She never imagined that thinking could hurt so much.

When she tried remembering or picturing something in her mind's eye, it felt like her thoughts were tied to heavy millstones. It was incredibly hard to even think straight.

It was a strange feeling.

It felt like she didn't have a name or a body - all she felt was a heavy weight pulling her down into eternal darkness.

She desperately fought against it.

Until suddenly, she was struck by a jolt of energy. She snapped her eyes open, but just then, a piercing light seared through her eyes, directly into her head; steams of air burned into her lungs - it was a world of pain. But it was good pain. It meant life. It was the same pain that newborns experience at their birth. But even the physical pain she was going through was more bearable than the mental pain.

At that moment, all the synapses in her brain started to function. Memories, words, language, faces, places, voices, names - all overwhelming her like a giant, roaring tidal wave.

Vi couldn't stand this surge of energy, and shortly after her body's functions were restored, she lost consciousness again.

~*~*~*~

It was dark.

But this time, it was a different darkness: quiet, non-threatening, and no longer ominous.

Now Violet became increasingly aware of her existence. She could feel her body and was able to think clearly. In her mind, she repeated the same questions over and over.

"Where am I?"

"What is happening?"

"Am I dead?"

The pain returned, returning her to the world of the living.

With each breath, Violet felt a dull pain in her chest. It required some effort, but she managed to lift her hand and lay it on her chest. To her, this appeared to be her first contact with the physical world. She felt the blanket that was covering her, and the IV tubes in her arm. She was still exhausted, but with a lot of will power, she managed to open her eyes.
At first, the sharp light gave her a violent headache. Violet blinked until the pain subsided. Then, she stared at a white-gray ceiling. Yellowish artificial light filled the room.

"Where am I?" She asked herself.

"Hospital," was her own sober response.

"But why?"

She didn't know the answer to this question. What happened?

And more importantly: Did she give away her identity?

Vi was alarmed at this thought and her heart started to beat faster.

Did something happen before she got knocked out? Did the people now know her secret?! That would mean her family would have to move again! She wouldn't be able to go to the movies with Tony! Again, another new name, another new home ...

She closed her eyes, trying to remember. Maybe she was upset over nothing.

Babysitting ... a storm ... a yellow "C" .... That was all she could remember so far...

She reopened her eyes. It was difficult to move her head, but she still tried to look around. She was in a normal hospital room. The second bed was empty, which meant she was alone.

Also, there was no sign that her parents had been here.

Vi sighed. She would never be able to forgive herself if her family was uprooted again because of her.

Suddenly, a nurse in a salmon-pink dress entered.

"Good day!" She greeted. Vi could tell the nurse was a bit surprised, but she was still very friendly. "I'm glad you're awake! We were afraid that you wouldn't wake up again. Relax a little. You have a visitor."

Vi was so stunned, that she couldn't say anything.

... Afraid that she wouldn't wake up again ...?

How long had she slept? Did she miss her date with Tony?

Whatever. She would just ask her parents what happened. She was sure they would enter soon.

But Vi was wrong to believe that her parents were the announced visitors.

Instead of her parents, a tall man with glasses, a funny hair style, and a white lab coat - obviously a doctor – poked his head inside cautiously.

"Hello ..." he said hesitantly, entering the room.

"Hi ..."

Vi was shocked to hear how hoarse her voice sounded.

"Cornelius Robinson ..." the doctor introduced himself.

Despite having a tired arm, Vi managed to lift it to shake his hand. She didn't even think of telling him her name.

"Erm - are you the doctor? What happened?"

"Oh no, I'm not the doctor ..." he said, sitting down on a chair next to Vi's bed. Vi frowned.

"I'm the one who unfroze you from the cryostasis. And we would like to know what happened, Invisigirl."

Vi felt anxious at the mention of her superhero identity. She didn't know how to react. Her instincts told her to run away and go home, but she was too weak.

Stunned, she just stared at Mr. Robinson.

