Filling in the Blanks (PM to apply - to be closed)

[DeliciousMaiden]

Filling in the Blanks (closed)

IC:

Sounds … voices … she had an awareness of movement around her.
She struggled to make meaning but felt weighed down, surrounded by a heavy fog that simply would not clear.
Again … a voice . .. voices … but she was so tired, too exhausted to capture the words, to understand what was being said and so she gave up and merely let it all drift away.

How long this state of unconsciousness had persisted she had no idea.
Time meant nothing. The heavy darkness was safe, calming.
It seemed to be all she knew … all she had ever known.

She did not want to return. Numbness and oblivion was strangely comforting.
But the voices seemed to nag at her consciousness.
Light scorched the outside of her lids.
And slowly her body began to respond to each stimulus of light and sound.

From beyond the barrier in which she had cocooned herself she could hear a name, unfamiliar repeated over and over.
She wanted to tell it to stop, to throw off the touches that began to give her awareness of her body as it balked at reawakening to awareness.

Finally, reluctantly, her pupils began to move, to dart until eyelids fluttered and with extreme effort drew slowly open, blinking instantly at the glare that was immediately softened.

She took a steadying breath, focusing slowly on the face in front of her.
She saw the features, the way it drew close.
She watched the mouth move, but the words made no sense to her.
There was no recognition. Nothing was familiar.
Her eyes widened in panic.
Not only could she not remember what had happened to her, but she did not even know who she was!


OOC:

I have no predetermined idea where this is going.
The scenario is that she has been through some traumatic event and just woken up.
She might have been unconscious a short time.
She may have been in a coma for ages.
She could be in hospital, at “home” or any other feasible location.
Time setting is contemporary, but open to other suggestions.

Ideally looking for one male co-writer to take role of significant person in this woman’s life.
Husband, lover, boyfriend are logical options, but HE may be more sinister.
At this point she has no memory of previous life or events and will of course be very vulnerable.
This condition may persist or be temporary depending on the cause and extent of any possible injuries.
The male character will play a significant part in helping her to fill in the gaps and rebuild her life.
Again there are lots of possible scenarios:
It might be a love story where they get to know each other once more, or could be a much more complicated plot where someone is trying to kill her and posing as friend/lover … again open to all ideas.

If you’re interested in sharing this with me, please PM me with your own ideas.
We would need to decide how our anonymous female may have been injured, just who your character is and his motives/relationship with her and a rough outline of how this story may progress.
Again all ideas considered. I’d like this to be a real collaboration.

I’ll post this as a closed thread if/when I get a player/players.

Thank you for reading.

DM x

 

[DeliciousMaiden]

Story now "closed".

Thank you all for your responses...!

Imagination and creativity are alive and well on Lit!

I'm open to new thread ideas and keen to get writing again, so eager to get involved in a range of story suggestions.
PMs always welcome!

Meanwhile ...

My thanks to The Apparition for agreeing to share this particular tale with me.

I do hope you all enjoy reading along ...


Mari x

 

[The Apparition]

The Assailant, The Accomplice and the Victim

"Yeah, come on, baby.." the man moaned, his hips bucking in a familiar thrust. Another man watched, shaking his head, "Alright man, you're done and we've got her stuff - let's get out of here before somebody notices." "No way, man... I'm busting a nut in her.." The victim was clearly subdued and terrorized by all of this.
Bent over the cold steel of trash cans, this woman's fears came to life. She wore a makeshift gag made of terry cloth, duct tape wrapped around her mouth and and hair. The man standing aside, the Accomplice, simply shifted the woman's belongings in his arms. He looked around the alleyway with blue eyes, clearly beginning to get nervous now. His 'friend', the Assailant was getting louder - and was going over the boundry the two had made when they started this little endeavor.

The Accomplice hissed to his partner in action, "Alright, enough already - you're getting too fucking loud!" The Victim, trying her damndest to make arouse any attention to passerbys, began screaming through the fibers of the cloth and tape. "Shut up, you whore!" The Assailant grabbed her hair and pulled back. Growing weary of his play, the Accomplice dropped the booty in his arms and pushed at his friend. "You want to go to fucking jail man?!" Sirens were heard in the distance, the jig was up. "Fuck you, man!" The Assailant worked his undergarments over his still rock-solid erection.
"Yeah, well the last thing we need is some trace in her for the cops to get onto us," the Accomplice said as he picked up their prize. The Assailant began to chuckle, "Yeah, you're right.. and we don't need her positively ID'ing us."

And with that, in a violent force, he drove her face into the cold steel. The victim barely had time to make a noise before she was knocked out, her body falling limp onto the cool ground - her panties and skirt a cruel pile around her ankles, the blouse riding halfway up her chest exposing her breasts. Her mouth was still gagged shut until the Assailant grabbed a knife and slit the cloth - pulling it off and stuffing it into his pocket.
The Accomplice literally jumped. "What the fuck! Then with cruel malice the Assailant drove a fist into the woman's jaw and another to her eye. He picked up her limp body from her tearing blouse, "Too bad, baby... you could've been great." Then he released his grip, her head hitting the ground with a thud. The Accomplice could only watch, his jaw open in a stupor. "I'm out of here," he said, grabbing the bag they had stuffed her belongings in - including identification - and made a dash for it. The Accomplice just stared at the Victim for a long moment, her beautiful body violated - her face bloodied, bruised and swollen. It was only until bright, rotating lights and wailing of sirens got his attention and he backed away - then turned to make a dash for it.

"Evan! Man, where'd the... where'd he go!" The Accomplice looked all over the place for their getaway vehicle, immediately growing concerned that he was setup by his would be 'partner'. Evan, the Assailant in this tale - was long gone. He made sure he would never be found again, not even by his partner in crime.

"Holy... shit..." a police officer said, almost sickened by the sight as he walked up to the Victim. Instinctively, he reached for his radio, "Get an ambulance here, NOW! We've got a rape victim, badly beaten!" He paused, putting his fingers to her neck, reaching for a pulse - a very faint one. "Miss! Can you hear me? Miss! ... You're going to be okay, you hear me?"
She would not know the sound of a voice or touch for 13 weeks.
_______________________________

"Tonight on News 7 at seven, we report to you that the boyfriend of Jane Doe - the unidentified woman brutally attacked and raped 13 weeks ago - is reportedly making a statement! Hospital officials aren't speaking yet, but they say that she is making significant improvement since the arrival of her boyfriend and may even be coming out of her coma."
The TV screen in the hospital waiting room then switched to the Accomplice in front of the hospital, making a statement. In bold lettering superimposed beneath the image of him, read a name "Tyler Bixby".

"I come today, shocked and saddened that anything so atrocious could happen to my love.." he paused to put a facade of tears, giving the emotion that he indeed had this concern. "I hadn't heard from her in so long , as I was out of the country on business - she didn't want to dial out of the country to contact me because of the phone rates for international calls and..." he performed masterfully as he put a hand to his face and began to weep.
A hospital official came up to this "Tyler", putting a hand on his shoulder, attempting to console him. "Tyler" shook his head and continued a brief moment afterward, "I know you're out there, whoever did this! How can you live like this! She's still young, she wants to be married and have a family! It's just... sickening and I hope you rot in hell!"

"Tyler" was then led inside the hospital a few moments later, where he was scheduled to meet the Victim. He thought to himself as he waited; Seeing on the television a couple days after him and his partner, Evan, had jumped this woman. The female reporter spoke as a superimposed graphic next to her had a woman's silhouette and said "Rape" over the image. "News 7 brings you today tragic news that the unidentified woman that was brutally attacked and raped two nights ago is now in a deep coma."
His jaw had dropped and muttered to himself, "Jesus, Evan... what were you thinking!"
The Accomplice - Tyler - seemed to grow attached to this woman, and plotted a way to get to her.

Finally, what seemed to be a few hours but what was only ten minutes - he was led into the Victim's hospital room. A hospital doctor spoke to him, blocking any cameramen or reporters that may have found their way inside, "Just speak softly and don't try to frighten her - if there's anything wrong, buzz us immediately!" Tyler merely nodded as he finally stepped into her room, the door closed shut after him.
He looked around, everything white and quiet - save for the heart monitor beeping the entire time. Fortunately, a privacy shade had been drawn on the door - he had total privacy.

Then, he stepped toward her bed where she laid - her face healed, revealing her beauty. He smiled softly, almost forgetting that he was actually involved in how she got in this condition - almost forgetting that he was actually the bad guy. He eased gently onto the side of her bed, taking hold of her hand until it hit him - he didn't know her name! Evan had all of her possessions.
He looked around for any identification, but only saw "Jane Doe", "Jane Doe". He cursed quietly under his breath before he looked to her face, her eyes still shut. "Do I make up a name.." he thought to himself, then he touched her face with his free hand and said quietly, "Hey...wake up."

