“You don’t remember?” they asked at the same time.
Just then the doctor walked in. A surprised expression was written on his features when he saw that I was awake.
“Well, look who’s woke up,” he cheered, making his way over to my bed.
“There’s something wrong,” my mother quickly said, standing from her sitting position.
“Alright, and what is it? Because she looks fine to me,” he told her, smiling over at me making the wrinkles around his mouth and eyes show.
“She can’t remember what happened,” my mother said, panic written on her soft features.
“Well it looks like it’s only short term memory for she remembers you all and that’s good. It’s probably better that she doesn’t know what happened, she’ll get through this faster with the less she knows,” he told both my stressing parents.
“Well, what does she remember? Anything?” my father spoke.
“We’ll just have to ask her and see.” The doctor smiled at me.
“Alright, Cassandra. What were you doing on December 1?” John, my doctor, asked me.
I thought back to that day then answered as best as I could.
“Well, I had just got out of school. My mom and dad were leaving for Australia that night and I remember being mad at her because she had hired a sitter when clearly I didn’t need one. When I got home, I ate then sat around waiting for the sitter and that’s all I remember. I and Ben were just watching TV and after that it’s all blank.”
“I see. Well, the good news is you’re fine and the bad news is you did lose some of your memory but really, that’s better.”
I couldn’t believe I had forgotten some of my life when it had just happened like a month ago. How could this be?
Later that night, I didn’t sleep well thinking about all the things I had forgotten. It scared me, not knowing. It really did. I could only hope it comes back because I really would like to know what happened a month ago.
Chapter 40
Locked away in a prison cell was a young man, sitting, counting the days till he would be free from the bars that hold him back from his love. With only a pen and a pad of paper, he wrote. To her, the girl who holds his heart.
But she was unaware of the precious and broken heart she holds as she opened the door to a home she could barely call her own. A young boy came rolling to her side, sitting in his wheelchair with only one leg and a prosthetic one. They held each other tight. She tried letting go only to be held tighter. Little did she know what her and her brother had gone through?
They were finally back to being a family, a happy one at that, with only a lost leg, some added bruises and scars that may never fade, and a few memories that will never appear; but they were a family brought back together by law and broken by a man that was claimed to be psycho, but really was just never understood.
So seven years he waited, and seven years she moved on, forgot, and more importantly lived. She lived without a silly and naive love for a man who could never treat her right or be loved the way she deserves. So she waits as well, but for a love worth telling. Not one that would be tragically plastered on every newspaper and news channel on how the young and naive girl fell for a man who was psychotically crazy in the head.
Six Years Later
Cassandra
I found myself slowly zoning out as Leah, a fifteen year old girl, told her life story. She poured her heart out to me, pointing out every mark on her body, telling me what each one was for and who gave them to her. I couldn’t help but envy her, the way she knows where the scars came from and who had marked her body.
I so wished I knew who gave me mine. This scar on my forehead or the one on my hip, but no, nothing. I couldn’t remember anything and even worse, my family stayed quiet and would just say the cat did it but I know they're lying.
Something bad, no, horrible, happened in my life. They were keeping it from me and it made me want to go crazy some days. The fear of not knowing who did this or why ate me alive. Is this person still out there waiting to get me? Will my memory come back one day while I'm just walking home alone itself and scare me? Why can't I remember? Why?
Everything else in my life was going great. I got the apartment I wanted, and the job.
Being a therapist for troubled teens is an amazing job but it also makes me wonder even more. They tell me their stories; and I couldn't help but wonder if mine is similar, maybe my father beat me and I just lost my memory. What if I took some kind of pill that made me higher than Mount Everest and I just happened to have some loss of memory?
“Cassandra, are you listening?” Leah’s voice broke my train of thought.
I snapped out of my daze and looked at her. “What? Oh, yes.”
A questioning look played on her soft features.
“I’m sorry I keep zoning out, I just have a lot on my mind,” I said truthfully.
“I understand, there’re some days where I can’t even think straight.”
I smiled at her and said, “Well, I’m having one of those days.”
“I can tell.” She laughed lightly. “Well, what’s on your mind?” she asked, crossing her arms over her chest, mocking me.
“I think that it’s my job to ask you that,” I said.
“Well it seems the tables have turned.” She smiled then put her serious face back on. “Now, tell me.”
I thought hard on whether I should tell this young girl my problems or not. Would it really hurt? It’s not like I knew enough for it to even matter. “Well, it seems I have forgotten a short time of my life from when I was your age. I woke up in a hospital, not being able to remember the past month but was left with scars from unknown things; and still to this very day, six years later, I wonder who did this to me," I admitted truthfully to the young girl.
“I see... I know why you’re afraid, I would be too; but I think you’re a very strong woman, Cassandra, and one day you’ll figure this out but for now I guess it’s just another mystery waiting to be solved.”
I took in her words, letting them sink in. Maybe she was right, maybe this is just a mystery that’s waiting to be solved; or perhaps I won’t ever know what happened and maybe, just maybe, that’s for the better. “Thank you, Leah.” I stood and embraced her.
