"Settle down, sweety. It's story time." Aunt Kathy says to me and I quickly settled in bed. Weirdly, I feel like I'm a kid again but I don't question it because Aunt Kathy's stories have always been my favorite. Even though they usually come with no names and weird settings with huge moons and dangerous creatures that eat people.
"Once upon a time, there was a young princess and her name was...not important. Anyway, the little princess was raised with the most love and care, she grew up in a beautiful world with kind, loving, hardworking, and giving people.
She thought the whole world was like that, until one day, some bad people attacked her kingdom wiping out all her people. She was only saved because her parents used all their remaining life force to protect her.
From that day on, she realized that the world was full of bad people who killed, people who stole, oppressed, and enslaved others, lazy people, and cruel people.
It felt like her whole life had been a lie and she fell into depression. At her lowest, a man came to her rescue. Not knowing that that man was one of the worst people in the world, she fell for him and married him. After all, he promised her safety and everlasting love. They had a son together and everything seemed to be well again in her life until she was pregnant again for the second time did she finally see her husband for who he truly was. A monster. To be continued..."
"What? No happily ever after? Why do your stories always end at a place like that, Aunt Kathy?" I whined in my baby voice wanting more.
"I would have continued, honey, but it's time for you to get up now," Aunt Kathy says gently in her soft voice she always used for me alone.
"But you just told me a bedtime story so I can sleep and not get up, Aunt Kathy. Are you getting old?" I laugh at my aunt for forgetting the time.
"No, honey, you have been sleeping long enough. Get up!" She says in a firm voice she always used when I don't listen.
"Good, God! No need to get all riled up, I'm getting up now. Sheesh," I said with sass, rolling my eyes. I never liked waking up early and right now, I haven't slept at all. I mean, seriously, who tells a kid a story before it's time to get up?
"Watch the attitude, little girl," Aunt Kathy warned in a stern voice. She never appreciated a rude attitude, especially from me.
"Sorry," I apologize with a sad pout as I sit up and everything goes black. I'm surprised for a second because if it's a blackout in the morning, it wouldn't be this dark.
"Open your eyes, dear. Now, remember the moral of the story is, that not all wolves are the big bad wolf. And you are not all that you appear to be," I hear Aunt Kathy telling me, just as I try to open my eyes her voice fading to the background. Too late to even question the so-called moral of the story. Following her instruction even though I wanted to tell her my eyes are wide open.
Seriously, I was just looking at her a few seconds ago and I don't remember closing my eyes. I open my eyes and everything is hazy and out of focus. All I see are twinkling lights and shadows. Ahh, of course, it was a dream.
Something is wrong here though, I am obviously in a room that isn't mine. I think I need a second to recollect my memories. I close my eyes and try to remember where I am.
At least I got some sleep this time and I can tell I slept for long cause I feel refreshed. I haven't felt this good in a week. I sit up and stretch, oh yes, this feels good. I still have no idea where I am but this is a nice place.
The clean, sleek decor is a bit vintage/industrial. Though the room is so full of things I have never seen before, I like it. It's feminine and cute but has this strong appeal. I look around from my vantage point on the big bed I'm on. There is a table with curved wooden legs and a glass top with a mix of pretty flowers in a vase on top. A comfy seat on its side and some books beside the flower vase.
I get up from the bed, ready to figure out where I am and how to get home...
"Caramel," a deep voice calls softly behind me.
I stand stoke still as my heart quickens and my breath comes short. Every last detail of what has happened so far comes rushing back and I feel doomed at the prospect of facing the owner of the voice. If my memory saved me right, this guy is huge and dark and scary and...
"How are you, Caramel?" he continues in a deep calm voice as he approaches me.
And so close.
I haven't turned yet, but I can not move either. I want to bolt but my legs won't respond to my brain. I'm doomed!!! I hear deep breaths right behind me, and I'm nervous, I finally bolt for the door without looking at him.
There is something about that man that scares the h*ll out of me. I am almost at the door when I see a UFMO (unidentified fast-moving object) zoom past me. While I'm distracted, I run straight into the object when it comes to a stop right in front of me. Blocking the door.
"Easy there, Caramel. I'm not going to bite you," he says steading me and I don't know if it's my imagination but I think I heard a silent "yet" at the end of his last line.
I hope he's not a man who holds a grudge, cause the way he moved...let's just say I messed with the wrong guy. I want to say something, I know I have to say something but I can't even look at him.
"Are you cold, mate?" he asks suddenly, noticing the little shivers I'm having at the same time that I do.
I fold my arms in a defensive mode and shake my head. He lets go and moves back giving me an opening to leave the room.
"I'm sorry if I scared you, mate," his tone sounds a bit regretful as he opens the door for me.
At this gesture, I finally look up at him, remembering how tall and huge this man is. I have a good reason to be scared.
I swallow when our eyes finally meet. Good, God! They are the most perfect, the most beautiful eyes I have ever seen and I remember them before I collapsed. They are like a warm sun and I feel fuzzy just looking at them.
"Caramel," he whispers in a low affectionate voice.
"Hi," I greet him with a smile. I know this man will never hurt me. I don't even know why I was so scared of him. Ohh, wait! It's because I splashed him with coffee.
"Hi, " he replies, still holding the door half open. He looks me over breaking eye contact before saying, "At least let the Doc give you a check-up before you walk out of this room."
"Thanks but I'm good," I say to him and continued on my way to the open door. "I need to get home." The door slammed in my face making me jump back with a little yelp.
"Home?"
He suddenly doesn't look as friendly and warm like the sun.