Tyler felt awkward, and why wouldn't he? Then he noticed she began to stir, his heart raced - as did hers, nearing a normal heartrate. The only name that he could think of rolled off his tongue as he leaned closer to her face, "Janice...?" Then her eyes began to flutter open, he grinned. He gave her a moment until she stared back up at him, "Janice, do you know where you are?"
She simply stared at him for a moment before her eyes widened in a familiar sight of panic. He too, began to panic - for he feared she had remembered who he was.

 

[DeliciousMaiden]

"Janice"

His blue eyes were intense as they searched hers.
His mouth turned up in a forced smile as he seemed to will her to some recognition.

"Janice, do you know where you are?"

She turned the name over in her mind, but made no connection.
He was speaking to her and yet nothing seemed to fit.
She felt almost guilty given his obvious concern.

”J-Jan- ice … ?”

Her voice was the faintest whisper as she repeated the name as if trying it out. She moved instinctively to shake her, a silent denial. The name he used was not hers. The small movement made her wince in pain. It felt as if tiny needles were stabbing through her skull. She gasped and closed her eyes until the wave of pain began to pass.

” … hurts … “

She managed to murmur becoming aware of his hand surrounding hers and squeezing it in a futile gesture of support.
She licked her dry lips and opened her eyes with an effort.

”Where … ? … What … ?”

The questions that flooded her consciousness remained unspoken.
She felt weak. It was almost too much of an effort for her to talk.
Yet as she dragged her eyes away from the man who still held her hand captive, she saw the pristine white bed, the wires, the machine beside her and began to panic anew.
Something had happened … something was wrong … very wrong…
Beside her the machine bleeped, the screen jumping as she felt her heart racing and thumping uncontrollably.
From nowhere it seemed that her room was suddenly filled with activity.
People moved around her, flicking switches, their sudden activity contrasting with soft calm voices.
She finally found her hand released as one man … older and clad in a white coat drew closer to her causing her to flinch away instinctively.
He halted and watched her silently seeing the tears well in her eyes.

”You’re safe Janice … no one is going to hurt you … “

His voice was soft, strong and reassuring. She could almost believe him …

”I’m just going to shine a light in your eyes … it won’t hurt … just make you blink a bit … OK? … “

She nodded finding the small movement of her head easier this time.

” … headache … “

She managed to tell him as he moved the tiny torch away from her face.

”We’ll give you something … “

He soothed.

”How do you feel … anything else hurt …. ?”

She looked down the bed and moved her legs experimentally, lifted both hands and touched her head tentatively finding her hair loose about her shoulders.

” .. I .. don’t know … “

She felt stiff … heavy … again her brain struggled to remember.

”I can’t remember … what … ?”

Tears brimmed and spilled unheeded down alabaster cheeks, panic beginning to fill her again.
She felt a touch on her arm and found this one strangely comforting.

”You’ve been asleep for a long time Janice …. “

She blinked incredulously. Still that name. Asleep …? Why …?

”You’re in hospital … I’m Doctor Farrell … now you’ve woken up you’re doing just fine … there’s nothing to worry about … “

He seemed so sincere, seemed to know what he was talking about.
She nodded and forced a smile, taking the opportunity to glance around.
To the side of her bed was a nurse then another female, though not dressed in medical uniform and then at the foot of the bed stood the man who had spoken to her as she awoke. He gaze rested on his uncertainly. From her side she heard Doctor Farrell’s voice enquiring softly.

”You had an … accident … Janice … Do you remember what happened to you … ?”

She saw the young man tense and turned curiously back to the Doctor.

”An accident? … no… I … “

She struggled to recapture a memory, but her mind was a blank ... a total blank … again the panic filled her.

”I … don’t remember anything … anyone … I … “

From somewhere close by she felt a prick and glanced to see a hypodermic needle disappearing into her upper arm.

”It’s all very scary at the moment Janice … “

The doctor soothed as the nurse withdrew.

”But it’s perfectly normal in cases like these … “

She missed the look that passed between the Doctor and “Tyler”.

”When you’re calmer … we can run tests … I’m sure you’ll soon remember everything … give yourself time… you’re safe here … “

Reassured for now, “Janice” settled back on the pillows with a soft sigh.
Closing her eyes she tried to release the knot of fear that was twisting her insides.
Laying there and knowing nothing was frightening, but surely it would all come back to her soon.
The Doctor had said that in time …

She opened her eyes as the younger man approached her once more; his smile forced, his eyes moving worriedly searching for positive signs.

”Remember what I said … “

Janice eyed the Doctor questioningly wondering what had been spoken.

”You can chat with Tyler for a while, but no getting upset … you need to rest and relax if you’re going to get your memory back quickly … “

Again Janice forced a smile.

”Yes Doctor .. “

She told him meekly and watched as Farrell gave them both a smile and left.

Again the young man drew close.
Her eyes moved over his face, but no memories came.
She smiled shyly as he took her hand once more.

”Hi … “

She forced a smile.

”Tyler … ? “

She saw his expression change as she spoke his name.

”I … I know this is … terrible … but … I just … don’t remember you … are .. we … ?”

She blushed, wondering just what kind of relationship she shared with this man.

 

[The Apparition]

"Tyler Bixby"

It was almost overwhelming to even this man, the Accomplice, whom had dubbed himself "Tyler Bixby". It seems the doctor's were monitoring her condition, knowing well aware that she was soon to recover from her deep slumber. They merely wanted a 'familiar voice', or anything that she might have remembered to help bring her back - easing the confusion and fear that generally came with post-comatose patients.
She responded, her voice ever so quiet that he almost leaned forward to hear her correctly.

"J-Jan- ice … ?"

This man almost couldn't breathe, as he was holding it back - this wasn't the first time he was having doubts about all of this. He was prepared to make a quick exit, somehow, someway. Though he had to think to himself,

"There is no way I can be in trouble for this! She's been comatose for 13 weeks, her memory's probably a wreck. The doctor's would just deem that she'd still need to recover fully before she could attempt to make a statement on what happened - yes, that's it!"

She continued to speak, still in a hushed tone as a barrage of questions began to arise, his thumb gently made a wagging motion along the top of her hand in a soothing manner. Until the doctors and nurses began to storm into the room, wheeling in a cart with utensils for taking samples. A doctor had placed a hand on "Tyler's" shoulder, urging him to step back. With compliance, he simply nodded and released her hand, gently placing it on the soft bed before stepping back.

This "Tyler" watched from the back of the room - the light cascading from outside creating a magnificent silhouette of himself.

"You’re safe Janice … no one is going to hurt you … "

He heard the doctor - surprised that they had picked up on the name he had given her. "About as safe as you can get, for now," he casually thought to himself. Just then, fear and suspicion suddenly rose within him, had they been listening? Did they know who he was? Paranoia setting in...

The doctor proceeded to ask her a series of questions as she was probed by the nurses swarmed around her like a hive of bees. He seemed almost amused by all of this until the doctor's last question:

"You’ve been asleep for a long time Janice …"

"Holy shit! What am I doing here," he thought to himself. His mind going in and out - listening, not listening, replaying the events from that evening. Maybe he should have just let Evan have his way, or maybe he should have started beating up Evan instead. The thoughts were endless...

"You had an … accident … Janice … Do you remember what happened to you … ?"

He seemed to perk up suddenly, hearing Doctor Farrell - tensing up slightly he folded his arms across his chest - his gaze falling to the floor. He sighed quite heavily, the doctor actually turning to look at him - The Accomplice actually wore the look of remorse, his head shaking while in deep thought. Doctor Farrell seemed to take pity upon him, but did not notice the expression.
Once the medical staff - save for Doctor Farrell at the moment - took their leave, he slowly approached her, trying to wear a smile over an otherwise guilty expression.

The doctor smiled to them both before taking his leave, "Tyler" offering a gentle nod of acknowledgement before turning back to "Janice". Eyes of a gentle hue of oceanic aqua revealed themselves in the light as he stared into her own, pools of darkened skin beneath his eyes showing how many sleepless nights he must have endured. The starting of a dark beard covered his face, his short hair a mess of brown, flecked with the occasional gray - possibly indicating an older age or a stressful environment.

"Hi … Tyler … ?"

His eyes glanced about for a minute, almost expecting some sort of law enforcement official to burst in before he calmed himself and gazed into her eyes.

"I … I know this is … terrible … but … I just … don’t remember you … are .. we … ?"

A gentle wave of red flushed her cheeks, clearly she was rather embarassed, even in her condition. He almost hesitated, but decided to remain with what he was originally proceeding with. "Lovers," he finished for her.
He almost began laughing, but a simple smile broke his face as his gaze fell to her hand before taking it. A brief moment passed before he decided to try his best to talk to her, his eyes meeting hers.

"You know, you really had me worried.." he started. "I was out of the country for a few weeks.. I knew I shouldn't have left you."

He sighed quietly before pulling up a chair, sitting next to her bed as he stared to her. His only memory of her was that of tears streaking down before receiving a bruised and bloodied face. She was absolutely beautiful, no wonder Evan had decided to have his way with her - but "Tyler" was always just about business. Steal the loot then scram, guaranteed to work everytime - no guilty conscience about it unless you were new to the game - which he was a seasoned veteran.

