Chapter One: Miss Eli-Who?
She scrolled through her phone. There were some notifications of importance, but not the text she was waiting for. So, he will not be texting her again it seems. The first Tinder date went okay actually. So, why was he ghosting her? Did she do something? Nope. No. She will not allow herself to be gaslit like that. If time passed, and he still did not reach out, then it would be his loss really. Still, it hurt.
She gulped the contents of her glass, and asked the bartender for another. She was here by herself on a random Tuesday afternoon. Why did she pursue a PhD in literature? Unemployment and single life together were too much to handle.
She did not count the hours, nor the glasses. After some time, she headed out. She was barely standing straight. She wanted to go home. But where is that anyway? She has left her home country to pursue higher education. Let's rephrase. Estrangement, bleak future, and arid love life were too much to handle.
She went into a store, and she bought more alcohol. She will get home, she will put on the TV show she was currently watching, and she will continue drinking until next morning. Then, re-belote.
On her way, she saw a cozy spot on the river bank. The moonlight was reflected on the water surface, and it shone admirably. It was also a full-moon, and it made the scene even more beautiful. Poetic even. She decided she will settle there for a while. How long has it been since the last time she stopped to appreciate and admire nature? Life in the city can sometimes engulf you and you forget the tiny details which used to awe your inner child. This night however, she was no longer a child, and so she reached for her grocery bag and opened a can of beer.
She put on some music to accompany her. She could have sworn that the coolest thing about human existence is that we get to experience music, especially in a state of drunkenness. She wandered in her thoughts. Suddenly, her eyes widened, and her heart stopped for a while. Underneath the water face, there was a face looking directly at her. Not any face; her own face. She felt the cold sweat on her temples. She wanted to scream, but she was unable to. The vision only lasted for a couple of seconds anyway.
A rational person would either presume that this was some hallucination her drunken state conjured, or at least would be scared out of their wits and call the police or anyone who might help. The least rational thing she can do was to get home and sleep it off. Tonight, there was no room for that. Like the people who usually die first on horror movies, she got up, and she got closer to the river. She got on her hands and knees, and she started scrutinizing the water thoroughly, as if daring the face to reappear, real or hallucination. Did someone maybe drug her cup? She laughed at that. No one talked to her the whole night. She was completely alone and utterly lonely.
There was a sudden swift movement underneath the water, as if a ghost was going for a night swim. She laughed at how her mind was playing games on her. To her dismay, this was no game, whatever it was that was making swift movements underneath the water rose up, as if answering her dare and attempting to confront her. There it was. Her face again looking at her from underneath the water. She let out a scream before falling head first in the water.
It was truly cold, as most of her life has been: an orphan who managed to grab life by the scrapes, never knowing what family love meant, not even knowing what relationship love meant. She was actually a great swimmer, but her drunken mind was struggling to function properly and to issue an emergency response.
Well, maybe it was time to let go. Maybe life was not worth living after all. She felt her limbs relaxing as she was pulled deeper under the water. She felt it engulfing all of her. As she was closing her eyes, she saw a pair of dark eyes looking at her. Again, it was her eyes. Well, she did not care anymore. Her consciousness was already slipping out, why should she care in the last moments of her life?
She felt a sore pain in the back of her head as her eyes fluttered open. She heard someone next to her saying, "Miss Elizabeth? Miss Elizabeth, are you alright?"
It seems that he was addressing her. Thus, she said. "Miss Eli-who?"
He was eying her in confusion. He kept thinking. What? What did she mean by that?
He was still confused by what she said. Yet, he replied. "Miss Elizabeth, you hurt your head. Are you alright? I understand that you can be disoriented. Allow me to refresh your memory. Unfortunately, you fell from the balcony up there." He pointed at a second-floor balcony of what seems to be a mansion. Then, he continued. "I truly do not know how that came to be. I was here in the garden for a walk when I saw your fall."
She was still staring at him blankly, as if he was a translucent entity. Nonetheless, he continued. "Miss Elizabeth, please allow me to escort you back inside, or to fetch a servant and seek your parents. We are currently in Netherfield Park."
Her mind was racing. Elizabeth? Servant? Parents? Balcony? There were so many questions. However, all she managed to utter was "Nether-who?"
He paused for a while, thinking about her statement. Again, what? Maybe, she was mocking him to get back at him. Then, he cleared his throat, and responded in his stern and strict voice. "Miss Elizabeth, I understand that you hit your head. However, this is not funny. Please allow me to help you back inside."
