-Ingrid-

I felt myself drifting through different levels of consciousness, unable to control or respond to any of it. All I could do was listen and wait.

I was numb at times. And terrified.

When would this end?

"Hey, Ingrid. It's me..."

A warm hand rested comfortably on top of mine. I felt my hand twitch a delayed moment later in response.

I tried to follow the voice, but felt myself struggle against the currents of my consciousness.

"I don't know how, but I want to make this right..."

The warm hand's fingers interlaced with mine.

"I'm here for you Ingrid. I'm here..."

That voice...

It sounded so foreign...but so familiar.

Who was that?

- - -

"Ingrid, honey..." I heard my mom's voice, among several beeps and whirring noises.

I struggled to climb out of the fog I was in. It felt like I was trying to dig out of a mental sand pit. The harder I tried, the deeper I fell.

"Ingrid, open your eyes," my dad encouraged softly.

I felt my parents' hands on each of mine.

"Mm..." I tried to speak and felt my dry and irritated throat refuse to cooperate.

My head rolled from side to side as I struggled to open my eyes.

At last, they slowly started to open.

I was in a dimly lit hospital room, surrounded by my parents, a doctor, and nurse.

"Oh, Ingrid!" My mom sobbed and brought my hand up to her lips to kiss it.

"Welcome back, kiddo." My dad patted my other hand gently.

I blinked slowly, trying to make sense of the situation.

The doctor moved in slowly next to my mother. "Hi, Ingrid. I'm Dr. Hallett."

I nodded and tried to speak again, but my words failed to come out.

"Your throat might be a little sore - we took your breathing tube out earlier." She nodded to the nurse, who flipped another light switch. Pale fluorescent light streamed across my body, my limbs and their associated lines apparent in front of me. "You also had a drain to help with some elevated pressure in your brain, but that is out now too."

I had a breathing tube? And a brain tube?

What happened to me?

She pulled out a small pen light and gave me instructions to follow her movements. Afterwards, she placed her cold stethoscope under my gown to listen to my lungs and heart. When she was done, she nodded to the nurse in satisfaction.

"How's that throat feeling now?"

I swallowed nervously and tried to produce a sound. "S-Still bad..." I croaked out.

Dr. Hallett nodded and lowered her eyes to me with empathy. "I'm sorry. We'll get you some water and throat lozenges in a bit." She patted my back gently. "I have a few questions for you, if you think you can try to answer them?"

I nodded and rested my head back on the pillow. I was strangely exhausted.

"Ok, do you know where you are?"

"The hospital," I whispered, wincing as I felt something tightly squeeze my legs rhythmically. I looked down and saw them wrapped in some sort of fabric.

"And what month is it?"

"September."

I saw my parents exchange a nervous glance. Something told me that wasn't the right answer.

She smiled lightly and continued to assess me. "Ok Ingrid, what's the last thing you remember before waking up?"

I pondered her question for a long moment. I didn't really have it in me to answer "I heard a strangely familiar voice and felt someone squeeze my hand"...

But I did remember something else.

"Dad told me we were going to be moving in a few months."

Dr. Hallett exchanged a brief look with my parents then sat on the edge of my bed. "Those are the only questions I have for you right now. What questions do you have for me?"

I closed my eyes, not looking forward to the answer. "What is the actual month?"

She paused.

"It's June."

So nine months of my life just went..."poof"?

"You had what's called a 'traumatic brain injury', you had bleeding and swelling which may be causing some amnesia." She took a deep breath. "It's hard to tell if it will resolve or stay this way - the brain can be very resilient."

I felt my dad bend down to lightly kiss my head.

"So...what now?" I felt my voice trembling as I squeaked out the question.

"You'll likely need some occupational and physical therapy. But you can go home soon and follow up in the clinic. You're young and have potential for a great recovery."

"What about my memories?" I wondered timidly.

I felt my eyes start to well up with tears. I couldn't quite place why, but I could feel my chest grow tight at the thought that I could have completely forgotten my friends.

Maybe that was the voice I had heard earlier? Was he a friend? My boyfriend even?

Dr. Hallett sighed and leaned back in thought. "It's hard to tell for sure if or when they may come back. Some patients find that their home routine may trigger something."

I felt my Dad pat my shoulder. "There's been so much support for you Ingrid. Just wait until you get home."

Dr. Hallett nodded and stood up from my bed. "Other than the throat, how are you feeling? Any pain?"

I shook my head. "No, just really tired."

"That's understandable. We'll hopefully get you home within the week." She nodded to the nurse, before dimming the lights again before turning to leave. "I'll leave you to get some rest."

"Thank you." My mom called after her. She then turned to pull me into a big hug.

"Ah, Mom -"

She recoiled quickly, concerned I was in pain. "I'm so sorry, I feel like it's been so long since I've heard your voice."

I shifted in my bed to try to get comfortable again. "Where's Lance?"

I scanned the room for my troublesome little brother. He wasn't one to stay quiet for long.

"He's at home. A friend of yours got us a really great sitter. They've become best buds!"

A friend of mine?

Would they still be my friend when they realized I didn't know who they were?

I closed my eyes for a long moment, feeling overwhelmed and pulled deeper and deeper towards sleep. "Sorry, I'm so tired..."

"Don't be sorry, honey. We just wanted to be here when you woke up." My mom smoothed out my blankets and helped me adjust my pillows.

"Yeah, we'll let you rest and be back tomorrow." My dad agreed, squeezing my shoulder reassuringly.

They took turns leaning in to kiss my cheek.

"Love you... Mom, Dad." I felt my breath grow slower and deeper with every word.

"Goodnight, sweetie." My mom's voice soothingly met my ears before I closed my eyes.