"Oh Janice... He couldn't resist to ask again, just to make sure she didn't remember him - though he did seem to hope she remembered Evan, somehow. "Do you have any idea what happened to you?"

 

[DeliciousMaiden]

"Janice"

… lovers …

He whispered the word completing the sentence, saying what she had found herself able to utter.
She blushed hotly, her eyes looking at him assessing this time.
Had they … were they … ?
Judging by the smile that now lit his face, she assumed they must be .. “intimate”...

"You know, you really had me worried.."

She frowned. Had something been “wrong” between them?
Was that why she didn’t seem … drawn … to him?
Had they been “in love” or … was their relationship more …

"I was out of the country for a few weeks.. I knew I shouldn't have left you."

She heard him sigh and draw closer.
Questions kept racing through her mind, desperately she tried to make sense, picking up all the clues she could.
Why should he not have left her? What had been wrong?
Her eyes were worried as they met his.
Such clear blue eyes, the dark skin an … attractive … contrast she found.
He looked so worn, so worried …

"Oh Janice... Do you have any idea what happened to you?"

She looked across at him and tried to remember.
How could she explain to him how empty she felt? How all she knew was the here and now?
How could he begin to understand how scared she was?
She was filled with the fear of never regaining the life that had been lost from her memory and yet … something told her … that something … bad … had happened to her … her accident …

”The doctor ... "

She began slowly.

" He said I had an accident … but … you … you said you shouldn’t have left me?”

Tears spilled over as the feeling of panic began to overwhelm her once more.

”I … don’t remember … I don't remember anything … "

She struggled for composure.

"It... it's not just what happened … I don't know if I have family ... if I work ... what I like or ... "

She began to sob softly.

"My name … I don't recognise it ... you … I … I can't ... I .... "

How could she hurt him and tell him that she felt nothing between them?

"T-Tyler ... "

His name felt unfamiliar on her lips ...

"I don’t even know what I look like… “


~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

From his office beyond the treatment room Dr Farrell frowned and hit the intercom to the nurse’s station. Abruptly he gave the order, which would send a nurse in to ensure his patient’s sedation was increased and to escort Mr Bixby away from Janice to allow her to rest.

Of course any man would be devastated to find his girlfriend had had to endure such a vicious sexual and physical assault and would naturally want the attacker identified as soon as possible, but further distress would significantly hamper “Janice’s” recovery.

Dr Farrell sighed heavily.

He would explain to Tyler once again that Janice would need to rediscover her identity before being pressed to remember the traumatic events that led to her hospitalisation.
He would instruct Tyler to try to fill in the blanks of their good times together; fond memories, times they had shared.
If Tyler could bring in photographs of them together, objects that would be familiar to them both, perhaps it might give her a feeling of identity even if it was being built up externally.
And if the man had something to do for his girlfriend, then perhaps he too would be calmer and cope better.

Standing, Farrell gave a last look at the monitor.
His patient was on her back, her wide eyes staring blankly at the ceiling.
Her arms were wrapped tightly around her upper body, hugging herself tightly.
He could not longer hear her sobs, just audibly steady breathing almost as if she were focusing on breathing in and out.
What thoughts filled her head he could not imagine...

With a muttered expletive, Farrell turned away making for the door.
This case was getting to him, he had to admit.
Being professional and detached was essential in his line of work, but he had been treating this young woman for 13 weeks already and although her horrendous physical injuries had healed significantly, Dr Farrell knew that the most difficult part of her recovery was yet to come ...

 

[The Apparition]

"Tyler"

He wanted to lay it all out for her, just tell her it was a robbery gone wrong - that he was the accomplice in her robbery and rape - but he wasn't involved with her rape or the beating she received. Not that it would have just made it all better and bye-gones would be bye-gones - no, this was something that may never know forgiveness... even "Tyler" knew this.
Which was why he had decided to meet this woman to begin with. Maybe deep down, he decided the whole robbery/burglary business wasn't his deal anymore - maybe he was living out some sick fantasy. Either way, it was happening.

He listened to her as she started slowly, eventually her emotions and the confusion of everything that had literally transpired within the past 10 minutes or so, forced her to sob. He hung his head slightly as she sobbed, almost as if a guilty conscience were taking over him now.

"I don’t even know what I look like… "

"Tyler" lifted his head again, his eyes meeting hers - though an odd look of serenity seemed to pass through him as he did - a soft tug at a corner of his mouth made him smile until he spoke.

"You're absolutely beautiful," he didn't use the name he gave her. Whatever her name even was, he didn't seem to care at the moment. He felt lost in her tears, until...

"7:30, time for Janice's medication and rest!"

"Tyler" blinked and seemed as though he was snapped from a daze before turning his head to the door. A nurse stepped toward the bed with a clipboard in hand. "Wha...? I thought it was only six, and I could be with her all night?"

"Change of plans, Mr. Bixby - your girlfriend needs plenty of rest in order to recover. You can visit her tomorrow."

He seemed slightly annoyed by the nurse, as he was told by the doctor's before he was allowed in, that he would be able to stay with her through the evening. At least nobody seemed to be questioning him or regarding his relationship with "Janice".

Slowly, he rose from the chair, still holding her hand. A smile formed upon his lips as he looked down to her, "I'm sorry, I shouldn't rush you.. like the doctor said, 'give yourself time' - that includes me, I guess." He tried to chuckle a little, though it came out rather forced. He leaned toward her before leaving, placing a hand gently upon her chin.
"Hey.. we'll get through this. I'll take you home, and we'll be happy again. Okay?" He gave her a gentle peck on the forehead before turning on his heel to take his exit, hoping he wasn't pushing his luck or frightening her anymore than she already was.

Just as he reached the door, he turned back, with a quizzical expression on his face. "Excuse me, nurse... what is the tentative date she can be released?" Perhaps he had made up his mind, had yet another change of heart... but he was beginning to wonder what Evan had felt with her - and it was something he was sure he could do.

 

[DeliciousMaiden]

"Tyler" lifted his head again, his eyes meeting hers - though an odd look of serenity seemed to pass through him as he did - a soft tug at a corner of his mouth made him smile until he spoke.

"You're absolutely beautiful,"

Her eyes met with his and … something … passed between them.
The way he looked at her was so intense; the words he whispered seemed to come from the heart.
Her tear-filled eyes widened as if begging him to fill in the gaps, make sense of it all , tell her it would be alright.
He was all she had now.

"7:30, time for Janice's medication and rest!"

The voice seemed to shatter the connection they had briefly established.
She watched the interaction between the nurse and Tyler. She found she wanted him to stay, yet she was tired, exhausted …
His hand still held hers as he raised himself slowly from the bed. She gave him a timid smile as he looked down at her.

"I'm sorry, I shouldn't rush you.. like the doctor said, 'give yourself time' - that includes me, I guess."

This was so difficult, for him as well as for her she realised.
She lay unable to tell him how she felt as he touched her chin tenderly, giving her an encouraging smile.

"Hey.. we'll get through this. I'll take you home, and we'll be happy again. Okay?"

She nodded, liking the idea that she had a “home” … somewhere.
The soft kiss he pressed on her forehead was almost paternal.
She was grateful that he hadn’t scared her with a passionate embrace, but found herself comforted by his gentle affection.
She settled down with a sigh, accepting her medication meekly and curling up on her side this time finally able to sleep, to get some rest …



~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~


It was strange being asked what breakfast she wanted and not knowing what to select. Even basic choices, so much usually taken for granted, she had to consider deeply.

”Toast, I think … “

She’d finally conceded. Yet when she’d been asked what she wanted on that and what juice she preferred, she’d answered automatically marmalade and orange.
With a smile of acknowledgement and a scribbling of notes by the official viewing the monitor in Dr Farrell’s office, she was given her breakfast and led to discover that she took her coffee with milk, but without sugar. Such small steps, but all encouraging as they soothed and praised her and told her it was still “early days”.

Only once she seemed calmer did Dr Farrell arrive asking how she felt and seating himself beside her bed.

”I – I’m OK I guess … a bit more .. awake today … “

She smiled shyly.

”It’s still … scary … strange … I … “

She let him reassure her.
Let him explain that she would be undergoing a series of tests, to try to help them predict just how quickly she would regain her memory; the first being an x-ray and a scan.
He did not tell her she had sustained hairline fractures in her skull, nor did he inform her that he was concerned about the level of brain activity.
He was aware that physical examinations might upset her and intended to take things very slowly.

”We’ll take you down later … meanwhile just relax and who knows what you’ll remember … “

His encouragement was interrupted by the door opening as Tyler stepped into the room.
Janice looked across at her “boyfriend” with a shy smile.

”Now … don’t forget … no excitement … you two have a lot to catch up on … but don’t force it … “

His look was focused on Tyler, a veiled warning.

” “We’ll be coming for you around 11 … Janice … ?”

She nodded with a soft smile.

