Page 131 of Amnesia

After a moment, the officer Eddie called Doug cleared his throat. “So you are claiming to be Sadie Gordon, the girl who went missing at the age of fourteen, over eleven years ago. You were kidnapped by Mrs. West, the widow of Rumor Island, and she held you hostage all those years there on her island. You were regularly abused, raped, and ultimately, in an attempt to get free, you tried to commit suicide. After being found here onshore by Mr. Donovan, you were in a coma for over two months, woke with amnesia, and have since been stalked by the widow until tonight. You were both attacked, and you were kidnapped again.”

It was unreal. If I hadn’t lived it, I wouldn’t even believe it myself.

“Yes,” I said. Then I faltered. “But I don’t know if she’s the one who kidnapped me all those years ago. I know she’s involved, but there is a man, someone she seems afraid of… but oddly loyal to.”

“You’re sure you were held on Rumor Island?” The officer pressed.

I nodded. Then realized I couldn’t be sure. I couldn’t be sure about anything. “I can’t be sure,” I said miserably. My eyes found Dr. Kline, who had been listening intently to this entire conversation. “You said my memories could be distorted, but these felt so real. Is it possible everything that’s come back to me is true?”

“It’s very possible. But as a professional, I can’t rule out the fact that not everything you remember should be taken as absolute. There are still large gaps in your memory, still a lot of information unknown.”

“So everything we know is basically speculation,” an officer said unhappily.

“Not everything,” Eddie said. “That witch attacked us, tried to kidnap her tonight. That alone proves a lot of the other stuff.”

“It’s definitely a lead.” The officer agreed pragmatically.

“Are you fucking kidding me?” Eddie said. “Have you even questioned the widow?”

I perked up. I’d forgotten about her. I gasped. “Where is she?”

Doug was quick to tell me, “She’s been admitted as well, but not to worry. We have an officer posted at her door.”

Dr. Beck stepped forward. “She’s in rough shape as well. It’s still very early yet, but I can already say she’s suffered a lot of abuse.”

“But you questioned her, right?” I worried. “She told you who I was? She told you I’m Sadie.”

Dr. Beck frowned. “I’m afraid not.”

“What?” I gasped, trying to scramble off the bed. Eddie clutched me, trying to keep me from leaping forward. “Let me go!” I demanded.

He didn’t; instead, his arms wrapped a little tighter. “Calm down, Am. You have a concussion. Don’t make it worse.”

“She needs to tell everyone!” I wailed. “She’s known all this time!”

Dr. Beck came forward, as did Dr. Kline. “I think that’s enough for this evening,” he said.

The officer closed his notebook, a concerned look on his features.

“No! Wait!” I exclaimed and stopped trying to struggle against Eddie. “I’m sorry. I’m fine. This is all just very frustrating.”

“Memory loss can be, especially when you’re remembering things and trying to make sense of what is real and what’s a distortion,” Dr. Kline said in her schmucky head-shrinker voice.

I wanted to poke her in the eye. How dare she be so calm and nonchalant? Hell, she was acting as if half the stuff I was saying wasn’t even real.

I knew real!

“You don’t think I’m Sadie?” I said, my voice low.

Everyone glanced at the head shrink. “I think it’s very likely you are. Frankly, I’m more concerned with you and your mental health.”

What a crock.

“Just ask her,” I pleaded with the police. “Just go in her room and ask.”

They all shifted uncomfortably.

“What aren’t you saying?” Eddie demanded.

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