**Indistinct chattering**
I struggled to open my eyes as faint voices echoed in the background, fading in and out. My eyelids feel heavy and painful, but I forced them open.
"Where am I?"
I muttered weakly, staring up at the IV drip hanging beside me. Rolling my eyes downward, I saw someone sleeping soundly, her head resting near my legs.
As I tried to sit up, my body refused to cooperate, feeling numb and unresponsive. "What's happening to me?" I whispered, lightly tapping the bed with my palm.
The person sleeping stirred and rubbed her eyes. It was Cassandra, my best friend from college.
At first, she didn't notice me, but when she saw my opened eyes, she let out a laugh of relief.
"You're awake, Maria!" She jumped up, rushing out of the room while shouting,
"Doctor! Doctor!" Her excitement echoed through the hall, confirming my suspicion—I was in a hospital.
She could've talked to me first before running off like that, I thought, glancing around the room. There was no other bed, which meant I was alone here.
Moments later, Cassandra returned with a doctor and two nurses. She stood by the door, watching anxiously as they attended to me.
The doctor checked my pulse and other vitals. After finishing, he turned to Cassandra.
"She's out of danger now, but we'll still run some tests to ensure she's fully recovered."
"Can she speak?" Cassandra asked worriedly.
Then the doctor faced me. "Can you try to say something?"
I opened my mouth, but no sound came out. I tried again, forcing it, but still nothing.
"What's wrong with her voice?" Cassandra's concern deepened.
"It's likely due to the shock and trauma she experienced. Her body is still recovering, which explains the numbness she's feeling," the doctor explained.
I blinked in acknowledgment, silently agreeing with his diagnosis.
"Don't worry. She'll regain her full strength and speech within the next three hours," he assured her.
"Thank you, doctor."
The doctor instructed the nurses to check my IV and administer some medication before leaving the room. Once the nurses finished, they left as well, leaving Cassandra and me alone.
She sat beside me, gently massaging my legs while smiling reassuringly.
I wasn't in the mood for comfort. All I wanted was to see my parents and make sure they were okay. Though I tried to remember what had happened, my mind remained blank.
"I'll go get some fruits for you. I'll be right back!" Cassandra said cheerfully, snapping me out of my thoughts.
As she opened the door to leave, I caught sight of two police officers standing outside.
I didn't dwell on it much; it seemed normal given the circumstances. Still, a faint unease crept over me.
Left alone, I forced myself to sleep, hoping to escape the troubling thoughts.
When I woke up, I glanced at the clock on the wall. It was past four in the evening.
I looked around the room, but there was no sign of Cassandra. Sitting up slowly, I noticed my left arm wrapped tightly in a white bandage.
"You're awake?" Cassandra's voice startled me. She stood in the doorway, holding a basket full of fruits.
"Where are my parents?" I asked immediately, my voice hoarse but steady.
Her expression shifted instantly, her cheerful demeanor replaced with a look of sadness.
I frowned, sensing something was wrong. Without answering, she placed the basket on the table and began unpacking it.
"Which fruit would you like first?" she asked, avoiding my gaze.
Frustrated, I grabbed her wrist. "Answer me, Cassie! Where are my parents?"
Her hesitation was shown on her face. "I—I don't know, Maria. I haven't asked the doctor because I've been here with you for the past three days."
"Three days?" My voice rose in disbelief. "What do you mean, three days?"
"You've been unconscious for three days. I came here as soon as I heard about the accident."
Releasing her wrist, I slumped back against the bed, stunned. My mind raced, piecing together fragments of memory.
"Maria, are you okay?" Cassandra's voice broke through my thoughts, but before I could respond, the door opened again.
Bernard and his father, Beta Gilbert, entered the room.
Seeing Bernard filled me with anger, but I held it in. His absence at our engagement was still fresh in my mind, and knowing that the engagement had led to the accident only deepened my resentment.
He stood beside his father, his long black hair and coarse beard giving him a rugged appearance. His forced smile revealed his deceitful nature.
I tore my gaze away from him and focused on Beta Gilbert. "Sir, where are my parents?"
"Calm down, Maria. Your health is our priority right now. We'll talk about everything soon," Beta Gilbert said soothingly.
His words only fueled my anxiety. I was about to press further when Bernard interrupted.
"They're dead," he said coldly.
His bluntness hit me like a punch. Beta Gilbert and Cassandra looked at him in shock, clearly unprepared for his harsh delivery.
The room spun as my mind struggled to process his words. My parents—gone? It felt impossible, cruel. They were strong, kind, and resilient. How could they just... vanish?
"Get a grip and move on," Bernard added, his tone devoid of empathy.
How could he be so heartless? My fists clenched, but I lacked the strength to confront him.
"Bernard, that's enough!" Cassandra snapped, glaring at him.
"I'm just being realistic. She needs to accept the truth and move on," he retorted, indifferent to the pain he was causing.
"Enough, both of you!" Beta Gilbert's voice silenced them. Then he turned to me. "Maria, I have to go now. Please don't dwell on this too much. I'll check on you tomorrow."
I nodded weakly, and he left the room. Bernard, clearly uncomfortable under my glare, quickly followed his father.
As soon as they were gone, Cassandra approached me. "Maria—"
"I want to be alone," I interrupted, my voice flat.
Without argument, she left, leaving me in silence.
Lying back down, I closed my eyes and tried to piece together what had happened. Images of the accident flickered in my mind, growing clearer with each passing second.
Suddenly, a vivid memory flashed before me. My eyes flew open, and I sat up abruptly, heart pounding.
"Yes, I saw him!" I whispered, trembling...