her bed uncomfortably. She needed those pills. "Why would he do that?"
The nurse shot a liquid into the IV tube, and then proceeded to take her patient's temperature and other vital signs. "Well he's certain that you are recovering from your injuries well.and you mental problems may be from those injuries so he wants to see how you do off the medicines."
"I'm not remembering anything." Melissa complained. "Shouldn't I be by now?"
"Some people take longer. You had a pretty nasty lump on your head. Give it time."
Melissa sank into the mattress. That wasn't what she wanted to hear. She wanted someone to tell her that she'd be better soon and she could go back to her life. She was tired of sitting in this bed, doing nothing except remain confused. Then again, what life would she be getting back to?
She'd been in the hospital for weeks. After being found almost dead by the side of a creek, she had been brought to the nearest hospital. The doctors worked for hours to keep her alive. Finally, she was stabilized and moved to her own room. But things were rough going from there.
Melissa did not regain consciousness for two weeks. The staff at the hospital had considered taking her off the machines and letting her die. But that was not there decision. That was something left to her family. Unfortunately, no family had been located. So they kept the young girl alive, hoping that either she would wake up, or someone would claim her.
When she did wake, Melissa was confused. She had no idea where she was or why. Doctors informed her of what they knew, and hoped that she could provide more details. But Melissa had amnesia. She couldn't remember who she was or where she came from.
After a few more weeks of surgeries to repair injuries to her right leg and plastic surgery on a badly scarred area of her face, Melissa was on the road to recovery. Physically anyway. Emotionally, she was in ruins. She battled daily with serious depression. Under the circumstances, no one was surprised. She had been to hell and back and now she didn't know who she was.
The only clue she had was a picture in her wallet that had her name, Melissa, and the date, July 2003, on the back. The picture had been torn in half. It was assumed there was another person in the originally, but he or she had been ripped from the print. There was no last name, no driver's license, nothing else. Only her dreams offered further insight into her past. Dr. Stevens was very interested in Melissa's case. He was working on a research project with a few of his students on amnesia. He visited her everyday to discuss her progress.
When he arrived that morning, Melissa told him about her dream. "It was so much like the other dreams." She told him. "Except I didn't know this woman."
Not at all?" the doctor wondered. "Nothing about her was familiar?"
Melissa took out her notebook, to confirm. "I.remember her house. Well a little.It was weird. It was as if I'd been there before, but at the same time, I hadn't."
"I think you're getting your memory back." Dr. Stevens beamed.
"You do? I still don't remember anything."
"But you are having familiar things appear in your dreams. Before you know it, you'll remember when you're awake."
"Does that mean I can get out of here soon?" Melissa hoped.
"I think if we wean you off your medication, and find a place for you to stay then there's no point in you staying here."
"But I have nowhere to go. I don't even know what state I'm in, or where I used to live."
"You're in Massachusetts of course." Dr. Stevens told her. "And I think I can help you with where you used to live."
"You can?"
"There's a man here who wants to take you home."
"A man? You're gonna send me home with just any random guy that comes along?"
"I don't think he's just any man Melissa.he seems to know you quite well."
"He does?"
"Would you like me to bring him in?" the doctor offered.
"I don't know. What if I don't recognize him? What if he's someone I didn't like? What if."
"I'll stay with you. There's nothing to worry about."
"Alright." Melissa said hesitantly. "Bring him in."
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