The moment I opened my eyes, I was immediately aware of how weak my body felt, to the point where it's hard for me to even breathe.
Was I badly wounded?
I can't remember much, but I should be grateful that I'm still alive in the first place, since the last thing I remember before closing my eyes pretty much told me I'm good as dead. I never imagined I would still have a chance to open my eyes again.
I just hoped I wasn't injured too badly. In times like these, being a cripple was no different from being dead.
I came back from my musing at a sudden sound. I tried my hardest to twist my neck to look over but my vision was still very blurry, I couldn't see well from afar.
But I could still make out a white silhouette walking in, all four limbs present and hale, all moving very naturally. So, it shouldn't be one of 'those things.'
The person came in didn't seem to notice that I was awake. They were bustling around in a world of their own. In the end, I could only speak up, though I didn't expect to hear such a hoarse, low voice. How many days have I been sleeping for?
It was a miracle I hadn't been abandoned.
"Where am I?"
The white-clothed person before me jumped and gaped at me with bulging eyes. It was only after a long moment that she screamed.
"Y-you're awake!"
Yes, a woman for sure. That scream is quite something. I really hoped we were somewhere safe; otherwise, that would draw plenty of unwanted attention.
She rushed over to the bed and started looking around frantically. I hadn't a clue what she was doing, but whatever it was, she wasn't helping me up or giving me a glass of water.
Although my vision was slowly clearing, I still couldn't see properly. I could only tell that I was lying in a white room, so white.. it seems strange. Because it looked..… clean.
"Where am I?" I repeated.
"Your home." The woman in white finally paid attention to me and gently said, "Don't worry, I've already pressed the call button. The doctor and your family will be over in just a moment."
My home? Call button? Family? I was a bit lost. It's been ten years since I've seen my family.
The woman in white didn't seem to plan on explaining further and my throat was screaming at me. At this point, there wasn't a single question that was more pressing than the biological need for liquids.
"Water!" I croaked.
She seems to discover my flight. Flustered, she quickly poured me a glass, but instead left it on the table where I couldn't reach it or even bent down to take it… Is she playing around with me?
I kept my face expressionless, unsure of how I was supposed to beg before she would hand over that glass.
Suddenly, the bed under me moved.
"Ah!" Could it be, this is—
The woman straightened and reassured me, "It's fine, it's fine, I just adjusted the bed so it's easier for you to drink."
I strained to move my neck, and only when I had confirmed that nothing else had appeared did I relax. Then I realized my posture had changed from fully horizontal to half-sitting up. I was bewildered. Is this a hospital bed?
This was a rare thing in itself, and the fact that I had the chance to be lying in one was almost improbable. What's actually going on?!!
The woman in white brought the cup to my mouth, and there was even a straw placed inside. She reminded me with worry in her voice, "Drink slowly. Be careful you might choke."
The moment I started drinking, I stopped caring about anything else. This water is just too delicious! I concentrated my entire being on drinking. Am I too thirsty, or is this water simply just that tasty? I hadn't drunk water that was this good in a long, long time.
I carefully sipped the precious water, until the door crashed open, and I jolted into the air in surprise. It was only because the woman in white quickly held me down that I didn't fall straight onto the floor.
"Ro!"
What? I blinked. Someone rushed in, but I was reluctant to let go of the straw in my mouth, so I just watched them rush to the bedside as I drank. My thoughts were that even if there was something world-shattering might happen at the moment, it would have to wait until I was done drinking this glass of water.
"Ro, you're finally awake!"
I tried to focus my eyes, and slowly, the face of a crying girl emerged. With an oval face that still retained its childishness, she looked to be around 18 years old, with large, round eyes shining brightly from under crescent-shaped eyebrows. Just this pair of eyes was enough to make this girl worth a good deal of supplies.
She cried, wiped her tears, looked at me, and started crying again.
After finishing the water, I unwillingly let go of the straw in my mouth and asked her suspiciously, "Do we know each other?"
