er 108
Chapter 108
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“Well look at you,” the doctor said gently, stepping closer. “Welcome back.” He had arrived in a rush, followed by a nurse pushing a small metal tray and Asher right behind them.
Helen immediately stood. “She woke up a few minutes ago. She’s talking. She remembers things.”
The doctor nodded, calm but alert. “Congratulations! That’s expected, given the trauma. Let’s take this slow.” He turned to me. “Hi, Aria. I’m Dr. Kline. Can you hear me clearly?”
“Yes,” I croaked.
“Good. Any dizziness?”
“A lot.”
“Headache?”
“Yes.”
“Nausea?”
I hesitated. “A little.”
“Hmmm, that tracks.” He hummed.
The nurse leaned over me, warm fingers pressing something cool against my forehead. “I’m going to check your temperature, okay?”
I nodded weakly.
As she worked, the doctor continued, “Can you tell me where you are?”
“A hospital?”
“Which city?”
“City?” I frown, “how am I supposed to know that?”
“My bad,” he chuckled. “Do you know today’s date?”
I paused. My mind felt foggy, “No.”
“That’s okay,” he said quickly. “That’s very okay.”
I clear my throat. “Doctor… How long have I been unconscious?”
The doctor glanced at the chart in his hands and gave me a small smile. “Ten days.”
The word hit me like a slap.
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“Ten?” I repeated hoarsely. “I’ve been here for ten days?”
Helen’s eyes filled again. “Yes, sweetheart.”
My heart began to race. The monitor responded instantly, beeping faster.
“Hey, hey,” the nurse said softly. “Easy. Breathe for me.”
“I missed ten days?” I whispered. “Where is Maya… Nora… what happened to the camp-”
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“You were transferred here the same night,” Robert said quickly. “The school informed us immediately.”
The doctor lifted a hand. “Let’s not overload her yet.”
I swallowed. “What happened to me? I remember… the woods. The tree-”
“Don’t force it,” Helen begged.
“I need to know,” I said, firmer.
Dr. Kline nodded once. “You were struck by a falling tree trunk. Not a branch–a trunk. It caused a concussion, facial fractures, internal bruising, and significant blood loss.”
My breath caught. “A trunk?”
“Yes,” he said. “You’re very lucky.”
The nurse reached behind my head, adjusting something gently. I felt the tug then–pressure I hadn’t noticed before.
“Wait,” I muttered. “My head feels… heavy.”
Helen’s face tightened.
I lifted my hand weakly and touched my scalp.
Bandages.
Thick. Wrapped carefully around my head.
“What-?” My voice shook. “Why is my head wrapped?”
The doctor exchanged a look with the nurse. “You had a laceration that required stitches. Deep ones.”
“How many?” I asked.
“Sixteen,” he replied honestly. “And we shaved part of your hair to access the wound.”
My throat closed.
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“You were given anesthesia during the procedure,” the nurse added gently. “And pain management afterward.”
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“So I’m still on drugs,” I muttered.
“Yes,” Dr. Kline said. “Low–dose. Enough to keep you comfortable.”
“Comfortable,” I repeated bitterly.
Robert stepped closer. “Aria—”
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“Avery,” I corrected quietly.
He froze, then nodded. “Avery.”
The doctor looked between us but said nothing.
I took a shaky breath. “Did… did anyone else get hurt?”
Helen looked away.
“Did anyone die?” I pressed.
“No,” the doctor answered immediately. “No fatalities.”
Relief flooded me so hard I almost cried.
“But,” he continued, “according to your friend, Maya, this was not an accident.”
The room went cold.
“What do you mean?” Helen asked sharply.
Robert sighed. “The police investigation concluded that the tree was intentionally weakened.”
My stomach dropped.
“It didn’t fall on its own,” he continued. “Someone tampered with it.”
Helen’s hand flew to her mouth.
My fingers curled into the sheets. “Chloe. I remember.”
“Yes,” the doctor said. “Chloe and three other students.”
“What is this that I’m just learning about Robert?”
Robert stiffened. “I- I didn’t want to disturb you. You’ve been stuck by her side since the incident and was only forced to leave her side to wash up and eat. I can’t afford to see you break down blaming yourself for not protecting her.”
“So where are they now? What have you done with those little murderers?” She snapped.
“Calm down mum, please.” I whimper, “please!”
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“I- I was scared. I thought something bad might have happened to you.”
“I’m sorry mum.” I turned to Robert, “so where are they now?”
