Page 15 of Amnesia

“Will you come with me?” she asked.

In that moment, with that single innocent question, I realized I would do anything, be anything… go anywhere she asked.

I didn’t say that, though. All I did was shake my head.

The short walk back to her room took a long time. The entire way, I fought the urge to sweep her into my arms like the night I’d found her floating in the water. At the door, I shoved it open, holding it wide, and placed my palm at the small of her back, gesturing for her to go ahead of me.

Her eyes glanced up, then away before she moved past.

“Eddie Donovan!” A booming voice sounded from down the hall. I winced. “I told you she was to have no visitors!”

From inside the room, Amnesia groaned. “Not him again.”

Before I could reply, she poked her head out and spoke. “Really, Dr. Beck. What’s he going to do to me? Steal all my memories and thoughts?”

“I’m writing down your sense of humor,” he told her, almost fondly. “It’s very dry by the way.”

She tossed her head to the side to glance up at me. “He writes everything down. It’s insufferable.”

My lips tugged in a smile.

Dr. Beck stopped nearby adjacent to where we stood. “Why are you out of bed?”

“I told you I wanted to see Eddie.”

Dr. Beck looked at me, a veiled warning in his gaze.

“I found her in the hall.” I agreed.

“It’s just a visit,” Amnesia said. “Please. Icannotsit in this room with practically empty thoughts for another minute.”

Those words would ensure I kept coming back. Nothing, not even a team of doctors and sassy nurses, could force me out of here. She needed me.

I needed her.

“Fine. But I need a moment with Eddie.” He gestured toward her. “Back to bed.”

“Thank you,” she said genuinely. Then her gaze returned to me.

It was hard to describe how I felt when she looked at me. It didn’t matter if it was a lingering gaze or just a swift glance. I’d only been with her mere moments, but already her stare was as essential to me as air.

“You’ll stay?” she asked, her voice unsure and shy.

Always.“I’ll be right there.”

The second the door latched behind her, putting a barrier between us, I levelled my eyes on the doctor. “I won’t stay away from her.”

“Yes. You’ve made that abundantly clear.”

“I won’t hurt her.”

He sighed, defeated. “I know that, Eddie. You and your family are good people. This isn’t about you.”

“It is.” I lashed out quietly. “I’m part of this, too.”

The doctor pinched the bridge of his nose. “She has a severe case of amnesia. The kind that’s brought on by trauma.”

“Will her memory come back?” I had to know.

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