She did not know what to say. How much did she drink last night? Where is she anyway? Who is this person talking to her? Wait, why is he dressed like that? "Why are you dressed like that? Are you attending some kind of a costume party?"
His lips were pressed in a thin line. Well, that confirms it. She was definitely mocking him as some sort of a revenge. Well, he will not stoop to her level. No matter how ridiculous she may get, he will still act as the gentleman that he was raised to be. Why is she speaking weirdly anyway, as if in a different accent?
After a while, he replied, his tone stern. "Miss Elizabeth, you hurt your head. Under normal circumstances, I will not stand idly by while you insult my attire. However, I will refrain from issuing any response right now, as I am sure that you would not attempt to insult me had you not hit your head."
She was still staring. However, the repetition of the word 'head' multiple times brought her attention to what her body was signaling to her. She was indeed experiencing severe headache, and the back of her head felt so numb. She reached for it with her hand and touched the location, and a viscous fluid and more pain responded to her touch. She retrieved her hand and gazed at it. Her mind was racing trying to grasp the situation she was in, and how she came to this situation in the first place.
Meanwhile, he was horrified at the sight of her blood-soaked hand. He cursed himself for thinking that she was making fun of him, while she was clearly genuinely confused. "Miss Elizabeth, I apologize for not recognizing the severity of your situation. I beg you to allow me to get you back inside."
She directed her gaze at him and she observed him for the first time. His clear blue eyes met hers. She was momentarily enchanted as she saw deep heart-felt concern reflected in them. Upon this thought, she felt as if an invisible hand squeezed her heart, tightening it with her every breath. Who was this person? Why did her heart ache when she took a proper look on his face?
She was still staring at him intently when she asked, "I am sorry, but who are you sir?"
On hearing this, he was stunned into silence, his breath was caught in his throat, as a cold wave of disbelief washed over him. His eyes widened as he finally comprehended the weight of the words which left him paralyzed and speechless. Did she lose her memory with her fall? Or worse, maybe her mind was damaged beyond repair? After some speculation, he thought that the best course of action right now would be to take her to her parents and have a doctor examine her as soon as possible. But first, he needed to introduce himself, again. "Miss Elizabeth. I am Fitzwilliam Darcy. Don't you remember meeting me?"
"I am sorry, do I know you? Why do you keep referring to me as Miss Elizabeth anyway?"
He was silent once again. He truly felt bad for her. Why does he feel guilty towards her predicament anyway? Is he to blame for her current situation? It is not like he pushed her or anything. "Miss Eli … Madam, I must insist that you allow me to get you inside of the mansion. Please. Please, allow me to help you."
Upon this, he got up. He was previously kneeling beside her as she lay on the cold ground. He offered her his hand hoping that she would take it. Otherwise, he did not know how he would be able to explain her situation to her. Her family would be more equipped to handle this. Would she recognize her family?
Even though she was confused about everything, she did not know how to turn down this fine handsome man who was actually begging her to let him help her.
She reached out for his hand. He helped her get up, and he led her to the door of the mansion.
Mr. Darcy was pacing the corridor in front of the door that led to the room Elizabeth was in. He was reflecting on what transpired over the span of one night, what he remembers of it anyway.
He was feeling uncomfortable because he was attending a ball in a county unfamiliar to him. Well, maybe part of that was his fault, as he had been in this county for three weeks now and still did not attempt to establish connections beyond his own party.
As he was uncomfortable, he resorted to drinking brandy and silently observing the dancers. Miss Elizabeth Bennett approached him and inquired about his mood, and whether the latter would improve if he engaged in dancing. He understood the hidden meaning in her message: she wanted to dance with him. He immediately turned her down. Probably not in the genteelest way possible, but that was necessary.
He knew that he was generally the object of interest for women during such assemblies, and this girl was probably after him for the same reasons. He saw a flash of hurt spiral across her facial features for a while, but she did not attempt to convince him further. He felt guilty for being a bit harsh. However, it was the best to act unsociable and taciturn, rather than be sought after by every girl in the county for hopes of climbing the social ladder.
He continued drinking until he felt like suffocating, and thus, he went out for a stroll in the garden. He was gazing at the night sky, embracing the calmness away from the music and the giggles. He was in way too somber a mood to cherish the laughs of others. Suddenly he saw her in the balcony, also gazing at the sky, looking pensive. Did his words actually falter her countenance?
He cannot describe what occurred afterwards. It all happened too brusquely. She suddenly fell from the balcony, and he hurried over to her. Something bothered him about the fall though. She did not scream or anything, as if she knew that she would be falling. That is impossible, she would not do that, and falling from that height probably would not kill her. At least not on the spot. It would be extremely painful, and she would suffer bruises and fractures. No lady would want to live through that. No, she would not do that. Still, why didn't she scream?
