The Place Between Worlds

She’s in a coma, the doctor said, turning to the stranger. I didn’t know him—the man who had helped me. I had no idea who he was, but he was the one who had brought me here.

He looked at me for a moment and shook his head. Then, he and the doctor walked out of the room.

Come back! I called after them, standing up from my bed and running to the door before it slammed shut. "I'm not in a coma, i'm awake," I whispered.

How can I be in a coma when I’m right here, perfectly fine?  I asked, touching my cheeks. Would someone be in a coma and still be breathing like I was?

Even when I called to them again, they didn't seem to hear me. Either I was invisible, or they were just that good at ignoring me. They didn’t stop walking until they reached the end of the hallway.

Then they turned to face each other. It’s a good thing you brought her here when you did, the doctor said. “She lost a lot of blood and would’ve died if you hadn't rushed her in.” The man, who had a grave expression on his face, just shook his head solemnly.

I’m glad I could be of help. I hope the blood will be enough to make her stable? It should, the doctor replied. He turned and stared right into my eyes, but he still pretended not to see me.

We’ll focus on finding her relative so we can proceed with the amputation,” the doctor said.

Alright. If they are not found, I’m still willing to help in any way I can,” the stranger replied.

The doctor nodded. “I’ll keep that in mind.”

The man moved toward the other end of the hallway without looking back.

I stood there, staring after him, my arms folded tightly across my chest. What was that about? I demanded, turning back to the doctor. Why were you both pretending like you couldn’t see me?

There was no response. The doctor slipped his phone out of his pocket, his face calm—too calm—like I hadn’t said a word.

Hey! I snapped, stepping closer. I’m talking to you! I waved my hand right in front of his face but he didn't even  blink.

Why did you tell him I’m in a coma?  My voice rose, shaking with frustration. And why do you both keep acting like I don’t exist?

The doctor simply turned and walked away in the opposite direction. My chest tightened. “Unbelievable,” I muttered under my breath.

Fine, i whisphered. If the doctor was going to act like I was invisible, then I’d find someone who wouldn’t.

My eyes shifted down the hallway, then i saw the man. He hadn’t gone too far yet.

I straightened and hurried after him. “Wait! Hey!” He didn’t stop.

By the time I caught up, he was already stepping into the elevator. “Don’t close it!” I called, breaking into a run.

My heart pounded as I rushed forward, waving my arms wildly. For a second, I thought I was too late, but the doors stayed open.

The elevator doors slid shut. I turned to the man, trying to catch my breath.

“Thanks for holding it,” I said, forcing a small smile as I stepped closer to him. He stood there, staring straight ahead like I wasn’t there. Something inside me sank.

I swallowed, pushing the feeling away.

“Okay…” I said slowly. Let’s try this again. I moved to stand directly in front of him.

Who are you? I asked. “And how did I end up here? What happened to me?

He didn’t answer. Instead, he reached into his pocket, pulled out a his headsets, and placed them in his ears just like that. Like I didn’t matter.

My throat tightened. “Seriously?” I whispered.

I stepped back, pressing myself against the other side of the elevator, my arms folding again—but this time, it wasn’t out of attitude. It was to hold myself together.

“I don’t even feel sick,” I muttered quietly. “I’m not weak… I’m not injured… so why am I here?”

There were no cuts on my skin, no pain, now there's nothing to explain any of this.

The elevator gave a soft ping. I looked up, we had reached the last floor.The doors slid open.

The man stepped forward—and for a split second, he turned slightly in my direction.

Hope rushed through me so fast that it almost hurt. A small smile formed on my lips. Maybe…he hadn’t been ignoring me after all or he just didn’t hear me earlier.

But before I could say anything—He walked straight past me and stepped out of the elevator like I wasn’t there.

The smile fell from my face. “Oh…” I whispered, so that was it.