Thorne

4

I sat in the waiting room of the doctor's office, flipping through a magazine as Rachel checked her phone. She had been unusually quiet and distracted ever since we arrived, and I couldn't help but wonder if something was wrong.

Just as I was about to ask her what was on her mind, her phone rang. She glanced at the caller ID and then excused herself, stepping out of the room to take the call.

I watched as she left, a sense of unease settling in my stomach. I knew Rachel was an important member of the pack, and I couldn't help but wonder if something serious was happening.

A few minutes later, Rachel returned to the waiting room, a worried look on her face. "I'm sorry, Anastasia," she said, "but I have to go. There's been an emergency meeting called and I need to be there."

"Is everything okay?" I asked, feeling a sense of concern wash over me.

Rachel hesitated before answering. "I'm not sure. But I have to go. Will you be okay here by yourself?"

I nodded, trying to put on a brave face. "Yeah, I'll be fine. You go take care of whatever you need to."

Rachel gave me a quick hug and then hurried out of the waiting room, leaving me alone with my thoughts. As I waited for my appointment with the doctor, I couldn't shake the feeling that something was off. But I knew there was nothing I could do about it, so I tried to push those thoughts to the back of my mind and focus on the present.

After what felt like an eternity, the nurse called my name and led me into an examination room. Dr. Thompson walked in a few minutes later, his kind eyes scanning my chart.

"Hey, how are you feeling today, Anastasia?" he asked, taking a seat on the stool in front of me.

"I'm doing okay, I guess," I replied, fidgeting with the hem of my shirt.

Dr. Thompson nodded sympathetically. "I understand how difficult this must be for you. But I want you to know that we're doing everything we can to help you regain your memory. Have you been experiencing any flashbacks or dreams that might give us some clues about your past?"

I nodded my head. "Well, sort of I guess. Rachel and I were looking at job postings, and I felt really drawn to work at the library. so I applied there and got a job. I think I was someone who read a lot in the past."

"Oh, that's great!" Dr. Thompson smiled. "Make sure to take a look at some of the books they have. You might remember reading some of them."

I nodded. "Oh, good idea."

"Okay. So from here, I'm going to get you in for a CT scan." He explained carefully. "This is just so we can get a better look at what might be going on inside your head."

I nodded, trying to ignore the butterflies in my stomach. "Okay, whatever you think is best."

Dr. Thompson led me to the CT machine and helped me lay down on the table. As the machine whirred and clicked around my head, I closed my eyes and tried to stay calm.

After what felt like an eternity, the CT was finally over. I sat up and tried to shake the dizziness out of my head as Dr. Thompson looked at the images on his computer.

"Well, it looks like everything is normal," he said, turning to me with a smile. "There's no evidence of any injuries or abnormalities that could cause your amnesia. It's possible that you have dissociative amnesia, which is often caused by a traumatic event or stress. Have you experienced anything like that recently?"

I shook my head, feeling a sense of disappointment wash over me. "I don't know. I can't remember anything before waking up in the forest."

Dr. Thompson nodded, his expression sympathetic. "It's okay, Anastasia. We'll keep working on it. In the meantime, try to focus on the present and make new memories. It's possible that as you start to build a new life, your past will start to come back to you."

I nodded silently. I had been hoping that the CT scan would provide some answers about my amnesia, but when he told me that everything looked normal, I couldn't help but feel disappointed. I had been holding onto the hope that something physical was causing my memory loss, but now it seemed like the root of my problems was more psychological.

I left the doctor's office feeling a mixture of hope and frustration. I wanted so badly to remember my past, but at the same time, I was scared of what I might find out. As I walked back to the pack village, I tried to push those thoughts to the back of my mind and focus on the present. I found myself unconsciously turning down a side street, drawn to a cozy little coffee shop that I had passed by a few times before.

I stopped in front of the shop, gazing at the cute red awning and the colorful flowers that adorned the window boxes. The aroma of freshly brewed coffee wafted through the air, tempting me to go inside.

But I knew I couldn't linger. I had to get home and rest up for my first day of work at the library tomorrow. So, with a sigh, I tore my eyes away from the coffee shop and continued on my way.

As I walked down the quiet residential street, I couldn't help but appreciate the charming houses that lined the road. Each one was unique, with its own style and character.

Finally, I arrived at my own home, a cozy little cottage with a white picket fence and a porch lined with pots of blooming flowers. I unlocked the door and stepped inside, feeling a sense of comfort and familiarity wash over me.

I hung up my coat and headed straight for the kitchen, eager to make myself a cup of tea before settling in for the night. As I waited for the kettle to boil, I glanced around the warm and inviting room, taking in the homey touches that made it feel like mine.

