It turned out that Kenny couldn't remember anything. All of his memories... times spent with his friends, his family... his name, his experiences, his dreams... nothing.
It had taken a few minutes for Kelly to be able to pull herself together enough to go back into the room. When she did Kenny was in hysterics. He was screaming and fighting with the nurses. He kept asking where he was and what was going on. Finally Kelly went up to him with practiced calm. One of the nurses backed away from Kenny's side so she could approach.
"Hey Kenny, shh, shh, shh, shh, shh, calm down," she said softly, gently gripping his flailing arms and taking his hands in her own. She sat down on the side of the bed, "Everything's going to be okay," she said brushing the hair out of his eyes.
"What's going on? Is that my name?" he asked looking up at her like a child.
Kelly blinked a few times, "Kenny?"
"Is that my name?" His voice was very hoarse from months of not using it.
Kelly had to force back a sob but that didn't stop the tears from pouring down her cheeks. She nodded.
"What's happening to me?"
Kelly closed her eyes and cleared her throat before continuing, "You were in an accident."
"What happened?"
"You drove your car off a bridge. You were missing for a very long time."
"How long?"
"Nine and a half months."
"Where was I?"
"You were in your car."
Kenny swallowed "I know but where was I after that?"
"You were brought here."
"Brought here?"
Kelly nodded.
"I thought you said I was missing."
"You were."
"Where was I all that time?"
"In your car."
Kenny's voice rose shocking Kelly, "Stop fucking with me!" he said, his voice breaking on the last word. He ripped his hands away and weakly pushed her hand away from his face, "I couldn't of been in my fucking car the whole god damn time!"
This was a moment Kelly had not anticipated. Of all the things to forget, why this? She swallowed before taking Kenny's chin in her hand, gently making him look at her. "Kenny, this is going to be hard to hear but there's no other way to tell you." She closed her eyes and took a deep breath before continuing, "You drove your car off a bridge and into a lake. You drowned there. You were dead for nine and a half months and in a coma for two after you were found. This isn't the first time you have died either but it is the longest-" she could see Kenny becoming visibly upset at what she was saying, "- But you don't need to worry because you are fine now-"
Kenny pushed her arm away and began tearing all the tubes and needles he was hooked on off. She attempted to stop him but he smacked her hand away. Before the nurses could come to her aid Kenny had already swung his legs off the side of the bed.
Along with his memories his strength had gone too. Kenny couldn't even get up without crumpling to the floor in a pathetic heap. When his head came in contact with the floor they could hear his skull split open with a sickening crack. Kelly dropped to her knees and finally let herself sob as the nurses hoisted Kenny back onto the bed and pressed a towel on the gash to keep the blood from getting on the sheets.
At least when he woke up he would believe her.