Chapter 1
Alex felt the faintest twitch in her fingers. A flicker of life in a body that had forgotten how to move. It was the only thing she could do. She had been sitting in darkness for as long as she could remember, trapped in silence, crying without tears.
Suddenly, a glimmer of light broke through the void. A small, impossible beam that felt like hope.
Her eyelids lifted slowly, heavy as iron. Her body felt like a mountain pressing down on her. Beneath her skin, she felt a soft, foamy surface. Confusion swirled through her weary mind.
Where am I?
The light from above pierced her vision. She flinched, shutting her eyes again. The reaction drained her; her body and mind froze.
When she finally opened them again, the ceiling lights seemed gentler, though the air smelled faintly of antiseptic.
Why am I on a bed? I should be on my flight by now.
My gallery exhibition is just a week away.
She tried to move, but her brain’s commands stopped somewhere between thought and muscle. Panic simmered beneath her ribs.
Turning her head, she noticed white walls, an aluminum door, and a narrow bench by the far wall. The window blinds were partly open and beyond them, was darkness.
To her left, cords and wires snaked into her arm, leading to a heart monitor that beeped steadily beside her. Realization hit her like cold water.
A hospital.
The door opened. A nurse in a short white gown walked in, eyes glued to her phone. She didn’t notice Alex watching until she reached for the IV drip and screamed.
The scream jolted Alex’s body awake. She yanked the needle from her skin, gasping as if she’d run a race.
Meanwhile, the nurse bolted from the room, shouting for the doctor.
Alex scanned the sterile room, searching for answers. Her head throbbed as fragments of memory danced just out of reach.
What happened? Did I fall? Did I faint?
Moments later, a doctor rushed in, the same nurse trailing behind. He stared at Alex in disbelief.
“Miss Alex, this is a miracle,” he said. “How do you feel? Any pain? Can you...?”
“I’m fine,” she interrupted, trying to lift her left hand. It trembled, barely moving. “But I can’t feel my legs.”
The doctor’s face softened. “You need to relax. Lie back. Let me check a few things, alright?”
She obeyed. It felt right, somehow.
“Can I see my mum?” she whispered.
“She’s on her way,” he said. “Almost here.”
Exhaustion swept over her like a tide. Even talking drained her. Her head sank into the pillow, and she drifted back into darkness.
When Alex opened her eyes again, sunlight from the open blinds stabbed at them. She tried to shut them back, but the door crashed opened. The sound sent a jolt through her ears.
“Alex, my child!” her mother’s voice broke through.
“Mummy...” Alex whispered.
Her mother ran to her, wrapping her in a fierce hug. The doctor cleared his throat gently, signaling Alex’s mother to ease up on the embrace.
“Mum, you’re choking me,” Alex managed, smiling weakly.
“Why wouldn’t I?” her mother cried. “I thought I’d lost you forever.”
Alex laughed softly. “I must’ve fallen or something. I’m fine now. Can you book another flight for me, please? The exhibition is next week.”
Silence. The monitor’s beeping filled the room.
Everyone stared at her. Her mother, the nurse, even the doctor, as if she’d spoken in another language.
“What’s the last thing you remember, Miss Alex?” the doctor asked carefully.
“Getting ready for my flight,” she said. “Why?”
“You had an accident on your way to the airport,” her mother said, her voice breaking.
Alex blinked. “An accident? But I don’t have any injuries.”
Dr. Wilson sighed. “You experienced severe trauma. You’ve suffered temporary amnesia. It’s just your brain’s protecting you from the shock of what happened.”
Alex’s gaze dropped to her legs under the blanket. She tried to move them. Nothing.
“I can’t feel my legs,” she uttered.
“Yes, you mentioned last night” the doctor said calmly.
“And?” Her tone was cold, brittle.
Her mother sat on the bed, close to her legs. “Dr Wilson” she said, motioning for him to speak.
“We ran some tests,” Dr. Wilson said gently.
“Your spine went into a shock after the impact. It’ll take some time but you’ll ...”
“So I can’t walk again?” Alex cut him off.
“You will walk again in Jesus’ name,” her mother declared, clutching her.
Dr. Wilson nodded softly. “You will. With therapy, faith, and time. You’ll definitely walk again. You survived a terrible accident, Alex. You were in a coma for a long time.” He paused, then added quickly. “If you’ll excuse me, I’ll leave you and your mother now. I have some other patients to attend to.”
The doctor left quietly, giving them privacy.
Alex turned to her mother. “Mummy, how long was I in a coma?”
Her mother hesitated, her lips trembling.
“Does that even matter?” she whispered, brushing Alex’s hair back.
“Yes, Mum,” Alex said. “Tell me.”
Her mother’s eyes filled again. “Six years. You’ve been gone for six years, Alex.”
Alex froze.
Six years?? Six freaking years???
Her mother collapsed into her arms, sobbing. Alex held her tightly, staring at the light pouring through the window.
A light she hadn’t seen in years.
