Please review! ~A.C~

Mia

I woke up in a strange room with an old man looking over me. My head hurt really badly.

"She's awake. The stitches in her head will need some time to heal, but they should dissolve in time. But if not, I'll have to remove them. And that will hurt. So, hopefully, they'll dissolve," he rambled.

"Who..."

"Shhh... You need to rest. When you're ready, I'll need to ask you a few questions. But, for now, you need some rest."

He left the room and left me by myself. Just after he left, I fell into a deep sleep.

I woke up and the room was brightly lit. The old man had returned, and was sitting in a chair next to my bed. My head still hurt.

"Good afternoon. Are you ready to answer some questions for me?"

I nodded and sat up.

He cleared his throat and began.

"Do you know your name?"

I thought. Come to think of it... I don't think so. I think it started with an M.

"No... but does it start with M?"

"Yes, it does. Do you want to take a guess?"

"Can't you just tell me?" I pleaded.

"I guess so. Your name is Mia Foster. Does it ring any bells?"

"Yes... it does."

A couple of other things popped into my brain.

"I'm... thirteen. I live here. I live here with you and some other people."

"Right! Excellent. Do you know what's happening now?"

I thought. A bad feeling entered my gut when he asked me that.

"Um.. is it bad?"

"Very bad, yes. If you don't remember, don't try. It will come to you eventually."

"Ok... Oh! I've been meaning to ask. Why does my head hurt so much?" I asked.

"You were in a minor accident and you hit your head. Do you remember what you were doing?"

I struggled to remember something, anything. Then, it hit me.

"I was... playing in the water. I was with someone... and I fell off his shoulder. I hit my head... but... who was I with?"

"You don't remember?"

I shook my head.

"Well... I can bring him in? Would you like that?" he asked.

"That would be nice."

He reached down to retrieve something off of the floor. They were crutches. He put one on each side of him and stood. One of his legs were missing.

"What happened to you?"

"You'll remember soon enough."

He hobbled out of the room and went to retrieve the person I was with. I tried to focus on the accident. I was having fun... playing. It was definitely a dude... but after that, I couldn't remember anything about it.

The old man entered with a boy, about my age. He seemed familiar.. like I've know him for a long time. He looked really tired, and... guilty.

"Hey," he greeted.

"Hi. I'm Mia. Who are you?" I asked.

He looked hurt when I said that. His eyes widened and he looked even sadder.

"Did I say something? I'm sorry... I know I should know you but..."

"It's alright. You'll remember soon. I'm Carl. I was your best friend in fifth grade.. and I'm-"

The old man cut him off.

"Whoa there, we don't want to overwhelm her now."

"Right.. um... anyway... you've lived here with me and some others, including Herschel here." he explained.

"I know that... I know I live here with other people.. but I don't know who."

"Ah. Herschel, can I have a moment with her? I promise not to say anything that will freak her out or anything." he asked the old man.

He nodded and left the room. Carl took a seat in Herschel's previous spot. Once Herschel was safely out of earshot I started talking to him.

"Freak me out?" I asked nervously.

"Once you start remembering stuff, you'll understand."

"Ok..."

"Alright. Anyway, what do you remember?" he asked.

"Um... I'm Mia. I'm thirteen. I've lived here for a while... and I haven't been to school in a long time. I don't know why that is, but I'm pretty sure it's because of something very bad. Um... I remember the accident.. apparently, I was with you. The thing you said about being my best friend... I'm starting to recollect some of that. I remember missing you sometimes. The thing that I want to know is why."

"I can't tell you."

"Why not?" I protested.

"Two reasons. a) you wouldn't believe me, and b) it'll freak you out. That's the last thing we need."

"Fine. I'll remember soon enough, I suppose. Why are you so sad?"

He looked taken aback when I said that. I did want to know, though. I didn't know much about him, but I knew I didn't want to see him sad.

"This is all my fault. I was playing with you, and I pushed you off of my shoulder. It's all my fault you don't remember."

"It's fine. Don't be sad about that. I don't know you well right now, but I know that you're very nice, and that I don't want you to be sad. Please, be happier. Maybe it'll help me remember something," I pleaded.

He seemed to brighten up a little after that. We didn't really talk about much after that. He left shortly after. I sat by myself for a while, trying to remember things, but then, tiredness caught up with me, and I fell fast asleep.