Dr. Beck came from around the counter, followed closely by a few nurses. Eddie rushed to my side.
“She’s awake!” I demanded again, pointing at the door.
Doctors and nurses ran into the room. Even the officer stationed at the door went inside.
“What happened?” Eddie implored, looking me over for injury.
“She grabbed me,” I said. “And she…” My voice trailed away. Eddie was watching me, encouraging me to finish.
He loves Sadie. Not you. You aren’t Sadie.
Her words suddenly hit me like a ton of bricks. I stumbled back, my knees suddenly weak.
“Amnesia…” Eddie worried, catching me by the arms, supporting all my weight. “What happened in there?” he asked again, lifting me into his arms.
I pressed my face into his chest. Tears squeezed out from the corners and ran crookedly down my face. Why would she say something so horrible to me? Hadn’t she already taken enough?
Now she wanted to take my identity. My future.
Dr. Beck came back out into the hall, a frown darkening his features.
“Well?” I demanded.
“I’m sorry, but her condition is unchanged. Are you sure she became responsive?”
“She grabbed me!” I insisted. “She spoke!”
“What did she say?” Eddie asked, concerned.
I looked up into his blue eyes, his patient, caring face. I knew he told me it didn’t matter who I was… but what if it did? What if I told him what Widow West said and it changed everything?
Worse yet, what if she was lying, trying one last time to hurt me, and I really was Sadie, just like I remembered?
So many unknowns.
“I…” I glanced at Dr. Beck. He too was waiting for an answer. “I couldn’t understand what she said. It was more like moaning.”
Yes, I lied. But hadn’t I earned the right to lie if it meant protecting myself?
“I see,” Dr. Beck remarked. “Perhaps she did move, but she is still catatonic. I’m afraid she won’t be able to answer any questions at this time.”
I nodded.
“You should go back to your room. Rest.” Dr. Beck gazed at me with concern. I guess I’d earned the look. “I think it’s best you stay away from her from now on.”
“I think you’re right,” I told him.
“I’ll let you know if her condition changes.” He promised.
“Thank you,” Eddie said and carried me back to our room.
Once inside, he laid me on the bed, climbed in behind me, and fitted his body along mine.
“What did she really say to you in there?” he whispered, brushing his fingertips down my arm.
I paused, lifting my head to glance over my shoulder at him.
He smiled, kissing my shoulder. “I know my girl.”
“So you do,” I muttered, laying my head back down.
“She upset you.”
“Yeah, she did.” I admitted. “She just keeps trying to take things away.”
“I won’t let her, sweetheart.” He promised, settling closer against me. I tugged his arm so it was tighter around my waist. I couldn’t lose this. Him.
“I’m not ready to talk about it,” I told him.
His reply was simple and accepting. “Then we won’t.”
A few moments later, my voice filled the room. “I love you, Eddie. So much.”
“I love you, too, baby,” he replied.
“This isn’t over yet.” I tried in my own way to warn him. I wasn’t even quite sure what I was warning him about.
“I know.”
“I’m scared,” I acknowledged, the words that I might not be the girl he lost after all on the very tip of my tongue.
Eddie rose, my back flattened on the bed. Our eyes met and held. I searched for something in his stare that might prove the deep-rooted fear the widow somehow planted. I didn’t see anything but love there.
“Don’t be scared,” he murmured, rubbing my cheekbone with his knuckles. “We’re together, and as long as we are, everything is going to be just fine.”
“Promise me.” I urged, grabbing his hand and squeezing.
“Cross my heart,” he said seriously. He mouthed the words I love you.
I believed him. I knew he loved me. I felt it. Hope, the emotion I remembered after I’d forgotten it all, welled up inside me, growing in strength with the look of love in Eddie’s gaze.
Maybe he was right. Maybe as long as we were together, everything would turn out just fine.
I smiled. He lay down, and I snuggled into his chest.
Even though he’d made me feel more at ease, the widow’s words still haunted my thoughts.
You aren’t Sadie.
I couldn’t help but wonder if she was right. If I would ever know the truth. And if I wasn’t Sadie…
Who was I really?