Chapter 4: LOST:
Next day, it was 10 O'clock when Arthur finally managed to drag himself out of bed. He had no intention to wake up, but he –for sure- wasn't going to spend the whole day in bed. So, he reluctantly walked to the bathroom to start his new day.
"Can you give me your final conclusion, Dr. Adams?", Detective Reed asked.
Dr. Adams took off his glasses and said, "As I informed you yesterday, detective. It's positive for amnesia. Unfortunately, she remembers nothing. She doesn't know why she is here".
Detective Reed sighed and rubbed his eyes, then looked at Dr. Adams and said, "Can I speak to her?".
"Yes, you can, but I have to warn you. She is very unstable and scared; she doesn't know anything about herself and she feels lost and alone, so, I should advise you to take it easy and don't push, and please remember that's she is still sick".
Detective Reed nodded in agreement and said, "Don't' worry, doctor. I know how to deal with such a condition".
Dr. Adams stood up and said, "Shall we go then?".
"We already moved her out of the intensive care. Her condition is more stable right now", Dr. Adams said to Reed while they taking the elevator. Reed nodded in silence, and waited patiently till the elevator reached the third floor and its doors silently opened. The two men walked outside the elevator. Reed followed Dr. Adams till they reached a closed door. Dr. Adams knocked quietly then waited for a couple of seconds and entered, followed by Reed who opened his eyes widely for what he saw.
On the small white hospital bed, a girl was lying, motionless, and her head was all wrapped in white bandages. There were fine tubes attached to her left hand. Her eyes were closed and she seemed asleep. Dr. Adams quietly walked to the edge of the bed and before he reached it, the girl opened her eyes so slowly and turned her head to see her visitors. Once her eyes lied on Reed's face, she stiffened and looked a little scared. Dr. Adams knew what was happening with her; she was already frightened and seeing someone she doesn't know made things more difficult. Dr. Adams remembered how hard it was to convince her yesterday, when she woke up, that he –and the nurses- weren't going to hurt her and that they were only here to help her.
"It's alright, kid", Dr. Adams assured her in a fatherly manner, while she kept diverting her eyes between their faces.
"Would you mind leaving us alone for a while, please?", Reed asked.
"Detective, I don't think I should….".
"Don't worry, doctor. I assure you, I will be gentle and I won't push her", Reed interrupted.
Dr. Adams looked at him for a few moments, then said, "Alright, I will leave you alone", then he turned to the girl and smiled and said, "I will be right outside. If you need anything, just press that button and the nurse will be here in no time", then he turned and left the room, but he left the door open to reassure her.
Detective Reed waited till Dr. Adams left the room, and then he turned and dragged a chair to sit next to the bed. He put down the chair and sat silently, then turned to the girl. She was looking at him suspiciously. He smiled cooperatively and said quietly, "I am detective Reed… Detective Michael Reed, and I am….", he leaned forward a little but the girl was startled and was taken aback.
"Don't worry. I am here to help you. We are all here to help you", Reed said quickly.
The girl swallowed nervously and said nothing. Reed leaned back and said, still smiling, "So, won't you tell me your name?".
"I don't know", she said in a husky voice.
"You don't remember your name?". She shook her head slowly and said nothing.
"You don't remember where you were before you came here?", Reed asked patiently.
The girl swallowed and said in a low voice, "I don't remember anything".
Reed noticed her husky voice, so he asked politely, "Would you like to have some water?".
"Please", she said, almost pleading.
Reed took the jar of water that was on the counter in one hand, and the glass in the other hand, and poured some water, then took a straw from the straws cup and put it in the glass, then handed it to the girl. The girl raised her right hand slowly to take the glass but she couldn't, so Reed offered to hold the glass for her so she could drink from the straw. The girl drank slowly and Reed waited patiently till she finished and raised her head a little to him and said in a low voice, "Thanks". Reed put the glass back on the counter and sat down and said, "You are welcome".
Reed thought that she could trust him a little now and talk to him while not scared, so he asked again, "I know that everything seems dark and blurry to you right now. Believe me, I can totally understand your situation, and I really need to help you know what happened to you".
"What happened to me? I don't know what happened to me", she whispered.
Detective Reed knew that no one told her about the accident yet, and he thought it would be better if Dr. Adams was here when he was telling her. Reed stood up and said, "I will be right back in seconds", and then he left to call Dr. Adams.
Once the three of them were in the room, Reed was the first to speak. He looked directly and said calmly, "You were found on the beach by a by-pass guy, all wet and head-injured. Actually, according to the witness, he saw you coming out of the water then you fell unconscious. That's when he called 911 and accompanied you to the hospital".
