Locking the door behind her, the Imprint sagged back against wall. Looking towards the bed, she saw that the patient had gone from screaming to hysterical sobbing.

(baby you're back I can't believe it you're awake, you're here I waited so long, baby don't cry I'm here, I'm here)

Moving quickly towards the still sobbing patient, she gathered her into her arms, muttering soothing nonsense. Burying her face into the patient's hair, she rocked her back and forth, offering quiet comfort. As the night passed by the sobbing gradually eased, and she continued her gentle rocking back and forth.

(I missed you so much baby, don't ever leave me again baby please don't)

Gradually as the patient quieted, she wearily looked up from the doctors embrace and stuttered, "I know I just lost it right now, and I don't mean to sound ungrateful, thanks and all…but…um…who are you? I mean, I remembered I'm Annabelle…uh…hi…but…you were here before right? You look familiar…your eyes…" Unnerved at the continued silence coming from the doctor, the patient stumbled to a halt.

Shocked blue eyes stared at Annabelle before gently leaning her back into her pillow. Wearily the doctor slumped down into a nearby bedside chair.

(Oh no. Oh god no.)

After a few minutes where Annabelle grew increasingly restless, the doctor abruptly sat up straight and began to speak quietly.

"Annabelle, my name is Dr. Simone Bradley. I'm your Imprint, but we'll get more into that later. You're at Denver General Hospital in Denver, Colorado. You were in an accident and were seriously injured. Right now it's really important for you to rest so we'll keep this short, but before you do, there are a few questions I need to ask, ok?"

Seeing Annabelle's tired nod of assent, Simone continued. "Annabelle, how old are you?"

"17".

"What year is it?"

"2006."

"Where were you born?"

"Monterey."

"Annabelle, what's my name?"

"Umm, you just told me. Dr. Simone Bradley"

"What is the name of the hospital you're in?"

Rolling her eyes, Annabelle replied, "Denver General Hospital."

Eyeing the now silent doctor curiously, Annabelle ventured, "these are kinda easy Dr. Bradley. The President is Georgie Bush, that creepy Iranian guy just spoke in New York, and it's almost my birthday. So…you can ask me the post kindergarten questions if you want."

Pausing and visibly pale, Simone continued. "Ok then Annabelle, last question. What is the last thing you remember? If it doesn't come to you immediately that's ok, just relax and try to think back".

Sighing, Annabelle closed her eyes and said, "I remember this morning. I was dropped off at my new school. Again. It's some nunnery in California. I was waiting for someone to show me where my room was, um...I had all my stuff on the curb with me. Oh yeah, there was this kinda cute girlie girl that I talked to…Kristie? Krista? Something like that." Opening her eyes and yawning, she said, "So Dr. Bradley, what's an Imprint anyway? Sounds weird."

Standing, Simone walked to the window and looked out. "There'll be time enough for us to go over that tomorrow, you need your rest. I'll stay with you until you fall asleep."

"Um, okaaayy. Whatever." Yawning again, Annabelle was asleep within minutes.

-
Simone kept her vigil by the window long after she knew Annabelle was asleep. Shaking badly, she stumbled her way to the door, barely making it past some orphaned trays without knocking them over. Using the peephole, she found the hallway outside the room clear. Cautiously opening the door, she used her thumbprint verification to program the door to open only for her.

"Order Confirmed. Imprint division authority, Level 5. Bradley, Simone A."

As the biolock accepted her authority, she tried to get a grasp on the thoughts rolling through her mind.

(Okay. Breathe Bradley. You knew this was possible after the…after the accident. They said it was a possibility.)

Snarling past a startled orderly, she continued to her office.

(Possible yes. But I hoped…and the surgeries went so well…they said the damage was under control…bastards…She doesn't remember me. Annabelle, god! SHE DOESN'T FUCKING KNOW ME!)

Throwing open the door to her office, she slammed it behind her. Stalking over to her desk, she yanked out a drawer, upended the contents all over, and frantically pawed through the jumble. In a blind fury, she continued the pillage of her desk as her rage consumed her.

(Where the fuck is it? I need it!)

"FUCK!" She screamed in frustration. Kicking her chair over, she suddenly spotted her prey, a small black case nestled under some old case notes. Shaking hands unzipping the package, she quickly dissolved two of the enclosed tablets in a small cylinder,

(the more the merrier)

turning the solution a milky blue. Clicking the cartridge into the available syringe, she whipped off her belt one handed and tightened it in a loop around her arm. Pressing the syringe against the popping vein, she briefly hesitated, and crossed over to the door. Locking it with a, "Do Not Disturb-Testing" message displayed on the monitor outside, she plunged the syringe into her waiting vein and watched the blue fluid seep with blood before emptying into her arm.

Dropping the now empty syringe, her legs gave way as she fell into her ancient leather couch.

Hoarsely, Simone said into the air, "personal records. Activate record dated 02-14-2014. Audio only. Loop mode".

Sudden sounds of laughter filled the still office, interrupted by Annabelle's voice, "Simone! Simone baby, put that down. We have to get ready. Baby, we don't have time! Baby, c'mon. Oh don't give me that pout. Yes you do too pout! C'mon baby… What's that look for? What? For me? Simone, they're beautiful! Oh sweetheart, I can't believe you! Sneak! You're so sweet! I love you…Happy Valentine's Day to you too baby, you'll get your present later, promise…I love you…c'mere baby…I love you…mmmm…love you…Simone! Simone baby, put that down. We have to get ready…