Chapter 5: The girl in the Mirror

Tessa’s POV

I woke up with a sharp pain shooting through my waist while a gentle hand held me.

"Thank goodness you’re finally awake, darling," the woman said softly. "Your father just stepped out for a business call. He’ll be back soon."

I scoffed lightly.

"I don’t have a father, ma’am."

I glanced at the wall clock—10 a.m.—and sat up, her hand still resting gently on my shoulder.

"I need to go  ma'am."

"Elena? What are you saying?" she asked gently, a hint of fear flashing across her face.

"You were induced to sleep twelve hours ago because the doctors felt you were disoriented after the accident."

"Induced?" I repeated, confused.

"I hope you're not doing this because we made you angry?... Mummy and Daddy are sorry, okay?" she said, rubbing my hands gently.

I was about to respond when a guy walked in wearing an expensive-looking uniform, holding a bouquet of flowers.

He looked young with pierced ears and  a bit of a bad boy vibe.

"Elena, I’m so sorry," he said, rushing toward me. "I shouldn’t have let you ride alone. I’ll never forgive myself for what happened."

I burst out laughing.

"Why is everyone calling me Elena? Is this a prank? Did I fall into a movie set or something?"

I looked at him. "What’s your name?"

"It’s Zane," he said, looking dejected.

"Nice to meet you, Zane. I really hope this confusion clears up soon."

Then I noticed—my hair was longer, my clothes were different. They weren’t what I had on before the accident, a quick chill ran down my spine.

"What year is it?" I asked the woman, wondering if I had time-traveled or been in a coma for years.

"It’s 2025, Elena. You had an accident just three days ago," she said gently.

Oh, just three days, I thought with relief but then it clicked.

“Wait, what? Three days? How? I was supposed to be at a competition.” I said as  fear started to creep into my body.

Just then, a beautiful girl and a tall guy walked in.

They wore the same uniform as Zane, with glittering jewelry.

The girl—around my age—had elegant features and wavy brown hair.

She rushed over and hugged me tightly. I stiffened.

"You’ll be okay, alright?" she said, then turned to the woman beside me.

"Good morning, Mother."

"Morning, Isabella. How are you?"

"I’m fine, Mother. I barely dodged the paparazzi outside. They’re trying to get in, but security’s holding them off. How did word get out about Elena’s accident?"

"I don’t know, darling. But thank goodness she’s alive and well," the woman replied.

The tall guy stood nearby quietly.

"Hey Elena, how are you feeling now?" he asked gently.

Wow. These people must be crazy.

"Excuse me,” Zane said suddenly, stepping out. His eyes were red—like he was trying not to cry.

Just then, a nurse walked in. "It’s time for the test, ma’am."

"Okay, we’re coming now," the woman responded.

She turned to me. "We’re going for a neurocognitive assessment, darling—it’s a test that helps the doctors understand how your memory is functioning after the accident," she explained, standing up and adjusting her dress.

Two nurses came over and helped me stand.  I followed them quietly, while my mind spinned with questions.

The walk through the hospital corridor was silent except for the soft sound of rubber soles and the occasional beeping of machines from a distance. I could feel the eyes of staffs on me as we passed, like they all knew something I didn’t.

After the scan, I stepped out slowly.

Waiting just outside was the woman from earlier—and beside her stood a man in his late-40s looking deeply worried.

As soon as he saw me, he reached for my hand gently, like he was afraid I might vanish. Without a word, the three of us began walking together toward the doctor’s office.

***

"Doctor, what is wrong with our daughter?" the man asked, with fear written all over his face as we sat down.

"Please calm down, sir," the doctor said. "She has been diagnosed with short-term memory loss. But with her family and friends around, her memory may return soon. Let’s stay hopeful."

The woman almost collapsed from her seat, but the man’s firm grip steadied her.

Short-term memory loss?

Are they talking about my memory? The one that’s very intact?

I smirked. Maybe this doctor is quack. How on earth can he say I lost my memory? And wait, who is their daughter?

I just composed myself sitting on the sofa, while the man and the woman faced the doctor.

I noticed how he held her hand—my heart fluttered. They must love each other deeply.

“Please try as much as possible to keep her around familiar faces and voices,” the doctor added. “In no time, she may recall her memories.”

***

Back in bed, I shifted uneasily feeling the pressure in my bladder.

"Can I use the restroom, please?"

"Of course," the woman said as a nurse came over quickly to help me.

“No it's fine” I said standing up myself and walking towards the restroom.

This must be a very expensive hospital—with everything I’ve seen so far, it feels like I’ve stepped into a movie. Everything is spotless, polished, and so grand, it almost felt unreal… way too luxurious for someone like me.

Inside the restroom, I passed a mirror—and froze.

Did I just see a ghost?

I stepped back and looked again.

"Arrrrgh!" I screamed. "Who is this? Why am I in a stranger’s body?!"

I stumbled backward, heart pounding.

Then I looked again, this time slowly, closely.

My heart skipped.

“Wait… I know this face.”

“No… no, this can’t be real.”

“This is Elena Scarlet.”

I held my hair, my fingers shaking.

Was that why everyone kept calling me Elena?

Oh my God… what is this?

I leaned in again, staring at the girl in the mirror.

My lips parted, but no words came out as my heart began pounding very fast.

Am I dreaming?

Or worse am I… dead?