AN: A plot bunny gone awry. You know how that is, right?
Special thanks to Shaina who took time out of her new mommy schedule to beta this. She wouldn't let me post a new story without her. I love you!
Stephenie Meyer owns it all.
Chapter 1
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Blinding white light.
It was too damn bright, and I immediately closed my eyes against the glare. I reached for something – anything to cover my eyes from the sunlight. My hand trailed along the bed in a desperate search until it finally fell off the mattress.
This is not my bed.
My bed was much larger and always had more pillows than it needed.
Where am I?
My head throbbed but I struggled to open one eye and lift myself off the pillow. I was successful until I felt my stomach rebel against the movement, and I collapsed against the bed with a frustrated groan.
"You're awake," a sweet female voice echoed in my ears. It was an unfamiliar voice but oddly comforting, and I turned my head toward the sound. "I hope you aren't hungry because today is Thursday."
Today is Thursday.
"Thursday is the absolute worst day to wake up in the hospital because there's oatmeal for breakfast," she continued. "We're pretty sure that Old Lady Cope brought the recipe over with her on the Mayflower. It's fairly disgusting and not at all appetizing."
Hospital.
"I'm in the…Old Lady…who?" My head was so foggy.
"Cope," the woman repeated. "She's the dietician down in the cafeteria. You might think it would be really hard to screw up oatmeal, but somehow, she manages to do it every single Thursday."
"Thursday…" I mumbled as I squeezed my eyes tighter and tried to remember…anything. "Why am I in the hospital?"
I felt the voice's body move closer to me and adjust my blanket. She leaned over the bed, and the aroma of tangerines and cream flooded my senses. It was overwhelming and delicious, and a horrific thought suddenly entered my mind. Don't they say that your sense of smell is heightened whenever –
"Am I blind?" I shouted frantically.
"Well, I'm afraid I can't answer that," she said as she giggled softly. "Why don't you open your eyes and find out?"
Oh yeah.
"Because it hurts to open my eyes," I grumbled.
"I'm not surprised. Whoever beat you up really did a number on you. They also took your wallet, so we haven't been able to notify your family. I'll just notify your doctor that you're awake and then we'll see about getting you something decent to eat."
Someone beat me up? My head throbbed worse as I tried to remember that. Why couldn't I remember?
It was a struggle, but I managed to open my eyes. Relieved that I wasn't blind after all, I squinted my eyes against the sunlight streaming through the blinds as I surveyed the room. There was a television on the wall and pitcher of water at my bedside. There were a pair of shoes in the chair, and I wondered if they were mine. I tried not to panic when I realized I couldn't be sure.
My inventory was suddenly interrupted by a voice – one not nearly as feminine and sweet as the one before.
"Good morning," the man smiled as he made his way toward the bed. "I'm Dr. Cheney. It's good to see you awake."
"Thanks, I think," I muttered as I leaned back against the pillow and closed my eyes once again. "I feel like I've been hit by a train."
"Not quite a train, but yes, you took quite a beating," Dr. Cheney replied as he examined the various cuts and bruises on my body. I hadn't really taken a good look at myself, but my arm was covered in bruises and my hand was wrapped in a bandage.
"It actually looks worse than it is," Dr. Cheney assured me. "You had some minor abrasions on your hands and legs and there's a pretty big stitch along your forehead."
I lifted my hand and winced as my fingers brushed across the wound just above my eyebrow.
"Your injuries were minor, which is a miracle considering Charlie found you muddy and bleeding down by the river."
"Charlie?"
"He's the sheriff," Dr. Cheney explained. "He and his deputies found you lying unconscious near Sol Duc Falls."
Sol Duc Falls? Is that an actual waterfall? Why was I there?
"Where the hell am I?"
"You're in Forks."
"Forks…" The name was unfamiliar.
"Forks, Washington," the doctor clarified. "Where are you from?"
What was I doing in Forks, Washington?
"I'm from…" I closed my eyes as my mind tried to conjure the word and send it to my mouth. "I'm from…"
I had no idea, and the doctor realized it the same time I did. He shined a light in my eye and asked me to follow his finger as it darted from side to side. I had no idea if I was successful. My head felt like a jackhammer was pulsating inside of it, and his damn miniature flashlight wasn't helping. He slipped it back into his pocket and wrote something on the chart in his hand.
"Do you know your name?"
"Edward," I replied without hesitation, and I sighed with relief at actually knowing the answer. "I'm Edward."
"That's great," Dr. Cheney smiled and wrote something else down on his chart. "And your last name?"
I frowned. I had absolutely no idea.
"Don't panic. Now that you're awake we can run some tests," Dr. Cheney explained.
"Are you feeling dizzy at all?"
"Some, especially when you flash that light in my face."
"Sorry," he chuckled lightly. "Do you remember anything about the river or how you got there?"
I shook my head no and immediately regretted it. Groaning, I closed my eyes and begged the room to stop spinning.
"You've obviously been through a traumatic experience," he said as he clicked his pen and stuffed it into his pocket. "Try to get some rest. Are you in any other pain besides your headache?"
Honestly, I ached all over, but the headache was definitely the worst of it.
"Not really," I mumbled. "How long have I been here?"
"You've been in the hospital for three days," the doctor explained patiently. "Try not to worry. I'm going to order some tests and I'll prescribe something for your headache. Your nurse will be back shortly."
My spirits immediately lifted at the mention of my nurse.
"The nurse that smells like tangerines and cream?" I murmured tiredly, and the doctor laughed. I couldn't help but smile as I leaned back against my pillows and closed my eyes.
"That's the one. She's a favorite around here."
I had no doubt.
OOO
A short intro to test the waters. What do you think?
I'm reading "Offside" by Savage7289 and it completely owns me. Not only is it incredible, but she updates everyday! That concept fascinates me, and with my beta's blessing, we're going to try it! Something fun and something different, I hope. We'll see how it goes! I'll need feedback, so let me know how you feel about it. Leave me a review here or let me know on Twitter. I'm Sydney_Alice over there. :)