Don't Leave • Ethan Dolan

14

I wake up absolutely restless as an aroma of coffee and freshly clipped flowers filter into the room. Or, maybe, I'm just now realizing the scents, I just haven't been conscious to know they're there.

The room is white with a sunny glow from the early afternoon sun. It's nice and luxurious, no doubt, but where am I?

Right now, it would be nice to see something I know. All around is nothing but unfamiliar, although comfortable, territory. If only I could see a face, a stuffed animal, any sense of home, it would make me feel better. But worse, I'm honestly not sure what happened the last time I was awake.

I peel the fluffy, white comforter down to the foot of the bed, allowing a cool puff of air to nip at the exposed skin of my legs. My fingers graze the soft silk of the light gray nightgown I'm wearing, which I have no memory of slipping over my head.

Delicate flowers sit in glass vases on the windowsill, bedside table, and in baskets hung from the ceiling, so calming. I swing my feet to hang over the side of the bed, and let them touch the dark-stained, wood floor gently. The wood is slightly warm.

I stand, stretching my arms and legs out to get the blood pumping. My reflexes reach to the bedside table where my phone would usually be, but it's not there, as I should have known. I walk toward the bedroom door, as I'm sure there isn't another option to do much else.

Pushing the door open, I'm presented with a modern, white hallway. The floors are made of marble while the walls are kept a simple, sleek ivory. Eight steps into the hallway, and to the left, a grand flight of stairs goes down into what looks like the front entrance, complete with a diamond chandelier. I'm glad I found the stairs, they're probably my best bet to finding other people throughout this house.

Halfway down the stairs, the coffee scent becomes more and more existent. It feels like home.

Suddenly, I walk right into the kitchen, and it's gorgeous. There really isn't another way to describe it other than a "Cook's Dream."

A young man's silhouette sits at the island, facing away from the entrance to the kitchen, he's just staring through French doors that lead to the outside. He doesn't move, and there isn't anything in front of him like he had been eating something or flipping through a magazine. Just staring mindlessly away. But, the coffee maker is on, gurgling as it prepares itself to pour its contents into the mug below.

I shift my weight onto my opposite foot, causing a floorboard to creak under it. The man turns around like lightning, it's Ethan.

We stare at each other shocked for a moment. Then Ethan jumps up from the bar stool and I walk toward him as we meet each other, I could stare at his face forever. We embrace a big bear hug, right in the middle of the kitchen in a house that I have never seen before. The two of us part slightly, Ethan cups my face with his large and comfortable hands.

"You were fast asleep five minutes ago when I checked on you," he chuckles softly.

I smile, unsure of what to say.

"I was worried you wouldn't wake up," Eth says, letting his hands fall onto to my shoulders and down my arms to grasp my hands.

I press myself against Ethan once more, breathing in his cozy scent from his chest. "What's.... Happened?"

"Mmm, Jordan, where should I start?"

"Where were we before I got here? And where is here?" I ask, my mind is formulating more questions, but those are the two that stick out the most.

Ethan leads me to the living room to sit down, and hands me a glass of water that was already sitting on the coffee table. He sits down in the love seat next to the couch and watches me settle into the couch before speaking.

I get settled, and this is where everything begins. Ethan recaps our travel to California that officially started three months ago, the experience of my kidnapping which resulted in the serious concussion I apparently have, the hallucinations I had of my father that messed with my mind and sent me into a coma, and what's happening now.

"What do you mean we're in a "state of isolation?"" I ask. "Where's Grayson? Wh-"

Ethan puts his hand up, "There's no easy way to explain what's happening. But, we're in a safe place, this house is the best possible place we can be."

"How do I understand what's going on?"

"You can't, it's dangerous if you understand. All I can tell you is that a group is looking for us, and that's not necessarily good."

Nothing is making sense. "Where's my aunt?"

"At home in New Jersey. She knows you're safe."

I fiddle with my fingers, I'm surprised she hasn't attempted to see me. I look up to find Ethan's eyes.

"I'm sorry I got you into all this," he says, getting up and reaching for my left hand as he plops down beside me. Why is he the one to blame?

I stay quiet with my eyes trained on my water, what am I supposed to say? Then, I understand what I need to say, "Ethan?"

"Hm?" He asks, lightly brushing my hand with his thumb.

"I- um..." Am I really about to say what I think I am? I look into his eyes. "Uh, never mind. But you know? I am getting a little hungry."

"Alright, well, I'll go make you some breakfast. Do you want coffee?" Eth says getting up.

"Thank you, and I'll pass on the coffee," I respond, watching him leave to the kitchen.

I wanted to tell Ethan how much he means to me. He keeps me safe, and I love him for that. And I love that he has a giving and sweet heart. How much do I love him though?

But, I want to know what we are running from first. Or who?

If Ethan won't tell me, I'll have to figure it out for myself.

———

This place isn't actually a house at all, but rather a mansion. I've figured that out since my exploration of the property, which I probably shouldn't be doing.

At this hour, Ethan is fast asleep in his room. I know it for a fact because of his snoring.

There's one part of the house that I really love, the garden. It's so mysterious, yet beautiful at the same time. A few of the flowers in the garden have a pinky-watercolor affect to them, like an incredibly pale person with blush on their cheeks. It's soothing in the moonlight as I imagine a quick scene in Alice in Wonderland... The plants are sleeping but watching Alice as finds her way through the dark forest. It's not much, but it brings back my happy childhood memories.

Reflecting on the memories makes me feel connected to the garden, and it makes me want to stay here forever. I draw the garden every night to remember it when we leave, which I hope is soon.

It's been awhile that I've been in the garden and I feel like something's watching me, so it's time to leave and go to sleep. I weave my way back through the small path that I took to get into the garden, and go back through the window into the study. When I get up to my room Ethan is curled up in my bed, fast asleep. I didn't expect he would be here, but he is and I have no problems with it.

I change my clothes into soft pajamas and climb under the covers, cuddling up next to Eth. I squeeze my eyes shut as his body turns over so he's facing me.

I fall asleep peacefully in his arms.