A Doe *NOT* named Jane

- Ach! Gods... my head... - the girl groaned as she sat up and tried to open her eyes through a pounding headache. - Where... where am I? – she wondered aloud rubbing her blurry eyes clear.

- You're at the hospital...

They got you checked in a few days ago. – Caleb explained.

Spooked by not having noticed him so close to her, in a flash the girl sprung to the back of the bed and grabbed the flower vase on the nightstand, boldly wielding it as a weapon against Caleb. Sure, it didn't look like much: a measly flower vase... well, that's because it was just a measly flower vase *lol*

but anything can be a weapon in the right hands, or with enough willpower...

Have you ever watched that movie where someone has the brilliant idea of killing a retired assassin's dog? Yeah, spoons, dude! Spoons = new fear unlocked!

- Who are you, stranger?! – the girl asked ready to jump at him and demanded:

– Tell me, now! – she was not messing around.

Troll or no troll, she didn't care, she was terrified and OBVIOUSLY traumatized. To be honest, I'm not even sure if she was aware it had NOT been an awful nightmare.

- Woah, calm down! – taking a step back and showing her his empty hands, he urged:

– You're safe -

- I'm... I'm Caleb. – he told her with a sly smile on his face.

He wasn't smiling at her, though. He wanted to laugh at himself.

The girl had trouble written all over her, and well, he was feeling like reading.

– ...so much for introductions, huh – he muttered.

Wary, she stared Caleb down thoroughly.

Then, she looked around the strange sterile room, and not seeing anyone else, the girl relaxed a bit. The guy in front of her didn't seem to mean harm, she thought to herself, nor did he look anything like those she saw last. No pointy ears, no thick skin, and most certainly nothing ghoulish about him. Rough and roughed up? No doubt. But nothing ghoulish about him.

Also, he was unarmed after all... that's usually a good sign, right?

- What is this place? Why am I here? – she inquired.

- You're at the hospital... You've been here a while now. You were found - I - I found you unconscious in the forest and the rescue chopper brought you here. –

- Where are the others? Where is everyone?! – she asked clearly concerned and paused – ...chopper? – she mumbled, confused.

- What are you talking about? There was no one else there... only you. –

- How could it be? – she murmured to herself thinking - Are you sure? –

- Yeah, I'm sure. – he ascertained – As is the police... they went through the whole area. Nothing. No one but you... -

Disheartened, the girl put the vase back on the nightstand and sat hunched on the side of the bed letting her fluffy long black hair cover her. "Could it really have been true?" she pondered. The girl's thick fringe hid her beautiful emerald-green eyes full of tears as she held the sheets, strongly, to not allow the tears to run down her face.

While she was in her own head, a heavy silence weighed on the room. Caleb wasn't sure what to do or say until he noticed her bare back showing out of the thin hospital gown. Her skin was so smooth and fair that his gaze was drawn to it, he couldn't help it. However, Caleb was fully layered, and it was still cold, so he took his brown fur-lined leather jacket off and gently laid it over her shoulders.

- What are you doing? – she asked, somber.

- I don't know. –

he answered and sat on the opposite side of the bed from her – I don't know anything, actually.

I don't know why I found you or why I was even there that day. I never even went that way before! – he sighed – I don't know what happened to you or how you ended up under that willow...

I don't even know your name,

but that's okay. –

he took a deep breath and continued – Also, I don't know why the hell I kept crashing on that chair over there every night, hoping the nurses wouldn't throw me out when visiting hours were over... - he chuckled - ... You just seemed so lonely, ... I guess I didn't want you to wake up all alone in a crappy hospital room... -

The girl clutched to his jacket, dried her tears on its soft white fur, and curled inside it.

After a while with no response from her, Caleb went towards the door and was about to leave.

She was awake, and they were still strangers to each other.

Why would he expect anything else?

- I'm Ailrees... -

she said breaking the silence as his hand reached for the doorknob.

- Ail-rees...? Like the flower, iris? – he asked with a half-smile on his face. For some reason, he was all chipper about it.

She nodded coyishly.

- Pleased to meet you, Ailrees. I'm Caleb. – he greeted her jokingly in good sport.

She let out a soft laugh in response to his witty friendliness and tried to stand up, but unaware of how weakened she was, she fell to her knees. Though taken by surprise, the young man readily helped her back onto the bed and sat by her side.

- You okay? – he asked, his face painted worried.

- I'm - I'm fine. Lost my balance there, that's all. – she lied.

She could barely lift her arm without shaking like a leaf, and, that pounding headache had worsened tenfold.

- Be careful. Wouldn't want for you to get hurt at the hospital – he chuckled – the irony it'd be... - he teased trying to get a reaction, but failed.

- I have to go... - she said, determined.

- No way! You're not going anywhere like this. – he paused – I [....] I can stay here with you if you want me to. Or is there anyone you'd like me to call over instead? – he kindly offered, afraid she would hurt herself trying to leave if left alone.

- There is no one. There is no one left...

They are all gone! GONE! – she exalted with a broken voice – they're gone, Caleb. – she continued in a much lower tone averting her gaze to the floor and holding her tears back – I've got nothing left... -

- I don't know what happened,

... but you're alive.

That has to mean something, right? –

he tried to comfort her, helplessly trying to shine a light on the only bright side he could think of. However, it was pointless. His words just went through one ear and out the other.

She threw herself forward and managed to walk a couple of steps leaning against the thin dresser by the window to the hallway.

- Dammit, Ailrees, what is wrong with you?! –

the young man burst out catching her right before she fell again - Can't you see that if go out there like this you're just gonna end up dead or unconscious again? – he plead frustrated realizing she had no intention of staying put.

- You wouldn't understand, stranger. I must go! – she maintained, pushing him away stubbornly, and kneeled on the ground as her strength failed her.

- What good are you if you're dead?! – he said urging her to think straight.

- What good am I alive...? –

she murmured with her head down and her fringe casting a shadow on her face – Just... leave! Leave and let me be.

I can't stay here... - she insisted.

The air in the room got tense and dark for a brief moment until one of them spoke again.

- ...Damn! If you're so dead-serious about leaving,

... I can't believe I'm saying this, but... - he paused running his fingers through his thick, brown hair - ...but at least wait for the doctors to take a look at you... and I'll help you. – he sighed – Let them look at you and I'll help you leave.

I promise. – he added.

She let out a faint smile and quickly stood up to hug him tight. Caught by surprise, Caleb hugged her back, though awkwardly.

Then, the young man heard the girl, with her face buried in his chest, say a muffled "thank you".

As it sunk in that he was likely going to get hooked,

he mouthed, almost thinking aloud,

"well..., FUCK!".