I didn't know how long I had been gone.But the next time I woke up, I found myself in my grandparents' barn, naked and wearing an apron.
Don't ask me how—I didn't know either—because my grandparents had already passed away.I tried to open the barn door, but it was chained shut. Strange.Who would want to keep me locked in here?
Since I couldn't escape, I looked around inside.The interior was different.Instead of hay and the bicycles my grandfather used to repair, there was a table with six monitors on it.Next to them, a volume regulator.
Two of the monitors were turned on.I moved closer and saw a white room.It was quiet—eerily quiet.Behind the glass, I saw people in different uniforms.
It took a moment, but I realized: I was in a hospital.I looked at the volume regulator, turned it up, and suddenly heard the beeping of machines.
Thanks to Marco, Julius, and Celia, I was in a hospital bed—in a coma.
Rage swelled inside me.Damn it. I had such a bright future ahead.A future as a doctor.I could have saved lives, made good money.
And now it was all ruined.All because of three idiots who didn't care about school.
I wanted to wake up right then, to jump out of the coma and beat them to a pulp.I wanted out.
I ran to the barn door, shaking it wildly.I wanted to get back—to school, to my life.I grew more aggressive, pulling and rattling the door.But nothing happened.
No one knew I was awake.No one cared that I was in here.
All the more reason I had to find a way out.Suddenly, I heard a door open.
"Look, his eyes are open!" my mother said, nudging my father.He looked over at me.
"No, sweetheart," he replied."He's still in a coma. You're just imagining things. I know you miss him, but there's nothing we can do."
Meanwhile, I screamed inside my head."I'm here! I'm wide awake and healthy!"I cursed under my breath.Why couldn't anyone hear me?
My parents stepped closer, placed the bouquet they'd brought on my nightstand.They stood there for a moment, looking at me.
"Let him be," my father said gently to my concerned mother."Let him rest."Those were his last words before they left the room.
"Please don't go," I called after them."I'm right here!"But they were already gone.And I was alone.
I wanted to wake up, to take back control.But somehow, I needed someone else's attention.
Later that afternoon, a young woman entered.She looked about my age, maybe a bit older.She walked up to my body.
"You got a bouquet? That's sweet," she said, jotting down notes on her clipboard.
She set down a bucket and a cloth.Then she pulled out a stethoscope to check my lungs.She leaned in close to my body, but I couldn't meet her gaze.
I wandered restlessly inside the barn."I want out, I want out," I started to chant, while the nurse moved around to check my breathing from behind.
That's when I saw her name tag: Lina Meillard.
She apologized as she had to lift my body slightly.Then, with the damp cloth, she began to clean my feet.
I saw what she was doing.I heard her hum a tune.
"I want out!" I shouted, shaking the barn door again.I refused to give up.The more I rattled the door, the more my brain activity spiked.
Lina noticed the sudden changes on the monitors.I, too, was startled by the beeping and turned to look at the screens.
She appeared dazed, almost in a trance, as she stared at the readings.She blinked several times and looked into my eyes.
Then, suddenly, everything changed.I saw the monitor from her point of view.I was seeing through Lina's eyes.
I was confused—what was happening?My readings were spiking.Then Lina truly entered a trance.
Through her eyes, I saw my own comatose body.The beeping grew more intense.
Her eyes returned to my body—my face staring up from the hospital bed.I was stunned to see the tubes in my mouth.I could hardly believe it.
I stared at the reflection—at myself—until Lina blinked again and the connection broke.She stepped back in shock.
"What the…?" she began, then quickly rushed out of the room, leaving the door ajar.
I had the feeling—she had heard me.I didn't know how, but something had reached her.
I had to be careful now.If she told someone, they wouldn't believe her.
But I had to control myself, focus, grow stronger.Maybe then I could talk to her properly.
I sat down in the middle of the barn, focusing all night on my breathing, on myself.
The advantage of being in a coma?You never get tired.
I observed my own state.I felt tension inside me.And it was as if the room around me—the barn—was slowly shrinking.
Deep breath in.Deep breath out.
Early in the morning, Lina returned.She came to write down my readings again.
She arrived quietly, likely hoping I was still asleep.I kept my eyes closed.
When I heard the door open, she entered and noted my vitals.That's when I opened my eyes.
Again, she entered a trance as she saw my pulse.She froze, clipboard in hand, about to write something.
"Lina, are you with me?" I asked, as her gaze turned to me.
Once more, I was connected to her.Her clipboard dropped to the floor.
I could see through her eyes again.I exhaled slowly as I looked at my own body lying in the bed.
"The door," I told her.
Automatically, she turned around and slowly walked to the door.With her left hand, she closed it.
She barely blinked—like a robot I was now controlling.
"Walk to the mirror," I commanded.She obeyed.
"What you're experiencing right now is between you and me. Tell no one," I emphasized.
I saw her reflection in the mirror—Lina.Her rectangular face, hazel-green eyes, her brown hair tied back, a sharp nose, round cheeks.
"You're quite a beauty," I told her, guiding her hand to her face.
I felt what she felt.She moved where I moved.
I realized—I could influence her more and more.
Suddenly, another nurse entered.She was older, heavier, her hair already gray.
"Lina, I need you in room three," she said, as my control over Lina faded.
"Lina? Are you alright?" the older nurse asked.
Lina took a moment to regain her bearings."Yes," she nodded, but she was clearly confused.
They left the room together.And I was alone again.
Lina was young. She intrigued me.But before I could guide her outside and learn what had really happened to me,I had to practice more.
I didn't yet know how to keep control.