Into Thin Air Read online

  I try to yell for help, but all I can manage is a gasp. Around me, people are screaming and running in every direction. They don’t hear me. No one responds.

  Smoke surrounds us, my lungs are ready to give up, and he’s still not moving.

  Chapter 15

  Ellie

  Present day

  “Why are you here, Cooper?” I say through ragged breaths. “I want nothing to do with you. Please, Gale, make him leave,” I beg him before I have another meltdown.

  “I’m not going anywhere until you tell me who this Sam guy is. You broke up with me because you claimed I cheated on you,” he yells. “So who’s Sam?”

  “I claimed you cheated?” I snap. “Screwing someone on a bathroom sink while high as a kite isn’t considered cheating?”

  “When was this?” Gale asks, shocked. “Why didn’t you tell me?”

  “I don’t know. Before I went to LA. I don’t want to talk about this.” I grip the sheet in my hands because Cooper doesn’t move. “Get out, Cooper!”

  The door swings open and a doctor storms in. A nurse follows. “What’s going on in here?” he inquires. “This is a hospital, and you’re disturbing patients.”

  “Dr. Levy, Stella woke up, and Cooper is upsetting her. Can you please have him removed from the hospital?” Gale requests. Cooper’s face turns lava red.

  I love Gale. He’s one of the best men I know, and I trust him with my life. He’s perfect in every way—but he’s my cousin. Women love him because of his chocolate brown hair and eyes, dimpled cheeks, and charming personality. People always ask if he’s my boyfriend. Eww! He’s the brother I never had. I also love him because he gives the best hugs. But Sam’s were better. My heart rips open a notch more.

  The doctor looks at me for agreement. I nod emphatically.

  “I don’t want him here. Please don’t let him back in.”

  “Sir, you’ve heard Ms. Crimson.” The doctor speaks firmly and directs Cooper to the door. “This isn’t the first time we’ve had to talk to you about your behavior here in the hospital. I’ll need you to leave now. Please don’t cause any more problems by coming back. She has just awakened after a terrible accident. She doesn’t need any more stress.”

  Cooper looks back at me with bloodshot eyes. “We’re not done here,” he spits and storms out of the room. He’s probably high again or needs to be.

  “I don’t want him near me,” I say to the doctor and nurse as the door closes behind him.

  “I’ll make sure security knows he’s not welcome,” the doctor says. “Now, Ms. Crimson, welcome back. I’m Dr. Levy, and this is your nurse, Susie. I’m sorry you had to wake up to that. Let me check your vitals and then I need to ask you a few questions, if you’re up to answering them?”

  I nod as he takes my pulse. Then he pulls out a penlight and flashes it in my eyes. I remember the dream I had when I was in the bathtub, the flashing light. It was like this. And Cooper’s voice. I was sure I’d heard him. And smelled his cologne. I thought that was a dream—what if it wasn’t? I break into a cold sweat.

  The doctor pulls up a chair and sits down next to the bed with a tablet of some sort and an electronic pen in his hand. Susie fills a cup of water and passes it to me. My hand is shaking so badly, it’s hard for me to hold the paper cup. The water splashes out onto the sheet. I take a couple of sips and hand it back.

  “Thank you,” I say. She smiles and sets the cup on the table next to my bed.

  Dr. Levy taps the tablet with the pen a couple of times. “Let’s begin. Do you know your first and last name?”

  “I’m Stella Crimson, but close family and friends call me Ellie.”

  “When were you born?”

  “November sixth, nineteen eighty-eight.”

  “What city and state do you live in?”

  “Seattle, Washington.”

  He taps the screen a couple more times, then places it on the table. “How are you feeling? Do you remember where you were last? Do you know why you’re here?”

  “I was on vacation at an island resort.”

  His eyebrows rise. “Do you remember where the resort is located?”

  I glance at Gale as if he knows the answer. He looks at me blankly. Why can’t I remember where I was?

  I shake my head. “I don’t remember.”

  “Do you remember anything else? Were you with anyone?”

