Chapter 2: Quite A Start

The first thing she became aware of was hushed tones as her hearing began to return, but she didn't open her eyes, a groan leaving her mouth as she felt some pain. She then became aware of hands on her right side and something was poking her skin. Her eyes snapped open as a gasp left her and she jumped up, screaming in fear as she was suddenly grabbed and pressed down onto something soft while looking up to see two strangers were holding her down.

One was a dark being with neon designs on his clothes and tendrils that were on his back while the other looked like a ringmaster with his hat pulled down so that his golden eyes were in the hatband of his hat. Both were holding her down and trying to keep her from moving, but she struggled harder, screaming again. "Let me go!" She demanded.

"Easy, my dear. Please settle down," the ringmaster said, his voice deep and soothing. "You have an injury on your side that needs stitching."

No sooner had he said that, the girl felt a sharp pain in her right side and gritted her teeth as she winced from feeling the pain. "Shh," the tendriled being soothed her, reaching up and gently squeezing her left shoulder.

"Lance, can you absorb some of her pain?" the first one asked.

"Yes," the tendriled being said. "I'll keep her still while you finish stitching her side."

Coraline shivered. "Please don't hurt me," she pleaded, tears beginning to fall from her eyes.

The ringmaster reached over and gently stroked her head, being mindful of the icepack that was over the lump from where she had hit her head. "Shh, little one," he soothed. "We won't hurt you."

"Let Balan finish stitching your side and we'll help you sit up," Lance said, a tendril touching the blue-haired girl's arm and he began absorbing some of her pain.

The girl looked over at Balan and she saw the needle and thread in his hand and he was indeed stitching up her side. She craned her head down to see why and saw a long gash there that was being tended to by the ringmaster, who gave her a gentle smile. "I'll be as gentle as I can," he promised, taking her right hand and giving it a gentle squeeze. "Try to relax, my dear. You're safe with us."

Now that she was calming down, she liked his voice as it was very soothing. She now bit her lip. "What are you going to do with me?" She asked nervously.

"Well, we're first going to finish treating your injuries and then we have a few questions," Lance said. "By the way, how does your head feel?"

She focused for a moment and winced slightly. "I've got a headache," she said.

He nodded. "You hit your head on something before you landed in the living room," he said.

Coraline took some deep breaths to help ease the pain and to calm down more. "That's it," Balan said encouragingly. "You're doing good, little one. I'm almost finished."

It was then that she noticed she was wearing a modest hospital gown and she looked confused. "How did I end up here?" She asked.

"We were hoping you could tell us that," Lance said as he saw Balan had finished stitching up the gash and wrapping up the child's side. Then, true to their word, they helped the child sit up, propping up some pillows for her to lean back against. "Are you comfortable?"

She nodded. "Yes, thank you," she said. "Um...who are you two?"

They smiled. "I am Balan, the owner of the theater you are currently in," the ringmaster said.

"And I am Lance, his counterpart," the tendriled being said. "And you, child? What is your name?"

She blinked before looking confused. "Um...I...I really don't know," she admitted. "I...I feel like I should know it, but...I don't know."

"Oh, dear," Balan said in concern. "It sounds like you might have amnesia, my dear."

"Amnesia?" She repeated.

"A condition where one cannot remember things or forgets things," Lance explained. "Usually caused by a head injury."

She reached up and winced as she felt the lump on her head. "I must have really hit my head hard," she said.

Just then, a large Tim came in and the girl gasped in shock, but the two beings gently rested their hands on her shoulders. "Easy," Balan said. "It's only a Tim. He won't hurt you."

"A Tim?" She asked.

The Tim, a yellow one with bunny ears, chirped happily, indicating up to its head to reveal it was carrying something. "Ah, thank you," the Maestro of Positivity said, accepting the item.

"What's that?" The blue-haired girl asked.

"Your pajamas that you were wearing when you arrived," Lance said. "It looks like Sana was able to mend them."

"You can hardly tell they were torn," Balan said, snapping his fingers and in an instant, Coraline's hospital gown changed into her pajamas. She looked at them and suddenly gasped as she saw someone give her the pajamas.

"Happy Birthday, Coraline," a voice said, one that she thought she knew, but then the picture faded and she blinked, shaking her head.

"Are you alright, little one?" Lance asked, seeing this.

"Coraline?" She asked, blinking.

"What?" Balan asked curiously.

She looked at them. "I think...someone gave me these pajamas as a gift," she said. "They say, 'Happy Birthday, Coraline'." She looked up at them. "Is that my name?"

"Coraline," Lance repeated. "A unique name for sure. Does it feel right when you think of yourself with that name?"

She thought for a minute and then nodded. "Yeah," she said. "It...It does feel right."

"Then your name must be Coraline," Balan said with a smile. "And I think your pajamas might have been given to you by a family member."

"Maybe," she said. "But...I...I can't remember if I have a family or not."

"We're sure you do," Lance said gently.

"But until we find out who your family is or where they are, you can stay with me and Lance if you'd like," Balan said, smiling. "We'd be happy to host you."

Coraline blinked. "You would?" She asked before looking curious. "But...I'm a total stranger. Why would you help me?"

"Because it's the right thing to do," Lance said, gently ruffling her hair.

"Plus we are both fond of children," Balan said with a chuckle, gently tapping the child's nose in a playful manner.

She grinned before she began to feel sleepy and they noticed. "Rest, my dear," the Maestro of Positivity said. "You've been through quite an ordeal."

She nodded and felt them help her lie down and get comfortable as they tucked her in, each brushing a hand over her head soothingly. "Sweet dreams, Coraline," the tendriled being said. "We'll see you in the morning."

"Night, Balan. Night, Lance," she said softly. "And thank you."

"You're welcome, my dear," Balan said before seeing a Tim come in and he picked it up, placing it on the bed next to the child. "Help our guest to rest easy, won't you, little one?"

The Tim chirped before going over to Coraline and snuggling into her arms, making her smile and nuzzle its soft fur with her face before she fell sound asleep.

Lance and Balan took their leave before looking at each other and nodding. "We'll keep our eyes and ears open for anyone looking for her," the former said.

"Yes," the latter said. "Hopefully with time, she'll remember who her family is."

Both nodded together, vowing to keep Coraline safe while she stayed with them.

At least Coraline's in a good place. :)

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GoldGuardian2418