Weeks had passed since she'd woken up, and now Natalya sat on the examination table, hands folded in her lap, watching the doctor scribble notes onto his clipboard. The sterile scent of antiseptic lingered in the air, sharp and unsettling, making her nose twitch. The room was small and clinical—white walls, cold metal cabinets, and a monitor quietly ticking off her vitals.

"You seem to be recovering well physically," the doctor said, adjusting his glasses as he studied her chart. "Your reflexes are intact. Aside from some lingering weakness, you should regain full mobility soon."

She nodded absentmindedly, barely absorbing his words. Recovering? How could she be recovering when she had no memory of who she was?

The nurse, who had been there before, stood by the counter, clipboard in hand. "Do you still have no recollection of anything before waking up?" she asked, her voice gentle.

Natalya shook her head. "No."

The doctor sighed. "That's not uncommon. We'll continue to monitor your condition. Sometimes, memories return in pieces—flashes, sensations, or dreams. But sometimes... they don't return at all."

Natalya's fingers tightened around the edges of the paper gown, her mind racing. "And if they don't?"

The doctor hesitated before answering. "Then you move forward."

The words hung in the air, hollow and unconvincing. Move forward? How could she move forward when she had no idea what she was leaving behind?

The doctor set his clipboard aside, folding his hands. "We're discharging you today. There's no medical reason to keep you here any longer. However, we strongly recommend you have someone stay with you."

She blinked in surprise. "Stay with? I... don't even know if I have anyone."

The nurse shifted uneasily. "We checked your records, but unfortunately, no one has come forward as your emergency contact—not yet, at least."

A cold, unfamiliar ache settled deep in her chest. No one? Shouldn't there be someone? Wasn't someone supposed to be looking for me?

The doctor cleared his throat. "The police have an open case regarding your accident, and they wish to speak with you. They may have more information when they meet with you later. But for now, we're giving you a referral to a specialist, and we can help arrange temporary housing if needed."

Natalya nodded, but the words barely registered. No family. No friends. No one looking for me. The thought settled in her stomach like a stone.

Brushing it aside, she forced herself to move. "Thank you, Doctor, for everything," she said, her voice steadier than she felt. Then, without another word, she stood up and walked toward the door.

Natalya walked back to her room her mind still in haze. As soon as she opened the door she was met with Nurse Julie whom she have gotten close with.

"There you are," she said gently. "I've got your discharge papers ready, and I brought some fresh clothes for you."

Natalya nodded, murming, "Thank you."

Julie handed her a neatly folded set of clothes. A simple black sweater, jeans, a pair of sneakers and some undergarments. "They're not much, but they should be comfortable than the hospital gown."

"Its okay," Natalya said smiling slightly.

"Good. I'll be outside. Just call me if you need anything," Julie said before stepping out of the room.

Natalya waited until the door clicked shut before letting out a slow breath. She removed the gown, and wore the undergarments first and then unfolded the sweater, slipping it over her head. The fabric was soft against her skin, unfamiliar yet oddly comforting. She pulled on the jeans next, adjusting them around her waist. They fit well enough, though they felt strange.

She sat on the edge of the bed, exhaling slowly. The hospital room, which had become her only reality for the past few weeks, suddenly felt suffocating. She wasn't sure what waited for her outside these walls, but staying here wasn't an option.

Her gaze drifted to the small plastic bag beside her. Inside were the belongings she'd woken up to—a red tank top, blue jeans, her ID card and the piece of paper.

Cabin on Willow Creek Road.
Turn left after the old bridge, three miles in.

What is that place?

A soft knock at the door pulled her from her thoughts.

"All done?" Julie's voice came through the door.

"Yeah," Natalya called back, standing up.

Julie stepped inside, holding her phone.

"I charged this for you but I don't think you can open it without the password," Julie said and "Natalya frowned slightly as she took the phone.

"Are you okay?" Julie asked, studying her expression.

Natalya quickly shoved the phone into her pocket and forced a small smile. "Yeah. Just... a little nervous, I guess."

Julie smiled kindly. "That's understandable. But you'll be okay. Take things one step at a time. And this is my phone number. Feel free to call me whenever you want." She said handing the piece of paper to Natalya.