  “I was in a helicopter accident with Sam, and I thought we were going to die. But I woke up in this hospital room.” My eyes flood with tears, and I shake harder. “Please tell me where Sam is. Is he alive?” My voice cracks.

  “Ms. Crimson. Two days ago, an electrical malfunction caused a deadly explosion at the Seattle airport. You were injured and brought here. You and about ten others were lucky and survived with only a few injuries.”

  “Was I in a coma?” I look back and forth between Gale and the doctor.

  “Yes, due to an acute head injury. You were on the border of waking up several times, but something kept you under. Do you remember being at the airport or why you were there?”

  “No, I don’t. I was alone at a resort for days. That’s where I met Sam.”

  “Do you remember how many days you were there?”

  I study my hands. “I couldn’t say for sure. They kind of ran into each other. Maybe eight or ten.” It could have been longer, but I keep my mouth shut.

  “Did you just arrive back from your vacation, and that’s why you were at the airport?”

  I shake my head out of frustration. “No! I was in a helicopter crash! I need to know if Sam is alive. Please tell me,” I shout. Gale grabs my hand and squeezes it gently.

  “You need to calm down, Ms. Crimson. Now, who is Sam? What’s his last name? I can try to locate him for you. Maybe he was involved with the explosion. Some of the other survivors were taken to different hospitals.” The doctor’s calm response irritates me even more. I don’t think he believes me.

  A tear drops on my thumbnail. “I don’t know his last name. We met at the resort. He surprised me with a helicopter ride because he’s a pilot. Is he dead?”

  “Stella, I think I know what has happened here. I had another patient a while back who had experienced something similar, so I’ve done some research in the past. This patient woke up believing she had been somewhere else. She was fully convinced and wouldn’t listen otherwise. And she was able to give clear details of her dream. It took her a long time to come to terms that it was indeed only a dream.”

  The doctor scratches his jaw, then stands up. “I’ll be right back. I want to show you something.” Susie follows him out the door.

  Once we’re alone, I’m in Gale’s arms. “I’m so confused. Why doesn’t anything make sense? Where’s Mom? Does she know I’m here?”

  “She was here yesterday. The police called her first, and then she called me. I brought her here immediately. I told her I’d call her as soon as you woke up. Do you want to call her or should I?”

  “I’m too upset. I don’t have my phone. It’s still at the resort. Maybe we can call the resort and ask them to send my stuff.”

  Gale sighs. “Ellie, you said you don’t know which resort you were at. How could we call them? But the police gave your mom your handbag. When I was looking for your insurance card, I saw your phones in there. I gave your insurance information to the hospital. For safety reasons, your mom took your handbag home with her, and I took your suitcase to your apartment and brought you fresh clothes. I also called your office to let them know what happened. Your manager, Stephanie, is a real winner.”

  Before I can respond, Dr. Levy comes back in the room with a crinkled newspaper in his hand. “Ms. Crimson, please read this article. It’s about the explosion at the airport where you were injured. There are no names of the victims or survivors listed, but maybe this will answer some of your questions.”

  I don’t want to take the newspaper from him, but eventually I give in. My shaking hands jiggle the paper, and the words
blur before me. “Do you have my glasses?” I ask Gale and then look at Dr. Levy.

  “I’m not aware of you wearing glasses when you arrived at the hospital. They must’ve gotten lost in the explosion.”

  When I was at the resort, I never thought about my glasses. I didn’t need them because everything was crystal clear.

  I’ve been wearing glasses since second grade.

  I shake my head. “Never mind. I have a spare pair at home.”

  I hold the paper close to my face and read it. Then it slips from my fingers and sobs come again. I don’t know what to believe.

  Where are you, Sam?

  Chapter 16

  Sam

  My sister, Cass, looks shrewdly toward the hospital room door, then back at me. “Finally, Jenny’s left the room. We haven’t had more than two minutes alone.” She leans close and whispers, “Who the hell is Ellie? You woke up yelling her name, completely frantic. Screaming about a helicopter crash. I’ve never seen you so devastated and disoriented. Jenny acted like it didn’t faze her, but come on. Maybe she didn’t realize you said Ellie instead of Jenny. I guess they kind of sound the same if you mumble them. But you weren’t mumbling.”

