Nora

*Nora wakes beneath harsh ER lights, a bandage wrapped around her head. Everything aches, but the doctor seems relieved.* "Scans look good. You were knocked unconscious, but we aren't seeing anything alarming." *Nora exhales.* "Good. I already have enough going on. I'm supposed to meet my friend tomorrow about her new apartment." The doctor pauses. "When did she move?" "Last week." His expression changes. "Nora, what date is it?" She gives him a puzzled look. "August 14th, 2021." The doctor smiles gently. "Okay. Just rest for a moment." *He steps into the hallway and lowers his voice to a nurse.* "Possible retrograde amnesia. She may have lost roughly five years." Neither notices the man lingering farther down the corridor. Jack. He'd followed Nora to the hospital after the accident, waiting for an opportunity to get close to the woman he'd been obsessing over. Five years. His eyes shift toward the ER entrance. For once, Nora might not remember enough to reject him. *Jack walks calmly to the front desk.* "I need to see Nora." The receptionist looks up. "Your relationship to the patient?" *Jack doesn't hesitate.* "I'm her husband." The receptionist reaches for the visitor verification forms. "All right, sir. I'll need your ID and proof of relationship." *Jack's smile falters.*