Masquerade (Masquerade #1) Read Online Free Page A

shrugs her shoulders. “Well then, I guess there was a reason. Now, if you will excuse me, but I need to be going.”
    She slams the door, and tears rush down my face. Why the hell didn’t he tell me he was leaving? He is gone.
     

    A Year and A Half Later
    “Sweetie, come in here. She is awake.”
    My eyes flutter open as I hear a woman speaking to someone else. I open them again then close them repeatedly because the intensity of the lights on my eyes are causing spots. I deliberately open and close them again several times before it gets easier to see.
    I look around to see my mother and my dad holding a child. I know they are my parents, but whose child is that? I look around to see machines hooked up to me, and that is when I realize I am in a hospital.
    “What happened? Why am I here? Who is that little girl?” My voice is horse.
    My dad looks up to my mother. “I will go and get the doctor.” He walks out of the door with the little girl.
    I look up at my mother, and she says, “We will discuss that after the doctor sees you.” Leaning down, she hugs me, crying. “I am so happy to see those beautiful green eyes again.”
    The doctor comes in the door with my dad in tow and the girl cradled in his arms.
    The doctor looks at the machines then turns to me, pulling out a flashlight from his pocket. He looks me in each eye with it blinding me again.
    “You are looking good. It’s nice to see you awake. How are you feeling?”
    “I’m okay. I think. Can someone tell me what happened?”
    The doctor steps back and looks down at me. “You were in a gruesome car wreck. When you first came in, we had our doubts that you would live. Thank goodness you pulled through. I am going to go and let the nurses know you are up and maybe bring you some water?”
    “Please, my mouth is really dry, and I am starved. Can I eat?”
    Chuckling, the doctor says, “Let’s see how you handle the water first, but I think we may be able to get you something light to eat. Do you remember who you are or your age? Tell me the last few things you remember.”
    I try to think back. “I remember being a child of course. I don’t remember how I wound up here. I’m not sure on how old I am either. I’m thinking I’m sixteen, right?” I look up at my parents. “I’m feeling overwhelmed. I know you are my parents and have apparently had a baby.”
    He nods his head. “Well, you are actually eighteen, and it looks like you only will have so many memories of the time before. Your parents can show you pictures to jog your memory, but it may never come completely back. Other than that, you look really good, and I couldn’t be happier with the outcome of all of this. You still need rest though.”
    I nod my head, and he says, “I will be back later. I will let your family explain the details.” He turns on his heel and makes his exit.
    I look up and wait for an explanation. My mother clears her throat and starts. “Sweetie, you were in a car wreck. You were speeding down a street not too far from the house when you swerved to miss a dog and wrapped your car around a tree. We were so worried about you.”
    “How long have I been here?”
    My mom looks back at my dad, and he steps forward. “You have been here for a year and a half. You have been in a coma.”
    I shake my head back and forth, not believing it has been that long. I can’t remember the car wreck, or why I would have been driving so carelessly.
    “Was there a reason I was driving that way, or did I always drive like an idiot?”
    My mom sits beside me and grabs my hand. “You were upset with us. We had gotten into an argument about something so petty that now I wish we never would have said anything to you.”
    “What was the fight about?”
    “Nothing important. Just you being a normal teenager, wanting to go somewhere and we said no,” she says with a wiry smile.
    “Okay, but who is that?” I point my finger towards the little girl asleep in my dad’s