5 Years
759 Words
Elena woke to beeping.
That was the first thing she knew.
Beep.
Pause.
Beep.
Pause.
Then pain.
Every part of her body seemed to realize simultaneously that she was conscious and respond with outrage.
She tried to move.
“Don't.”
The voice came from somewhere beside her.
Low.
Rough.
Familiar.
Elena opened her eyes.
The room blurred.
White ceiling.
Machines.
Window.
A man sitting beside her bed with his elbows on his knees and his head bowed.
Dark hair.
Broad shoulders.
A suit that looked like he'd slept in it.
“Nate?”
His head snapped up.
Elena smiled weakly.
“There you are.”
Nathaniel didn't move.
For several seconds, he simply stared at her.
His eyes were bloodshot.
His face looked different.
Older.
Sharper.
There were faint lines beside his eyes she didn't remember.
And he had a beard.
Not much of one, but enough that Elena frowned.
“When did you start doing that?”
His lips parted.
“What?”
She lifted one finger toward his face.
“The beard.”
Nathaniel stared at her as though she'd spoken another language.
Then something in his expression cracked.
“Elena.”
“Why are you crying?”
He looked away.
That was when she realized he actually was.
Nathaniel Mercer didn't cry.
At least, not where anyone could see him.
She tried to sit up.
Pain shot through her side.
“Ah!”
Nate was on his feet instantly.
“Don't move.”
“What happened?”
“You were in an accident.”
She frowned.
“What kind of accident?”
“A car accident.”
Her stomach twisted.
She looked around.
Hospital.
Bandages.
Her left wrist immobilized.
“Was anyone else hurt?”
“No.”
“Was I driving?”
“Yes.”
She tried to remember.
Nothing.
Her head throbbed.
“What day is it?”
Nate went still.
Elena looked at him.
“What?”
Before he could answer, the door opened.
A woman in a white coat entered.
Behind her came Elena's mother.
“Elena!”
“Mama?”
Rosa made a broken sound and rushed to her bedside.
“Oh, thank God.”
Elena laughed despite the pain as her mother kissed her forehead repeatedly.
“Mama, I'm okay.”
“No, you are not okay. You scared twenty years off my life.”
“That would make you, what, seventy?”
Rosa pulled back.
Her smile disappeared.
Nathaniel stared at Elena again.
“What?”
Nobody answered.
The doctor stepped closer.
“Elena, my name is Dr. Amelia Grant. I'm your neurologist.”
“Neurologist?”
“You sustained a significant head injury.”
Elena swallowed.
“Okay.”
“I'd like to ask you a few questions.”
“Sure.”
“Can you tell me your full name?”
“Elena Marquez-Mercer.”
Nathaniel's eyes closed briefly.
“Do you know where you are?”
“St. Matthew's, apparently.”
“What city?”
Elena answered.
“What year is it?”
She told her.
Nobody moved.
Dr. Grant remained calm.
“Are you sure?”
Elena's smile faded.
“Yes.”
Rosa covered her mouth.
Nathaniel turned away.
A cold feeling spread through Elena's chest.
“What?”
Dr. Grant pulled a chair closer.
“Elena, the year is 2026.”
Elena laughed.
Nobody else did.
“No.”
“It is.”
“No, it's 2021.”
Nathaniel turned back.
Elena looked at him.
Really looked at him.
The lines.
The beard.
The expensive suit.
The watch on his wrist.
Not the inexpensive watch she'd bought him for graduation.
Something much more expensive.
Her breathing changed.
“Nate?”
He stepped closer.
She stared at his hand.
Bare.
Her gaze locked onto his ring finger.
There was no wedding band.
Everything inside her went cold.
“Where's your ring?”
Nathaniel stopped.
Rosa looked at him.
The doctor watched Elena carefully.
“Nate.”
His eyes met hers.
“Where is your wedding ring?”
He looked like she had struck him.
“Elena..”
“Why aren't you wearing it?”
The monitor beside her began beeping faster.
Dr. Grant stood.
“Elena, I need you to remain calm.”
“I'm calm.”
She wasn't.
She looked at her own hand.
No ring.
Her heart lurched.
“Where's mine?”
Nobody answered.
Her eyes filled.
“Nathaniel, where is my wedding ring?”
And for the first time since she'd known him, Nathaniel Mercer looked afraid to tell her the truth.
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