“You’re very welcome.” Just as she said that my phone beeped notifying that her time was up.
We said our goodbyes before I sat back down and thought on what she told me and told myself it’s just a mystery. One day I’ll figure it out.
The door opened, my next patient was here to see me and tell me about their problems. I’d write them down on a piece of paper and help them get through whatever horrible thing brought them here.
My heart breaks for some young girls who only wanted to be loved but sadly were given the responsibility of taking care of a child at such a young age, that not even I would be ready for. Or the boys who are beaten by their own father, a result of the drunken state—
“Hello, Cassie.” An all too familiar raspy voice interrupted my thoughts.
I looked up to be met with curly hair and piercing green eyes staring back at me.
“It’s been a while, Cass.” The oddly familiar-looking man smirked at me from across the small room.
The only thing going through my mind was this is the man who scarred my body and was taken from my memory. This is Hunter Stiles.
Chapter 41
As I stood before the man I believe had scarred my body, I started to think, what if it isn’t? Maybe he just looked familiar. His hair was in loose curls swooped over to one side, he’s wearing jet black pants with a white top that says “Rolling Stones” on the front, his arms were covered in tattoos, and he had one lip ring. His now soft, green eyes met mine before his heart-shaped lips form words.
“I guess I should probably introduce myself. I’m Lee.”
When the name left his lips I could finally let out the breath I didn’t know I was holding in. So it wasn’t him, only a loo
k alike.
“Well it seems you know my name already.” I chuckled lightly.
“Cassandra, am I right?”
I nodded my head yes, still feeling a bit uneasy about his presence.
“So tell me, Lee, how do I know you? I’ve had a bit of memory loss,” I admitted. I looked down, a bit embarrassed.
“We met at a party back in the beginning of 2014,” he said.
I thought back to it and couldn’t remember ever going to a party, let alone talking to such a nice looking man.
“I’m sorry but it must be my touch of amnesia, there’s a part in my life back in 2014 when I lost a bit of memory. That might be why I don’t know you.”
“Oh, well. That’s alright,” he said awkwardly, looking around the room.
I started to bite on my bottom lip, wondering if I should say anything else or just let him speak next. For some reason this man made me feel nervous and very uncomfortable from his good looks and deep stare.
“Would you, maybe, want to get some coffee?” his raspy voice asked, still staring deep into my soul.
I debated on what to say, should I just agree and go with him? Or make up an excuse to get away from this awkwardness? I deiced to go with the second and just use an excuse.
“I have to work, I’m sorry,” I said. It was true, I did have to finish, even if I did get off in ten minutes. I still wasn’t lying, was I?
“Oh, okay. Well maybe when you get off?”
Shoot, why did he have to ask that? Now what do I do? Think, Cassandra, think.
“Oh, uh, I’m sorry, I have, uh... dinner with my parents! After work.” I couldn’t believe I thought of that excuse so quickly. Good thinking, Cassandra.
“You aren’t just making up excuses, Cassie. Are you?” Lee asked the spot-on question.
Of course I was! I didn’t want to get coffee with a complete stranger! I did know what he might do to me. “Why would you think that?” I asked, playing dumb, but I knew he wasn’t stupid. He could see right through me.
“If you don’t want to go get coffee then you should have just said so. It’s no biggy, even though I would like to get to know you better, Cass.” The way he said my old nickname made my heart flutter and stomach turn, but in a good way I think?
“I, uh... just coffee, right?” I asked slowly giving in.
“Just coffee.”
With that, I grabbed my coat and purse, telling the front desk I was leaving earlier even though it was only five minutes; but Lee didn’t need to know that.
We got to the parking lot. There was a storm coming. The sky was dark with black and grey clouds filling it and a light rain coming down. We hurried and ran across the lot, him leading the way to his vehicle. It was an old red truck, a bit banged up and some paint chipped but in drivable shape.
He opened the door for me and shut it then ran around to the other side to open his as well. I put my seatbelt on and tried to get as comfy as possible in the small space. Lee put the key in the ignition, trying to start the old truck.
At first it wouldn’t, but not long after a few tries, it finally started. He pulled out of the lot, heading for the main road. I still couldn’t believe I agreed to go get coffee with him, let alone get in a car with a complete stranger, but something intrigued me about him.
“What kind of music do you like?” he asked, flipping through the radio stations.
“Sad, meaningful songs,” I answered, knowing in no way that he liked them as well.
“Really? Sad songs? Isn’t that a bit depressing?” he asked, glancing over at me.
“Not when they mean something to you,” I replied.
I love sad songs ever since I got out of the hospital I’d gone to them for help. I heard a song similar to my life and automatically fell in love with it.
“What about rap?” He turned the station to one playing music I could barely understand, let alone think to myself.
“Not really my thing,” I admitted truthfully. “To me, it has no meaning.”
Lee quickly turned to me with shock written on his features. “What? How so?”