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“They were arrested,” Dr. Kline replied instead. “For aggravated assault, conspiracy, and attempted murder.”
“Ha!“Helen let out a broken sob.
“They… tried to kill me,” I whispered.
“Yes,” the doctor said. “And the evidence taken by another of your friends was sufficient.”
My heart monitor began to spike again.
“Breathe,” the nurse urged. “Slow breaths.”
“They led me there,” I said, voice trembling. “They lied. They said Mrs. Hopkins wanted me.”
Robert’s jaw clenched. “Mrs. Hopkins has already given her statement. She never called for you.”
“So they planned it,” I whispered. “Yes,” Dr. Kline said. “And they confessed.”
“I know she hated me but I had no idea it was to this extent.”
Helen stood rigid near my bed, fists clenched. “They confessed?” She repeated.
“Yes,” the doctor replied. “One of them broke quickly.”
“Good,” Helen said flatly. “Let them rot.”
I turned to her sharply. “Mom-”
“What,” she snapped. “They could’ve killed you.”
I swallowed, my chest aching. “What about the others? The ones at camp?”
“They were evacuated that night,” the doctor said. “The camp is under investigation.”
“What about Maya?” I asked urgently.
Helen smiled through tears. “She’s been here. Every day.”
My breath hitched. “She has?”
“Yes,” Robert said softly. “She refused to leave.”
My eyes burned.
“And Nora?” I asked.
“She came too,” Helen nodded. “They both did.”
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The nurse finished checking my vitals. “Temperature’s stable.”
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“Good,” Dr. Kline said. He turned back to me. “Now, Aria–Avery–we need to check your responsiveness.”
“Okay.”
“Can you squeeze my fingers?”
I did.
“Good. Can you lift your left arm?”
I tried. Pain shot through me, but it moved.
“Right arm?”
That one was easier.
“Any numbness?”
“No.”
“Good,” he said. “Any ringing in your ears?”
“Yes.”
“That’s expected.”
He straightened. “You’ll remain under observation for a few more days.”
“A few more?” I muttered.
“Yes, please” he said firmly. “No arguments.”
Helen nodded vigorously. “Absolutely no arguments.”
I sighed.
“One more thing,” Dr. Kline added. “You experienced retrograde amnesia when you were first admitted. The return of your memories–especially traumatic ones–can be destabilizing.”
“I know,” I whispered.
“Please,” he continued, “don’t try to process everything at once.”
I laughed weakly. “That’s easier said than done.”
He smiled faintly. “It always is.”
The nurse began adjusting my IV. “You’ll feel sleepy again soon.”
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Chapter 108
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“Wait,” I said quickly. “Can I… can I see them?”
Helen smiled. “I’ll call them.”
She stepped out with Robert, leaving Asher by my side.
“You scared us,” he said quietly.
“I’m sorry,” I whispered.
“Don’t be,” he said. “You survived.”
“But I remembered,” I said, voice cracking. “Everything.”
He squeezed my hand. “And we’re still here. I missed you.”
The door opened again.
Maya burst in first, eyes red, hair pulled back hastily.
“You’re awake,” she breathed. “You’re actually awake.”
I smiled weakly. “Hey.”
She crossed the room in three strides and grabbed my hand carefully. “Don’t ever do that again.”
“Get hit by a tree?” I murmured.
“Yes, why did you follow them?” she snapped, then broke down crying. “Idiot.”
Nora followed more quietly, eyes shining. “Hi, Aria.”
“Avery,” I corrected softly. “Or anyone.”
Nora blinked, then nodded. “Hi, Veria.”
“Lol! I like that.” I chuckled.
Maya frowned. “We’ll talk about that later.”
I laughed, then winced. “Ow.”
“See?” Maya said. “Doctor, she’s laughing. Is that allowed?”
Dr. Kline smiled. “In moderation.”
Maya sniffed. “They arrested Chloe.”
“I heard from dad,” I said.
“She kept screaming it was a prank,” Maya spat. “A prank that almost ended your life.”
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Nora shook her head. “She’s sick.”
“They all are,” a voice spat from the doorway.
I looked up to see… Nolan?
Wait, I know this face! Not as my brother’s best friend.
I know his face from my past life.
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Nolan is the beautiful stranger I had poured out my story to in my past life before I was kidnapped by my monstrous family.
What the heck?!
田
Sara Lili is a daring romance writer who turns icy landscapes into scenes of fiery passion. She loves crafting hot love stories while embracing the chill of Iceland’s breathtaking cold.
