Recurring Memories

002

Chapter 2: Long Road to Recovery

Dennis woke up to the sound of beeping machines and the sterile smell of the hospital room. He groggily tried to remember anything, but his mind was blank. He sat up on the bed, rubbing his eyes as he surveyed the stark white walls surrounding him. The last thing he could remember was a jolt of pain shooting through his head, and then nothing.

Panic began to resurface as he struggled to recall any memories, but there was nothing. His heart rate began to increase, and he felt his palms start to sweat. The nurses moving around him were a blur, and he felt like he was trapped in a never-ending cycle of confusion and anxiety. The longer he lay there, the more it felt like he was missing a part of himself, a part that he may never get back. The thought was terrifying, and he couldn't shake off the feeling that he was trapped in this hospital room forever.

The nurses checked his vitals, their pens scratching on clipboards. "His temperature is a little elevated today," one of them said.

"He's still on the same medication, right?" the other asked, glancing at the chart.

He watched them with a pensive expression. He had asked them not to entertain him again since he couldn't trust anything they said. Anything that these strangers may say could be a lie to manipulate him. He didn't want that. So, the nurses kept their distance from him.

"He's been stable for quite a while now," the first nurse said. "Let's check back in a few hours."

The nurses were saying other things, but he wasn't listening anymore. He made himself alone with his thoughts. He couldn't help but feel like he was stuck in a loop, unable to break free.

He nervously shifted in his bed, his mind overwhelmed by uncertainty. He could feel his heart rate quicken in his chest, and he forced himself to take a few deep breaths to calm his racing thoughts. He had cut himself off from the nurses, so he was reluctant to ask for their help.

But he was desperate to know what had happened to him, so he decided to take matters into his own hands. He cleared his throat and spoke in a hushed, desperate voice.

"Please tell me," he whispered conspiratorially to the nurses, "what actual accident happened to me? How is my memory not coming back until now?"

He was so eager for an answer, to understand what had happened to him. It felt like he had no identity like he wasn't a real person. The nurses exchanged glances, their faces unreadable. He felt a sense of panic. Was he in some kind of trouble?

"The doctor who visits you every two days can answer your questions," one of the nurses said hesitantly.

He looked around the room. His heart was pounding in his chest, his palms were sweating. He needed to know something, anything. He felt like he was drowning in uncertainty.

"Call him," he almost shouted, his desperation showing.

The nurses left the room, leaving him alone again in his white prison where he was awakened as if being born but most likely would die in this place in confusion.

When the door opened, it was Leslie who greeted him. Relief was washed off of him as he recognized her face. She turned outside and gestured to someone from there. The familiar doctor entered, but Leslie didn't. She closed the door behind her, leaving him alone with the doctor.

He eyed the man warily as he sat down in front of him. He wanted answers, but he was afraid of what he might hear. "What happened to me?" he asked, his voice trembling slightly.

The doctor regarded him with a steady gaze. "Do you know who I am?" he asked.

He shook his head, feeling a knot form in his stomach. "You're familiar but I'm sorry. I don't know anyone this time, even myself."

The man smiled. "That's alright. My name is Professor Graham, and I'm here to help you. I understand that you have no memory of your past."

He merely stared, trying to read the doctor's face to know if he was telling him the truth. He was scared, but all the doctor said seemed to be what he wanted to hear for so long.

Professor Graham continued to explain, "The brain is a complex organ, and it can take time for it to heal. After a head injury, it's normal to experience confusion, difficulty remembering, and even disorientation. It's not uncommon for victims of car accidents to experience memory loss, and the severity of the memory loss can vary greatly."

He listened to the doctor's words, feeling a sense of relief and validation wash over him. At least he had an explanation for what was happening to him.

"You may even have flashbacks of the past and, but not very likely to happen at first, of the accident itself. All of this is normal and should subside with time. It's nothing to worry about," Professor Graham continued.

He nodded slowly, his hands shaking. "So what can I do? Will I ever remember anything soon?"

Inside, he was terrified and desperate. He wanted to know what was going on and why he was in such a state. He wanted to know if there was a way to get his memories back.