”Yes Doctor .. “

She waited until he left before she greeted Tyler.

”Hi .. “

She was sat up in bed, her chestnut hair shiny about her shoulders, a stark contrast to the white hospital gown.
Today her eyes were much clearer and there was a faint tinge of colour in her cheeks.

”They’re going to do an x-ray and brain scan later … see what’s going on in there … “

She told him with forced lightness at a loss to know how else to start a conversation between them …

 

[The Apparition]

"Tyler"

That night, "Tyler" had went home to a large house several miles west of the hospital - a place he managed to have built from all of the money he had saved up from previous jobs. Something that he could get away from his underground life, something that gave him an identity. It was among the hills of the city's environs: not quite the boring suburbs, but not quite the sleek, elegant towns of the state either.
This would be where he would take her "home", whenever that would be. The nurse never answered his question, she simply side-stepped it by telling him "she still needs time to recover - until then, you should get some rest yourself".

Fortunately for "Tyler", the money he had been saving all this time was now going toward a good use. Generally, Evan had always used his share of the loot for drugs, strippers - things which he overindulged himself too much - something he suspected had also drove him to sexually assaulting "Janice" besides a simple robbery.
He'd pull up the black vehicle to the rear of his house via a long driveway that circled around the building. After entering his domain and a brief march upstairs to his bedroom, he performed a usual ritual everyday now since discovering "Janice" was in a coma: he turned on the television and laid himself down on the bed.

The sound began to rise as the screen began to luminesce, forming a picture of a male TV reporter standing outside of the hospital. ".. officials aren't certain where "Janice's" attacker can be at this time as there is a lack of DNA evidence. They aren't even sure if this was acted alone by one individual. Hospital officials are staying tight-lipped on the subject, but they say that Jane Doe - now named "Janice" - is responding and seems to be doing well."

He sighed softly, haunting images of that evening as if he were forcing himself to become the victim of all this. Then his visions would shift, from her battered face to a man having his way with her - hearing her muffled moans and screams. The man having his way was "Tyler". His voice came out a gentle whisper as he seemed to fall into a slumber..

"I'll take care of you, Janice - and you'll be mine.."
________________________________

The next morning, he arrived at the hospital the earliest he was allowed. He wanted to spend as much time with this woman as he could. If she didn't remember what she had in her life, he would make sure she would know a life that he would make for her - she was his. "Tyler" was fortunate, no family had come forward; if she did have a job, nobody had identified her.
He stepped into the room, a smile on his face - attempting to show her a positive attitude, to reassure her that everything was going to be okay. He noticed she gave him a soft smile as he entered, the doctor already discussing matters with her until he noticed "Tyler".

"Now … don’t forget … no excitement … you two have a lot to catch up on … but don’t force it … "

Doctor Farrell's expression toward him seemed shrewd, it was then that "Tyler" realized the room was being monitored - he needed to choose his words wisely. He merely gave the doctor a soft nod, his smile had since dissolved until the other man had left - his lips curling into a smile again as he looked upon her.

"Hi .. "

She was still beautiful, even moreso today with the way her hair fell about her shoulders.

"Hey.." he said, stepping toward her, grasping her hand.

"They’re going to do an x-ray and brain scan later … see what’s going on in there … "

His smile grew brighter, at least she seemed to be in better spirits today. "Well, I don't know about me being able to find out what's going on in there... but I can tell you that it should help."

A hand slowly went to her face as he caressed the soft skin on her neck and cheek before clasping her hands with his own. "So what are we allowed to discuss without annoying your doctor," he thought aloud. He pondered the rhetoric before eventually seating himself next to her on the bed. "Let's see.."

He scanned his surroundings briefly, taking notice of the leftover breakfast. "Marmalade was always your favorite," he made an indication of the toast smothered in the jelly before continuing, "You'd always tell me before I'd leave for work, 'Tyler, I can't see you off without something to nibble on - why don't we share some toast and marmalade?'"

"Oh, there have been plenty of times where we did our fair share of.. 'sharing'.. " he stared idly at her sheets momentarily before giving her an embarassed laugh.

"Maybe I'd better not sound like I'm trying to come on too hard," he thought to himself.

"Tyler" straightened himself as he remained seated on her bed before he released her hands to stand. "Oh! Speaking of which... you know you would stay at home while I worked? You'd tend to the garden, listen to classical, contemporary and jazz. Sometimes you'd even branch out and listen to almost all genres and styles." A quiet laugh came out as he tried to humor himself.

He paused, again stepping close to her. "I ... I know this must be difficult .. for you. I'm sure you've got... hundreds, if not thousands of questions you'd like to have answered. Is... Is there anything you'd like to know in particular, Janice?"

They had plenty of time until the medical staff would retreive her for her scans... they should have plenty of time to talk.

 

[DeliciousMaiden]

"Hey.."

She felt shy with him as she told him about the scans and listened to his replies.

"Well, I don't know about me being able to find out what's going on in there... but I can tell you that it should help."

She nodded, her hand grasped by his. She squeezed it reassuringly even as he reached out to stroke her face. The touch seemed casually intimate; the touch of his fingers on her neck on her cheek was as if it were the first time. She stared at him through wide blue eyes and just as she was about to draw away, his hand left her face and grasped her hand reassuringly.

"So what are we allowed to discuss without annoying your doctor,"

She smiled her eyes observant making sure he was only joking.
Somehow it was difficult having to learn how to “read” this man who felt like a stranger to her.

"Let's see.."

She followed his gaze around the room and met his eyes as he turned to her.

"Marmalade was always your favorite,"

She blinked in surprise. So … she had been right …

"You'd always tell me before I'd leave for work, 'Tyler, I can't see you off without something to nibble on - why don't we share some toast and marmalade?'"

She listened avidly drawing every clue from his words. They lived together … he worked … she … didn’t!?

"Oh, there have been plenty of times where we did our fair share of.. 'sharing'.. "

He had termed them “lovers” the day before.
It was apparent they had been close … happy?
And now … would they be able to recapture all that again?

"Oh! Speaking of which... you know you would stay at home while I worked?

Again she wondered why.

”You'd tend to the garden, listen to classical, contemporary and jazz. Sometimes you'd even branch out and listen to almost all genres and styles."

IT was so strange … to hear all these fact … facts that were her life and yet …
It all felt strange … disjointed…
As if sensing her turmoil, Tyler drew close again.

"I ... I know this must be difficult .. for you. I'm sure you've got... hundreds, if not thousands of questions you'd like to have answered.
Is... Is there anything you'd like to know in particular, Janice?"

What did she want to know?
He was right … there were so many things!

”I don’t work…. Why’s that … and .. what do you do ?”

The questions sounded so silly.
It seemed so strange that she didn’t have a career of her own.


”We … live together … is it … our … place …?”

Was she financially dependent on him? Surely she was more independent that he had painted her?
Somehow it didn’t feel right … didn’t … fit …

”How … long have we been … together … Tyler … how … how did we meet?”

Her eyes searched his.
Surely … surely … if he told her about their best, most memorable times then … perhaps … something might seem familiar …?

 

[The Apparition]

"Tyler"

The oceanic ripples in his eyes scanned "Janice's" own eyes that seemed to reflect on his, he seemed almost timid as she began to speak - unsure in himself if his lies were actually being bought by her. Of course they will be! She doesn't suspect a thing, he'd reassure himself.

I don’t work…Why’s that … and .. what do you do ?

He opened his mouth to begin speaking, but she continued on - the questions mounting - he let her continue, slowly closing his mouth as his face seemed to form a stoic expression while listening.

"We … live together … is it … our … place …? How … long have we been … together … Tyler … how … how did we meet?"

This time, her eyes seemed to scan him as if attempting to get a read on him - find out who he was, and most importantly, who she was to him. He licked his lips as they went dry on him, then he paused while beginning to pace about slowly next to her bed - gathering his thoughts, and the lies he was prepared to give her.

"Well," he started, hesitating slightly as he seemed to fumble over his thoughts. "I.. manage the sales and trading of items ranging from jewelry, paintings." - A thief, basically, he'd thought to himself while speaking to her.

"You don't work because we were actually hoping to get married and start a family..."

A flush seemed to overtake him as he looked to her, a boyish smile appearing when he did.

"..Not that you didn't want to work! It's just that we had decided since I was making enough that if plans had indeed went as we were hoping, you could just stay at home. You were thinking about possibly starting a business from home, anyway."

He stopped pacing at this point, giving her other questions thought for a brief moment before continuing:

"We have a house, Janice - a beautiful one that we had constructed last year. I'm hoping you'll be able to see it again, soon - I can take care of you from there. Ever since your accident, I've been saving as much money as I can - I can even stay home with you!"

Pausing yet another moment, he swallowed the excess saliva that had built up in his mouth - excitement, anticipation, nervousness - all emotions he was feeling. A quiet sight forced its way out through his mouth, seating himself on her bed, next to her. Take it easy, man.. don't get ahead of yourself just yet, he reminded himself.

