Chapter 1

I lay immobile in the hospital bed. The room was as still as a tomb. I could not even move my eyes. Occasionally a nurse or doctor would come in and check on me. This was the only interruption in my routine.

Sleep. I float in a drug-induced haze. All around me are clouds of pastel hues. I can tell I am still in bed, but somehow I am separated from my body. Slowly the clouds fade away and I am standing in my hospital room, next to my bed. I can see myself lying there. Tubes run into my nose, mouth, and arms. Another tube runs under the blanket, a catheter. My body is covered with bruises and my head is wrapped in gauze. A cast covers my left arm; another encases my lower body and my legs.

What happened to me? What kind of accident had I been in? I didn't remember anything. The last thing I could remember was... Oh shit. I couldn't remember anything. Wait... a car... I remember a blue Mustang. Had I been in a car wreck? Okay, that was enough useless speculation. I would have to find out what was going on. I went to the door and looked out. It must be late at night, I thought. The lights were all dimmed. A pool of illumination spilled into the hall further down. I walked toward it. A single nurse sat at her station, writing something. I walked up and set my hands on the counter, 'Excuse me.'