As I brushed my teeth and washed my face, I couldn't shake the feeling of anxiety that had settled in my chest. Tomorrow was my first day at the library, and while I was excited about starting, I was also filled with fear and uncertainty. I had no idea what my work history was, or even what my name was, before I woke up with amnesia.

I climbed into bed and closed my eyes, trying to calm my racing thoughts. I knew I had to try and get some sleep, but my mind kept going back to the library. What if I can't do the job well? What if Genevieve realized I was a fraud and sent me packing?

I sighed and turned onto my side, trying to push the negative thoughts out of my head. Maybe the books in the library could help me remember something, anything. I could spend my breaks pouring over the shelves, searching for a glimmer of recognition.

But as I drifted off to sleep, I couldn't shake the feeling of hopelessness that settled over me. How was I ever going to regain my memories and find out who I was?

...

I woke up to the sound of my alarm blaring loudly, jolting me awake. I groaned and reached out to hit the snooze button, but then I remembered that I had my first shift at the library today and I needed to get up.

I sat up in bed and looked at the clock.8:45. I had only 15 minutes to get dressed and go out the door. I cursed myself for not setting my alarm earlier.

I quickly got out of bed and rushed to my closet. I grabbed the first outfit I saw and began to get dressed. I pulled on a pair of jeans and a blouse, then rushed to the bathroom to brush my teeth.

I finished getting ready as quickly as I could and grabbed my bag on the way out the door. I didn't have a car, so I started running down the streets towards the library. My heart was racing as I dodged pedestrians, trying to make it to on time.

As I walked through the lobby, I saw Genevieve behind the circulation desk. She greeted me with a warm smile.

"Welcome to your first day, Anastasia!" she said. "I'm so glad you're joining our team."

"Thanks, Genevieve," I replied, slightly out of breath. "I'm really excited to be here."

Genevieve gave me a tour of the library, showing me all of the different sections and introducing me to the other staff members. I was amazed by the vast collection of books and other resources available to the patrons.

Next, she showed me how to look up the location of a book. Today I will mostly be restocking books that have been returned and putting them back in their original location. It seemed simple enough.

As we finished the tour, Genevieve led me to the staff room. "Now finally, this is where you'll take your breaks and store your belongings," she explained. "Do you have any questions so far?"

I hummed. "Well, I was wondering, am I able to grab any books that look interesting to me throughout the day? And how many may I check out at a time?"

Genevieve laughed. "Yes, you may as long as you are able to complete your work on time I don't mind. And we limit it to 5 books at a time. You will have to come up front and get your library card at the end of your shift so you can check them out."

"Oh, thank you!"

"Well, I'll leave you to get settled in. If you have any questions, just let me know."

I thanked Genevieve and set my things down in the staff room. I took a deep breath and smiled at myself. This was going to be an amazing experience, I thought. I couldn't wait to get started on helping patrons find the perfect book and sharing my love of reading with them.

I walked through the rows of books, my eyes scanning the shelves as I searched for something – anything – that might jog my memory. It had been a few weeks since I woke up in the ice forest with no memory of my past, and I had been struggling to piece together any clues about who I was.

I stopped in front of a shelf of books on psychology, my fingers running along the spines as I tried to remember something about my past. But it was all a blur – a jumbled mess of images and feelings that I couldn't make sense of.

I let out a sigh, feeling frustrated and helpless. I wanted to remember, but it was like my mind was a wall, blocking me from accessing the memories I needed.

Quickly, I saw a book that caught my eye. It was a psychology textbook, with a section on memory and how to improve it. I pulled it off the shelf and tucked it into my bag so I could check it out at the end of my shift.

As I continued my shift, I noticed a few more books that caught my eye. One was a mystery novel with an intriguing plot, and another was a travel guide to exotic locations around the world. I couldn't help but feel drawn to these books, and I decided to check them out as well.

I continued to restock when I saw Marcus, one of Ethan's second-in-command, looking at a row of books. I remember Ethan emphasizing our introduction the other day. He seemed deep in thought, his brow furrowed as he ran his finger along the spines of the books.

I hesitated for a moment, wondering if I should disturb him. But something about his body language seemed off, and I couldn't shake the feeling that he might welcome some company.

"Hi, Marcus," I said softly as I approached him. "Is everything okay?"

He startled, turning to me with a surprised expression. "Oh, Anastasia. Hi. I didn't realize you worked here."

"Oh, today is my first day. Is everything okay?" I repeated, concern etched on my face. "You look like you're deep in thought."

He sighed, running a hand through his hair. "I'm just trying to find some answers," he said. "I'm not sure if these books will help, but I'm willing to try anything at this point."

"What are you looking for?" I asked, curious.

"I'm trying to find information about how to be a better leader," he admitted. "Ethan's always been the natural choice for leader, but I want to be able to step up and be a worthy second-in-command. I had nothing to offer in our meeting yesterday, and I want to improve, but I just don't know where to start."