“Like, it just doesn’t. For one, you can’t even understand half the time what they’re saying and two, they’re all about sex and drugs.” I knew he wouldn’t like it but it was the truth.
“Not true,” he said as we pulled up to the small brick building with the name “Coffee & Cakes.”
We got out and run to the door, trying to stay dry as possible, but it was pretty hard from the rain coming down so hard.
As the door opened, a bell rung. We walked in, looking around. Only an elderly couple sat sipping on hot coffee and cookies.
Lee found a seat by the window. I walked over to the table, taking a seat to where I could still see out.
“Hi, I’m Katie, and welcome to Coffee & Cakes. Can I start you off with hot chocolate? Maybe a latte or a hot cup of coffee?” she asked.
I looked over at Lee to see if he was going to order first but he didn’t so I did.
“Um, yes. A caramel latte would be great,” I said.
“Alrighty, and for you, sir?” she asked him, twirling her long blonde hair between her fingers. She liked him, I could tell. I mean, why wouldn’t she? He’s very nice looking and a kind man.
“Yeah, I’ll just have a hot chocolate,” he said, handing her our menus.
“Okay, I’ll have these out in no time!” She winked at him then quickly ran off to the back of the restaurant.
“Well that was a bit awkward,” I stated, looking out the window to see the storm lighting up a bit.
“Ha ha, you’re telling me.” He chuckled lightly.
It was silent for a minute, neither one of us daring to speak a word; but when he did, it shocked me to hear what came out of his mouth.
“You’re a beautiful girl, Cassandra.”
Chapter 42
When the five simple words left his mouth, I was so shocked I probably turned red as a tomato. I didn’t really know what to say, so I replied with a thank you.
He looked at me with a smirk etched on his features. “You’re very welcome, Cassie.”
It just then hit me that he was calling me by my nickname, something I hadn’t been called in years. So I asked, “Who told you my nickname?”
Something flashed across his eyes. Maybe shock? Or was it fear? But whatever it was disappeared fast before he answered, “At the party, you insisted I call you it.” The party. Something I still could not recall ever going to.
“Who was having the party again?” I pushed further, wanting so badly to know.
“Summer was,” He replied.
I thought back to my best friend, wondering how he knew her. I was tempted to ask but decided that I’d better not. Oh was all I said.
Minutes later, our drinks had come and we were sipping on them till they were completely empty. Lee got up and paid the flirtatious blonde who I saw wrote her number on the receipt, handing it to him. I got up from my chair, heading for the door, Lee opening it for us.
The rain had stopped, and a rainbow had appeared, making the harsh weather worth the beauty of the colorful view.
“Well, thank you for the latte. I can pay you if you want?” I offered.
“No, no. It’s on me,” He insisted.
We walked back to his old truck, getting in. I made sure to buckle up.
“So you really don’t remember me?” he asked, looking over at me from the driver’s side.
I thought about it for a moment knowing in fact, I did not know this man. I think I would be able to recall such a nice looking face.
“No, I’m very sorry.” The touch of amnesia had really been starting to bug me since Lee showed up.
“Well then, I would love to start over. Will you start over with me too?”
A spark of hope flashed in his green iris. “That would be nice.”
I smiled his way to only see his pearly whites on full show.
“You have nice teeth.” It wasn’t supposed to c
ome out, but it did anyway.
“Well, thank you. You have a very nice smile, something I would love to see more often,” he complimented.
I just blushed and whispered, “thank you” before turning my attention towards the window, gazing up at the beautiful rainbow that had planted itself in the sky. It was quiet the rest of the way back to my work, I wasn’t complaining though. I liked peace and quiet more than talking as long as there was music to listen to, which there was. I’m perfectly fine with silence.
I got out of his beaten-up truck, saying one last thank you before heading towards my old midnight blue Honda. But before I could even reach the handle, I was stopped by a voice.
“Hey, wait up,” Lee’s voice called out to me.
I turned around to see him jogging to my car. Once he was standing in front of me, he breathed out. “I was just wondering what your number is because I know, to you, we just met but to me it’s different. You may not remember, but we talked a lot and you told me a lot about yourself. So please,” he asked, holding out his phone.
He was biting hard on his bottom lip, and I wanted him to stop before it drew blood so I answered quickly for the sake of his plump, heart-shaped lips.
“Ah... yeah, sure.” I smiled at him.
We exchanged numbers and said our goodbyes before both of us got into our old outdated cars.
I buckled up and started out of the parking lot, heading to my apartment.
* * *
I opened the door, throwing my keys on a side table beside the entrance before going to my room and plopping down, face first, on my bed. I lay there, thinking back on everything that happened today with Lee.
Nothing really made sense. I know it’s just from my memory loss, but it really got to me that I couldn’t remember him. He seemed like such a sweet guy; but then again, I don't know him.
I had no idea what kind of guy he really is. For all I know, he could be a murderer but he also could be the sweetest guy to ever walk this earth. Well, that may be a little bit much but still.
Psycho Sitter: Mystery/Thriller Page 13