  I rest my head back on the pillow of the hospital bed and squeeze my heavy eyes shut. “Ellie’s the woman of my dreams,” I confess with gutted sadness.

  Ellie! What have I done? I told her she could trust me with her life, but Cass says I was injured at the airport. I’m so confused. I remember why I was in Seattle, but Ellie is as real as my name. All the time we spent together is as clear as day in my mind. How could it have been a dream? How can I physically ache for someone if it was all a figment of my imagination?

  “Are you cheating on Jenny? Is that really why you’re in Seattle?” She looks over her shoulder, worried that Jenny will walk back in. Then she shrugs. “Not that I’d mind. I’ve been telling you to dump her ass for a while now. I don’t know what you see in her. Is it a requirement to date gold diggers and bimbos when you’re a famous athlete? I’m surprised she flew up here from LA. But supposedly her mother’s divorce lawyer is located in Seattle, so her mom is going to fly here in a couple of days because she has an appointment. She babbled about her new modeling portfolio and how she gave it to one of the lawyers from the firm days ago in LA.” She groans. “Like I care.”

  It’s true. Cass can’t stand Jenny—or most of my other ex-girlfriends. She says Jenny’s using me because I’m a top soccer player in the United States; she only wants the money and publicity, just like her mother. I’ve never met a girl who didn’t love my money. Until Ellie.

  When I was with Ellie, I never thought about Jenny. Not one image came into my mind. Jenny should’ve been the first person I thought about. But we aren’t in a serious relationship. At least, I don’t think so. Why don’t I feel guilty? Ellie was my focus from the moment I saw her. She’s the complete opposite of Jenny. Nothing else mattered. It was as if Jenny never existed.

  “I honestly don’t remember an explosion. I swear to you, I was at a resort with this woman, Ellie.”

  But when I found myself at the resort when Ellie walked into the welcome room, I didn’t remember how I got there.

  “But if I was in a helicopter accident like I thought, I’d most likely be dead right now. And so would she.” I inhale sharply. “Oh God, Cass! What if I killed her? I will never forgive myself.” I clench my fists, wishing I could hit something.

  Cass leans close and places her hand on my arm. “But you’re not dead, Sam, so you can believe it was a dream. You’ve always wanted to be a pilot, so that’s why you dreamed about it. The fear of crashing is probably what made you wake up, like a nightmare would. Dreams are weird. They can be like a scene from Alice in Wonderland, and things that are totally random, like maybe a purple car you saw on the highway, pop up as something that’s yours in a dream. But sometimes dreams reveal our deepest secrets, wishes, and fears.”

  Like my fear of death.

  “My sister, the dream expert. You went to school for the wrong thing.”

  “You know dreams fascinate me. Look at all the books I have at home. When I need a break from editing, I analyze dreams.”

  “Then you need to dissect this dream. Maybe I should talk to the doctor. Is it a normal phenomenon to dream like this when you hit your head? And for it to feel so real?”

  “I don’t know. You heard him this morning. You have a concussion. While you were out, there were a few times when you mumbled something. Sometimes you smiled. It’s like something kept you from becoming fully conscious again. And you heard him say that it’s normal that you don’t remember the explosion happening. Maybe it’ll come back to you when you least expect it. Let’s wait until the doctor returns.”

  What I had with Ellie is what kept me from waking up. How could I fall completely in love with someone in a dream? Someone I’ve never met before. I had feelings for Jenny, but knowing what love felt like with Ellie—there’s no comparison. Love was never a part of any relationship I’ve ever been in before.

  “So tell me why you’re in Seattle. Do you at least remember that?”

  I close my eyes to gather my thoughts. “I was here for an interview at Seattle University. They want to talk to me about being their head soccer coach. Oh, wait!” I look around the room frantically. “Where’s my phone? I need to see what day it is and when the interview is scheduled. If I missed it, I need to call and reschedule.”