"Don't worry. Besides some of my closest colleagues and I, nobody else knows about it," he reassured her. "We found you around the area of a construction site. You and the capsule were in critical condition. That's why I'm also very glad to see you safe and healthy now."

Vi shook her head slowly. Capsule? Cryostasis? Construction Site? What?!

Cornelius seemed to realize her confusion. He lowered his head and folded his hands. He wanted to say something, but it seemed difficult for him.

"Listen, Invisigirl," he paused, "If you tell me your true name, perhaps we'll be able to find your family, and -"

"That won't be necessary, just let me go! I'll find the way home on my own ..." and if she had to, she'd go home invisible and completely naked!

When he'd mentioned her family, Vi suddenly became enraged. How did she know whether to trust this guy or not? Her identity was her most valuable possession! She wouldn't sacrifice it this easily!

"Thank you for getting me out of this mess, but I'm certainly not gonna hand you my family on a silver platter!"

She recovered, slipped from the bed, and pulled the tubes out of her arm (which was more painful then she let herself show).

"And where do you think you'll go?" Mr. Robinson stood up.

"Home! Even though that's none of your business!"

"That's ... really not possible..." he said slowly.

"Why ... What have you done with my family?"

Why couldn't she go home?

Mr. Robinson moved over to the window of the hospital room, pulling the curtain back with a quick jerk of his hand. Outside, the city of TodayLand shone in all its beautiful splendor.

Violet's jaw dropped and eyes widened. Incredulously, she took a few steps over to the window.

Moving sidewalks, flying cars, suspended railways, flying soap bubbles with people inside, futuristic buildings shining in the sun...

"Are ... are we on another planet?" asked Vi, without taking her eyes off this incredible view before her.

"No," Cornelius smiled for a second, before his expression became serious.

"Invisigirl ... You were deep-frozen for more than 30 years."

~*~*~

Cornelius talked to her for more than an hour. There was certainly a possibility that she could be returned to her family. But she wouldn't have to reveal her identity; she could get a new identity and live with a foster family, if she wanted. Of course, she had some opportunities available. All she'd have to do was decide, and he'd do anything to make it possible for her to live a normal life again...

But Violet wasn't really listening.

A stupid accident ... A stupid accident would cost her 30 years of her life?

30 years ... that was ... that was like an eternity! Were her parents still alive?

The image of two grave stones formed in her mind...

She shook her head. She didn't want to see that!

Her date with Tony!

I probably missed out on that too, she thought cynically.

A dream ...It was a dream, of course! She'd wake up! Everything would be fine again!

"Invisigirl ..." Cornelius said, when he realized he lost Vi's attention.

Vi looked up at him wearily. Maybe she'd wake up when she was asleep in this world ... well, she had to wake up... she had a date on Saturday!

"I'd like to be alone," she whispered.

Mr. Robinson nodded understandingly and left the room.

When Vi awoke the next morning, she was shocked to see that she was still in the same hospital room. Upon seeing the lively bustle of flying cars outside, she became painfully aware of her reality – whether she liked it or not.

The nurse came in with her fresh smile, bringing Vi her breakfast. She said something, but Vi wasn't listening. She wanted no part of this world - she wanted to be back! In her world and her time!

The food smelled tempting, but Vi ignored it. She wanted to take nothing from this world.

She wanted to cry and scream, to chuck the table against the wall ... to destroy anything! But her anger disappeared with the realization that all this wouldn't change her situation or make her feel any better.

All she felt was powerlessness and despair.

Around noon Mr. Robinson visited her again.

Vi sat upright in her bed, but her head was dropped down to her chest, and her eyes were half closed.

Cornelius hesitated when she didn't reply to his greeting.

"Parr ..." she said finally.

"What?" He asked.

"Violet Parr, daughter of Bob and Helen Parr ..."

What had she just done? How could she know whether anyone could be trusted in this world? She was all alone ...

"I'll handle it immediately," Cornelius said gently, heading toward the door

"Thank you, Mr. Robinson, for your help ..."

When Cornelius turned around, he looked into a sad face, half hidden by dark hair. Somehow, he managed to smile slightly before leaving.