Eight Years Gone

My innocence was shattered long before I was old enough to fully understand. I was young, probably eight when the men stormed into my house and took my mom, shooting my dad and leaving me stunned. I didnt know. I spent three days by myself in the house, unaware of what was going on or what I should have done. On the fourth day, the men came back. I think they expected me to be gone, my dad buried, and our house empty. Instead, they found me curled up in the corner of my room, my dad still dead in the kitchen floor, and a lot of possibilities.

They took me. I was brought to a different house. My mom was there, but she looked terrible. Her left eye was swollen shut, her lip busted, and her shirt dirty and ripped along with her shorts. She was broken. I was in that house for a week. The men took my innocence. I was but a game to them.

After a week, they dumped me into the river. I was weak, my breathing shallow, and my vision swarming in and out. I remember waking up in someones arms as they ran. I didnt know where I was going, where I was, or who the boy carrying me was. I dont think I cared at that point.

They said I was in a coma for eight years.

Yesterday, I woke up for the first time and they asked me what I recalled. So, I told them the story of how I watched a group of men kill my father, snatch my mother and leave me to myself. Then I told the doctor how they came back, took me, raped me, and then dumped me into the river. I told them about the boy who found me. I still dont know who he is, but the doctors had shared a look like they knew, and me, Im still clearly confused.

I lay here, my mind drifting as I try to think of what year it is, or even how old I am. Im obviously no eight year old girl anymore. Even after being asleep for so long, my mind has matured. I feel older, but how old?

Miss Holt. The Doctor grasps my attention.

Yes?

The exams have come back. You appear completely fine. Were still unsure why you went into the coma for so long, but were guessing that youre young body and mind couldnt hold the trauma, so your body shut down.

Only half of that I actually understand. I nod along anyway.

Regardless, I can assume youre confused over where you are how old you are, etc., so Ill go ahead and tell you. Miss Holt, you are sixteen, were in the year 2012, and youre in London.

London?

I remember vaguely that I grew up here. Well, maybe? I dont even know.

Yes, youve grown up here. Since youre not a legal adult yet, we have to find you a foster family.

What about the boy, sir? Can I please know who he is?

The Doctor glances down at the clipboard, avoiding my eyes. I sigh. I guess I wont know.

Ill go ask him if hes comfortable coming to talk to you. The Doctor finally murmurs.

Wait, the boy is here? I sit up straighter. I wonder who he is. What if hes super handsome? What if hes really old? I doubt that though, because if I remember correctly, he was only a year or two older than me when he was carrying me. Why do I remember that?

Theres a small knock on the door, drawing me out of my thoughts. I turn to meet the warm brown eyes looking me over. Not in a perverted way of course, but more in a needing to know if Im okay kind of way. I force a small smile to my lips, taking in his semi-spiky brown hair, his muscular arms in his grey T-shirt and black jeans. What do I say to someone as handsome as this? As far as I can tell, he must be eighteen or nineteen too.

Hey, how are you feeling? His voice is lovely, average but definitely masculine.

I shrug. I dont even know.

The Doctors say thats normal. Can you remember anything?

I nod. I remember everything from before blacking out, and now, nothing. But, I guess thats because Ive been asleep for eight years.

Yeah, youve missed a lot. But well fix that.

You saved my life. I say. But I dont even know you. Can you tell me what happened?

He shuffles his feet slightly, before walking towards my bed. He takes a seat in the chair next to me, gazing at me in curiosity.

First of all, my name is Liam. Secondly, I was walking home from my best friends house the day I found you. At first, I wasnt sure if I should go check it out, but curiosity got the best of me. Im glad I did too, because when I saw your broken body, beaten and so blue from the freezing water, I wasnt sure if you were even alive. Then, I saw your chest rising and falling, so I just picked you up and ran as fast as I could to the hospital.

That was eight years ago. I murmur.

Its frightening, knowing I have this huge gap in my life, where I missed out on everything. Most of the stuff Ill have to learn. Im like a child in a teens body. Even though my mind is matured as well, I still feel young and vulnerable.