A Journey to Find Herself

A Journey to Find Herself - Chapter 1

    Cassie opened one eye. What was that sound? Beep! Beep! Beep! Beep… on and on it went. She wracked her brain to figure out what the sound could be but couldn’t think of any possible explanation. She opened both eyes and saw that she was in a completely white room with no pictures or wall dressings. Suddenly she realized she was not alone. A woman clad in white approached her.

    “You’re awake!” the woman said kindly.

    “Who are you?” asked Cassie. “And where am I?”

    “All in good time,” said the woman in white. “First you must tell me who you are.”

    “My name is Cassandra Marie Featherstone,” Cassie replied, still trying to figure out where she was. Something about the woman and the room was familiar, but Cassie couldn’t quite place it.

    “Where am I?” Cassie asked again.

    “Morton County Hospital,” the woman replied.

    This idea had been in the back of Cassie’s mind ever since she’d woken up, but she couldn’t think of a reason why she’d be in the hospital, so she’d dismissed the thought as quickly as it had come.

    “Why am I here?” Cassie inquired, her eyes shifting nervously around the room. Was she hurt? She didn’t feel like it, but what else could have happened to land her in the hospital? She thought as hard she could, but couldn’t remember anything except waking up in this hospital bed.
    “You were in some kind of accident and hit your head pretty hard, I think.”
Cassie couldn’t help feeling a little suspicious, as she felt no pain in her head. True, it was a little stiff, she noticed, but she felt no pain.

    As if reading her mind, the nurse said, “We gave you pain medication shortly after you arrived.” The nurse took Cassie’s blood pressure, marking it on her chart as she spoke. “We think you’ve suffered a concussion, but need to do more tests to be sure.”

    Although Cassie tried to digest this information, she found it difficult. Her brain felt like it did when she studied for too long – foggy and overloaded, like it was trying to work, but couldn’t. What could she have been doing to get a concussion?

    “We’re still trying to locate your parents,” the nurse said as she listened to Cassie’s heartbeat. “It’s been a little difficult as you have no identification on you. Can you tell me your address, phone number, or your father’s name?”
   
    Despite trying with all her might, Cassie couldn’t remember anything for the life of her. She shook her head at the nurse, who smiled.

    “That’s normal for someone who’s suffered as much trauma as you have. Try to sleep, honey. You might remember more after a good rest,” the nurse said as she gathered her equipment and put it away. “If you need anything, just press this button here.” She pointed to a small button beside Cassie’s bed. “I’m Nurse Rebecca,” she added. “You just try and get some rest.”