Road to Remembrance

Annabell

I've been staring at the ceiling, trying to recover the greatest memory I once held
captive. Maybe I wasn't meant to have my memory restored, or to have my old life back. He
keeps trying to tell me who he is, and who I am, and who we are, but I don't feel it. He says my
name is Annabell, but it's not what my heart answers to. It's like I was resurrected, but not as
the same person.

I remember the pain from the accident. The ambulance ride. The sound of the sirens.
The complete darkness. People crying for my life. Nothing came to mind on how I ended up
here. According to the newspaper, I was in a high-speed chase, mixed up with a drug deal gone
wrong. They'd mistaken my vehicle for their fraudulent supplier's, forced me off the road, and
into a light pole. Luckily, the collision was the only damage they caused. The paper said I'd
called 9-1-1 before the accident, and that they had the whole thing recorded. Fortunately, for
my sake, the responder had EMS following closely.

I was technically dead when they arrived. Only a faint pulse kept them believing in me. I
remember them shouting my state of matter, the CPR, the loud sirens that cleared the traffic,
arriving at the hospital, and a women hysterically screaming "Annabell". Then, complete
darkness.

I imagine my natural soul is lost in Limbo, wandering around, severely frightened, while
its body resides here, in a minimum-security institute. Do I even want my natural soul to
return? Do I want to be who I was, someone I don't know? Or do I want to be the nothing that I
have been for twenty-eight days?

Ben

My six-hour shift wasn't even half way done when I got a call, "Sir, I'm Doctor Marx from
Grandville Urgent Care, you might want to sit down." It was unexpected to get a call from the
hospital. "Annabell was in an accident, it's urgent" I hadn't had a second to reply before the
phone fell instantly to the ground. Immediately, I rushed to the hospital, oblivious of what was
coming.

What has happened to my dear Annabell? My best friend? My soulmate?

I reached the hospital, nearly in hysterics. Dr. Marx quickly lead me to a consultation
room and explained what happened. "Is there anyone else that should be notified of this near
fatality?" I shook my head.

"Her parents died two years ago in a car crash, she was only sixteen. My grandma was a
close family friend, and took her in. She died happily last May." Dr. Marx listened closely. "She
has a sister, Saraline. I don't know anything about her."

"That's unfortunate." His voice was calmly intense. "Listen, Ben, if and when Annabell
wakes up, she might not remember who you are or who she is. The scans show trauma in her
brain. Although we've detected brain activity, until she is fully coherent, there isn't any knowing
how much damage there really is." He placed a firm, comforting hand on my shoulder. "We
have a place for you to stay right in the room. Come on." He led me out of the consultation
room and into the ICU, where Annabell was. When we got to her room, a nurse was there
checking all of her vitals. Dr. Marx introduced me. "Clara, this is Annabell's fianc, Ben." She
politely smiled at me. Dr. Marx pointed to where I could stay. "There are blankets in the linen
closet. If you need anything else, just let the receptionist know at the front desk." He turned
and left.

I looked at Annabell, unsure of why this happened to the sweetest, most caring girl I
know. Part of me wanted to whole-heartedly curse out God, but instead, I walked to Annabell's
bedside and kissed her forehead. "My dear Bell." My finger lightly caressed the stiches that lie
across her eyebrow. I could feel my eyes swell up with tears, my head constantly thinking
"Why? What had Annabell done to deserve this? What had I done to deserve this?" My sweet
Annabell, linked to machines, all of them supporting her life. I wanted so badly to be able to
snap my fingers and for her to come out if this, for her to wake and smile at me, saying my
name sweetly in that voice of hers.

But it wasn't until a couple days later until her eyes opened. I remember the doctor
telling me not to bombard her, because she might not remember who I am. I quickly held
myself back and rushed for Dr. Marx.

"Do you know what day it is?" He asks her as he shines a light in her confused eyes.

"Where am I? Who are you?"

"I'm Dr. Marx. Do you know what happened to you?" Dr. Marx continues.

Annabell shakes her head. "Not really"

"What about your name? Do you remember your name?" Again, she shakes her head.
"What about his? Do you remember who he is?" He pointed to me. But, again she shakes her
head. "Your name is Annabell, and he is your Fianc. Ma'am, you were in a car chase..." I began
to zone out.
 She doesn't remember who I am. How does that happen? I've been with her for eight
years. Eight years. I know I was told to prepare for this, but there isn't any allotted time period
that can prepare you to learn for when your best friend and lover forgets who you are... She is
my world. I just don't know how to cope without her...

I snapped back into the conversation.

"...We will have to run more tests. And with your consent, we will have a therapist come
in and talk to you, occasionally with Ben, to help you regain your memory. But for now, rest. If
there's anything you need, just press that red button on your bedside, a nurse or I will be with
you quickly." He shifts his attention towards me. "Ben, you might want to go home and come
back tomorrow, she needs some time. We will contact you with any new information." I was
still in shock. Even more so because she agreed I should leave... What am I to do now?