Maybe, she accepted her fate already. He could not pinpoint what was bothering him exactly about her not screaming during that fall. She spent few moments unconscious then she regained her consciousness when he kept calling her name. It was a miracle that all her bones seem intact. A miracle indeed if not for the injury her brain suffered.
His thoughts were interrupted by Miss Jane Bennet's sobbing. He looked to see all of the Bennet family awaiting what the doctor had to say. Mr. Bennet looked as if he just aged twenty years. His eyes were aghast and he did not utter a word. Miss Kitty was crying silently. She sat in a chair while her tears rolled down on her cheeks and she was too stunned to wipe them. Miss Lydia, who was usually all cheerfulness and giggles stood beside her and was speaking comforting words to her sister.
Likewise, Miss Mary was kneeling beside her mother holding both her hands while the latter lamented the fate of her daughter. "Oh, my ill-fated daughter! How can you be destined to such a cruel fate! What am I to do? Oh, my poor nerves! How can I withstand such a situation! How can you … How can you, the smartest of us all, withstand such a situation? Oh, my Lizzy. How I teased you about your wit! I regret it all now! Oh, the cruelty!"
Miss Mary attempted to soothe her mother. "Mama, Lizzy is Lizzy, no matter what happens."
"Oh, but the poor child Mary. She did not recognize any of us."
Miss Mary's eyes glistened with unshed tears, but she replied rather calmly. "Mama, do not give up hope."
"My child, I will never give up hope. May God have mercy on us. Think about Lizzy. She will have to be estranged in her own home."
"Mama, we will always be there for Lizzy, loving her and supporting her. Our love for her will remind her of who she is! Besides, it is pointless to assume the worst."
Mrs. Bennet did not reply. She continued weeping. Darcy felt sorry for them. It is true that he did not hold the highest regard for the Bennet family, but this was indeed cruel. He shuddered when his thoughts wandered to his sister Georgiana. He would fall into the deepest pits of darkness if such a thing ever befell her.
He exchanged few glances with Bingley. His friend was also looking nervously to the family. He knew his friend too well to know that Charles must be blaming himself because the incident took place in his home. Caroline Bingley and Mrs. Hurst went to Jane Bennet to comfort her. Mr. Hurst stood stoically beside a portrait and did not say a word, but he also looked alarmed.
The door opened, and the doctor came out. At this, the Bennet family all stood and hurried to the doctor with hopeful gazes. "Doctor Newt. Please, be so kind to tell us that Elizabeth is going to be okay."
The doctor sighed. He contemplated the choice of his next words carefully. Then, he said. "Mr. and Mrs. Bennet. I am extremely sorry to confirm to you that you daughter did indeed lose her memory."
At these words, Mrs. Bennet resumed her weeping. Miss Jane Bennet collapsed to the floor. Her sisters Mary and Lydia hurried to her side. There was a look of excruciating pain that washed over Mr. Bennet. He braced himself. Then, he said. "Pray, tell me Doctor, how did your interview go with my daughter?"
"Mr. Bennet, you have to understand, that your daughter's state was very precarious. It did not allow me to have an extensive interview with her. I examined and bandaged her head. There will be no physical danger from her wound. After I tended to her wound, I asked her some questions. Each of my questions seemed to increase her state of confusion. She did not know who she was. She did not know that she had a family. She did not know where she was. She kept asking me where is she? How did she end up here? I asked her if she can name some members of her family, or to provide me with names of her dearest friends. She said that she has none. Finally, I asked her: do you know who Elizabeth Bennet is? She denied having any knowledge of who Elizabeth Bennet might be, and the name seemed strange to her. Upon this, it was confirmed to me that she lost her memory. I need to examine her further to determine that she did not lose her mind completely along with her memory. But I did not want to trouble her further tonight. I gave her a calming concoction and left her to sleep."
Mr. Bennet was so disheveled at the doctor's last statement, that he almost barked. "To sleep doctor? In here? But surely, we must take her to Longbourn. She will wake up tomorrow even more confused if she will not be able to recognize her surroundings. Maybe her room and our house will refresh her memory?"
"Mr. Bennet, I am extremely sorry, but I cannot allow that. Miss Elizabeth hurt her head. I cannot in good conscience allow you to remove her this night. Please be kind and take her physical injury into consideration. On the morrow, you can take your daughter home. I agree that you have to surround her with familiar faces and objects. But tomorrow, Mr. Bennet."
