WHITE WALLS AND WHITE COATS

Coldplay – White Shadows

All this noise, I'm waking up
All the space I'm taking up
All this sound is breaking up

Voices…

Strange incoherent voices…

It was all I could hear as the darkness continued to trap me. The shadows engulfing me completely and diminishing any hope for light to shred through. It wasn't terrifying – more unnerving with the numbness that I felt as my limbs were weighed down.

'…an increase in morphine…levels have rapidly increased…or weeks…"

For the past – well, I wasn't exactly sure about how many hours it had been. All I knew was that for a short while, my once deadened mind would now pick up a few of the words but then it would soon lose focus.

It was definitely frustrating and made my desire for release more potent. However, my eyelids weighed down my cheekbones, making it close to impossible.

"….she…time…we know…"

Another female voice joined in and something about it gave me a spark of strength. It was sufficient enough to have me wanting that freedom so badly that I gave another try. After being trapped here for what felt like months, I knew that I should act on any energy that was ignited.

Slowly and gradually, I felt the weight lessen as the burden was lifted. The darkness seemed to slowly wilt away and a small victorious smile crept up.

When my gaze flattered, trying to familiarise myself with the task. Unfortunately, my first attempt was a disappointment, as my eyes were assaulted with hot white fluorescent lights, practically blinding me and making me wish for the darkness' return.

"Bella?"

A strangely recognisable feminine voice exclaimed. The sound was quickly accompanied with an uncomfortable warmth spreading through me as my body was being embraced. Gentle hands wrapped around me but I couldn't return the cordiality as it felt alien and awkward.

When opening my eyes this time, I squinted and caught another flash of white. Only this time, it was a doctor's coat that swept into the room. My eyes then flickered down to the person holding me but all I could see was the top of their head. Their head was now resting on the nape of my neck so I could only look down at the short brown cropped locks and the red sweater and jeans combo she wore.

It was when I felt an odd dampness against my shoulder that I came to realise the woman was crying. Not just crying – sobs. All of which racked her desperate form as she quivered beneath me.

Something innate had me tentatively reaching up to pat her shoulder in what was supposed to be a soothing manner. It was the only comfort that I could think to give.

"S-sorry" she stammered in between sobs. Finally, she withdrew from me and looked up and I frowned, wondering why I felt something was missing. There was just something about her childish, coffee eyes and her thin pink lips that ignited something foreign within me. "I know how you are with tears and feelings" she teased with a dry laugh while her nails dug into my skin as she clutched at my frail hands.

I forced myself to remain calm and composed, not wanting to set her off again.

"I am just so h-ha-happy" she started to break again so she cupped a hand over her mouth to muffle her cry. "We were all so worried about you" the woman now dropped the hand to her chest while the other was occupied, trying to wipe away the tears.

I glanced at the doctor in the far corner, for help but he seemed to be lost in his own thoughts. My eyes then perused the whole room, taking in the sight of two small armchairs by the large blinds.

Why was I in a hospital?

Was I sick?

I shifted, feeling uneasy in the position but my movements stilled when I felt something small nip at my arm. When looking down, I found a small clear plastic cannula.

Feeling helpless and suddenly being drawn away from reality, I whipped my head up to the crying woman. A silent plead within my frantic eyes as I searched for an explanation.

However, there was a delay as the door was flung open. A policeman now stepped in with his hands holding two cups of coffee, which soon ended up crashing onto the ground as his reddened eyes met mine.

I worriedly glanced down at the mess that he made. His trousers were now soaked and the floor was slippery but it seemed like I was the only one who cared.

The policeman, who ironically littered, rushed over to me. "How long has she been awake?" he asked with a hysterical tone as he hastily sat on the other side of my bed.

Having him closer, made it easier for me to see him.

Again, I felt that unexplainable wistfulness as I looked up at the aged and wised brown eyes. They were several shades brighter than the woman's and rather than warmth, they held relief and distress. What stood out about him was his thick moustache and again, the musing returned. It was like there was something blaring at me but I was numbed to the obvious.

Not wanting to frustrate myself further, I shook it off and focused on trying to control my emotions as the dark haired doctor finally made himself known. Maybe he could offer some insight as to why I was in hospital…

Oh and maybe the policeman was here to clear everything up and get a statement…but statement for what?

"Well, young lady, you certainly have made a miraculous recovery" he began with a kind smile, taking a few steps towards me and the people ranking my sides. "I understand that things may be very confusing right now but we'll get that cleared up, shall we?" he continued, trying to appease me which appreciated.

Unknowingly, my hand flew up to cup my sore throat, silently massaging it because the raw burn became sore. "Can I have some water please?" I croaked, frowning at the sound of my strained voice.

"Of course" the woman next to me was quick to answer. She then stretched over, filling one of the plastic cups with some water before turning back to me. Her hands outstretched and her warm smile widened, seeming happy to be put to the task.

Was she my nurse?

"Thank you…" I muttered nervously, "Miss…?" I trailed off, waiting for her to fill in the blank.

However, my own perplexity now rivalled hers. Her eyebrows knitted together and she seemed lost when craning her head towards the doctor. "Miss?" she whispered in both disgust and bewilderment; like the word itself was so foreign to her.

Had I offended her?

The doctor was now standing at the foot of the bed. The smile having vanished from his features while an awkward silence took its toll while we all waited for the doctor to guide us. His eyes now fearful and anxious when he languidly met my curious stare again. "Isabella…" he began with newfound caution in his tone. "Do you know where you are?" he questioned slowly and almost patronisingly.

"The hospital" I shrugged, finding it peculiar that he would ask me that.

He nodded appraisingly and a small smile tugged at the corner of his lips. "Good" he gulped nervously and then used the same condescending tone from before. "Now, do you know why you're here?"

I shook my head indignantly. "I – I can't" I stammered, angry at myself for not knowing the answer such a simple question. I felt weak – vulnerable and completely and utterly lost. "My head's too fuzzy and i-it's all just…" the sentence remained unfinished as I grasped a handful of my hair, trying to bring the memories back.

Maybe I got drunk?

Ha!

My subconscious laughed at me – finding amusement in the very idea.

"That's alright" the doctor tried to appease me with one of his benign smiles. Though, it didn't last too long as a stern look now hardened his expression. "Now, Isabella…" he kept his set gaze trained onto me and aired determination when continuing his interrogation. "Do you know who these people are?" he asked, gesturing towards the man and woman ranking my sides.

I grimaced and gave a casual and fleeting glance between the two. "Should I?"

My reply was answered with two surprised gasps and I panickly whipped my head between the two people beside me. The stony policeman now had a broken mask that slipped, revealing a lone stray tear that rolled down his cheek. His bloodshot eyes trained onto me as he…assessed me? Something about his intent stare had me glancing at the other woman but left me immediately wishing I hadn't. She was now using both hands to cover her mouth while heart-wrenching sobs left her.

She no longer looked at me and somehow, that had the power to bring tears to my eyes. "I – I don't think so" I amended, looking around in destitute and great despair.

I swallowed down the guilt because I knew that I had nothing to be guilty of.

Right?

The woman finally brought herself up to stare at me and I wished I could look away from her. Her eyes were glassy and she seemed genuinely heartbroken by my reply. "Come on, Bella, you must remember me" she pleaded and I wished I could give her the answer she wanted. I wished that I could lie to her and erase whatever pain she felt…

…but I knew I couldn't.

"I'm sorry, no"

A/N: What do you think?

How will Damon fit into all of this?