"Coming out of the water?", the girl asked, confused.
"Yes, that's what the witness said", Reed assured.
The girl looked so puzzled. She tried to figure out what happened but she couldn't. Reed continued, "You were injured. The doctor said that you were hit on your head and that….". Reed stopped when he noticed that she was shaking her head nervously and sobbing. Dr. Adams got up quickly and held her hand and said, "Are you alright?", but she didn't answer, she kept sobbing. Reed narrowed his eyes; did he push her? Shouldn't he tell her the truth? He didn't know what to do, but he knew the best thing is to let the experts deal with the situation, so he silently stepped out of the room and almost hit the nurse that came running after Dr. Adams rang the bell.
Next day, Reed came back. He wanted to check on the girl and he also had unfinished business. Reed quietly knocked on Dr. Adams' door and waited till he heard his quiet voice saying, "Enter". Reed pushed the door open and entered. Dr. Adams raised his head to see his visitor and as soon as his eyes lied on Reed, his eyes furrowed.
"Detective Reed, I think it's quite not….".
Reed raised his hand and said quietly, "Please, Dr. Adams. I didn't come here to fight".
"And you definitely aren't here to see her, too, because I won't allow it".
"Dr. Adams, what happened yesterday wasn't….", Reed was interrupted by knocks on the door.
"Come in", Dr. Adams said, still looking at Reed.
The door was open and a the nurse stepped in. "What is it, Olivia?".
As soon as Olivia saw Reed, she was taken aback. Dr. Adams noticed that and said, "What is it, Olivia?".
"Um…I came to tell you that….um… but the patient….that girl with amnesia…. She woke up a while ago and she wants to speak to the detective…but since he is already here….", Olivia said.
Reed narrowed his eyes, "She wants to speak with me?".
Olivia looked at Dr. Adams, then at Reed, "Yes, detective", she said.
Reed looked at Dr. Adams, and then he got up and said, "Alright", then he turned to Dr. Adams and said, "If you don't mind, of course".
"I am coming with you", Dr. Adams stood up quickly, not leaving a chance for Reed to protest.
Reed knocked the door then opened it. There, the girl was lying –as he saw her the first time- but she was awake.
"May I enter?", he said.
The girl nodded slowly. Reed looked at Dr. Adams who was standing near him, then entered and left the door open. He walked to the bed and stood near its edge.
"The nurse told me that you needed to speak with me". Reed said quietly.
"Yes", the girl said in a low voice.
Reed smiled and said, "Here I am…but first, how do you feel now?".
"I am fine, thanks".
When she said nothing else, Reed turned to grab a chair and sat next near her bed. He opened his mouth to ask but she started.
"I need to ask you….something", she said. Reed looked at her questionably.
"I want to see him", she said.
"Who?", Reed asked, puzzled.
"The man who found me on the beach…. I want to see him".
Reed narrowed his eyes and said nothing. He bit his lower lip and nodded to her and said, "Alright".
Arthur was in the kitchen, making some easy dinner; French fries and some steak with fresh juice. He was slicing the bread when his phone rang. Arthur wiped his hands in the napkin and took the phone but he frowned when he saw the caller ID; Detective Reed.
Arthur sighed in frustration and pressed the green button reluctantly. "Hello?", he said.
"Good evening, Mr. Campbell". It was definitely Reed's voice. Damn!
"Good evening, Detective".
"How are things going with you?".
"Fine, but I don't think you called to check up on me, detective", Arthur said impatiently.
"Actually….you are right, Mr. Campbell. I called you for something else".
"And what would that "something else" be, detective?", Arthur asked carelessly.
"The girl", Reed said quietly.
Arthur froze. He took a deep breath and asked as quietly as he could "What about her?".
"She needs to see you".
Arthur narrowed his eyes and said, "See me? Why?".
"I have no idea… but it's quite convenient; you are the guy who saved her".
Arthur swallowed and said nothing. "Mr. Campbell, are you still there?".
"Yes".
"So, what do you say?".
Arthur had no reason to say 'No'. As Reed said, it was pretty convenient that she asked to see him; maybe she wanted to thank him.
"Alright, I will go to see her tomorrow", Arthur finally answered.
"Good, then…see you tomorrow, Mr. Campbell", and before Arthur could respond, Reed ended the call.
Arthur gritted on his teeth but he knew he had no other choice; sooner or later he would be dragged to that meeting with Reed….and to the conversation with the mysterious girl.
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