chapter 11: Sudden Blackout

I woke up feeling lightheaded, so I decided to get glass of water. As I headed to the kitchen, my mom, who was taking out the trash, asked with concern, Hey sweetie, is everything okay?

Everything suddenly went black, and I was plunged into darkness. I couldn't see my mom's face anymore, and my legs gave way, sending me crashing to the ground.As I regained consciousness, I realized I was alone in a hospital room, with no one in sight. The sterile environment and faint beeping of machines were my only companions, leaving me feeling disoriented and uncertain.

A doctor entered the room, his warm smile preceding him. 'Hello, Miss Emily Carter. Nice to meet you. I'm Dr. Phillip, your personal physician.' His friendly demeanor put me at ease. 'So, tell me, Emily, have you been eating well? Getting enough rest? And do you often experience nightmares?' His concerned tone hinted at a deeper inquiry, as if he suspected more lay beneath the surface.

I nodded, reassuring him. 'Yes, Doctor, I've been eating well and getting enough sleep. Nightmares aren't a regular thing for me, but I do get stressed out occasionally.' I paused, collecting my thoughts. 'It's just been a lot to handle lately, I guess.

Miss Emily Carter, I'm afraid your test results are concerning. Your blood work indicates a severe deficiency, and if left unaddressed, it could lead to serious complications. You must prioritize rest and allow your body to recover. I strongly advise you to take a break from your daily activities and focus on replenishing your strength.

I thanked the doctor and quickly reached for my phone to call my mom, my hands shaking slightly as I shared the news. 'Mom, it's not good,' I said, my voice trembling. 'The doctor says I have a severe blood deficiency and need to rest.' Her concerned tone was palpable even over the phone. 'Oh, honey, how did this happen?' she asked, her words laced with worry. I was taken aback, unable to respond, still trying to process the shocking revelation myself.

Nurse, I'm so exhausted," I whispered, my eyes heavy with fatigue. "Who is it?" I asked, my curiosity piqued despite my weariness. The nurse smiled kindly. "It's your best friend, Mira. She's been waiting anxiously to see you. Would you like me to let her in?" The prospect of seeing Mira's familiar face and warm smile lifted my spirits, and I nodded weakly. "Yes, please.

"Emily, oh my goodness!" Mira exclaimed, her voice laced with concern and a hint of pity. "What happened? I thought you were on the mend! You looked so much better the last time I saw you. I can't believe this is happening again," she said, her words dripping with empathy and worry.

Tears streamed down my face as I struggled to speak, my voice cracking with emotion. 'Mira, I don't know what's wrong with me. Since Andrew...since he tortured me, my life has been a living hell. The nightmares won't stop. I'm constantly terrified that he'll come back and hurt me again. I'm so scared, Mira. I feel so lost and alone.

Oh, Emily, I'm so sorry, baby," Mira said, her voice shaking with tears. "I wasn't there for you when you needed me most. I can't imagine what you've been going through, but I'm here now, and I promise to stay by your side. You're not alone in this. I'll do everything in my power to help you heal and move forward. You're safe now, and everything is going to be okay, I promise.

The doctor said I need a lot of rest, so I'm going to take some time to focus on my recovery," I said, my voice still shaky. "I'll start school on Monday, but for now, I just need to rest and try to feel better. I'm exhausted, both physically and emotionally.

Let me go to your place and grab some clothes for you to wear," Mira said, her eyes filled with concern. "I'll stay here with you until you're fully recovered. And guess what? Anthony asked about you in class today, so he might stop by anytime soon." She smiled warmly, trying to lift my spirits.

I haven't spoken to Anthony in ages," I thought to myself, a mix of emotions swirling in my mind. "I wonder how he's doing, and why he asked about me in class today. Is he still thinking about me, or was it just a casual question?" My thoughts trailed off, lost in the uncertainty of our past and the possibilities of the present.