1 Wonder in woods

She was overwhelmed with fear and confusion, not knowing her own identity or how she had ended up in this terrifying situation. The dense and foreboding forest surrounding her offered no solace, only deepening her sense of unease. Who was she? What had led her to this point of utter disorientation?

As she tried to gather her bearings, she realized she was trapped between two blankets of snow, feeling weak and unable to rise from what seemed like her deathbed. However, a fierce determination welled up within her, urging her to fight with all her might and awaken from this perilous slumber. She knew that if she didn't, the snow would become her icy coffin.

Finally, she managed to break free from the grip of the snow bed. As she surveyed her surroundings, she marveled at the enchanting but gloomy atmosphere. The air was thick and stifling, making it difficult to breathe, yet the moon's ethereal glow added an otherworldly beauty to the scene. Suddenly, a sound shattered the silence, drawing her attention to the realm of the living.

Alone in the dark forest, she cautiously ventured into the unknown, compelled to investigate the peculiar sounds echoing through the wilderness. Her anxiety heightened with each step, intensifying the mystery that engulfed her.

Without warning, she heard rustling from the bushes nearby. In her weakened state, she lacked the strength to confront whatever approached, so she sought refuge behind the shelter of a large bush. Peering through the foliage, she glimpsed something swiftly approaching her.

Her heart raced with escalating panic, and instinctively, she started to run, although her feeble legs could only carry her a short distance. After five or six faltering steps, exhaustion overcame her, and she collapsed onto the ground.

Now faced with a dire predicament, a massive wolf poised to devour her in front, and the treacherous precipice of a hill behind, she found herself physically and mentally drained. She teetered on the verge of surrender when she caught sight of a small village nearby. However, the path leading there seemed arduous and fraught with challenges.

Barely able to utter a word, she summoned her last ounce of strength and cried out for help. In that moment, her consciousness waned, and she fell to the ground, her eyes half-open.

She was plunged into darkness, surrendering hope for her life. The only sensation she perceived was that of a strong man with melancholic eyes approaching her like a thunderclap. As his skin came into contact with the sunlight, it began to radiate with an ethereal glow. In the next instant, she felt the warmth of his arms enveloping her, and then everything faded into oblivion.

When she awoke, the sun was rising, signaling the dawn of a new day or perhaps even two. The clock read nine in the morning. Slowly opening her eyes, she discovered herself in a comfortably furnished room.

A young woman approached her, greeting her with a cheerful, "Good morning! Honey, I'm Bella!" She handed her a cup of coffee and a bracelet. Perplexed, the bewildered girl examined the bracelet and asked, "What's this?" Bella replied, "I believe it's yours. I took it out of your pocket last night."

Confusion enveloped her as she confessed, "I don't remember anything. How did I get here? Where am I? Who am I? Who are you?" Her mind swirled with a whirlwind of questions.

Bella advised her to calm down, assuring her that she was in safe hands. She explained that she had found her unconscious outside her door, a revelation that shook the girl to her core. In response, she recounted the harrowing scenes she had witnessed on the day of the accident.

She described the man who had saved her from the clutches of death, but Bella informed her that no such person existed in the village. After a brief exchange, the doorbell rang, prompting Bella to rush to answer it. A man with dark brown eyes, dressed in a white coat and wearing a stethoscope, entered the room. Bella introduced him as Dr. Edward.

Bella exclaimed, "He's here to examine you." Dr. Edward requested her cooperation and led Bella out of the room for the examination. As he assessed her condition, minutes stretched into eternity for Bella, consumed by curiosity about the girl's well-being.

Finally, Dr. Edward turned to her and declared, "You're improving." Then, he addressed Bella, explaining the critical nature of the girl's condition. He revealed that she had scratches on her shoulder, likely caused by a wild animal, burns from exposure to the cold, and a severe head injury. She was suffering from amnesia, a debilitating form of memory loss. Her chances of survival were slim, standing at only fifty percent. The doctor emphasized that the therapy she needed went beyond medication and required an abundance of love and care.

After imparting this grave news, Dr. Edward packed his bag and bid them farewell. He handed Bella a list of medications and instructed her to accompany the girl to the clinic the following day. He suggested that Bella assist her with walks from time to time. With that, the doctor departed.

As Bella saw him to the door, he delivered one final important remark: the girl should not attempt to remember her past. Exposing herself to the stress of it could jeopardize the progress of her therapy. Returning to the girl's side, Bella sat down next to her, offering comfort in her presence.

The girl asked, "What's today's date?" Bella responded, "It's September 16, 2008." The girl's mind raced with a multitude of questions, leaving Bella in a critical predicament. She knew she had to provide the girl with the right answers when she awakened. As she watched the girl drift off to sleep, Bella felt grateful for the time she had to search for answers within the girl's belongings. Luckily, she discovered a wallet containing a rose-scented pocket perfume, a few euros, a key, lipstick, and a broken ring.