Hidden Temptations

Chapter Four

All I could feel was how cold it is and how much pain I am in. There are goosebumps on my neck all the way down to my ankles. What happened to me? I can’t see anything. Did I get kidnapped? Did I do something wrong? What was the purpose of anything anymore? I can’t hear much, my ears are covered by a blindfold that was put on me. I feel something wet roll down the side of my face, is it blood?

drip, drip, drip

There is water. Trying to imagine where I could be. I live in Seattle, there wasn’t a day that had gone by in three months that it wasn’t sunny. Which is very odd for Seattle, it always rains here. Did it rain? How long have I been here? Wherever here is. Why is it so cold? It’s the middle of June. It was dark, I couldn't see a thing, not even a peek under the blindfold. I was somewhere cold, dark, wet and I’m in excruciating pain. What is happening to me?

*distant police sirens*

I blink my eyes open, realizing I’m still in my moms car. There is glass everywhere. I can see smoke coming from the car.

“Ah, my head.” I reach for my head and touch my eyebrow.

“What’s that?” I look at my fingers and there's blood. So much blood. I look around to see what is going on.

“I’m sideways, what happened?” I’m getting dizzy, it’s getting blurry.

“Miss? Can you hear me?” I can’t see who is talking to me.

“Yes I can hear you.”

“Miss, can you answer me? What is your name?”

“I am answering you?! My name is... what... what’s my name?”

“Miss, we’re here to help you.” I just then realize I can’t speak, they can’t hear what I’m thinking! Why can’t I speak? Why can’t I remember what my name is?

I’m tired, I can’t stay awake any longer. I am getting too dizzy. I need to close my eyes.

I see bright lights, I hear sirens, it goes dark.

I see people, doctors maybe; they have gloves on, it goes dark.

I slowly blink my eyes open, all I see are lights, they are too bright. I feel pain in my legs, in my chest, and in my head, I have such a headache. I start to gag, I can’t breathe, what is in my throat. Alarms start to go off. Where am I? People start to rush into the room, who are these people?

“Adeline, just relax. We are here to help you. We are going to remove the tube that has been helping you breathe.” A hand was placed on my chest, it felt comforting. I feel the tube coming out of my throat, every inch of it leaving my mouth. I try to speak, it’s painful, nothing comes out.

“Try not to speak, it will be a few hours till your throat unswells.” I nod in agreement. “I am Dr. Phillips. Do you know what happened to you?” I shake my head no. “You were in a car accident. You have some serious injuries.” He pauses. “Do you want me to wait for your mother to be here to explain? You may want someone to hold your hand.” I nod my head yes. “Okay, you mother is in the cafeteria with your friend Sarah. I will have a nurse go get them for you. Please try to rest, I will be back when your family gets here.”

I stare at the ceiling, I can’t stop thinking, was this related to the note, the text and the car that was following me? Should I tell my mom? She is a lawyer, she could help. No. I can’t. She will freak out. I can’t help but cry, the tears roll down my face. Not 20 minutes go by before I hear my door open.

“Oh, Adeline! I’m so glad you're okay!” My mother runs to me, crying harder than I am, which is understandable because of what happened to my father. “I was so scared.” She hugs me tight, I wince in pain. “I’m sorry honey.” She backs off and lays her hand on my arm. It feels so good to have her there.

“Addie.” Sarah is standing at the end of my bed. I look down at her, she’s been crying. Her eyes are puffy red, her nose is running. All I want to do is hug her. She starts to cry, places her hands over her face, she seems guilty. Why?

She finally comes over the left side of my bed and places her hand on my arm. I look down at her hand, it’s cold, shaking. I notice a cast on my left wrist. It must’ve been broken. Sarah places her head on mine, her tear falls on my face. I can’t help but feel sorry for making both of them terrified to lose me.

Was this my fault?

“Hello, are you ready to hear what happened Adeline?” Dr. Phillips enters the room, he grabs the chart from the bottom of the hospital bed and flips through the pages.

“Addie, she likes to be called Addie.” Sarah said while not breaking eye contact with me.

“Okay, Addie.” He looks up at me. I nod in agreement to hear what happened. “You were in a car accident. “ He pauses and looks at me, I nod again. “You have sustained a concussion, broken your right knee and your left wrist.” I grab my mother's hand, she is on the right side of the bed. I squeeze tight, she squeezes right back. “On arriving at the hospital you need to be resuscitated. Your heart had stopped for two minutes.” I look at my mom, she’s crying even harder. I wish I could tell her I am okay.

Dr. Phillips continues “That may be why you feel some pain in your chest and the reason for the tube in your throat. You had no internal bleeding, which was great news, no surgery required on your abdomen or on your knee. We did have to perform surgery on your wrist though.” I release my mom's hand and wipe my face, the tears are getting to be too much. It hurts, my shoulder is sore, I wince in pain. “You will be sore for the next couple weeks.”

“How much longer will she be in the hospital?” My mother cut in.

“Only two more days. We need to monitor her concussion.” Dr. Phillips put my chart back on the edge of my bed. “If you need anything there are nurses right outside 24/7. I will be here tomorrow to check up on you.” He touches my foot, very gently reassuring me that everything will be okay.

“M..om.” I finally get a word out. It was painful, but I needed to say it. I needed to make sure she knows I’m still here, alive.