Mrs. Bennet then finally asked. "Will she be able to get her memories back if we do that?"
Doctor Newt sighed. "Mrs. Bennet, I cannot know. These cases differ from one to another. She might get her memory back in few days, or weeks, or years. However, it could also be never. You have to do the best you can to support her. But please do not alarm her, as she does not recognize any of you. We can only hope and pray that while she lost her memory, her brain is not damaged any further."
"Damaged further Doctor! Pray, what can be worse than this?"
"Mrs. Bennet, sometimes … sometimes people lose their abilities to speak or … or … Well, in some cases people even go mad."
Mrs. Bennet's eyes widened. She did not say anything in return.
The physician looked at her with sad eyes, and continued. "I am deeply sorry Madam. I will have to examine your daughter again tomorrow. I bid you a good … Well, I will see you tomorrow. Ladies. Gentlemen."
He bowed. Seeing how the family lost their abilities to speak, Bingley, Darcy, and Hurst bowed to the doctor, and thanked him for attending to Miss Elizabeth, and for coming at such an hour.
Mr. Hurst escorted the doctor out, while Mr. Bingley said. "Mr. Bennet. Please allow me to offer you my deepest sympathies. All of your family is welcome to spend the night here with Miss Elizabeth. I will inform a servant to prepare rooms to all of you."
"Mr. Bingley, thank you for your kind offer. However, I cannot stretch your hospitality any further. Thank you for everything tonight. If it does not burden you, please allow my wife and my daughter Jane to spend the night here. I will come back tomorrow to escort Elizabeth back to her house."
"Not at all, Mr. Bennet. I would not mind even if you all stayed here. However, if this arrangement suits you, I am happy to oblige. Allow us to take our leave, as we do not want to trespass on the privacy of your family situation. My servants will prepare the rooms of Mrs. Bennet and Miss Bennet. Sir."
He bowed to the patriarch of the family. Darcy, the Hursts, and Caroline Bingley also extended words of sympathy with the Bennet family and took their leave. While they were sorry for their situation, they wanted to let them have a family moment.
She woke up. Her head was spinning. There was a strange dream involving a river apparently. It sounded more as a nightmare the more she remembered of it. And then, there was an even stranger dream with people in a costume party.
She wondered how much did she drink last night. How did she get home? Wait, this isn't home. She came to the realization as she took a look around her surroundings. Well, maybe someone found her passed out in the gutter and took pity on her and took her to what seemed to be a hotel room full of antiques. But why take her to a hotel and not to the hospital? How would she pay for this? Was what happened in the river real? As if, she thought. As if I teleported to the bottom of the river and scared myself.
She tried to get up, but a nudging pain in the back of her head answered her. She groaned slightly with the pain. It seems like she hurt her head. Funny, it sounds like her second and most bizarre dream. Wait this room is from my second dream. Am I still dreaming? Is this what they call lucid dreaming.
Suddenly, her eyes widened as she felt the presence of other people with her in her room. Slightly scared, she took a glimpse at the two ladies. There was a blonde girl who was kneeling on the side of the bed and sleeping soundly with her knees on the floor and her arms on the bed. It seemed as if she passed the night there. There was also a woman sitting in a chair near the edge of her bed, also sleeping. Why were these people here?
Suddenly, she remembered every detail of her dream. First, there was the bar and the river incident. Then, she woke up to find a handsome man who told her that she fell from a balcony and who offered to help her. He took her inside some mansion and directed her to people who claimed to be her family. First, she thought that they were joking, seeing how she was an orphan and she had no family. But their eyes full of concern and worry told her that they were not joking.
Under her huge shock and confusion, she told them that they must be mistaken and that she has no family. Upon this, they had different reactions. Some of them started crying, others held her hands, others cupped her cheeks and told her that they were indeed her family. She cannot tell who did what, as she was still too confused at that time to think soundly and process everything that was happening around her. The girl and the woman who were with her in the room seemed to be among them.
After that, they took her to a room and a strange guy came in and asked her if she knew who Elizabeth Bennet was, then told her to rest when she declined. Was she supposed to know this girl? Her head was buzzing with many questions. The most logical thing right now is to escape from this place, then she will have all the time to find answers. This place is not safe. Maybe this is some sort of a cult where they abduct girls and raise them as their daughters, then kill them later? Maybe they will turn her into some kind of a human doll? She watched many horror movies and crime documentaries to be certain of the corruption of the human nature.
Trying not to make any noise, she slithered quietly out of the bed. She grabbed a coat that lay in the desk chair. Maybe the blond girl's coat. Well, it does not matter, she has to run for it for now.
