- He struggled to keep his eyes open even a little, but his vision had returned enough that he could make out a blurry face near his. Almost immediately he knew it wasn't who he thought it was, and the hope that had welled up in Porter thinking he'd finally been reunited with Grace was dashed as he took in a stranger's features. He also didn't recognize her voice; though it was gentle.
His mind whirled with grief and emotion, and at first he didn't know how to respond to her question. Porter released her arm and lay back, sucking in a pained breath and willing himself not to cry again.
It was a nurse, a nurse who wanted his name. That was one thing he did know still, though it sounded strange to say it.
"Mayfell...Porter, Mayfell," he mumbled with some reluctance, almost welcoming the obscurity of simply being John Doe to these people.
They weren't his family, they weren't Grace, who always said his name as if it was the most beautiful thing she'd ever heard and wanted to relish it on her lips each time. Her lips...her face, her eyes. It all came rushing back to Porter and the young man put his hand to his head, trembling. He closed his eyes tight, as if to ward off a bad dream. "Where am I." He managed to croak after a moment, tilting his head in the general direction of the nurse.