"Where did we meet, and how long have we been together," he quietly echoed her queries from earlier.
"Tyler" mustered up a sly smile when he looked at her.

"We ran into each other on the street." - You were robbed by me and my partner, he heard in his mind.

"I guess you could just say it was fate, or love at first sight, or whatever.. but all I know is when I bumped into you, I had to be with you. You just seemed... right, in so many ways."

He gently placed a hand on her knee, covered by the bedsheets - hoping not to be too invasive with her.

"That was about.." he paused to calculate the time in his head, "twenty-two months ago...", then gave an assuring nod. His eyes stared into her own, "Twenty-two months of great times.."

"Tyler" broke their gaze as he hung his head as a he snorted through his nostrils, his hand gently tightening upon her knee. He knew he had to give her the impression that he truely cared for her, and that he was her way back to recovery other than medical means - giving "Janice" a life he forged for her. Bringing his other hand to his face, he rubbed his eyes lightly then looked to her with a slight watering to them - though he wore a soft smile.

"We're going to have that back, Janice. I know it.."

 

[DeliciousMaiden]

The questions hung in the air between them.
It was so strange that this man held the key to her identity, to her recovery.
She watched him pace.
It was so difficult for her to ask these things.
How much more difficult was it for him seeing her this way, not being recognised having her unsure of his touch after all they must have shared?

"Well, I.. manage the sales and trading of items ranging from jewellery, paintings."

Her eyes widened in surprise. He must be well educated.
She realised she had not expected that.

”You don't work because we were actually hoping to get married and start a family..."

Her eyes widened in shock. Married!?! A family!?!?
She tried not to feel trapped … even repulsed by the idea.
It wasn’t a reaction she had hoped for. The idea of them having such a secure relationship should encourage her, yet her mind screamed that she wasn’t ready for that … but she had been … with him …
It was what they’d planned.

"..Not that you didn't want to work! It's just that we had decided since I was making enough that if plans had indeed went as we were hoping, you could just stay at home. You were thinking about possibly starting a business from home, anyway."

She forced a smile, as much for his benefit as hers.
He looked so hopeful, so shy as he shared what had been their dreams.
His eyes seemed to search hers as he stood, almost willing her to remember.

"We have a house, Janice - a beautiful one that we had constructed last year.”

She smiled genuinely then.
.. a house .. a home … somewhere safe …
The thoughts ran through her mind unbidden.

” I'm hoping you'll be able to see it again, soon - I can take care of you from there. Ever since your accident, I've been saving as much money as I can - I can even stay home with you!"

He seemed so devoted. God if only she could remember him!
Surely if they’d be that close she would begin to recall him soon?
Something … anything … just the smallest memory to build on.
She was tempted to reach out to him as he sat beside her once more, yet … something stopped her.

"Where did we meet, and how long have we been together,"

Janice returned his smile eager to learn how they had found each other.

"We ran into each other on the street."

In her mind ran images of a busy mall, bags flying, embarrassed apologies.
Surely it had been something like that?

"I guess you could just say it was fate, or love at first sight, or whatever.. “

She flushed. He loved her …
He hadn’t said it before … everything suggested it … yet …

” … but all I know is when I bumped into you, I had to be with you.
You just seemed... right, in so many ways."

His hand moved to her knee.
His eyes seemed to plead with hers to remember, to say she felt the same way about him.
And she wanted to so much; wanted to feel that, to be able to say that ...
But she could do neither.

"That was about… twenty-two months ago..."

Almost two years … they must have shared so much …

"Twenty-two months of great times.."

He whispered as if reading her thoughts.

"We're going to have that back, Janice. I know it.."

She reached out to him this time, desperate to comfort him, to make some … connection.
Her timid stroke of his hair drew his eyes wide.

”God … I wish … I wish I could remember … us … “

She whispered softly, letting a finger trace down his cheek, staring at him intently, trying so hard to recall.
As she drew her hand away he captured her hand in his.

She clung to his hand.

”But … I … I’m so scared, Tyler …I … I don’t know why …?”

The words were out of her mouth before she could stop them.

”I still feel so … lost … “

She knew the doctor was strict about visitors and that he might be keeping her friends and acquaintances away from her for now, but surely there was someone else in her life … family …

”Do I have … parents … brothers or sisters …? “

She searched his eyes fearing there was a lot he had not yet told her, was not allowed to tell her.

”Do they know about … about my … accident?”


She wanted to know then … wanted to know what had happened to her.
The “accident” everyone avoided speaking of.

”You were away when it happened … how did the hospital contact you to tell you … “

She searched for the words.

” … to tell you I’d been hurt ..?”

 

[The Apparition]

"Tyler"

"Tyler" could honestly say he wasn't expecting "Janice" to reach out to him, when she gently stroked the short, raven mane upon his head. He had no doubt in his mind now that he was making some connection with her, she was playing right into his hands.

"God … I wish … I wish I could remember … us … "

The calm blue in his eyes slowly shut for a brief moment as he took in the sensation of her finger tracing down his cheek. He quickly took her hand into his own, listening to her.

"But … I … I’m so scared, Tyler …I … I don’t know why …? I still feel so … lost … "

He slightly diverted his gaze from her, unsure of how to respond before she continued and casually look back to her with concern.

"Do I have … parents … brothers or sisters …? Do they know about … about my … accident?"

Again, he paused to compose himself, giving his mind time to fabricate a lie that she would never know whether to be true or false, giving her time to question him again - wanting to probe him, find out anything she could.

"You were away when it happened … how did the hospital contact you to tell you … to tell you I’d been hurt ..?"

He gave her an absent-minded nod when he started:

"Unfortunately.. I've never been able to meet your parents or siblings." He paused for just a slight second in thought, "Actually, Janice.."

He slightly tightened his grip upon her hand before continuing, as if bracing her for the news he was to tell her. A slight wince formed upon his face at either the fumble in his lie, or for placing a veil of empathy:

"From what I remember you telling me... You were an only child. Your mother died when you were in high school - and your father, you two had a falling out between each other several months after the fact. It ended with you never wanting to speak to him again."

His eyes searched her momentarily, he still wore an expression of uncertainty - or as he hoped, it would appear as an empathetic pain.

"...At least.. that's what.. you've told me. You never really... wanted to discuss it but every now and then. Even then... you were rather...tight-lipped on the subject. I just assumed it caused you too much grief, so I stopped trying to pry - unless you felt up to talking about it."

A rather uncomfortable looking smile tried to form upon his lips, as if attempting to cool the topic.

"I'm.. not a psychiatrist, after all.."

"The hospital didn't contact me. When I came here a few days ago, they told me there wasn't anything on you when they brought you into the hospital. You didn't have any identification or contact information.. so they didn't know who to reach."

He leaned toward her slightly.

"I had to find out the hard way. I heard on the news about your .. 'accident'. But I didn't know it was you! When I got back from my business trip, you weren't home. I feared the worse, so I called the police. I gave them a description of you, and they told me you matched the description of a woman that was in the hospital.. and asked me to come down to identify you."

"Tyler" took a moment to capture his breath and look to her. He was hoping now that she bought it..

 

[DeliciousMaiden]

"Unfortunately.. I've never been able to meet your parents or siblings."

Janice looked at him curiously. Did her family … disapprove … why?

"Actually, Janice.."

She tensed, as if preparing herself.

"From what I remember you telling me... You were an only child. Your mother died when you were in high school … “

She flinched, the loss hitting her anew. She had no mother. No one who could …

” - and your father, you two had a falling out between each other several months after the fact. It ended with you never wanting to speak to him again."

Her eyes widened in incredulous shock.
That could not be! Surely if she only had a father, then she would do everything to stay in touch!? She shook her head wordlessly challenging what he had told her.

"...At least.. that's what.. you've told me.”

The words brought her up short. What did he mean? Did he suspect she had lied to him…?

”You never really... wanted to discuss it but every now and then. Even then... you were rather...tight-lipped on the subject. I just assumed it caused you too much grief, so I stopped trying to pry - unless you felt up to talking about it."

Still she shook her head. It wasn’t that she didn’t believe him. It was more that she didn’t WANT to believe it.

"I'm.. not a psychiatrist, after all.."

She glanced at him then.
Had he tried to get her to talk about it? Tried to urge her to contact her father, her family?
Surely that must have happened. After all if they were planning a wedding …
He was filling in the gaps for her …but somehow … her life seemed so .. empty … apart from him …

"The hospital didn't contact me.”

His words dragged her out of her thoughts.

”When I came here a few days ago, they told me there wasn't anything on you when they brought you into the hospital.
You didn't have any identification or contact information, so they didn't know who to reach."

The accident … why would she have no identification?
Why would there be no one with her … no one who could at least identify her …?

He leaned toward her slightly.

"I had to find out the hard way.”

She didn’t understand what he meant.

”I heard on the news about your .. 'accident'. But I didn't know it was you!
When I got back from my business trip, you weren't home.
I feared the worse, so I called the police.”

A knot of fear seemed to take away her power of speech.

