Prologue

PROLOGUE

Huh! Why does my head hurt so much? I’m trying to understand what happened when a door opens up and the person that came in makes a lot of noise. Wait! Where am I? I open my eyes wide and look around, but nothing seems familiar. What is going on? The person that came in is wearing a white medical jacket, so I’m assuming I’m at the hospital, but again, why?

“Ah you’re finally awake. Welcome back Miss O’Connell! How are you feelin’?” He says, his thick Texan accent drawls catching me off guard.

“Who are you and where am I?” I answer with as much strength as I can gather through the pain.

“My apologies, I’m Dr. Cooper. You are at CHRISTUS Southeast Texas - St. Elizabeth where you’ve been admitted after a car accident. You’ve been unconscious for about a week. Does that ring any bells?” His words tangle in my ears, stretching syllables until they’re almost unrecognizable. I’m gonna have to ask him to speak slower so I can actually understand.

“Southeast Texas? How did I get here? Where is this place Dr… Cooper you said?”

“Yes and we’re in Beaumont right now. Your accident was in Dayton but they brought you over here to treat you for your injuries.” At the same time he tells me all of this new information, he comes around to check on me but I’m still too confused to care somehow.

“Do you remember your first name Miss O’Connell?” Dr. Cooper asks. “I have a few questions to access your brain activity. I know it’s a bit weird but I promise it will be quick and I’ll answer more questions you have after this assessment.”

I don’t understand. One moment I’m driving on route 90 from Crosby and next thing I know I wake up here. What actually happened? I can’t seem to get my head straight when I hear someone cough awkwardly to get attention. When I turn my head, a nurse has come into the room and is standing next to Dr. Cooper waiting for something I don’t exactly know what.

“Sorry what did you ask again?” I remember hearing him ask something but I genuinely can’t get my thoughts to follow one line. Way too many things are coursing through my mind at this moment.

“That’s alright Miss O’Connell. We have time. I asked if you remember your first name?”

“Yes I do. I’m Violet. Violet O’Connell. I am 28 years old and I’m from Matfield in Kent, England.”

“Good. Do you remember why you are in America today Miss O’Connell?”

“Oh please call me Violet!” I tell him. Come on, I’m only 28 and I’m not my mother. Oh my God I need to call her. Where is my phone. I frantically look around for my phone when Dr. Cooper brings me back to the question he had just asked me. “Oh yes sorry. I’m here on a work trip- a book festival for a publishing company. We’re expanding our catalogue, trying to reach new audiences and genres but… you don’t care about that part. I’m sorry where is my phone? I need to call my family and tell them I am awake!”

“I’m sorry, Miss, but we can’t let you do that.” At first I think he is joking, but when I look back at him, I have a feeling he isn’t joking. I try to look at the nurse or see if anybody is around so I can call for help, and it’s when I understand something. I don’t believe this is a hospital. I don’t know where I am… But I need to get out.