Page 1

Prologue

August 15, 2010

My eyes opened wide, catching blurred images of faces dangling over my head. Voices swam through my ears, drawing me out of my sleepy haze. I wasn't sure how many, but whoever was around me was speaking so softly I couldn't hear what they were saying.

Where am I? Who is that?

Blinking rapidly, I lifted my fists to my eyes and rubbed them into focus, pulling the doubled image back into one.

A face lowered, hanging just above my nose, as a set of deep blue eyes began to emerge, turning from fuzzy orbs into crystal clear pools. His face was serious and concerned as he slipped his hands under my shoulders and sat me upright. “Honey, are you alright?” the older man asked, worry highlighting the sound of his voice.

“I. . . I don't know. I think so.” Forcing my vision to steady, I looked around, trying to figure out where I was. I didn't have a clue, nothing really looked familiar.

There were tall trees swaying above me, their long arms waving and bouncing against the bright skyline. A cool breeze bristled my skin, forcing a shiver to run from head to toe. Rubbing my hands up and down my arms, I shook my head, trying to understand what was happening.

“Why. . . Who. . .” I spoke the words quietly, barely a whisper against my tongue. I was so confused, trapped in a world that was spinning on its axis. My head began to throb as the tree tops and clouds all swirled together making me feel dizzy. Scrunching my brows, I tried to drudge up one single memory that led me to this place.

But there were no words or thoughts, nothing that jumped out to give me answers. The urge to stand roared in my head, and that was the only thing I wanted to do. I had to get up. I needed to stand.

Shifting, I pushed my hands into the cold ground, using all the effort I had to rise to my feet. Damp grass squished between my fingers, and water logged dirt soiled my palms. Clutching the mud, I dug my nails in, begging for the earth to show me why I was there.

I'm outside? Why am I outside?

How did I get here?

Bending my legs, I grunted, attempting to climb to my feet. But a nauseous rumble turned my stomach, forcing me to keel over and grab my belly.

“I think I'm going to throw up.” Gagging, I fell back, muscles shaking as if I had forgotten how to use them. I felt weak and shaky, like I had suffered a battle with an illness that devoured me from the inside out while I slept.

What happened? Why am I here?

A million questions filled my brain, but I was left empty and answer-less. There were no memories flooding in, no pictures of past movements that led me to where I was.Nothing.

“Easy now, easy, don't move to fast.” The man gripped my shoulders, holding me steady. Drifting his gaze around my body, he scanned up and down. “Are you hurt? Do you feel any pain anywhere?”

Rocking my wrists, I moved my arms and hands in slow circles. Wriggling my feet, I bent my knees up and down. “I don't think so. I just feel like I'm going to be sick.”

“That's alright, if you need to puke, puke. As long as you're not hurt, that's all I care about right now. Are you sure you're not injured?” Shaking my head yes, he lifted the back of his hand to my face and touched my cheek, slowly moving up to my forehead. “You don't feel like you have a fever. Can you tell me what happened? How did you get here?”

Racking my brain, I tried to round up my memories. I was drawing a blank. Closing my eyes, I pinched my nose, dipping my head into my chest. “Uh, I'm not sure. I can't remember what happened. Where am I exactly?”

“You're in the woods behind my house.” The man watched me cautiously, moving his hand to my shoulder. “I'm Nick, can you tell me your name?”

“My name. . . Uh, my name's. . .”

What's my name?

I can't remember my name. . . Why can't I remember my name?!

Lifting my eyes to his, I watched his expression harden as concern and worry drenched his face. Thick lines creased his forehead, and bushy brows crawled up towards his hairline like caterpillars. I could tell by the way he stared at me that my lack of memory wasn't a good thing.

That worried me. What could have happened to cause everything in my brain to disappear?

I should know the answer to his question without having to think about it at all. But all I could hear in my head was wind and dust blowing tumble weeds through an empty cavern.

Clearing his face of any distress, he spoke soft and slow. “Do you know your name, Sweetheart?”

Shaking my head no, tears started to fill my eyes. “I. . . I can't remember.”