I'm awaken by the sound of crying and the soft panting and shivering of my mother's breath at my bedside. I don't know where I am, barely remember who I am, but I still can remember her face. I know who she is. She is a sign of comfort and safety. But I still can't shake this feeling that something is wrong; something is missing. I feel my body go numb, and I drift back into sleep once more.
Chapter One
Rebirth
My name is Sam. Or at least I think it is. I'm pretty sure I'm somewhere around 18 years old. I have shaggy blonde hair and light blue eyes. I don't know why it's important to say all of this to myself. Maybe it helps me remember, maybe not. Whatever the case may be, I know that something is off; something is strange. The only thing I'm absolutely sure of is that I messed up. The only things I remember are a bright light, masked faces, and a burning pain that floated all around my body. No matter what I do, I can't remember who or where I am.
I wake up to my mother and father standing by me. They look so sad, yet so relieved to see my eyes opening again. I don't know why, but they look like they haven't been home, bathed, or even changed clothes in weeks. I hear them tell me that they miss me, they love me, and they wish I would just wake up. I wish I could tell them, "I am awake! Why can't you see that I'm awake and standing right next to you?" But I know that I can't because I'm still lying in this god-forsaken hospital bed, I.V. in my arm, pain relievers cruising through my body.
Maybe it would be good to start at the first time I woke up, the time I felt reborn.
It was about three to four months ago that I found myself wandering the halls of this hospital, calling out to somebody, anybody; but to no effect. But then, just before I had lost all hope, before I truly lost myself, a voice called out to me.
"Hello," The Voice said. "You're probably wondering where you are?"
"Y-y-yes…I am…" I replied.
"Well. You're still at the hospital. But right now you're just dreaming. You'll wake up soon, I promise."
"I'm…d-d-dreaming?"
"Yes, silly. Why else wouldn't there be anybody here?"
"Yeah…I guess you're right…"
"Of course I am. I know everything about you, Sam. Now, you're going to wake up soon, but that's okay. I have a feeling I'll be speaking with you again very soon."
The Voice was right. It was a dream. She was so strange. She had the voice of a child, but no face to match it. But the Voice was so…Familiar. I woke up shortly afterwards to see my parents looking at me in shock and awe. They held me in their arms, made me feel welcome. They called the doctors who came rushing in, checking all of my systems, making sure I hadn't lost any brain function or anything like that. But I felt fine, refreshed even. Surprisingly enough I found myself forming full sentences; something that stumped the doctors.
"For the last time, why are you guys making such a big deal out of this?" I demanded to know why I was being pounded with questions.
"Maybe it would be better if your parents told you, Sam. You've actually been through a lot." The head doctor explained.
"Okay…"