”I gave them a description of you, and they told me you matched the description of a woman that was in the hospital.. and asked me to come down to identify you."

Again, she got the impression that something dreadful had happened.
She wanted to know … and yet … she feared what he might tell her.

”You … feared the worst? …”

What did that mean? He had said he shouldn’t have left her.
It didn’t make sense.

”I was … hurt … pretty … bad huh?”

She knew she wasn’t allowed to ask him what happened and yet her eyes watched his avidly eager for knowledge, or at least clues.

”The … accident … it was … bad … wasn’t it Tyler?”

She asked him shakily.
It seemed it was a topic he found it difficult to talk about himself.

”Accidents happen … “

She murmured, unnerved by the chill she suddenly felt between them.

”Whatever it was … it wasn’t your fault …. “

Her eyes began to well with tears.

” … no more than it was mine … “

For some reason she found she was shaking.
Tears spilled over as she rubbed helplessly at her eyes.

Everything was so raw at the moment … so … painful …
Her life … seemed so … isolated … except for Tyler …
She had a nagging fear that perhaps there was more than just the “accident” she didn’t want to remember…

 

[The Apparition]

"Tyler"

"You … feared the worst? …"

"Tyler's" face expressed compassion, as he gave her a simple nod. Allowing his expression to do the talking.

”I was … hurt … pretty … bad huh?
The … accident … it was … bad … wasn’t it Tyler?"

If only he could tell her his secret.
__________________________________

It was supposed to be quick and easy. A "hands up" from behind the Victim, jabbing a knife into her back. Evan, the Attacker, hissed into her ear:

"Follow my directions, and you'll walk out of this little crisis, alive."

He was right, to a certain extent - though he nearly killed her. "Tyler", the Accomplice had a bag stuffed in his jacket, his eyes scanning the area around them - making sure no would-be heroes tried anything or noticed them. They always made it look like they were inquiring the individual about something, and then having the victim lead them somewhere.

"Alright, now start walking to your car."

As a rule of thumb, they always had the individual lead them to their car - as most of their items were stashed there, after a busy day of shopping. Evan would make it look like he was having idle chit-chat with the person, occasionally prodding them with the knife (or pistol, if they felt the person wouldn't cooperate completely); while "Tyler" would follow from behind, still keeping a lookout.
Once they arrived to her car, they ordered her to gather anything they deemed worthy of a good cash-in; stuffing the items into the burlap sack "Tyler" would produce from his jacket.

The tricky part was getting the victim as far away from the authorities as possible, so they wouldn't have faces of the two culprits fresh in their memory. This usually meant stealing the individual's car, then leaving it deserted somewhere - or immediately trading it for cash. Evan was acting rather figdety during the encounter with this woman - she was attractive.

"Alright, now follow me."

"Wait, why! I gave you everything, please let me go," the Victim spoke to them for the first and only time.

"We don't need you IDing us now, do we? Now move it, bitch - or you'll find yourself in an alley with your own blood all over!"

"Tyler" gave Evan a slight nod, closing the door to the car they designated to use as their escape vehicle. He kept the sack in his hands as he followed the two into a rundown part of the city, behind a few abandoned buildings. Evan pulled out a cloth made of terry fibers and some duct tape, immediately stuffing the cloth into her mouth - and wrapping the tape around her mouth and hair.

"Make this quick, man," the Accomplice told Evan, speaking for the first time that evening as they reached a point into the depths of an alleyway. Evan turned her back to him, and began frisking her, producing a few items - jewelry, identification cards, keys to her car - all which he stuffed into his pocket. "Tyler" looked around the desolate area, keeping an ever watchful eye out.

"Alright, let's jet.."

..But Evan had already begun lifting her skirt up, pulling her panties and skirt down to her ankles in one motion with one hand. With his other hand, he produced an already rock-hard erection from underneath his pants and underpants. She began crying once her lower garments were removed, as she knew what was coming.

Her violator stuffed his meat into her vagina, without regard for her comfort or enjoyment - only his own. He lifted her blouse over her breasts with his hands as he began thrusting in... and out...
__________________________________

"Accidents happen …Whatever it was … it wasn’t your fault … no more than it was mine … "

With an unexpected show of true remorse, "Tyler" began shaking his head, holding his own tears back. He should have stopped Evan.

"No, no... no... it was my fault, Janice - you did nothing! Nothing... I should have been there!"

Just then, Doctor Farrell and a couple of nurses opened the door. The doctor, monitoring the conversation from another room, had decided the two had enough - not just because her scheduled tasks were in twenty minutes.

 

[DeliciousMaiden]

The emotion hung tense between them. Janice saw that Tyler too was fighting back tears. She grasped his hand wordlessly knowing that only he had the key to who she was, what she had been through.

The sudden bustle of activity around her was an unwelcome intrusion on their private pain. All of a sudden she was being prodded and poked as a nurse assessed her pulse, blood pressure and the doctor drew near to shine that light in her eyes once more.

”Not getting over excited, are we …?”

The question was soft, yet seemed to reprimand her.
Mutely she shook her head in response.

”The procedure we’re going to do is very simple … “

The doctor sat at the edge of her bed, effectively putting himself between her and Tyler ensuring she focused on what he was telling her. She would have to lay down, not move … some tunnel like capsule …

”Will I feel anything … will it hurt …?”

The doctor chuckled and assured her it wouldn’t.

”Can Tyler come with me …?”

She threw an anxious look across at the man she was beginning to get to know again only half catching the response that she would be alone in the room when the scans took place, but if she wanted Tyler to walk down with her to the department, then of course, he was welcome to …

It seemed strange to her that they wheeled her out on a trolley. Everything seemed to be fine with her bodily, but apparently she would be lying flat for this procedure so it made sense to transport her in this way.

”You’re very weak, Janice … “

One of the nurses informed her as she was transferred from the bed to lie on what felt like a rock hard surface.

”You need to eat .. build yourself up … then take things slowly … small steps…”

The woman smiled and Janice tried to return the woman’s warmth, but her smile turned into a grimace.

”You OK?”

Janice nodded yet was unable to find a comfortable position.
Not fooled by Janice’s response, the nurse made no comment but put another pillow beneath her head before allowing the porter to wheel the patient away.
Wordlessly Janice stared at the ceiling as they seemed to pass through a myriad of corridors. Each jolt seemed to send an ache through her body.
She glanced over at Tyler with a soft comment.

”I don’t know why but my body feels like I’ve been bounced off the walls … “

She sighed and closed her eyes wearily against the harsh corridor lights, unable to understand why she suddenly felt so bruised and battered.

It was the sound of voices, raised voices that drew her attention.
She tensed suddenly feeling threatened by the argument that seemed to be going on just out of her own vision.

”Mr Bixby ! … “

One of the voices called out seemingly to them.

”Would you like to comment about your girlfriend’s recovery?
How do you feel about … ?“

The trolley suddenly jolted as she was pushed with increased speed around the corner away from the disturbance.

”Tyler …?”

The questions had been directed at him … and about … her?

”Here we are …

The Porter's cheerful voice prevented Tyler's immediate response.

" ... they’ll be along for you any minute … “

So saying he left them in the bay hurrying off to announce the patient’s arrival and report what had happened en route to the department.

 

[The Apparition]

Numb.

Nothing seemed to snap "Tyler" out of this fit of emotion that suddenly seemed to envelop him in. The root of his obsession for "Janice" was watching his accomplice sexually assaulting this woman - and then what seemed like a systematic beating. It was never a part of the job, something he would never have done himself.

..And yet, deep down inside, he knew that's exactly what he was going to be doing, himself. The deceit, all too easy for somebody in her predicament. Yet, it seemed almost like the 'right' thing to do - in a sick, twisted sort of way.

Doctor Farrell nudged his way between "Tyler" and "Janice", speaking only to her as they began their ritualistic probing of the patient. The doctor and patient spoke briefly to each other, Tyler standing with a hand to his head as if awaiting to be awaken from this dream. He didn't even seem to take notice to her asking for his presence while she was being scanned.

With a blink, he looked to the Victim as the Porter began wheeling her out of the room - he followed, almost instinctively - fixating a dumbfounded look to this woman he was beginning to know. It was then, he seemed to be drawn back into reality:

"I don’t know why but my body feels like I’ve been bounced off the walls …"

He lifted his brow, in both concern and confusion - what is going on with him? Then he began hearing the same voices she did:

-"Mr Bixby ! …"
-"Would you like to comment about your girlfriend’s recovery?"
-"How do you feel about … ?"

He'd almost not even acknowledged them, not identifying with the name "Bixby" for a short moment. He simply gave them an annoyed look and turned his face from the members of the media, following the Porter as he quickened his pace, avoiding the masses.

"Tyler …?"

Starting to open his mouth to speak, the Porter was much quicker:

"Here we are... they’ll be along for you any minute …"

With a gentle nod of acknowledgment, they were alone again, for the moment. He shook his head, with a snort.

"Media..always harassing for the biggest story."

