Writing Prompt #4

I think you all know the rules by now. Less than 750 words, flash fiction.

The light fractured into pieces along the wall. The curtains pulled shut allowed little light into the room, but enough to notice every car that passed.

I lay on the bed trying to focus my breathing. To let my subconscious take hold. I was told that meditating will help, easier said than done when you’re stuck in a motel room right on the highway. So much for peace.

I still had the hospital gown on that I’d escaped in. My feet red raw and bleeding. Walking for miles barefoot in this climate wasn’t ideal. The dusty dry roads scattered with pebbles, stones and sandy grit. 

I’d been here now for 2 hours, I snuck in the room through the bathroom window, I shouldn’t be here and I hoped that no one would rent to room tonight. There was some small snacks in the fridge which I had eaten when I got here but now my stomach groaned in protest at the amount of crap I’d consumed.

I needed to get away from the doctors. They were just doing their job, I get that but I needed space to work through this. I was told it was an accident. I was walking down the road when a car came ploughing into me which had left me in a coma for 13 days. When I awoke I had no idea who I was or where I was from. They had not found any I.D on me and my DNA wasn’t on record. I was a non-dead Jane Doe.

I kept getting flashes of memories but never enough to grasp anything from. I had the feeling that may be this was the universe telling me my life was bad before and I was given a fresh start to reinvent myself. I could be anyone. I could have children or a husband, I could be a serial killer. I had no idea.

The only identifying thing I had were the tattoo’s that were down my arms, shoulders and back. I wondered what my inspiration had been when I got them. I liked them, tomorrow I am going to see if any of the studios in town recognise the work.

I figured if I couldn’t meditate then I should at least try to get some sleep. I blocked the door with the side unit so at least I would have time to get out should someone try and enter.

I got into the bed and it didn’t take long for me to fall into a deep sleep. 

I woke to the sound of a car pulling up. It was just getting light and the wall clock showed it was 5.53am.

I got out of the bed, straightened the covers and ate some more snacks, filling my coat pocket with more. I was grateful I had the coat, at least people didn’t stare so blantely when I walked past.

I crawled out of the bathroom window the way I had came and walked around to the main building. It was still and quiet with the exception of a lady dressed in a business suit getting into her car. 

I walked over to her and said hello.

” Oh, hello” she replied

“I’m sorry to bother you but I was wondering if you were heading into town? My friends thought it was funny to take my shoes and I’d rather not walk back barefoot again”

She looked down at my feet, glazing over my long coat.

‘Urm, sure. Yes I can take you there. I have a pair of old squash shoes if you would like to wear them?’

‘That would be very kind of you, thank you’

The lady walked to the boot of her car and got some old battered white shoes out and have them to me. I opened the passenger door and slide in. The car smelt like fresh pine and was immaculately clean.

We drove in silence, I didn’t know what to say and she clearly didn’t either. When she pulled up to the road I got out.

‘Thank you for the lift.’ I said poking my head through the window.

‘You’re welcome, sorry I didn’t catch your name’

I thought for second before replying, 

‘My name is Andrea, Andrea Riley’

And with that I turned and walked away. That was my name now, one I had claimed until I could find out who I really was.

Thanks for reading and as always feel free to pop your story in the comments below or link to your blog post.

The Stationery Geekette x