Chapter 31
Missing Pieces
Elena
(Flashback_Six months ago)
"Lily… that's your daughter's name," the doctor's words echoed repeatedly in my head.
I had a daughter? The thought felt strange in my mind yet it also felt dear to me.
Lily. It felt so familiar, so warm, as if it had always been a part of me. Was she really my daughter?
"Your memory loss is most likely caused by the stress and trauma induced by the accident," the doctor stared at me steadily.
"It's not unusual," he added, adjusting his stethoscope. " We'll continue to monitor your condition, and make sure you're alright."
Alright? The thought felt alien to me. I'd lost my whole memory, having no recollection of who I was, the things I liked and disliked.
I definitely wasn't alright.
I opened my mouth, wanting to ask more questions but the door opened at that moment, drawing my attention.
Two people walked in—a man and a woman. They were both young but just based on appearance I felt the woman looked closer to my age.
"Ahh, there you are," the doctor said by way of greeting and he turned back to me with a small smile.
"They're the ones who rescued you," he explained, searching my expression for any signs of recognition.
'Them?' I glanced over at the both of them. The young man looked awkward and he shoved his hands in his pockets.
"How are you feeling?" The woman stepped forward, her eyes shone with a kind light as she stared at me.
"Sorry, I'm Jenna," she clarified, chuckling softly. "This is my brother," she turned and gestured at the young man. "Pascal."
I nodded, catching their names. They were quite an odd pair for siblings I thought, one blond and one with dark shoulder length hair.
"Thank you," I whispered, staring at them. "Though I don't remember much of anything," I added, and a sense of helplessness at my situation rose within me.
I couldn't change anything about this.
"You don't remember?" Jenna's eyes widened and she shot a glance at the doctor. "Like at all?" I shook my head slowly.
I blinked quickly, fighting back tears and I sighed.
"I remember bits of the crash, and…" I glanced at the doctor. "The name of my daughter, Lily." My words were met by a brief silence and Pascal's eyes shifted around, he looked uncomfortable.
"Do you have any close relatives?" He asked, about to say more but Jenna shot him a dark look and he shut up.
"I don't," I whispered, my voice trembling. "I can't remember anyone or anything."
The doctor didn't say anything before walking out, he probably had other patients to attend to.
"Well," Jenna stared at me, she still looked shell shocked. "When we found you we didn't wait for the ambulance," she exchanged a look with Pascal.
"Well…" she hesitated, "we couldn't wait, Pascal's not old enough to drive, so he drove you here to San Francisco."
My brows furrowed. "San Francisco?"
Jenna nodded, her eyes still fixed on mine. "We couldn't turn and head back, if the cops saw us, we'd be screwed."
I nodded, it was enough that they'd gotten me to a hospital I thought.
"Where was I?" I asked, my voice quieter now. "I mean, where was I when you found me… us?" I corrected myself.
"Los Angeles," Jenna replied. "That's where the crash happened."
Los Angeles. The sound of the place made my heart skip a beat and I closed my eyes for a moment, hoping to get a familiar feeling.
I was disappointed, nothing leaped out to me. I just felt a sense of dread whenever I thought of going back there. I didn't know why.
But if I couldn't go back to Los Angeles, where could I go to? Go with them? My eyes darted toward the brother and sister pair that stood before me.
Jenna had kind clear eyes, she had a comforting feel about her. I suddenly realized I knew only three names, Jenna, Pascal, and Lily.
"Can I stay with you?" The words were out of my mouth before I realized I'd spoken them out loud.
Jenna blinked, clearly caught off guard. "With me?"
"I…" I hesitated, unsure how to put my words. "You're the only people I know right now, going back…" My heart thudded erratically and the machines beside me beeped as they monitored my vitals.
I cleared my throat, my gaze on Jenna. "It feels like a bad idea," I whispered.
"I…" Jenna trailed off and she exchanged gazes with Pascal. I watched, my heart in my throat. Despite the fact I barely knew them, they represented something known.
Going back to Los Angeles on my own, felt unknown.
"Okay, fine." Jenna finally nodded, agreeing. "But only if you're sure," she added.
"I'm sure," I said, surprising myself with how certain I sounded.
I spent the next two days in the ward, slowly recovering. I was cleared to be discharged after the second, the doctor had assured me that my injuries were healing well.
My memories?
I didn't want to dwell on that.
It was time to go, Jenna supported me as we slowly made our way out of the ward, the sight of the hospital corridors felt strange and alien to me.
We soon reached the reception.
And then I saw her.
Lily.
She stood in the hallway, clutching a small stuffed animal to her chest. Her wide eyes locked onto mine, and for a moment, the world seemed to tilt. I couldn't breathe.
I just knew it was her, the recognition seemed to come from the depths of my soul as I stared at her, no memory loss could take this.
She looked like me I thought as emotions swirled inside me.
"Lily," I whispered.
"Mummy," Lily rushed towards me, her movement was a bit slow, no doubt due to bruises.
"I missed you," she said and her voice broke as she buried her face in my arms.
And there, right there, was something I knew. Something I remembered.