Natalya nodded, gripping the paper tightly as she followed Julie out of the room.

As Natalya followed Julie down the hall, a strange mix of unease and anticipation settled in her chest. The hospital had been the only place she'd known since waking up—cold, sterile, and filled with unanswered questions. But now, she was stepping into the unknown.

As they neared the exit, a pair of uniformed officers stood waiting by the glass doors. The taller of the two, a man with graying hair and a firm stance, glanced up at her approach. His sharp eyes studied her carefully, while the younger officer beside him offered a polite but unreadable expression.

"Natalya," Julie said softly, placing a comforting hand on her shoulder. "These officers wanted to speak with you before you leave."

Natalya swallowed, nodding.

The older officer stepped forward, flashing his badge. "Detective Harris. This is Officer Reed," he said, motioning to the younger man. "We're with the Ashton Hills Police Department."

Ashton Hills.

"We'd hoped to speak with you sooner," Harris continued, "but given your condition, we decided to wait until you were stable." He studied her for a beat. "Do you mind answering a few questions?"

Natalya hesitated, glancing at Julie, who gave her a reassuring nod. "If you need me, just look at me I'll come. For now I'll stay over there." She said pointing to a nearby chair, giving Natalya the space she might need.

"Of course," she said, though her voice was quieter than she intended.

"Let's sit," Harris gestured to a nearby bench in the lobby. Natalya followed, her heartbeat quickening as she lowered herself onto the seat.

Reed pulled out a small notepad, pen poised. "Do you remember anything about the night of your accident?"

Natalya exhaled slowly. "No," she admitted. "I don't even remember having an accident."

Harris exchanged a glance with Reed before continuing. "You were found unconscious on the side of a backroad just outside of Ashton Hills. With just the clothes you were wearing along with your ID."

Natalya's fingers twitched slightly. No phone? But she had a phone now. Had someone given it to her afterward?

"Was there any sign of..." she hesitated, "violence?"

Reed shifted uncomfortably, but Harris remained impassive. "Nothing conclusive. There were no obvious signs of struggle, no witnesses. Just you—alone in the middle of nowhere."

Natalya's stomach twisted. Alone in the middle of nowhere? That didn't sound right. But then again, what did?

"We were hoping something might've come back to you by now," Reed added.

Natalya shook her head. "I wish I could help, but I don't remember anything."

Harris studied her for a long moment, then nodded. "We're keeping the case open. If anything—anything—comes back to you, call us." He reached into his coat pocket and handed her a card.

She took it, her fingers brushing over the embossed name.

Detective Harris
Ashton Hills PD

Natalya nodded, slipping the card into her pocket. "Thank you."

Harris stood. "Be careful, Miss Natalya. If you need protection or assistance, don't hesitate to reach out."

Natalya frowned. "Protection? Do you think I'm in danger?"

Harris didn't answer immediately. "We don't know yet. But until we do... just stay aware of your surroundings."

A chill ran down her spine and she looked at Julie.

Julie, sensing her unease, came towards her. "Come on, I'll walk you out."

Natalya stood, nodding one last time to the officers before following Julie through the exit.

But before she could go out, she rushed back in.

"Officers... I'm sorry but did someone come looking for me at least?" she asked staring at them.

Harris and Reed exchanged a glance at Natalya's sudden question. The silence stretched just long enough to make her uneasy before Harris finally answered.

"No," he said, his voice steady but laced with something unreadable. "No one has come forward asking for you."

Natalya's stomach sank. She had been holding onto the fragile hope that maybe—just maybe—there was someone out there looking for her. But hearing it confirmed like that... it felt like a door slamming shut.

"I see," she murmured, forcing herself to nod.

Harris studied her for a moment, then softened his tone. "That doesn't mean there isn't someone, Natalya. It just means we haven't found them yet."

Yet.

She clung to that word as she turned back toward Julie, feeling the weight of uncertainty settle over her shoulders.

And then, without another word, she stepped outside.

As the hospital doors slid open, cold air rushed against her skin, sharp and bracing.

And for the first time in weeks, she stepped outside.

Into the unknown.

Word count- 1521