LOST & FOUND (a ChanBaek/BaekYeol novella)

CHAPTER III: LOST MEMORY (Baekhyun)

"Baekhyun? Baek?"

I opened my eyes to glaring lights, blinding me. Pain seared through my head. I blinked once. Twice. Thrice. I was in a white room. I was lying on a comfortable bed. I could hear a beeping sound somewhere above my head. IVs were attached to both of my hands. My left arm was in a cast. A tube ran under my nose. I could hear voices nearby. I was in a hospital. Someone was holding my right hand. I turned my head.

"Chanyeol."

He had a bandage on his forehead. Purple bruises were visible on his skin.

"What happened? Why am I here? Are you hurt?" I croaked.

My throat was so dry. My head kept throbbing painfully, which was covered in a thick bandage.

"Hyung, is he awake?" a familiar voice asked from the background.

"Yes. Call Suho," Chanyeol replied without looking back. His face was etched with concern.

"How are you feeling?" he asked.

I heard the opening and closing of the door, followed by footsteps coming towards us. Seven people gathered around my bed. My friends. My team from EXO Academy.

"You're all here?" I asked. My throat felt like dessert.

"Yes," Kyungsoo answered. He stroke my hair gently as tears rolled down his face.

"Hey." I reached out with my right hand. "Don't cry."

Kai handed him a handkerchief.

"We're glad you're awake. Chanyeol's been worrying about you since yesterday. We all have been," Xiumin said, patting my leg soothingly.

"What happened?" I asked again, looking at all of them.

I settled my gaze on Chanyeol. He sighed as he took my hand on his. He exchanged a look with Kris.

"We had a car accident yesterday," Chanyeol said in a small voice.

I heard the door open followed by another set of footsteps.

The others moved aside as Suho and Luhan came to check up on me. Sehun was behind them. He smiled at me as he went to stand beside Chen. Chanyeol stayed where he was. Luhan glanced at the monitors on each side of my bed, taking down notes on a clip board. He patted my head as he passed the clip board to Suho, who was checking my forehead.

"Baekhyun, dear, how are you feeling?" he asked softly.

"I ache everywhere," I said, tightening my hold on Chanyeol's hand. "Can I have a glass of water?"

"Of course," Suho answered. He glanced back at the clip board.

"I'll get it," Kris offered. 

"Thank you," I called after Kris. He smiled at me as he left the room.

"How bad am I?" I asked Suho.

Suho glanced at Chanyeol. Chanyeol nodded at him.

"You lost a lot of blood, broke your left arm, and fractured your skull. You'd hit your head badly." Suho sighed. "Do you remember what happened, Baek?"

I frowned, glancing at Chanyeol again. He looked so sad. I tried remembering, but nothing came up.

"I don't. I don't remember anything that happened...yesterday," I told Suho.

"But you remember us?" he asked, gesturing to all of them standing in the room.

"Of course."

I frowned again. I felt like I was missing something. Pain lanced through my head making me winced.