Unexpected Arrival

" Welcome to KTVE News at 11, I'm Evan Carter and I'm Samantha Cruz. We start off tonight with the unfortunate death of a top highschool basketball prospect."

" That's right Evan, 15 y/o basketball phenom Elias Cordova was pronounced dead earlier today by his family at the hospital it was discovered that he suffered from a previously undetected heart defect."

" After it was announced by the family that Elias had passed away. An outpour of support for the family was seen throughout social media."

" NBA player, Derrick Rose Elias's favorite player and who he modeled his play style after, pledge to cover all of Elias's funeral costs."

"What a truly heartbreaking story Evan. He was so young and full of promise..."

" You're absolutely right, Samantha."

" We now move onto..."

_

Inside a spacious hospital room, filled with all kinds of machines, all surrounding a solitary bed in the center. There lay a young man, unmoving yet serene highlighting his good looks. Long amber hair reaching far beyond his shoulders, an impeccable jaw line, thick curved lips and a elegantly straight nose.

Just a few steps away, two people were holding a very sensitive conversation. The one doing most of the talking was a middle aged Asian woman holding onto a clipboard. While the one listening was a young black woman who's entire focus was on the young man.

" He's stopped responding, at this point I'd suggest for him to be taken off life support. At this rate it would take a miracle for him to awaken."

" I understand, I'll inform his parents."

The young woman's monotone response might have come off as dismissive, but as she finished speaking a tear streaked down her right cheek.

" I'll show myself out, if you need anything please inform a nurse at the front desk."

With the doctor's departure the girl tried her best to maintain her composure. Managing to not make any sound for several minutes before low cries escaped her mouth.

Unbeknownst to either the medical staff or the mourning girl a change was currently underway.

_

' I've... I've got... I've got to, stand up. The guys are counting on me, coach is counting on me, I've got to win this game for them and myself! So c'mon move you stupid body, move!'

_

It began with a barely noticeable or visible twitch on his right hand. That however steadily escalated, it was soon his hand, then his shoulder until his entire body shook violently.

This unexpected change, caused the girl to literally jump out of her seat and rushed to his side. At the same time the countless monitors surrounding him all flushed red. Summoning a swarm of nurses and doctors all who immediately took over.

Their arrival forced the girl to the far back of the room to spectate. She then witnessed as the doctors repeatedly tried to resuscitate the young man.

No more than a few minutes later, the young man was officially pronounced dead.

Being informed of that, the girl sat back down in her previous seat without saying a word. Time slowly passed with her remaining unresponsive until a a thought finally crossed her mind.

" I have to call the-"

" Excuse me, where am I?"

The second that voice entered her ears the girl instantly recognized it. Snapping out of her daze, she saw the recently pronounced dead young man standing right in front of her.

" V-vincent!"

' Vincent? Who's that?'

Not caring if he was nothing more than a delusion her mind created to console herself. She jumped into his arms and hugged him as tightly as she possibly could.

Confused at her words, the newly awakened "Vincent" pushed the strange girl away.

" Who are you? And I'm not Vincent I'm Elias, Elias Cordova."

Confused as to why her personally created delusion felt so real. She took a single step forward and pokes his chest, only for her finger to make solid contact.

" What are you doing?"

" You're real?"

" Yeah, how else could we be talking? So are you going to tell me who you are and how I got here?"

Without any warning she lunged at him again ecstatic with the unbelievable miracle. Unfortunately for her, the young man asked away not allowing her to hug him.

" If you're not going to tell me what's going on then I'll go find someone who will."

" You seriously don't remember me? I'm Michelle we've known each other since we were little kids. We practically grew up together..."

" Michelle? I don't know anyone with that name."

With no idea what to do, Michelle tried to get "Elias" to calm down and sit down.

" You're at the hospital, you've just woke up from a coma you've been in for several months."

" Coma? I've been in a coma?"

" You have, so you should probably sit down while I go call a nurse over okay?"

Rushing outside, Michelle almost immediately returned with two very skeptical nurses. When the trio of women entered, the nurses almost had a heart attack when they saw their deceased patient sitting down.

" H-how is this possible?"

" Jen call Dr. Sao right away!"

" O-okay!"

Quickly nodding the nurse ran outside while her colleague checked up on "Vincent". She confirmed his heart was still beating, and all his vitals were stable. Shortly thereafter, the Doctor who'd spoke with Michelle earlier walked in.

" Well this is quiet certainly unexpected, Mr. Lawlett how exactly are you still alive?"

_

The next morning "Vincent" was awakened by a pricking feeling on his left arm. Opening his eyes he noticed a nurse holding onto a needle while constantly looking at a monitor.

" Good morning, Mr. Lawlett. Did I wake you, I do apologise as that wasn't my intention. Now could you tell me where you currently are?"

Still somewhat light headed, he looked around before answering.

" A Hospital?"

" That's good, what about how you got here? Do you remember that?"

" Um, I.. I was playing basketball and then everything just went black."

At the end of his explanation, the nurse didn't say anything else and shortly left.

