Blank Canvas

Chapter Two: Date Unknown

    "Ma'am, enough with the games. Who are you?" A man in a black suit with a navy blue tie sits across from me at this metal table. He had brown hair with piercing eyes that felt as if he was looking right through me which made me uncomfortable. Behind him was a dark glass window that I could not see what was on the other side. There were two chairs on each side of the table. My left hand was handcuffed to the table. It was colder in this room than it was outside as my teeth were chattering and my legs were shaking to keep warmth.

    "I am telling you that I have no idea who I am. I woke up in an alleyway with a name written on my arm and no memory of how I ended up there," I stated in a stern voice, hoping he realizes how serious I was. I raised my bicep so he could see the scribbled handwriting on my arm.

"How did that name end up on your arm?" He questioned with curiosity.

    "I have no idea. Someone must have written it."

    "So, you are telling me someone took time out of their day to write a random name and birth date on your arm then leave you in an alley?" He chuckled to himself.

    "This is not funny! I did not do this to myself! Why don't you believe me?" I slammed my right hand on the table.

    "Ma'am. That was unnecessary. I am just trying to understand how someone can lose their memory and have no idea who they are or how they got left in an alley." Disbelief was written all over his face.

    "You and me both." I snarled at him while rolling my eyes. This man is not going to help me. No one believed me and it was beyond frustrating.

    "Are you sure you are not using illegal drugs?" He smirked and I knew no matter what I said was going to matter. He was not going to change his mind about me. I was just some druggie to him.

    "Can you please find someone who is actually going to help me?" I sighed, placed my right arm on the table then rested my head on my arm. I was hoping he was going to get the hint that I wasn't going to answer any more questions and leave to go find someone else.

    "If you tell me what you are taking, I will help reduce any charges you get. You just have to be honest with me." I rolled my eyes and shook my head. We sat in silence for a while as he cleared his throat multiple times. I'll just wait him out since it's not like I have somewhere to be.

I heard a knock on the door and my head shot up. Both the officer and I stared at the door until a middle aged woman with brown hair braided to the side, wearing a pantsuit. "I will take it from here, Officer Murphy." She gave him one of the most fakest smiles I have ever seen as she motioned towards the door, giving him the hint that she is not going to back down anytime soon.

    "Fine." He placed his palms on the table and pushed himself up from the chair. He walked towards the door, looked over at me with a stern look, and walked out the door. He made it known that he disapproves of the situation as he slammed the door closed.

    "I am so sorry about that. I am Detective Smith. I heard about your situation and I am wanting to help." She smiled at me as she took a seat across from me.

    "Why would you want to help me? Everyone else thinks I am some druggie that took a little too much and is making up that I have no memory when I really do." I know I had disbelief written all over my face.

    "Well, I believe you. The officers should not have treated you like this. They should have given you the benefit of the doubt, but that's why I am here. That's only if you want my help."

    I made eye contact with her, trying to see if she is lying to me, but she seemed very serious with her offer. I nodded, accepting her help. It's nice to know that someone out there believes me.

    "First of all, they should have not brought you to the station in this condition. I can barely see what your skin tone is through all this bruising. They should have taken you to the hospital to get you checked out and that's what I plan to do first, but I need to take pictures of your injuries. Along with that, I need a picture of that name on your bicep. Is that okay?"

    I nodded before responding, "can I at least be free from this handcuff?" I shook my left hand as the handcuff rattled against the metal table.

    "Of course." She stood up to grab a set of keys out of her left pocket and searched for the correct key. Once she did, she unlocked my hand and I grabbed my left hand with my right hand to rub where the cuff was. It was red and raw from the handcuff rubbing my skin, causing me to hiss when I touched it. I just did not get why they were treating me like I was some animal instead of a human. I was hoping this detective could help me.

    She walked to the door, opened it and motioned me to leave the room. "We are going to go get the pictures done first." I nodded and followed her down the hallway to an empty, small room that did not have any windows. "Give me one second. I will be right back."

I nodded in response. A few minutes later, she returned with a large camera. "First, we are going to take pictures of your clothes. I see there are many holes in different places." I nodded as the camera shuttered with each photo. "Now, could you take off your clothes to your undergarments?"

    I looked up at her with confusion and she stated she meant my underwear. I nodded and took off my pants along with my shirt. "You don't have a bra on?" She questioned.

    "What's a bra?" She met my eyes with shock and confusion.

    "A bra is for your breasts. It is meant to cover and support them." She pointed towards my chest.

    I shook my head, not understanding why someone would need this thing called a bra.

    She smiled at me and stated, "never mind." She started to take pictures of different places of my body where I am covered in bruises and scratches. As she walked around my body, I tried to stand as still as I could, but it was hard when this room was freezing and it doesn't help that I am naked.

    "You look malnourished, honey." She met my eyes with concern.

    "Malnourished?" I asked for clarification

    "It means that you have not been eating enough food or nutrients that your body needs."

    I am unsure what nutrients are, but I nodded my head as if I understood. I looked down at my body to see my ribs and hip bones were poking out. Is that what she means? Is my body not supposed to look like this?

    "Honey." She interrupted my thoughts and as I made eye contact with her, she stated, "you can put your clothes back on."

    I nodded and placed my clothes back on, waiting for her next request. She was staring down at the camera, pressing buttons. I just stood there, feeling very awkward, not knowing where to look or do.

    "Alright. Let's go to the hospital to get you checked out to make sure you do not have an internal bleeding. You have major bruising and I am afraid that if we do not get you checked out that we may regret it. I would rather be safe than sorry."

I nodded, unsure if I have ever been to this hospital she is talking about. I try my hardest to look for any memories, but I keep drawing a blank. I wish I could just remember even if it was the smallest detail. I sighed and followed her out of the station to the car.