His hand slowly began to stroke her hair fondly, while his eyes met her own. A smile formed upon his lips.

"They all got excited when there was somebody close to you that they could speak to, regarding you."

He hesitated, his smile slowly fading, his eyes focusing deep into her own..

"Has .. the doctor or anybody from.. the hospital ... even tried discussing with you about your ... 'accident'?"

 

[DeliciousMaiden]

Janice stared up at Tyler in confusion.

"Media..always harassing for the biggest story."

Reporters!?! What story?
They had asked about her … her accident … must have …

Her panicked eyes met Tylers.
His hand moved soothingly in her hair as he smiled down at her.

"They all got excited when there was somebody close to you that they could speak to, regarding you."

She opened her mouth to question, but the words wouldn’t come.
They wanted to talk about HER? SHE was the story?
Even as she wondered why it was that Tyler was smiling, the smile faded and his look became intense, uncomfortably so.

"Has .. the doctor or anybody from.. the hospital ... even tried discussing with you about your ... 'accident'?"

She looked at him bewildered. Surely he knew?

”N-no .. Dr …F-Farrell … he … you know he won’t talk about it … won’t let anyone tell me … “

She watched his face carefully, finding an inexplicable fear filling her.

”Those reporters … “

She didn’t dare imagine what had happened to make a news story …

”I don’t .. remember … but … “

If her story was widely known there was no way that she wouldn’t find out … some time … yet she assumed the doctors wanted her to recall events herself …

” … Dr Farrell said … in time … I should remember who I am … but … he wouldn’t tell me if I’d remember … my … accident … that it was too early to say yet ... “

 

[The Apparition]

As they waited in the current department, they were isolated from other people - and the doctors and nurses. "Tyler" felt a slight hint of awkward giddiness, misplaced as his own emotions were seemingly being played with now. He recalled the visions that filled his mind every now and then:

"Janice" on top of him, naked - her wet vagina wrapped around his own cock - driving herself onto him, the sweat glistening off her bare chest. His hands gripping her hips as he thrusted himself in and out.
He'd also recall how he become obsessed with her, Evan throwing her head into the cold steel of the garbage cans as she was bent over.

Leaning toward her, he continued to gently stroke her hair - the soft feeling of it between his fingers forcing those images to flash in and out of his mind. He tried to smile, but it came out more or less like a smirk.

"Janice... would you... like to know what happened?"

He looked to her intently, then added:

"...I mean, before you find out the wrong way - by the press or something, you know?"

Yes... they all knew about her situation, what had happened to her. The media this day and age seemed to have so much power that they could find out almost anything they wanted. "Woman raped, beaten to inch of life", "Raped woman in coma" - were just some of the headlines. It was the greatest piece of news to come across in this dull of times.

Somewhere in between all of it, he seemed to suddenly snap out of whatever it was that had overcome him. He looked to her as she continued to look up to him, an understandable fear welling inside of her. He was supposed to be this woman's "lover", the key to almost all of her memories - and right now, he was coming across as some sort of crazed lunatic.

As he breathed, he turned his head from her briefly to sigh, his voice lowering:

"Look.. I don't want to scare you anymore than you are, love... but... well.. maybe I should wait until after you have these scans done."

He turned back to face her, the hand that had been stroking her hair now caressing her cheek. He lowered his face closer to her, wanting to draw even closer... his lips parting slightly as he nearly met her own - wanting to place a kiss upon her lips.

 

[DeliciousMaiden]

She stared up at him her mind racing.

She wasn’t supposed to know … they were keeping the truth from her …
But why? Was it so awful…?
Her eyes searched Tylers. His expression was … strange … detached …
And then he leaned towards her, but his face didn’t warm, didn’t reassure her.

She shivered as he stroked her hair, his fingers weaving and tousling her tresses and yet there was something … something that didn’t quite fit …
She stared mutely as his mouth turned up, a forced smile that seemed so out of place as he asked her;

"Janice... would you... like to know what happened?"

Without realising it she held her breath.
Would she like to know? Was she ready to know?
She felt her heart lurch and felt suddenly nauseous.
She was scared … no … terrified suddenly … of finding out … of facing this unknown part of her life …

"...I mean, before you find out the wrong way - by the press or something, you know?"

Her brain struggled to make sense.
He was right of course … she didn’t want to stumble upon her own story … and yet the Doctor had been clear … it wasn’t in her best interests to suddenly be told what had led to her being hospitalised … being asleep …in a coma … for so long …
But the idea of having that reality forced on her suddenly …

"Look.. I don't want to scare you anymore than you are, love... “

Janice tried to force a smile … he must have realised how she felt about his offer …

” .. but... well.. maybe I should wait until after you have these scans done."

Again she said nothing … merely nodded … then froze as his hand moved its light touch to her cheek.
Again she told herself they were lovers … planning to marry … have children …
Why then when he drew towards her did she have an impulse to pull back, to evade the touch of his lips!?!?

”Ready for you now Janice … “

The porter’s deliberately cheerful voice cut through the tension.
She let out a long breath, relieved that she hadn’t had to ask Tyler not to kiss her, not to … touch her …
With a forced smile for Tyler, she stared at the ceiling as they wheeled her away.
She blinked finding tears threatening as she realised that she was relieved not to be alone with him still.

”Hey … you ok?”

The Porter eyed her with concern.
Unable to talk, she merely nodded and willed herself not to start getting upset, after all Tyler was just trying to protect her … and whatever it was … she still had him …

. . . but no one else . . .

The thought came unbidden to her mind.
She felt so … alone … so scared …
What could possibly be worse than that?
She didn’t dare imagine!

And then came the instruction to lie still …
Meekly she obeyed … lying with eyes staring upwards, unseeing, unmoving as they carried out their scans and fussed around her.
She longed to get back to her room … wanted to get back to safety …
… safety …

She realised with a jolt that she didn’t feel safe here …

”I want to go back … please… now … “

Her soft insistence and rising panic drew the immediate attention of the medical staff.
The reassurances that they were finished that she would soon be back in her room did little to comfort her.
In a desperate attempt to calm her, they suggested fetching her boyfriend.

It was then she became incoherent.

 

[The Apparition]

Tyler watched as Janice was wheeled into the large room, the temperature set at a brisk temperature for the equipment's sake before he was led into a monitoring room that oversaw the scanning mechanism. He leaned himself against the wall while folding his arms acrossed his chest as the medical officials placed her into the center of the machine, preparing her for her testing. The porter made his exit from the room as one of the technicians spoke into a microphone to her in the other room.

He wasn't sure what they were looking for or what they would find, but of what he did considered, he was confident they weren't searching her memory - or any of that nonsense generally seen in science-fiction films. An unusual wave of calmness came over him, as it seemed everything was falling into place. As much of a wreck as she was, he could feel her believing only him, even if he had frightened her with any previous actions. It was then that she suddenly began to fidget within the machine, her voice quiet through the speakers.

"I want to go back … please… now … "

The technician looked to his counterpart briefly, the two nodding before the man leaned forward into the microphone.

"Okay, Janice... we're finishing up here - we'll get you back to your room in no time. Would you like Tyler to come in there for you?"

She suddenly became incoherent over the speakers, her voice filled with terror and panic. Tyler pushed himself off from against the wall, as his arms fell to his sides - what was it that was wrong with her? His brow scrunched as he watched the medical team begin to scramble, two men including the porter ran inside the large room where Janice was inside - a nurse following with a hypodermic needle in hand.

For some odd reason or another, their patient had lost her wits - perhaps being confined in a small space brought on a sense of claustrophobia. What was more amazing was how she continued even after the medical assistants removed her from the scanning machine.

"Janice... Janice! You're going to have to calm down, sweetie," said the nurse. Seeing that their patient would not comply, the two men had to restrain her temporarily as the nurse calmly injected the needle beneath her skin. Eventually, Janice's voice began to trail off before she calmly rested her head onto the gurney.

"What's going on..." Tyler asked, clearly confused.

"I don't know, she must have just had a traumatic episode or a claustrophic attack. We'll have to analyze the scans... they'll be taking her back to her room, since they sedated her. You can go with them," the medical technician said.
_________________________________________________________________

Several hours had passed after the Porter wheeled Janice back into her room - who had since fallen asleep - Tyler followed quietly behind. Tyler was seated against the window in her room, the afternoon sun bursting through from the other side of the hospital before a nurse drew the shades.

Doctor Farrell had also since came and left during the wait, multiple times, in fact. The first visit was to have a little chat with his patient's "boyfriend", who was last alone with her before the Porter wheeled her into room.

"Did you reveal anything whatsoever to her?"

"No, Doctor. You've told me not to, and I've complied. All I talked with her about was if she wanted to know what happened and tried to comfort her while we waited."

Although Tyler was close in revealing what had happened, it wasn't far from the truth, either. The doctor nodded, though the expression on his face revealed discord. "Comforting her is good, but don't take it too far..I don't want her stress levels to be high. And don't ask her anymore about what happened - you're not the doctor, I am."