The doctor answered, "You may regain some of your memories with time, but it's difficult to say for sure. I recommend that you try to focus on things that will help you remember and put your mind at ease. Talk to Leslie and your friends, keep a journal, and try to recall as much as you can. It's important to be patient. You may not get all of your memories back, but with rest and time, you should be able to make some progress."

He was calm to hear this, but he was still anxious. He had no idea how long it would take or if it would ever happen. But he also felt a strange sense of relief. At least he had an explanation for what was happening to him.

"Thank you, Professor Graham," he said, his voice trembling. "I'll do my best to try and remember."

The professor's next words made his fears resurface. "That being said, would you mind if you go to your house with Leslie? You could be discharged from this hospital by now, that's why I also went here to talk to you. She was outside this room. She said she had packed your things. You're free to go."

He was terrified. He had no idea what this meant, and he couldn't imagine what would happen to him once he left the hospital. He looked up at Professor Graham with a confused and frightened expression. "What do you mean? What will happen to me?"

Professor Graham sighed, his expression sympathetic. "I understand what scared you, but I'm afraid there's nothing more we can do for you here. It's all up to you now. Try to remember things. Staying here won't do you any good. It's better if you stay at your own house. Maybe you can see things there that will trigger your brain to regain memories."

A lump formed in his throat. He had been a patient at this hospital when he woke up and had no idea what to expect when he stepped out into the world as if it was his first time. He had been in a familiar place for so long, but now he had to face the unknown.

Leslie stood outside the room, her voice echoing inside his head. He didn't want her help, but he couldn't shake off the feeling of gratitude and unease that washed over him. He still couldn't remember who she was until now.

He glanced around the room nervously, his eyes searching for something he couldn't quite put his finger on. He took a deep breath and asked, "Do you think I'm ready for this?"

Her smile was reassuring, but it felt unfamiliar. "Of course, sweetheart. You just have to take it one step at a time. I'll be there to support you every step of the way."

He nodded, trying to take comfort in her words, but he still felt uneasy. He finished packing his bag and looked around the hallway one last time. It was hard to believe he was leaving. This place felt like the world where he was born, and the only world he knew.

As she led the way, she reached out to take his hand, but he pulled away. He couldn't shake the feeling of discomfort that lingered in his gut. Her soft voice filled the silence, "It's okay to be scared."

He stepped out of the hospital doors and into the unfamiliar world, feeling confused and scared. The sights and sounds around him were foreign, but at the same time, he felt connected to them. The thought of venturing into the unknown was daunting, and he felt a sense of dread.

He looked up at the sky, feeling the warm sun on his face. He could remember the warmth, but nothing else. Then, he broke the silence, "Where do we go now?"

"To our house, sweetheart," she replied. "But you'll be okay. You may not remember everything right away, but you will get your memories back when we get there."

He nodded, feeling a little relieved, but he still felt scared. The thought of starting a new journey filled him with apprehension. He knew he had to take the first step, but he wasn't sure if he was ready.

As they walked, his discomfort with her grew. He couldn't put his finger on why he felt detached from her. Was it because he didn't remember her, or was it something else? He tried to push the feeling aside and focus on the task at hand.

As they reached the parking lot, she opened the door to a sedan car. "This is our ride, sweetheart," she said with a smile.

He ignored her and climbed into the passenger seat, feeling a sense of unease wash over him as he sat down. She got into the driver's seat and started the car, and the car began to move. He gripped the edge of his seat, feeling the wind rush past him as they drove down the road.

But as they continue, his mind and body stiffen. He glanced over at her, who was focused on the road ahead. He couldn't feel any sense of comfort in her presence.

As they pulled up to a large house, she turned to him with a reassuring smile. "We're home, sweetheart," she said.

He looked around, taking in the grandeur of the house. As they stepped out of the car, he couldn't believe that this was going to be his new home. The thought of starting a new life here filled him with a mix of excitement and apprehension.

With that thought in mind, he walked up to the front door and prepared himself for the next chapter of his life, unsure of what was to come.