Chapter 1

I open my eyes to the blinding sun and the overpowering smell of floor cleaner; the kind you smell in hospitals. I turn my head to look around and see windows, one whole array of them. I know that sunlight is good for you but this much is just threatening.

A huge painting of a single sunflower adorns the wall in front of me right below a clock that belongs in a museum.The walls are shaded in beautiful tints of white and blue in such septacular contrast that it makes one feel serene and dejected at the same time yet somehow succeeds in calming the onlooker.

If only it wasn't the place I dreaded the most "the hospital".

There is a dull striking pain in my head, I try to move my hands, lift my legs- actions that I perform with ease but now they feel like a strenuous task. I look down to find my arms and what I can see of my legs covered in bruises, angry gashes of blue, purple, green and some even in the ghastly shades of black but the fact that causes me to worry the most is that I don't feel any pain; none.

Just then the door slides open and a woman in a nurse uniform with her blazing red hair tied up in a perfect bun enters. She looks like she is around 30 with perfectly manicured nails, sharp eyes with stark red lips. She turns and sees me looking at her. "Good morning Miss Sereno. My name is Mona, I am a nurse at Sunrise Hospital near Downtown Abbey resort . You were brought in two days ago due to an unfortunate accident and have been unconscious since. How are you feeling ?" She asks. Her attire and attitude are professional to a T , even the words she utters are with such precision. She must have said them hundreds of times I am sure.

When I don't reply she continues "Please let me know if you feel any discomfort. If you can wait a few minutes, I will go get the doctor for you ." With that she exits the room. Two minutes later she is accompanied by a man who looks like he is in his late fifties. white hair, white shirt, white coat, white shoes, every peice of accesory that he wears is stamped with the hospital emblem .

He comes close to me and says "Hello, my name is Dane Salvatore. I am a senior doctor at Sunrise Hospital. I have been your acting physician since you were admitted. How are you feeling now? " I open my mouth and say " My head hurts" to my own suprise my voice comes out as all scratchy and weak. It is so different that I can't even seem to recognise it as mine.

" Yes that is expected, you have a severe concusion due to the head injury caused by your near fall. You also have a few contusions . The good news however is that you don't have any broken bones but you do have a hairline fracture in your right wrist. You may experience some discomfort while using your hand for a while. Though it is not serious enough to require a cast I still would advice you not to use your right wrist for the time being. Alright I will now ask you to perform a set of simple tasks to assess your condition. Can you please form a fist ?" I do respond to Dr. Dane's command but it took me quite the strength to close my fingers.

"Okay good job now follow the light with your eyes " the light is strong but I manage "okay that's good too. Now please try to lift your leg. " I try to lift my leg but I can barely raise it an inch .

"Okay that is very good though you have some severe injuries. Your head and your motor control abilities seem fine. It might take you a while to recover to normal but this is a very good start."

I interrupt him by saying "Why doesn't it hurt. With all my injuries it should pain a lot more, shouldn't it?" Dr.Dane and Mona both laugh lightly "Darling, you are on so many painkillers I am suprised you are not juiced up" says Mona.

In the corner of my eyes I can see Dr. Dane moving near to the head of my bed, where the machines are situated. I observe and before I know what's happening Dr.Dane pushes some button and my eyes start to grow heavy. I can feel the pull of sleep in every bone of my body.

I reply to Mona's statement in very slurry voice "Oh ! Is th..at so.."

Over the beeping of the machines I can hear Dr. Dane say "You have to get some rest. I have given you something to help you sleep. Good night Ms.Serano, sleep tight." are the last words I hear before I close my eyes and slip into darkness.