I nodded, remembering how Rachel had left my appointment so she could attend that same meeting. "Oh yea." I mumbled, "Was everything okay?"

Marcus nodded and shrugged, "Yea," he said, "Someone saw a wolf on our territory, but we looked everywhere and didn't see one, so it ended up being all okay."

"Oh," I said lamely, "Well, anyway, maybe I can help you find a book," I offered. "I mean, I know your mom is the librarian, so you probably know your way around, but I have this cool device now to look up books, and I can point you in the direction of some specific books."

Marcus's face lit up with hope. "That would be amazing," he said. "I really appreciate it, Anastasia."

Together, we spent the next hour going through the shelves and finding books that might be helpful to Marcus. It was a small gesture, but it felt good to be able to help someone in need. And as I watched Marcus's face light up with each new discovery, I couldn't help but feel driven. Maybe this is where I'm meant to be – helping others find their way.

As we continued to browse the shelves, Marcus seemed to open up more and more. He told me about how his dad died when he was young, and how Ethan's family took him and his mother in.

"I've always been grateful to them," he said. "Ethan's always been like a brother to me. But sometimes I can't help feeling like I'm only second-in-command because of our friendship, and not because of my skills or abilities."

I nodded, understanding how he must feel. It can be tough to feel like you're not being recognized for your own achievements, especially when you're working so hard to prove yourself.

"I'm sure that's not the case," I told him. "I've seen you in action, Marcus. You're a natural leader – calm, collected, and always thinking ahead. You have a lot of potential, and I'm sure that Ethan sees that too."

Marcus sighs, his shoulders slumping. "I hope you're right," he says. "I just want to do right by everyone, you know? I want to be able to help our pack thrive and grow. But sometimes it feels like I'm always one step behind."

I put a comforting hand on his shoulder. "You just need to keep working at it," I told him. "And don't be afraid to ask for help. I'm here for you, Marcus, and I'm sure there are others who are willing to support you too."

He nods, his face lighting up. "Thanks, Anastasia," he says. "You're a good friend."

I blushed and nodded, then glanced down at my watch. "Oh, Marcus, my shift is about to end, I had better go check in with your mom."

"Thanks for all your help." He smiled and we both parted ways, and I went to go check out my books and say goodbye to Genevieve.

When I left the library at the end of my shift, Ethan was waiting for me in his car outside.

"Hey, Anastasia." He greeted me, rolling down the passenger window with a determined look on his face. "I came to pick you up from work. I don't want you walking home alone in the dark."

I hesitated for a moment, wondering if I should refuse his offer. But I knew that it would be foolish to turn down a ride from a friend, especially when it was already so late. So I accepted his offer and got in his car.

Ethan cleared his throat and turned to me, his eyes filled with concern. "Do you really not remember anything? I mean not even anything in the forest that could give us some kind of clue? Even a landmark could help us find where you woke up and look for a wallet or something."

I shook my head, suddenly remembering the memories of the face I had seen in the ice. "I didn't really see anything important around me," I said, my voice barely above a whisper. "But there was one thing that I saw. When I was trying to find somewhere to keep warm, I went into an icey cave. And I saw... well I saw..." I hesitated. "It was a face, frozen in the ice. I have no idea who it was, but it was like he was calling out to me. It was really weird."

Ethan's eyes narrowed, and I could see the fear and concern etched on his face. "A face in the ice?" he repeated, his voice barely above a whisper. "What did he look like?"

"He had dark hair, blue eyes.. I-I can't really remember anything else honestly. It was scary."

Ethan shifted uncomfortably. "You were probably just hallucinating that." He said, but I saw how his face paled when I described the man. I could tell he knew something about it.

He did not bring it up again, and for the rest of the ride he filled me in on his plans for the rest of the evening. "I arranged for Rachel to come pick you up later and take you shopping," he said. "I want you to have everything you need while you're here. And I also got you a phone, so you can keep in touch with everyone."

I couldn't help but feel touched by his generosity, and I thanked him profusely. But as I opened the box and turned on the phone, I couldn't shake the feeling that something was off. There was a tension in the air that I couldn't quite place, and I couldn't help but wonder what was on Ethan's mind.

"Is everything okay?" I asked, trying to gauge his mood. "You seem a little weird."

Ethan hesitated for a moment, his eyes fixed on the road ahead. "It's nothing," he said, shaking his head. "I'm just concerned about you, that's all."

I nodded, but I knew that there was more to it than that. I couldn't shake the feeling that he was hiding something from me, and I knew that I needed to get to the bottom of it. But for now, I have decided to let it go. I had other things to worry about, like finding a way to jog my memory and figure out who I was before the amnesia.

And so, with that thought in mind, I settled back in my seat , my mind racing with all sorts of possibilities.