The sound of the monitor beeping jarred me awake and I gasped for breath, a strange contraption firmly pressed against my face. My hands were bound with intricate patterns of medical tape while wires trailed from monitors to various points on my body.
I slowly scanned my surroundings and panic began to rise in my throat. Where was I? Machines blinked and hummed in different shades of reds, yellows, and blues while stacks of paperwork littered every surface.
The door opened suddenly and a Doctor rushed in, glancing over each machine before carefully studying me. His eyes quickly assessed the situation as he scribbled something onto the clipboard he held.
Trying to adjust to the bright light streaming in through the window, I notice the doctor's cobalt-blue eyes studying me intently as he speaks. His gentle yet professional tone filled the room and his hand patted my shoulder reassuringly. He removed the oxygen mask from my face, allowing me to catch a glimpse of his salt-and-pepper hair.
"Please try not to be afraid," he said softly. "You have been unconscious for several weeks now, and although we have managed to stabilize your vitals somewhat, it is still too early to determine if there has been any long-term damage." His words caused fear to well up inside me as memories of a demonic figure looming over me flooded back into my mind like an avalanche. I wanted to speak but my mouth was so dry that all that came out were broken syllables.
"Where.... Is... Will?" I stammered, feeling tears rising at the edges of my eyes ready to break free.
The Doctor's furrowed brows and deep-set eyes showed his concern as he stepped closer to me. His voice softened as he spoke, "I think you should talk to your family first."
I shook my head vehemently as tears threatened to spill from my swollen eyes. My throat was clogged with emotion, but I managed to whisper, "No, please tell me."
He hesitated for a few moments before finally giving in. His voice dropped even lower and his eyes filled with sadness. "I'm sorry," he said, barely above a whisper. "Will didn't make it."
My heart felt like it had been torn apart as tears streamed down my face uncontrollably. I couldn't believe that the man who had filled my life with so much love was now gone forever.
The doctor placed a hand on my shoulder, offering what little comfort he could as I tried to wrap my head around the news. Memories of our time together flashed before me like old movies playing on repeat in my mind. His laughter, his gentle touch, and the way he looked at me with such adoration - it was all gone now.
I felt lost, alone, and broken beyond repair. Will had been everything to me; without him, life seemed empty and meaningless.
My throat felt like gravel as the words tumbled out of me. "What about the thing that did this?" I gasped, trying to catch my breath.
"What thing?" The doctor's brow furrowed.
"That hideous monster," I choked out, struggling to stay conscious.
The doctor's expression turned solemn. "The police don't have any leads. But I assure you, the police are looking for the person responsible as we speak." He paused and looked away, his shoulders sagging. "I'm so sorry for your loss."
"A person?" I shook my head frantically. "That thing wasn't a person. It had horns!" Panic laced my voice as I struggled to make him believe me. "It killed my boyfriend!"
The doctor exchanged a worried glance with the nurse hovering nearby before turning back to me with a sympathetic smile. "You've been through a traumatic experience, and it's not uncommon for survivors to hallucinate or imagine things that weren't there," he said gently. "But rest assured, the police will do everything they can to find whoever is responsible."
I slumped back against the pillows, exhausted from the effort of talking. Was I losing my mind? Had the shock of what had happened finally driven me over the edge?
As if reading my thoughts, the doctor patted my hand reassuringly. "Rest now," he said softly. "You're safe here."
I clamped my eyes shut, desperately trying to erase the image of Will's crumpled body from my mind. Tears streamed down my face as I remembered the searing pain of his wounds- wounds that seemed more deadly than anything a human could survive.
I heard a noise and opened my eyes. My parents were standing in the doorway, their faces etched with worry. Dad rushed over to my side while Mom lingered near the door, her tear-streaked cheeks indicating she hadn't been able to get much rest.
"How are you feeling?" Dad asked gently as he sat beside me on the bed. "We're so glad you're still here."
"I'm okay," I lied weakly, though inside I was empty without Will.
"The doctor told us about Will," said Mom in a quiet voice. She reached out and grasped my hands in hers, her eyes red-rimmed and puffy from crying. "I'm so sorry, honey." The lump in my throat grew larger as I felt her sorrow mingling with mine.
I stayed silent, my throat thickening from unshed tears. I was relieved that they understood the magnitude of my anguish; my soul felt heavy and I no longer had to pretend everything was alright when in truth, nothing would ever be the same again.
My father cleared his throat and took a deep breath before asking, "What happened to your necklace Sam?"
The words sent me spiraling into a panic as I desperately searched around me for it. My heart dropped as I realized it was gone, remembering it being with me when Will...when everything happened.
"It's okay baby," my mom soothed, placing a supportive hand on my shoulder. "We can always replace it."
"But it was a family heirloom," I choked out, fresh tears streaming down my cheeks.
"Hun, it's okay. That is replaceable you are not."
My dad's reassuring words washed over me like a warm blanket, but they couldn't numb the cold sting of reality. My mom squeezed my hand and her twinkling blue eyes showed a depth of worry that she couldn't hide anymore. She bent down and kissed me on the forehead like she used to when I was younger. She told me that I need to rest. My dad nodded his agreement and hugged me tightly before standing up. His strong arms seemed to almost be protecting me from something unseen. "You do need rest Sam, we will be back in the morning," he said, giving me one last smile before turning to leave. I felt exhausted, mentally and physically drained, but my heart still clung to the hope that all this was just a dream.