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"My doctor?" I asked

"No, not exactly," she said "Don't worry about all those details Just do what they tell you to do and you'll get better sooner than you think," she said "For nohat you need the most is some rest"

"I knoant to go home," I said, "but I just can't remember where that is"

She smiled warmly

"You will Someday," she said Then she looked sad "Good-bye, Lauren" She switched off the lights, and as she closed the door behind her, I heard the distinctive click of a lock

Trying to forget that I had just been locked into h the walls I could hear so rapidly and then a deep, long silence that was soon filled with the sounds of creaking walls and floors, the slam of a door and more footsteps

Why was I here? Why did Clara call that old lady randmother? She didn't act like a

grandht Why wouldn't Clara tell me more? Who told her to call me Lauren? Maybe that was my name

I closedainst the insides ofserious and then so, but his voice drifted back until there was only silence and blackness

I was so tired Clara was right I needed rest Maybe in the , I would remember who I was All my questions would be answered and this would all be over

For now, that was my only prayer

I hen the door to my room was thrust open with such force and abruptness, it sent waves through the air A e under her array color of old silver coins and the strands cut just below her earlobes looked thin and harsh as wire Her forehead had rows of deep wrinkles that exploded at her te to her cheeks Her cheeks were a bit puffy,into her face and would soon be sed up by those cheeks She had a thin, uneven h to reveal some teeth The roundness in her face fit her chunky, short body, yet she had long arers

She paused, breathing in and lifting her hefty bosoht she looked like a pigeon with her chest out as she strutted to the bed She placed the package at my feet

Her appearance had startled ainedto reht here The soreness in one deeply into ht of standing was exhausting

"Good, you're awake," this new nurse said