Chapter 1 - A Dream Inside A Dream

Military Base in North Yorkshire:

... aack ... haackk ... hak ...

Desperately gasping for air.

Kenny is struggling to free himself. He is aware of the strength of his opponent. Wishing he didn't finish that drink before going to bed then he would be able to defend himself. Silently vowing that if he survive this then he will never drink again.

      "Come on Kenny, just die already, why is it so hard to get rid of you!!?" hissed the perpetrator. 

      "I know him! I would recognise this voice anywhere. But ... Why ... Why him!?"

The shocking revelation made him slacken to fight back.

He could not comprehend what is happening.

The ropes are getting tighter and tighter, and the ragged gasps can no longer be heard.

Grayer Hospital, Devon:

     At the hospital, the staff are busy with Marianne. She was just brought in by the ambulance; she had a fall at the cliffs, suicide, but of course, it's not yet certain.

Luckily, she was seen by tourists that are passing by, otherwise, it would have been too late. 

Kenny:

I can't breathe... I don't want to die... A noise in the background woke me up but I'm too tired to move. 

I thought of last night, I touched my neck, no indication of pain there. I inwardly smirk at my silliness, but thank God! It's just a dream. It was a nightmare... Steven had a rope on my neck... that was a horrible dream, but of course, it's just a dream! There's no way that he will ever do that. He's one of the kindest people that I've ever known. I've known him since nursery. And he's the best buddy that a man could ask for. Though, I wish it could be more than that... 

Thinking about the dream, it felt so surreal. Anyway, that's just a dream, Steven is an upright man. I'm already embarrassed to have this sort of dream! I would like it to be erased in my brain, please... Silently meditating to get rid of it. 

        "Lady Marianne, Lady Marianne, can you hear me?" a baritone voice coming from Dr Peter Bennett. As a doctor, he can tell that she is already conscious. He has been expecting her to be up earlier but looking at her features indicates that the medicine must still be having an effect in her system.

What the heck! Who is disturbing me in my sleep? And why is it annoying loud and it sounds close to me?

Huh! Someone is in my room!?

Upon opening my eyes, my vision fell into these people surveying me.

They're all dressed in white gowns. One is fiddling a stethoscope in the pocket of his gown. The one in the middle looks dignified. He caught my attention the most. He has a handsome face with soft character to it. He has a kind smile.

Recognising them as my colleagues in profession, I calmed down. I'm curious to know what they are doing in my room.

I looked up at the ceiling. It's white and squarely tiled with a soft surface. The walls are pretty much the same.

This is not my room!

This is a hospital!

I was about to get up but I couldn't... I couldn't move my legs!

Feeling bewildered, I tried again but I couldn't.

  

  I was about to inquire but a young lady just came in and rushed to my side when she saw me. She  holds my hand and looks at me with tears in her eyes.

  I took my hand back as it's getting clammy in her clasp.

Looking at my hand, it's pretty considering they're some bruises on it. Not to mention how soft and delicate it is. Without the few bruises, I would say it's the hand of a fine maiden.

Wait! What?  What!!?? 

My hand!? This isn't my hand! An operation couldn't have happened as bruises are on it and it's definitely not prosthetic, as I can feel it! And without my consent they can't do anything to me!

      "I'm so sorry Marianne... It's my fault, I should've come to you sooner. If only I didn't have delays then these shouldn't have happened to you," a self-blame is clearly on her voice.

I can see her tears coming down on her face. I'm puzzled with her actions. Why is she crying? Hang on, I think I heard her say Marianne. Is she calling me Marianne!!?

"Who are you and could anyone tell me what I am doing here!?" 

Huh!!

My voice seemed strange! It sounded like a female! It's baffling! 

Confusion on my mind but the faces that are regarding me looked startled too.

The handsome doctor approached me with familiarity. He is older than the rest, I know that he holds an important position and the younger ones are probably in their first year.

He checked on me then I heard him say "I'm Dr. Peter Bennett, you had a fall and you are being treated here at Grayer Hospital." He is intently watching my face and I can feel the others are doing the same like I'm a lab rat.

Grayer Hospital… It's my first time to be here, but what exactly am I doing here? I could be treated at my hospital, the military base where I'm currently working has its own hospital and their facilities are superb. It's probably on par or even better than this hospital.

        "Lady Marianne ... Dr Bennett said with a concerned voice.

          " Are you perhaps talking to me?" I asked. 

I heard a sharp intake of breath from the lady. 

         " Can you tell me what you remember?" Dr Bennett asked nicely. 

I close my eyes.  I have to think … Not just him but the crying young lady is calling me Marianne too. Their faces are serious. No mockery or sarcasm. It can't be a trick.

Well, he said that I had a fall?  I'm at this hospital miles and miles away from the camp. My hand ... and my voice…!!

I hesitantly open my eyes and once again scrutinise the red eye lady who is obviously holding back her tears. There's a pity and guilt on her face. She is wearing a simple cut dress. The elegance in her must have faded due to her crying, though she smells fresh and clean.

