That very same morning, when Lynette opened the door to room 466, she stopped in surprise. She had assumed Sierra would still be asleep, however she didn't expect her to be practising Pilates in the middle of the room.
Sierra stood strong on her right leg and steadily leaned her body forward in her warrior three pose. It looked almost effortless. She didn't sway as she focused on one spot on the wall in front of her and controlled the flow of her breath, her right leg remaining straight. The pose was challenging, requiring exceptional balance and good breathing techniques. However Sierra had been practising Pilates for years. It helped calm her nerves and created a more positive state of mind.
Sierra inhaled and exhaled three yoga-fire breaths, then, with control she leaned back and lowered her left foot to the floor as she came into a high lunge. Sierra smiled, she was surprised she could still stand so strong in her Pilates poses, especially as she hasn't practiced for so long. Pleased with herself, she looked up and caught sight of Lynette watching from the doorway.
"Oh! Good morning!" She said, caught off guard. She had been concentrating and hadn't heard the door open.
Lynette walked into the room accompanied with the smell of freshly brewed coffee. She placed the small tray with a cup and saucer and a steaming hot bowl of porridge on the bedside table.
"Good morning, Sierra. It's good to see you're already awake. I'm just bringing your breakfast. I'll be back shortly to walk you to the bathroom," Lynette finished stirring the coffee and swiftly left the room.
Sierra decided it was time to finish her Pilates for the morning. She stepped her feet back into a downward-facing dog position, then a Chaturanga Dandasana and finally finishing cross-legged on the floor with her hands close to her heart. "Namaste," she breathed, and with that, she was ready to begin her day. She often found that Pilates was not only good at improving her posture and strengthening core muscles, but it also positively affected her mood. Something she definitely needed this morning after her nightmare the night before.
She sat down on the bed and enjoyed her breakfast and morning coffee, eating slowly and lightly blowing the steam away from her hot porridge.
Shortly after she had finished eating, the door opened and Lynette led her out into the large hallway, which was surprisingly quite busy. Staff walked back and forth, some carrying boxes and others leading patients back to their rooms. Sierra was guided to some small bathrooms further down the hallway and around the corner, where she freshened up and changed into grey sweatpants and a white t-shirt.
She splashed some cool water on her face and sighed, looking at her pale skin. If only she could go back to those times when she and her younger brother, Jack would drive to the beach, ladened with body boards, fizzy drinks, snacks and her wireless speakers. They would stay there for hours, trying to catch the best waves, laughing and enjoying the sand and sea air. A smile tugged at her lips as a memory sprang to mind; the two had arrived at their local beach. Jack had ever-so-enthusiastically dumped their bags and towels, ran towards the ocean with his board and leaped, hoping to land on his board. Sierra had laughed hard when he missed and plowed head first into the crest of a wave! Both of them had soon realised his phone had been in his pocket the whole time.
Sierra shook her head, grinning. Jack could be so caring, a good listener with a great sense of humour, but he could be impulsive sometimes. That was often when he had the most fun.
Her smile faded. If everything had gone according to plan, Jack should be here in the same building. However, she hadn't heard anything about him from the staff so far. She hoped he had woken up and found himself in the same building and hopefully, he still remembered who she was.
As Sierra walked out of the bathrooms, Lynette came to her side, turning to lead her back to her room, and to desolation.
Sierra suddenly stopped and turned to Lynette.
"Lynette, I'd like to ask a favour. Could you please find my brother for me? His name is Jack Walker and he was frozen a day after I was," She clutched her elbows anxiously, "He... he should be here in the same building."
"I'll inform the Professor today during our meeting. We will aim to locate your brother as soon as possible."
Both she and Sierra started walking down the hall past bustling individuals dressed in lab coats.