Chapter 4 A Rescue

EDINA'S POV

At first, something sharp got into my nose, a strong, clean smell that reminded me of antiseptic and hospitals.

My eyelids felt very heavy even when I tried to open them but I forced myself to and I had to squint against the right, fluorescent light dancing overhead. It was the white walls, white sheets, and beeping from a machine close by that made me realize that I was in the hospital.

When I tried to sit up, a sharp pain shot through my side, strong and non-stop. I gasped and grabbed my ribs, falling back on the bed as my heart raced fast.

*What happened? Why am I here?*

I tried to remember but the memories were hazy like shadows moving quickly. It was hard to see clearly, like looking through a foggy window and I kept blinking rapidly.

I could only recall... falling, Or perhaps there was more to it?

"You're awake," someone in a sweet, calm voice said beside me, I slowly looked over, feeling a bit of pain in my neck, and saw a friendly nurse with a caring look smiling sweetly at me.

Her name tag read *Nurse Karen*.

"Where...where am I?" I managed to whisper, my voice barely audible. Even speaking felt tiring.

"You're at Mercy Hospital. You had quite an ordeal, but you're safe now," she replied, her calm and steady voice suggesting that she was well-versed in comforting patients.

She leaned over to adjust my blankets with a kind of care that caught me off guard.

"Safe?" I repeated, the word feeling unfamiliar.

Safe from what?

My mind filled with a lot of questions, each one more urgent than the one before. Nurse Karen nodded, showing understanding in her face.

"Yes, safe. The doctors have been monitoring you.

You've been unconscious for quite some time, but don't worry, you'll be okay." I felt a kind of believe in her, to take in her words of comfort and let them ease the fear building up inside me.

But another part-louder and more insistent-readied itself for trouble.

*Safe? When have I ever truly felt safe?*

I took a shaky breath to steady my racing thoughts. "How...how long have I been unconscious?"

"Just a couple of days," she replied gently, giving my hand a reassuring pat. "Your body needed the rest."

A couple of days. The words echoed strangely in my mind, quickening my heartbeat.

Days? I had been completely unconscious while everything continued outside.

What had happened during that time? Did Maxwell come looking for me? Or maybe Dr Cole.

It seemed as if Nurse Karen sensed my rising anxiety; her hand rested on my shoulder, a solid and calming feeling that I welcomed.

"Take it easy. You're safe here, Edina. Nothing can harm you in this room."

Her comforting tone almost swayed me into believing her. *Almost.*

And how did she know my name?

I stared at her hand, the soothing hum of the machines, and the gentle warmth of the blankets-small comforts I clung to like a lifeline.

"I... I don't remember much," I confessed, fighting back tears. "Just... snippets. It's like I'm seeing through shattered glass."

"That's normal," she said softly, squeezing my shoulder. "Your mind and body have experienced a lot. It can take time for memories to return."

Frustration welled up in me as I closed my eyes.

I was looking for answers, but instead, I just felt empty inside, like parts of me were missing.

And deep down, I felt scared about something that I couldn't quite remember.

"What... what happened to me?" I whispered.

Nurse Karen hesitated, a flicker of sadness passing across her face. "That... well, only you can recall that, dear."

"Don't worry about hurrying to remember. Right now, just concentrate on taking it easy and getting better."

I gritted my teeth, feeling a minute of fear, sadness, and anger washing inside me.

I was angry, angry at the world, at Maxwell, at Kourtney who came Into our lives and scattered it.

Or maybe...maybe Maxwell never loved me, he was just using me to pass the time, to keep himself busy until Kourtney returned.

An uncomfortable silence settled on us until finally, she broke it as if sensing my unease.

"Oh, I should mention-someone brought you here," she said, her tone lifting a bit but I was too weak to say anything at all.

I turned toward her, curiosity fighting confusion. "Who?"

"A young man," she answered. "He seemed quite distressed but didn't share his name. He said he found you and wanted to ensure you were safe." Her brows furrowed as if recalling what happened. "He was genuinely worried... kept asking if you would be alright."

A young man?

What is happening?

I don't know any young man.

I tried to shut my eyes and go to sleep but it wasn't working.

The words went deep into my mind.

Someone found me, helped me, and left before I could thank them.

"Did...did he say anything more?" I asked, my voice barely more than a whisper. The realization that someone cared enough to help but then disappeared stirred something within me-a mix of gratitude and vulnerability.

Nurse Karen shook her head. "No, but he stayed long enough to assure that you were in good hands. Then, just like that, he was gone."

She offered me a comforting smile and patted my hand. "Whoever he is, he wanted to keep you safe."

Her words felt like a soothing balm, easing some of the ache within me. *Someone out there cared enough to bring me here.*

And just when I was about to shut my eyes, the door burst open.