With a sob, she said "Marianne, do you recognise me?" 

I would like to say yes to cheer her up, instead I answered her honestly with a simple "No".

I heard a cry of protest then deep breaths.

"I'm Annie, your childhood friend and your carer," she smiled with fondness.

Childhood friend ... Carer!? Like I ever need one?

Suddenly, I thought of how I couldn't get out of the bed. The wheelchair in the corner that I spotted earlier, it's a customised one, not a hospital property. Hmm ... I turn my gaze to these people.

They're starting to irritate me. 

" Dr. Bennett, is it?" I asked. I saw him nod.

" Is  there something wrong in my lower body?" I asked. I couldn't help but grimace after hearing my  female voice.

He looked at me then he answered me slowly like talking to a child. 

" You had a car accident with your  family 7years ago. You were very lucky to survive. Your legs are still affected but  with continuous training and therapy, I believe you will be able to walk again," he explained with a gentle smile.

Huh! What?!? 

" Really!" I shouted.

I can't help but be sardonic. Also, he is treating me like a patient with psychological trauma.

I don't believe in any of this! I must wake up soon! I know, I'm still in the dream. Dreaming inside a Dream, it's like that film that I've watched with Steven.

Nevertheless, why  do I have to dream as a woman? Even my dreams are mocking me!?

 I know my feelings for Steven but I didn't pursue it as he likes women. And I've never shown it either as I wouldn't want to ruin my long-term friendship with him. 

I suddenly feel so tired and exhausted. 

I should sleep off this dream and forget this series of nightmares that I've just experienced. 

It'll be a beautiful day tomorrow and I'm off duty so I can drive to the nearest seaside and have my favourite fish and chips.

Feeling exhausted and tired, I can feel myself succumbing to sleep. 

Watching Marianne closing her eyes and drifting off to sleep, Dr. Peter Bennett can't help to sigh. 

"Atleast she's OK," he thought, though her memory loss is something he didn't anticipate, there isn't any indication on her MRI's that is unusual, but she must have a traumatic experience from the fall.

She was brought here yesterday morning but none of her relatives made an appearance or inquired about her wellbeing. 

He already expected this, whenever she's being hospitalised, she's always accompanied by different carers every time she sees her.

Peter Bennett's face softens when he'd seen Annie tucked in the blanket on Marianne's sleeping form. 

"Hopefully, Annie will be kind enough to stay for long on her friend's side, given the long friendship they had since they were young, and maybe Marriane's unprecedented temperament would also be less with having a company of the same age", Peter thought.

"Miss Annie, it seems that Lady Marianne is suffering from amnesia. 

She should be able to regain her memory in due time. 

Her test results are all normal but we'll do more tests once she's awake. Also, I will ask one of my colleagues who specialises with this matter to check on her," he kindly explained. 

He met this lady yesterday and she had been patiently tending to Marianne. There's no pretense on how concerned she is to her friend, this made him feel at ease. Her previous attendants are only there for the high salary that Marianne's family provides, they do their job well but it's just a job to them. 

Annie listens to Dr. Bennett and keeps a mental note on his instructions and advice. 

When all the doctors have left, she's feeling the exhaustion on her body. She hadn't had a proper sleep ever since she put a foot in this country. 

She hadn't expected that for her to be able to meet Marriane, she has to be her carer!! 

She came to England to relax and to have fun with her friend though she didn't expect her to be in a wheelchair and the shocking part is she's been like that for 7 years!! They've been chatting on social media but  Marriane didn't say or give any hint of her situation.

"Come to think of it, I've never had a video chat with her standing, she's always seemed to be sitting on a chair and our conversation is more on trends and reminiscing on our childhood times which we always had a good laugh to our silliness before," Annie thought.

What more astonished her was, as soon as she agreed for this job, she was driven here at the hospital and was told that Marriane was just rescued from commiting suicide but she shouldn't worry as she will be compensated well for looking after Marriane at the hospital!! 

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        In a big bright room which is elegantly decorated with antique furniture, a discussion of current important events are being discussed by two people. The woman is in her late sixties, who is leading the conversation, and the other one is a middle age man who is listening intently to every word she's saying while nodding occasionally. There are a few corgis that are lazily lying on the floor but attentively looking at their master. In front of them is a table with luxuriously spread selections of food. 

        A man came in, dressed in an expensive suit, he politely informed them that the papers that they were waiting for had been delivered.

A delight could be seen on their faces. They already know the content of it, they just need the signed papers to pacify their minds. 

One of the papers is a signed agreement of Francois Davidson to be in charge of the Williams' businesses.

The other one is a copy of a marriage certificate of Francois Davidson and Marianne Williams. 

        The butler who was dressed in an expensive suit put away the documents in a safe. Inside the safe contains old papers dated nearly centuries ago, on top of the files is a bold handwritten agreement of Arnold Davidson and Michael Williams, and the bottom bit is signed by King Edward as a witness.