Her eyes widened. It seemed like my question was real shock to her. Maybe we really do know each other? Although I'd come to know a lot of people for ten years of fighting nonstop, there was no way I'd completely forget such a pretty and cute girl if I'd met her before.
Flustered, she exclaimed, "I-I'm your big sister!"
I was just about to say I didn't have any sister or rather I have but it's been ten years since she passed away. I even forgot what she looked like. I'm getting confused. What the hell is going on? I'm in the middle of dilemma, when more people came in.
I stared at them, squinting as I tried to make out their features. I didn't recognize a single one of them. But I find them somewhat familiar... But really.. What is going on? Who are these people??!
"Roan!"
"Roan, you're awake? You're really awake?"
"Say something, Roan!"
Surrounded by these people, I'm completely at loss. Having just woken up, my brain were still addled, and now this group of people kept shouting at me, sending waves of pain through my head. I hadn't a clue what they were yelling about, and even if I caught the occasional sentence, I didn't understand what it meant.
What is going on? Although it was possible that this was all a calculated trap, I had to admit I simply wasn't worth the effort for people to put up an act.
"Big brother!" That 'older sister' of mine anxiously called out to one of them, "Ro just said he doesn't know me!"
I looked toward that "Big brother" — and he was a very handsome man, I would admit. He frowned at me, and asked, "Roan, do you remember me?"
"Big brother."
Everyone breathed a sigh of relief. My 'sister' got even more agitated, shrieking, "You're teasing me again! Even though you recognized me and big brother!"
"I don't." I shook my head lightly, noticing that my neck felt looser. It seemed like it was more a case of me lying down for too long, rather than being paralyzed. Whew. Only when I felt better did I continue responding to everyone. "You were the one who called him 'big brother'."
And then "Big Brother's" face darkened and he turned to ask the woman in white. "Nurse! What's going on?"
So she's a nurse? It was only now that I recognized her uniform, and it certainly matched the nurse's uniforms in my memory. But how is it possible that there's still nurses around…?
The nurse frowned, and asked cautiously, "Do you remember your name?"
I didn't know why, but I had a feeling it'd be pretty bad if I told them my name. They were clearly treating me as someone else, which was the only reason why they would take care of someone who was as grievously injured as me. Perhaps it was even because of a case of mistaken identity. But if they discovered that I am not that person, would I still be enjoying the same treatment?
But why would they mistake me for that person? Did my face get disfigured? I wanted to touch my face, but I couldn't lift my hands, so I just gave up.
"I don't remember." This should be a safe enough answer.
Everyone's expressions darkened, and the nurse said quickly, "I'll call over the doctor."
"Well, no matter what, Roan waking up is more important than anything else." "Big Brother" remarked lightly. "It's good that you're up. Everything else can come in its own time."
With that, everyone perked up, looking at me with eyes of hope.
Being on the receiving end of those gazes, a surge of guilt suddenly welled up in my heart. This Roan must mean a lot to them, and lying to them might mean losing his chance of survival. Compared to Roan, so deeply cherished by many, why would I, who had nothing at all, want to bring harm to someone else just for the sake of survival?
"I'm not Roan." I looked at them calmly and then admitted, "You've got the wrong per—when suddenly my mind was assaulted by hundreds of memories. Memories I tried to bury deeply within me.
Ignoring the weakness in my limbs, I strained to touch my face. The skin there was smooth, and although my face felt thinner, there wasn't the bumpy feeling of scars, much less the texture of bandages and what not.
"What's my name?" A chill crept over me. This situation was already beyond my expectations. What is going on? What is happening to me?!
"Roan Niel Jackson." Big Brother replied, looking troubled.
My breathing picked up, and a machine next to me let out a piercing wail.
The nurse exclaimed, "His breathing and heartbeat are too fast!"
"Roan!"
Concerned voices around me were calling out, but none of them were able to reach me... And before I knew it, everything turn dark once again...
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