' Ugh, I must've hit my head pretty hard when I fell down, how else could I have dreamt yesterday? Although it's kinda odd that my parents aren't here with me.'

Feeling exhausted, he laid down only to quickly get back when the door opened. Standing there was the same doctor and the girl from his nightmare from yesterday.

" Good morning, Vincent, do you remember me? My name is Samantha Sao, I'm the leading physician in your case. I'm here because I wanted to continue our discussion from yesterday."

" Yesterday, t-that was all real?"

" It was, and I'm not sure if you recall, but due to an emotional outburst, we weren't able to conclude our talk. That's why I'd like to continue now, if that's okay with you."

" Do I have a choice?"

Dr. Sao acted like she didn't hear his exact response, as she started asking her questions.

" Can you tell me everything that you remember from before you awoke here?"

" I was in a basketball game, and as I was running to my spot I lost balance and everything just went black. The next thing I know I'm here... Excuse but do my parents know I'm here?"

" I see, now could you please tell me your name?"

" Elias Cordova."

" Okay, and how old are you?"

" I'm 15, but I'll be 16 in a couple of months."

Everytime he answered from the corner of his eye, Elias could see Michelle's expression becoming dire.

" Alright, that'll be all for right now. I'll be back in a little while, meanwhile try to rest."

" Okay."

Done with their conversation, Dr. Sao stood up and left with Michelle, the girl almost in tears. Laying down Elias tried his best to hear what they were speaking about outside. With some luck and staying real quiet he managed to make out a few sentences.

" This sort of reaction is to be expected when dealing with comatose patients."

" Will he fully recuperate his memory?"

" We need to run several more tests, but nothing's for certain in these cases."

That was about all he was able to hear, yet that's all it took to severely confuse him.

' What the hell is going on!? Could Elias be nothing more than a work of fiction he created? While in actuality being Vincent Lawlett?'

Doubting his own identity and sanity, Elias thrashed around trying to get up. His constant moving activated an alarm, summoning a nurse to his room.

" Is something wrong?"

She asked while checking the monitor next to his bed.

" I want to get up. I need to go to the bathroom."

" I'm sorry but you're still too weak, if you need to use the restroom I can help you."

Saying that she went to a cabinet and pulled out a metallic bedpan.

" No, that's okay."

Not needing to actually use the toilet, Elias gave up on the idea although not entirely on his purpose.

" Excuse me, Miss."

" Yes, do you need something?"

" Do you think I could make a phonecall?"

Listening to his request, the nurse looked at him with some pity on her face, before kindly refusing.

" You need to be resting right now, the last thing you need is a phone. If you need anything else you can press that button there."

Not long after she swiftly walked out, leaving Elias to bury his head in his pillow out of frustration.

" Dammit, this is so fucking frustrating! Why won't anyone listen to me!?"

Elias's wouldn't have to dwell in his own bitterness for much longer as he soon had a visitor. Michelle had returned and this time around Elias was elated to see the girl.

" Michelle could you let me borrow your phone?"

" O-of course!"

Believing that he'd made a breakthrough and recognized her, Michelle happily agreed. Taking out her phone, she unlocked it before handing it over to him. Finally holding onto something familiar, Elias was able to relax.

' At least Apple hasn't changed... Now let's try and call my parents and clear this up.'

Quickly dialing his mother's phone number, Elias was highly optimistic of this nightmare ending.

' C'mon mom answer your phone!'

Seeing her boyfriend acting so flustered Alice couldn't help but ask who he was calling.

" Who are you calling?"

" Oh, um my mom."

" Your mom?"

' Since when does he call his mother anything other than, that woman?'

After the fifth ring, Elias gave up on his mom picking up, so he dialed his father instead.

" Huh, who are you calling now?"

" My dad, mom didn't pick up."

" Oh..."

After some time, the call to his father finally connected, helping Elias settle down. At least that was the case before he heard the voice on the other end.

" Luigi's Pizzeria, how can I help you?"

" Um, excuse isnt this 213..."

As he listened to their response, Elias's face lost all color.

" Excuse me, how long have you had this phone number?"

" I'm not sure, sir. Although I've worked here for three years and I'm pretty sure it hasn't changed."

Unable to make sense of what he just heard, he hung up and moved on to Google.

" This can't be happening, this can't be fucking happening!"

" Vincent, what's wrong!? Do you want me to call a nurse?"

Completely disregarding Michelle's worried shout, Elias searched for any remnants of his past life. He looked up his school, It didn't exist, his social media, gone, his home address, was a McDonald's.

" It's all fake..."

Whiplashed by the sudden realization that life as he knew it had changed entirely. Elias dropped the phone on his lap, catching his reflection on its glossy screen. Staring at the person on the screen, he was forced to admit something he'd known was the truth.

How could he not know that he was now considerably lighter, that he was easily three inches taller, and his voice was entirely different.

Slowly raising his head to face the stunned Michelle, Elias whispered in a wavering voice.

" W-who am I?"