May felt a flicker of irritation. Looking down, she saw Carter's hand tightly wrapped around her arm, his puppy-dog eyes pleading with her.
"Let go," she demanded coldly.
He immediately loosened his grip, as if burned by her commanding tone.
Feeling a twinge of guilt at his crestfallen expression, May took a moment to compose herself before responding. "Why can't I leave?" she asked, keeping her voice level.
"Because it's not safe. We don't know who's after you," Lilly interjected, her expression grave.
May raised an eyebrow. "How do you know someone is after me?"
While Lilly shifted uncomfortably, Ian stepped forward. "While you were in a coma, detectives spoke to us. They didn't mention specifics, but their attitude made it clear something was amiss with your accident. Someone must be behind it," he explained.
"Someone wants to harm you, May!" Carter added, reaching out to touch her again before stopping mid-air and pulling back, his ears drooping.
"Look," May said, her patience wearing thin, "I appreciate your concern, but I can take care of myself." She didn't like others meddling in her affairs, regardless of who they were.
"May..." Lilly looked surprised and hurt at her words.
May didn't remember what kind of person she had been before, and right now it didn't matter. She needed to do what she thought was right, even if that meant stepping on someone's toes.
"May, we only want what's best for you. We know this is confusing and overwhelming, but please trust us," Carter pleaded.
"For once, I agree with Carter," Ian chimed in. "If you want to leave the hospital, that's fine, but you should choose a more secure location than your apartment. You can come to my family's mansion. The security is tight; you'll be safe there. My parents have been missing you too."
Before May could reply, Carter jumped in agitatedly: "Are you serious? You want to take May home with you? She's not your wife!"
"But she will be."
"She won't!"
"Stop it! Both of you!" Lilly intervened, grabbing May's hands. "May, why don't you come back to our home? It's safest there and the most familiar place for you. I think it would be the best environment for you to rest and maybe recover your memories, while also being safe. We have enough money and can further strengthen the security." She said this with a meaningful glance at Ian.
May pulled her hand from her sister's grasp. "I don't need any of you to decide what's best for me," she snapped, her frustration boiling over. She took a step back, creating distance between herself and the others. "I'm not a child, and I'm certainly not a possession to be fought over."
The tension in the air was palpable as May's words hung between them. Ian and Carter exchanged glances, their faces showing a mixture of guilt and concern. Lilly's eyes welled with tears, but she blinked them back, trying to maintain her composure.
May felt a twinge of regret at her harsh tone, but she pushed it aside. She needed to stand her ground. "Look, I appreciate that you all care about me, but right now, what I need most is space. I need time to think, to try and piece together who I am without everyone hovering over me. I've made my decision. I'm going to my apartment."
"Then let us at least take you there," Carter gave in first, his tone begging. "It's surely safer with us than taking a cab."
I'm not so sure about that, May thought to herself. The detectives had repeatedly warned her not to trust anyone, even those closest to her. As long as the case was unsolved, everyone was a suspect.
But she also couldn't keep herself holed up in a bunker forever. She would need to face whatever was coming for her. Completely cutting them off wasn't what she wanted either. She needed to get her memories back, and those three were probably the ones who could help her best with that.
Torn between the pros and cons, it took May some time to make a decision. "All right," she finally accepted, and could see all three of them visibly relax. She figured that even if the murderer was among them, he or she shouldn't try anything overt when so many other people were around. She would just have to be careful not to be alone with any of them.
In perfect coordination, Carter took her bag out of the taxi, while Ian and Lilly flanked her from both sides, basically escorting her to the parking lot. As they approached a sleek black SUV, May hesitated for a moment, then climbed into the backseat next to Lilly. Ian took the wheel, with Carter riding shotgun.
The tense silence in the car was palpable as May gazed out the window, the city rushing by in a blur. She could sense the furtive glances from the others, their concern and worry radiating towards her. But their anxiety only strengthened her resolve to maintain her independence.
As they approached her apartment building, May's heart quickened. Would anything spark recognition? Would crossing the threshold flood her mind with memories? She both yearned for and dreaded the possibility.
Soon the car slowed down, rolling to a stop at a grand gate, adorned with intricate designs and guarded by security. Beyond the gate, a luxurious apartment complex came into view, with grand buildings and perfectly manicured gardens. The windows glinted in the sun, giving off an aura of opulence and wealth. The cars parked outside were all sleek and expensive-looking. It was obvious that only the elite and wealthy could afford to live in such a place.
After a brief inspection and May presenting her ID, they were allowed through the gate. Ian pulled up to the curb, and May reached for the door handle. "Thank you for the ride," she said, her voice clipped.
"Shouldn't we come up with you to check on your apartment?" Carter asked, already unbuckling his seatbelt.
May felt a sudden aversion thinking about them entering her apartment. But before she could respond, Lilly said: "I know you don't like other people in your home, but just this once, okay? Just to make sure? We will leave quickly."
Logically speaking, she wasn't wrong, but May still couldn't get over the feeling of dislike at that thought. "No, thank you," she said, slamming the door shut without the slightest hesitation. Without loosing another second she walked towards the apartment complex that housed her home. It seemed her harsh words had an immediate effect. No one followed her, though she clearly felt their gazes glued to her back until she finally stepped into the cool shade of the lobby.
May's footsteps echoed in the empty hallway as she approached the elevator. Her hand hovered over the call button, a sudden wave of uncertainty washing over her. Which floor? She closed her eyes, willing her mind to conjure up the familiar routine of coming home. Still nothing. Reluctantly, she fished out the note the nurse had given her with her address.
Fourth floor. She pressed the button, disappointment settling in her chest.
As the elevator ascended, May's fingers nervously traced the outline of the key in her pocket. The doors slid open with a soft ding, revealing a hallway lined with identical doors.
She walked slowly, eyes scanning the numbers until she reached 4C. Taking a deep breath, May inserted the key and turned it. The lock clicked, and she pushed the door open, stepping into the unknown familiarity of her own home.