  “An interview? Holy shit, really? That’s awesome! But that means you’d have to move here.” Her smile morphs into a frown.

  “I can’t even think about that yet. SU has one of the top college soccer teams in the nation. I didn’t tell anyone why I was going to Seattle. Only Coach Lockhart, Jackson, and Diana knew. I guess I didn’t want to jinx myself. My contract is up, and I’m thirty-two years old with a permanent shoulder injury. I have to think about what I want to do with the rest of my life. Coach has connections. He heard about this opportunity and recommended me to them. So I’ve got to get hold of them. Where’s my phone, Cass?”

  “Don’t worry about that right now. I’m sure they’ll understand. You need to rest. The doctor said you shouldn’t fly for the next couple of days either. Your headache, the concussion—could get worse. So maybe take a week off and stay here. I can’t stay with you, but Jenny said she’d be here until her mom arrives. She says her mom can’t fly yet because she just had a boob job. What a joke.”

  “Again, Cass. I need my phone! Do you have it?” I had it at the resort.

  “They gave me your phone and wallet when I first arrived. Airport security delivered your suitcase this morning before you woke up.” She walks to the opposite side of the room and lifts it so I can see. “It was hardly damaged. A couple of dents here and there. I put your wallet and phone inside.”

  I shouldn’t have a suitcase. I left it at the resort. And if I crashed into the ocean, they wouldn’t have found my wallet. My head hurts more from information overload than when I had that migraine. I’d do anything to be back at the resort with Ellie.

  “Have you told Jackson or Diana where I am and what happened? I need to speak with them.”

  Jackson and Diana have been my agent and publicist for the last five years. I trust them fully. Jackson helped set up the interview at SU, and Diana was responsible for preventing any leaks to the media. If Jackson knew I was involved in this, he might have called SU to reschedule.

  “They called me as soon as they heard. We all agreed that they’d stay in LA and keep everything as quiet as possible until you woke up. Of course, the media is loving this. Diana confirmed, but she wouldn’t state which hospital you’re at or why you’re even in Seattle. Your coach and teammates know you’re okay too.”

  “What about Jenny?”

  “I told her with my protective sister attitude that she better keep her fat mouth shut about which hospital you’re in or she’s getting my fist.” She punches her hand. I crack a smile.

  �
�If she knew why I was here, she probably wouldn’t tell anyone anyway. She’d be too embarrassed that I’m interviewing for a coaching job. It’d ruin her reputation.” I look to the ceiling.

  “That’s one way to keep her silent.”

  “Well, when Jenny comes back, don’t mention the dream, Ellie, or the interview. Even if the doctor’s in here.” I’ll act like I already agree it was all a dream.

  But I remember how shiny Ellie’s auburn hair was, the heart-shaped freckle near her shoulder, and the sound of her laugh. Everything. I remember every single detail, and the worst part is, I’m afraid that it was all a dream and I’ll never be with her again.

  Chapter 17

  Ellie

  As the clock ticks by, more things keep trying to prove this was all a dream. For example, the clothes the hospital returned to me aren’t what I was wearing in the helicopter. It’s my black suit. But if there was an explosion, why wasn’t it ruined?

  As soon as the hospital gave Gale the suit, he took it to the dry cleaner. We just now picked it up on our way to Mom’s. I stare at it like it’s a suit I wore to a funeral. Sam’s funeral.

  I was devastated when my dad died, but the painful emptiness I feel from losing Sam is unbearable.

  My heart is broken. It’s the simplest description, but it’s perfect. I hate this heavy pressure on my chest. It feels like a hundred-pound weight is crushing me at all times, making it almost impossible to breathe. Is this what it feels like when you lose your soul mate? Your other half? It takes an exhausting effort to do anything. Or is it the head injury? In a way, I wish it was only that. This mental and physical pain will go away. Won’t it?

  But if it does go away, does that mean I’m letting Sam go? I won’t.