Where Am I? Amber's Confusion
1513 Words
Amber briefly regained consciousness as she felt herself being carried. To her it felt like she was flying through the air and her stomach rebelled, causing her to feel faint again. She was placed on a hard surface and as she began to drift back the last thing she heard was a loud gruff voice asking " how serious is it?"
The endless sound of a machine beeping entered Amber's consciousness and she frowned with her eyes closed in displeasure. The notice was loud and high pitched making her wince and causing her eyes to open as she searched for the source of the noise. Her eyes groggily took in her surroundings and Amber was confused. She lay on a soft but firm bed made up of white sheets and the walls were pristine white as well. There was very little in the room but a chair sat next to bed and as she examined herself she noticed an IV in her arm hooked up to the machine currently beeping.
Am I in a hospital? amber wondered as she sat up straight and winced. Although her muscles ached she was astonished to find no pain in her ribcage and she pulled her top up to examine it. To her surprise no bruise or damage was evident and Amber was confused as to how it had healed so quickly. Had she been out for a long time?
"You're awake I see" a voice interrupted her thoughts and she glanced up to see a young man with a white coat standing in the doorway. Amber stared. She couldn't help herself. The man looked no older than 25 with scruffy brown hair down to his shoulders and kind green eyes that twinkled at her. His skin was pale almost porcelain and he was not very tall but slim in stature, almost delicate. He was one of the most beautiful men Amber had ever seen. She was stuck speechless as he glided in and sat down in the chair.
"Am I in a hospital?" She asked, her voice gravelly and hoarse. The man hesitated.
"You could say that" he said. His eyes sparkled as he shot out a hand to her "I should introduce myself. I'm Dr Rivers and I have been taking care of you." Amber shook his hand automatically, noticing how cold it was as she released it.
"How long have I been been out?"
"You've been out for two days, my dear" he said softly and her mouth dropped.
"I took care of your injuries" he said and searched her face as she stared back anxiously "I have to ask though"
A voice suddenly boomed through the room "How did you get the scars and bruises on your body.?"
Amber jumped, startled at the large noise while Dr River's rolled his eyes at the man in the doorway. As she swivelled her head to look at the man in the doorway her eyes widened in disbelief. If she thought Dr Rivers was beautiful, he paled in comparison to the gorgeous specimen in the doorway. He had beautiful golden hair that was wavy and reached his shoulders. Part of her ached to touch it and feel how soft and silky it would be. His eyes were blue but cold and narrowed making his face look malicious and unforgiving. As he strode further into the room she took note of how tall he was and how muscles he appeared despite the black shirt and pants he wore to cover himself. To her, he was extremely intimidating.
Prince Liam c****d his head and stared down at the small female in the bed. She was a tiny thing. Her brown hair fell loose down her back and was long and wavy but matted and greasy from sweat. Her brown eyes were wide as she looked at him and she had tiny pink lips that curved into a smile. He could see faint brown freckles on her face and he frowned at how short and fragile she appeared, her clothes swimming on her and her appearance was gaunt and skin pale. He felt a pang in his heart as she looked at him in terror but he pushed the feeling down ruthlessly.
"May I present his highness Prince Liam" Dr Rivers said drily. He smirked at the Prince. "Next time could you announce yourself first? I'd like my patient to not die in fright."
Amber almost giggled at the look Prince Liam shot at the Dr but he appeared unfazed by it. Then realisation struck.
"Your highness" she stammered looking between the two. "Where am I" she whispered and Dr Rivers patted her arm sympathetically.
"We can explain to you later " he said and she nodded. "What I would really like to know is how you got the scars and bruises on your back?"
In the background Prince Liam folded his arms as he waited for the answer. Amber's cheeks flushed and she stared down at the bedspread, her fingers bunching the sheet. She was mortified but knew that they deserved an explanation. She couldn't bring herself to meet their eyes as she whispered "my father."
She didn't want to say anymore but the Dr leaned forward and placed a finger under her chin, lifting her face up and meeting her gaze head on.
"No father should ever hit their child no matter the circumstances" he said firmly as her eyes began to fill with tears. Prince Liam grunted his agreement and softly asked "Why didn't your mother stop him?"
"My mother died last year" she cried, the tears flowing freely down her face now "She killed herself using my prescription painkillers to overdose. My father blamed me for it."
The room was deadly silent.
"Absolutely ludicrous my dear" Dr Rivers stated as she cried silently. He handed her a tissue and she wiped her face as he turned to the Prince.
"She requires bed rest for the next few days as well as food and plenty of fluids to gather her strength. This bed is not the most comfortable and I would feel better if she was in a guest room with access to fresh air and warm blankets to avoid a chill."
Prince Liam sighed in resignation as Amber looked at him timidly.
"It won't matter what I say will it?" He said drily.
Dr River's was a force of nature and once he made up his mind, no one could stop him. He was the royal physician and his word was law. Even Prince Liam was not permitted to object to him.
"Splendid" Dr Rivers said cheerfully "I will summon a maid to escort" here he paused looking at Amber who quickly supplied "Amber"
"Amber" he repeated "to a guest room." I will give her orders in regards to Amber's treatment and be back momentarily."
He sped out of the room like a whirlwind and Amber gaped at how quickly he sped out.She was left alone with the Prince who observed her with a narrow gaze. She didn't know what he was thinking and she was too scared to ask. Amber kept her eyes firmly on the ground and sighed in relief when Dr Rivers came back with a maid behind him.
"I shall remove your IV now so you may feel a pinch" he said and Amber winced as he carefully pulled it out and placed a dressing on it. She smiled up at the Dr and said "Thankyou so much for everything you have done for me." Amber was truly grateful and she liked Dr Rivers very much. For a young man he was very kind and seemed to care a lot about his patients.
He waved a hand at her "It was nothing sweet child" he said breezily. "Now if you would kindly follow Miss Carmen here to your room, I shall have a discussion with Prince Liam here to ensure you are well taken care of."
Amber nodded in acquiesce and gingerly stood up from the bed, Dr Rivers helping her.
"Slow and steady" he murmured "I will come and check on you in a few days to make sure you are well."
"Thankyou" Amber breathed and shuffled out of the room as Miss Carmen held her up and assisted her. Dr Rivers levelled a look at Prince Liam who looked at him in exasperation.
"You know the magic prevents humans from leaving" Dr River's said pointedly.
"I know" Prince Liam said heavily looking at the doorway.
"She must not go the same path as the others" he said urgently. He liked Amber who seemed so sweet despite what she had gone through.
Prince Liam's mouth thinned "I might be a cruel bastard but even I don't want that to happen. She seems so fragile" he mused. "I'll keep a guard on her at all times" he said "perhaps this time we can prevent it."
Dr Rivers watched him stride out of the room and closed his eyes.
"I hope you can" he thought fervently "This time I really hope so."
- Writer