All Tyler felt he could do was blink, with a solemn nod; his own face expressing discord now - this doctor was being a nuisance with him now.

"Don't wake her up, either. Let her get some rest," the doctor ordered as he left the room.

"Yes sir," he said under his breath.

The other few times Doctor Farrell had visited his patient was to check her vitals, and make sure she was doing fine now until she woke up from her rest. When she would awaken, Tyler would be awaiting her - to answer any questions she had - to manipulate her even further.

 

[DeliciousMaiden]

She had to get back … had to get back to safety … she was trapped … she couldn’t breathe …
There were two men … they came closer … voices soothing … reassuring … and yet … they took on another shape … a man … a stranger … and … familiar face ….

From somewhere they asked if she wanted Tyler to be with her.
Tyler … but … he was already there … and she had to struggle … kept telling herself to fight … more … this time … it had to be enough …

"Janice... Janice! You're going to have to calm down, sweetie,"

The female voice cut through her terror.
The words were soothing … but … something wasn’t right …
Even as she tried to work it out there was a sharp prick into her skin and her mind began to slow as her limbs became heavy.
She had to give up again … had to leave herself to the mercy of …

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

She wasn’t aware of being wheeled back to her room, nor of the conversations that took place across her as they checked her and speculated as to the cause of her bizarre reaction to the scan.
Images played through her mind … half glimpses … muddled … words …
But the common thread throughout was the fear that seemed to choke her.
On and on it went … and she was trapped … unable to shake herself free from the workings of her subconsciousness … unable to call out … to get someone to … to help …
Reality … unreality … it all seemed to merge … time telescoped … and finally her mind blanked and she sank into blissful oblivion …

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Just when she became fully conscious she didn’t know …
She blinked in the subdued light finding tears running slowly down her cheeks, evidence that the sobs from her half-dream had been a reality and her distress real.
She lifted a hand to rub ineffectually at her eyes, but found it took too much effort and she gave up.

Somewhere beyond her bed, people were drawing closer.
The light increased making her blink, but other than that she did not move or react.
There were questions … first gently put … then more insistent …
She shrank away from anyone who moved too close or too sudden.
It was all too much … too fast … too …

She just shook her head mutely, her eyes welling with fresh tears and finally they seemed to ease up on her.
Exhausted and fearful, she blinked up at the faces around her.
Why couldn’t they just leave her alone?
It was too late now … no one could help her …
Why had they revived her?
She couldn't ... didn't ... want to face this ...

Perhaps that was why, when the doctor asked yet again if she had remembered anything, she finally responded with a shake of the head.

 

[The Apparition]

"One more week."

Dr. Farrell etched onto the paper on his clipboard with a pen as he gazed over it to Tyler, who seemed half-asleep in his chair in a waiting room - instead of Janice's room.

"Hmm..?"

The doctor lowered his clipboard after making a few more notes and then sighed quietly.

"One more week and she can go home. We're hoping the sense of comfort at home will be much more rehabilitating than here, and maybe, get her memory back. After the incident with the scans, I'm going to make a safe bet and say she's not feeling all too comfortable here. And the least of our worries is a patient of her circumstances that cannot or will not cooperate because they aren't comfortable."

Tyler remained seated, though seemed to sink further into his chair, his crumbled mirth coming off as more like confusion than excitement. He brought a hand to his eyes, rubbing the sleep out of them before looking back up to Dr. Farrell.

"I.. I thought you needed her to stay here for scans, reports and whatever else you need to do to ensure she's better?"

More and more, "Tyler" began realizing that he was treating this as if "Janice" were, in fact, his lover. He couldn't exactly determine as to whether it was disturbing, or even a good thing, but he knew it made him feel different about this woman. The fact that he seemed to play into everybody's hands so easily did give him a feeling of comfort, though he knew as many criminals did, to never let your guard down.

Doctor Farrell nodded in understanding to Tyler's previous query, seating himself across from him.

"We do - but like I said - we're hoping the comfort of being at home, somewhere that she should be at ease and remember in time, that she could recover quicker. We still need to do scans and everything, but we'll try our best to let her stay home - so ever few days, either me or an associate will go to your house to examine her."

Tyler scratched at his head as he appeared confused as ever, though he was smiling on the inside - this woman was going to be alone with him, at last. Nobody knew of his life of crime, so for all they knew, he was self-employed or worked out of home. With a gentle sigh, Tyler brought his hand down and looked to Dr. Farrell, giving a nod of comprehension.

"Alright.. What about... Me telling or asking her about the incident? Should I not even bring it up? What if she does?"

"Do not, I repeat, do NOT bring it up to her. If she brings it up... alright - but do it, and I can't stress this enough: Do it SLOWLY. Don't just suddenly dump everything that happened on her. She still needs to comprehend what happened, why it may have happened, why her, et cetera."

Tyler nodded in silence before the two of them then rose from their seats, and started for Janice's room.
__________________________________________________________________

She was resting, seated upright in her bed with her hands folded in her lap, the television set flickering in action - though she seemed to stare off into nothing, or in deep thought. Dr. Farrell entered first, Tyler following almost sheepishly behind before slowly and quietly closing the door behind him. The doctor then gently put his hand on top of Janice's own, noticing her stupor before speaking quietly.

"Janice...? Would you like to go home..?"

 

[DeliciousMaiden]

She wouldn’t be drawn about the incident in the scanner.
For a while they questioned her, but finally they gave up and spent their time looking at the data they’d collected and kept their observations as low key as possible.

Tyler did not speak of the press or the cause of her “accident”, he was gentle and encouraging making her relax around him, though she spoke even less than before. No longer did she ask questions, no longer did she seem concerned to recall their shared past. Instead she obediently took her medication and lay day in day out as if lost in the half memories that she would speak to no one of.

It was mid afternoon when Dr Farrell came to her with the news. She had been aware of his presence until he laid her hand gently upon hers, the touch making her flinch and jump, anxiety clear until she recognised who it was.

"Janice...? Would you like to go home..?"

She blinked at him trying to make sense of his words.

”Home …?”

She echoed as if the concept was alien to her.

”Yes … you’re doing much better now … wouldn’t you like to go home where you have your own things around you … ?”

She struggled to follow his questioning. She was doing better? Then why did she feel so …

”My things … ?”

The idea seemed to spark an interest.

”Yes … your own comfy bed … your lovely house … “

She remembered … she had been told … but …
Seeing her frown Dr Farrell hastened to reassure her.

”You’ll be nice and safe Janice … and Tyler will be there to look after you … “

Janice saw the smiling face of her fiancé as he came forward and took her hand.
The words of how wonderful it would be and what they would do were lost on her as she stared at him blankly.

”O.K…”

She murmured dismissively and eased her hand free, clasping them in her lap once more then turned to stare blankly at the flickering screen.

 

[The Apparition]

Doctor Farrell kept his hand gently atop of Janice's own, as she deadpanned back to the television screen, before patting her with equal care. A gentle nod was given to Tyler before the doctor made his exit, where Tyler then stepped closer to her.

He did not try to reach for her hand this time, but merely stared at her as her own gaze was focused ahead of her. "You've completely screwed her up," he thought to himself, though he wasn't completely sure if he was even directing his own thoughts to Evan or himself.

Occasionally, he tried to open his mouth in attempt to say something, but found himself at a loss for words before he eventually gave up trying to say anything at all. With a simple pat on her knee, he spoke softly before turning slowly and taking his own departure as she barely reacted.

"I'll see you in a week..."
____________________________________________________________________

The media again began to swarm the hospital when they received even the slightest anonymous tip regarding Janice's story, until the hospital then stepped forward to announce that they felt comfortable with sending her home. Several photographers and journalists with microphones and handheld recorders began to swarm Tyler's car as he entered the hospital parking lot.

"Mr. Bixby! Would you like to comment on Janice's condition?"
"Tyler! How are you handling all of this?"

He merely waved a hand to them in indication that they move, as he parked his vehicle before stepping out into the masses. He continued to wave a hand to all of them, telling them "No comment" or "Not right now" as he made his way toward the hospital. Eventually they stopped following him once he entered the safe confines of the hospital doors.

In his hand, he had brought a bag with a couple selections of clothing for her to wear - since her last clothing were now evidence, as the local authorities continued with her case - a modest dress was one selection, the other simply a pair of pants and a t-shirt. He made his way through several of the halls and up one floor in the elevator before finally arriving to her room.

Many of the monitoring instruments were gone, seeing as how she was to leave today. A rather intimidated sigh escaped him as Tyler opened the door. How could he not be intimidated? A woman he did not know, he had suddenly felt as though he was involved with for many years.

A nurse stood next to Janice's bed with a wheelchair next to her as she arranged some medical items set to be taken with them before noticing Tyler's entrance.

"Did you bring clothes?"

Tyler closed the door behind himself, raising the bag in hand before handing it over to the nurse. The nurse removed the clothing, looking at both before looking to Janice to speak.

"What'll it be, dear? A dress or pants and a shirt?"