Chapter Two
The day and night went past in a breeze, and I was a model patient- a far cry from the past few days. I sat obediently in bed, ate all my food, drank regularly and rested.
Karen came in to collect me that morning, pushing a wheelchair in front of her.
“They’ve decided to turn a blind eye this morning. They’re not happy about it, but they couldn’t refuse. He’s pretty keen to get a good look at you too- he doesn’t remember anything about the accident either and he seems to want to make sure you’re alright.”
She helped me out of bed and into the wheelchair. It was the first time I’d gotten a good look at my leg. I could see a massive scar running all the way across the side of my leg. It came as a shock to me, but it wasn’t as though I could change it. I took a deep breath and looked up again. There was no point dwelling on it; especially now- Karen would just put me back in bed and wouldn’t budge once she did.
Karen left one hand on the back of my wheelchair and stuck her head into my hero’s room.
“You’ve got a visitor, mystery man.”
She turned to me again and pushed me inside. On the bed, there was a boy. He was incredibly handsome with dark brown hair that fell over his melted chocolate coloured eyes. He stuck out his hand, which was attached to a tanned, muscular arm.
“Hey, I’m Tim. Tim Hale,” said the attractive boy. I was suddenly taken back in time. I was standing in a cold, dark room with no windows or lighting and I could hear a spine-chilling voice yelling profanities. It only lasted a second, but it was enough to scare me.
“Mystery Andrews,” I replied, shocking myself. I had spent days trying to figure out my name; trying to grasp some figment of my past, to no avail. Remembering my name just then had been effortless, as though I’d never forgotten. I racked my brain, checking for any other pieces of information which had suddenly emerged from the deep abyss of my memory. Nothing.
“That’s an awesome name. Is it a nickname, or is it just Mystery?”
His voice was attractive too- deep yet soft and gentle. It made me suddenly conscious of my matted black curls, which I immediately ran my hand through.
“Um, it’s just Mystery. Yours is short for Timothy, I take it?”
Smooth, Mystery, I thought. He laughed.
“Yeah, but please don’t ever call me that. I hate the name Timothy. I was actually glad to forget it was mine. But you helped me remember- I wonder why that was?”
So it wasn’t just me.
“Yeah, I couldn’t remember my name either. I’m pretty happy with it I guess, but it was nice to imagine I was called something else. I’ve always liked Lucy and Carlie.”
He smiled. “You have the most amazing eyes, you know.”
I felt myself blush. Surprising. This I could guess was out of character for me, and several of the nurses had already commented on my eyes. Bright, green and sparkling. They were one of my favourite features I possessed.
“Thank you.”
“No problem.” He gazed at me in a familiar way. I remembered he’d lost his brother while trying to save me. I couldn’t even begin to think of how big a sacrifice that would’ve been, for both of them. One lost his life saving mine and his brothers; the other was before me with no recollection of anything except what must’ve been the worst thing in his life- losing his brother.
“Thank you so much for saving me that night- I don’t remember any of it, but I know I wouldn’t have been here if not for you and your brother- and I’m so sorry that he died at my expense without even knowing my name—”
“Hey, hey.” I realised I was crying. I didn’t know why- it wasn’t as though I’d lost a brother or sister to a stranger. “It’s ok. It wasn’t your fault. There would’ve had to have been a risk we were taking going into the church that night, we would’ve realised. Nathan was always so careful and protective. That night he needed no convincing. It had to have happened for a reason. Besides, there’s nothing you or I or anyone can do for him. It’s best to accept it.”
I calmed down, feeling horrible for having him console me. It was his brother!
“So, what’s your story, Mystery? How did you get to be the damsel in distress?”
“I don’t remember anything. Nothing from the accident, or before. It’s actually a miracle I can remember my name. But...” I considered for a moment. Tim looked at me. “Just before I told you my name, I had a vision thing.” I described it to him. “It doesn’t make sense. At first I thought it could’ve had something to do with the night, but the church had windows, right? You’d think a place like that would have stained glass windows. Some would have to be smashed, but windows all the same.”
He nodded in thought. “That is strange. I don’t remember anything, but I’m taking a guess that you’re right about the windows.”
We spent the day like that. We didn’t have much to share with each other. Well, I didn’t, anyway. Tim mainly talked about his brother, Nathan, seeing as they were the only memories he had. It seemed they had been so close, and I hated myself for being the block that drove them apart.
Hours later, Karen arrived to bring me back to my room.
“Well, will I get to see you tomorrow, Mystery?” asked Tim.
Karen raised her eyebrows at me. I’d forgotten she didn’t know my name yet; it was almost as though it’d never slipped my memory.
“Hopefully I will, Tim,” I replied with a smile. I really liked him. Even though I had met him a few hours earlier, knew next to nothing about his life and he knew even less about mine, I could tell he was a good, honest person who wouldn’t hurt a fly.
Karen wheeled me back to my room. “So, your name is Mystery, is it?”
I thought I had better explain, crazy as the story sounded. “Yes, it is. I don’t know why, but when I saw Tim, I just... remembered. Nothing else, just my name. But the same thing happened to him, he said. It was like nothing you could imagine.”
Karen looked amused. “You are a strange girl, Mystery. It’s good you remembered something though. It’s a start. I guess you were right though, seeing him did bring back some segment of your memory. I’ll take you back tomorrow, if you like.”
I smiled as Karen helped me back into my bed. It was late, and I fell asleep almost immediately, dreaming of Tim.
