Twisted Choice

Where am I?

I fell like I've been sleeping forever, my eyes are heavy, infact everything is heavy. I try with everything I have to open my eyes but they wont budge. I try to focus using my other senses, to try to figure out where I am. I can smell strong disinfectsnt, feel crisp clean sheets and hear beeps and buzzers from machines. I'm in the hospital? how did I get here? why am I here?

I cant lift my arms theyre too heavy, my fingers stoke the sheets upon me grabbing at the bedding attempting to get some control of my body.

'She's waking up!!' I know that voice, soft and kind with a sweet touch of familiarity to it.

'Lucy? Lucy can you hear me? its Mia, if you can hear me, just squeeze my hand.' I try with everything I have to squeeze her hand but my fingers bearly move. Why am I so exhausted? For goodness sake someone please just tell me why I'm here, whats happened to me!!

'Sasha!! Get the nurse, she's waking up' I try again with all my might to open my eyes, the lights are so bright, they're burning my eyes but still I try. I can just make out Mias face she's perched on the edge of my bed, practically on top of me, face in mine. She looks worried, well I suppose I am in the hospital, I must of given her a fright. I need her to know I'm okay.

'I'm okay' the words feel like glass in my mouth, slicing my tongue with each letter.

'shush sister, dont speak, you need to rest, the nurse will be here soon.' I dont understand, what's happened?

'Hello, my name is jessica, I'm the nurse taking care of you today. Can you tell me your name?'

'L-u-c'

'Okay Lucy, well get you some water, help soothe that throat, I just need to check your obs and then I'll go fetch you some okay?'

'okay' water sounds amazing right now, my throat is dryer than gandies flipflop.

'Lucy, do you know why youre here? Do you remember what happened at all?' I don't remember anything! Why am I here? My head feels like its been hit by a train.

'No'

'Okay, I'll just go get you that water, and someone will be along shortly to explain everything, okay?'

'Okay' Why can't she just tell me? Have I been in some sort of accident? Am I going to be paralised? Dont be stupid Lucy you can feel your legs. Just try to remember, what was the last thing we did? I remember getting ready, where was I going though?

'Lucy?' Mia pulls me out of my head spin.

'mmm?' I can't bear to talk anymore, it's too painful, and I'm so tired i just want to go back to sleep.

'I'm so sorry.' Sorry? whats she sorry for? did she do this to me? Again with the silly thoughts Lucy, Mia would never intentionally hurt you, you know that. This is probably a more sympathy sorry.

Before I have chance to respond the nurse is back with my water, thank goodness, I could drink a whole lake, I'm that thirsty. The nurse assists me in drinking, bringing the cup to my lips over and over, until I have finished a whole cup. She then refills it and repeats the process, the water feels so good on my throat, I would literally marry it right now.

'Try rest now Lucy, you have alot of healing to do' I do?

'Why dont you two go home, get washed up and come back this afternoon, I'm sure Lucy will be feeling more up to visitors by then' Nurse jessica was talking to the girls now, although it seemed more of a comand than a suggestion. I guess nurses have to look after more than just their patients, but their families too. She is right though, I am awfully tired, my eyes are as heavy as they were when I first awoke, although the light doesnt hurt as much now. I can feel myself drifting into slumber just as I start to allow myself to sleep I hear my sister call.

'I'll be back in a few hours Lucy, I promise!!'

The darkness sweeps over me, engulfing my body and mind in much needed rest, taking me into a deep slumber, allowing my mind to rest and my body to recover from the ordeals of the previous night.

My mind begins to race through clips of the previous evening, the dancing, the drinks, so many drinks, men trying to buy us drinks in which I always refused, and then the conversation with my sister to end the night. I told her the rules, yet I didn't follow them, Why? How have I landed myself in this situation? I need to wake up and find out what has happened to me.

My memories are all a blur, I remember knocking back my last drink passing the bouncer to exit the door and then nothing. Everything else is a blank. Did I make it to the taxi rank? Did I make it home?

My eyes shoot open panicked, met by the gaze of a strange man in my room, he's dressed in baggy jeans and a black tshirt, he panicks when he sees me, apologises and heads for the door but his exit is blocked by Jessica.

'James? I didn't realise you were still here?' she says surprised, as she finishes her sentence she realises my panick and begins to head towards me,

'Its okay Lucy, James is the one who brought you in, he was the one who found you' my eyes focus on James, I recognise him. Where do I know him from?

'If he hadn't brought you in when he did, you may not of made it' My eyes flash back to Jessica now, I nearly died?

'What happened?' I gasp visibly shaking.

'We can talk about all that soon, but in short you suffered quite a bit of damage due to a visious attack' I can feel the pain, my thighs are wrapped tightly in bandages and my shoulder is patched too. I still don't understand, I need her to tell me. James is hovering in the doorway still, unsure of whether to leave or to come back in.

I turn my attention back to James now.

'You brought me here?' I ask with as much confidence as I can muster.

'I did' he replies taking a step further into the room.

'Where did you find me?' James shoots a glance as Jessica, then back to me.

'At the back of the bar.' he replies quietly.

'What bar?'

'The drop and stop.' he replies again a little less quietly now. I fire back again in quick succession again.

'How did you find me?'

'I was closing up and as I was leaving for the night I found you laying at the end of the alley' he's closer now, seems more confident now.

Just as I'm about to ask my next question Jessica interupts, all professional, with a tone that I doubt anyone would argue with.

'Right that's enough of that for now, Lucy I know you have lots of questions, and I'm sure James would like to answer them all. However we need you both to of spoken to the police before you speak anymore to each other.' The police? I frown at Jessica now, of course this is an attack they will need statements. How could I be so stupid, I could jepodise the investigation.

'Sorry I didn't think' I almost whisper to myself.

'I'll leave' James says heading to the door.

'Wait!' I call across the room causing James to spin round. I have so many questions that only he can answer.

'Will you come back?' I ask quietly, 'Please?' I say half begging. James looks to Jessica as if for permission. I see her slightly nod.

'After the police have been.' He says difinitively, and without a second glance he leaves.