Ava woke up abruptly from the dream that shook her to the core. Her eyes quickly skimmed her location, over to a white curtain, which hung around her. As she attempted to turn her head to get a better look, sharp pain spread down her entire spine, making her curse.
The pain prevented Ava from moving her head. She just had to continue to lie on what she assumed was a bed without being aware of where she was.
After a few short moments, the curtains were moved to the left, revealing a woman that wore a white cloth tied around her right eye. Ava recognized her immediately, even though small scars covered her face. It was one of the first women to be trialed for witchcraft, forced to hang over the bridge until she died - but had suddenly vanished.
Ava´s heart stopped as she realized who she was looking at, and for a moment feared for her life.
"Good, you´re awake."
Then it struck her. How had she ended up here? She only remembered the dream, which still gave her goosebumps thinking about it. What had happened before the nightmare; was it even a dream?
"Judging by the confused look in your eyes, you can´t remember what happened. Do you?"
"No", Ava answered shakingly.
The woman in front of her smiled sadly; as she moved away from the dull red hair from her face and sat down at the edge of Ava´s bed. She made sure not to sit down on Ava´s feet, as she turned over to look at her. Judging by the look on the woman´s face, Ava knew she wouldn´t like whatever would come out of her mouth.
As she finished explaining, it was too surreal. Ava could vividly remember being detained in the dungeon without sunlight. Yet, she had no recollection of how she had ended up here. Ava didn´t want to believe the story the woman had served her.
She had been hanging. Yet, the second she had gone over the bridge, the rope had followed. Turns out the rope had slipped through the man´s fingers as he was about to tie it. She had fallen into the river beneath the bridge and followed the stream down the river. It had been mere coincidence that she had gotten discovered by their savior and brought back here to get nursed back to health.
The entire story was just a mere coincidence. The man just happened to let go of the rope, saving her life, then drift through the river without drowning. The entire story fell short to her. She continued to stare at the woman, waiting for the punchline of the joke, but it never came. The one-eyed woman just continued to stare at her in complete seriousness.
"At least you were lucky", she said, "I did not get found until the crows had gouged out one of my eyes." She pointed at the cloth over her eye, "It´s a horrible sight."
Ava felt sorry for the woman who somewhat seemed resentful over her. She seemed envious that Ava had been so lucky as she had been, which she understood. Ava fell short as Ava tried to imagine herself in the woman´s footsteps. She would rather lose a limb than have one´s eye plucked out of their skull.
"I´m sorry."
The woman scoffed as if Ava had just offended her by apologizing for her suffering.
"No need to apologize. I have learned to live with it. Name is Raven, ironic isn´t it?"
It was indeed ironic. The universe had a horrible sense of irony.
"Ava."
Raven smiled by pressing her lips together and got up from her seat on the bed. She straightened out her woolen skirt and the white apron in front of it.
"So, Ava. How are you feeling?"
"My neck hurts, other than that I feel fine."
"No wonder", Raven shook her head. "Not going to lie, your neck will hurt for a while, and the bruising will spread, but regardless you should make a full recovery soon."
Ava let out a sigh, "How long do I have to lay here?"
"One of the elders will come in and check on you soon and tell you more about how things will be from now on. You will get a choice, and no matter what you choose, it's not going to be a good outcome."
Once again, Ava stared at her, praying that Raven would start to laugh at another one of her bad jokes. Yet, no laughter came again.
"What choice?"
"You will find out soon."
With that, Raven slightly bowed her head before opening the curtain and leaving the room. Outside, Ava could barely see other curtains down what she could only assume was a hospital wing, if one could even call it that.
Regardless of what Raven had informed her about, it didn´t bring Ava any reassurance. Her imagination started to run wild, without being able to understand what "the choice" meant.
What could she possibly choose from? Knowing that the entire town wanted her head after the failed hanging, there was no way she could go back home. Yet, she had no idea where she was. Had she traveled far down the river? Is she far away from home? How far away was she from the people who wanted her dead?
She could barely move too. She could shift her legs and arms on her own, but her neck alone prevented her from getting out of the bed. The only thing she could do was to lay on her back and stare up at the roof, with her imagination running as fast as she wanted to.
Frustration started to take over her body, forcing Ava to shut her eyes. Tears of frustration burned in her eyes, and she quickly moved her hands to wipe away the tears from her cheeks. She stopped as she felt the harsh wood move against her skin, making her open her eyes once again.
Despite everything, the bracelet still lingered on her wrist.