Gone

2. Staying Lost

My eyes feel heavy even before I open them, and I can feel a vein pulsating rhythmically alongside the throbbing in my head. I moan, my tongue feeling sandy, and my throat dry at the simple attempt to speak.

I feel a soft cotton sheet beneath me as I move my hands around, trying to solve the mystery of where I am. My head has an even more comfortable, fluffy pillow beneath it, and I stir.

A quilt moves slightly from above me, exposing my hands which I didn't realize were sheltered till now, and the urge to open my drooping eyes increases.

Adjusting the warm and cozy fabric slightly, I rub my eyes harshly before forcing them to open.

The room is dark, and I can only make out the floral pattern on the quilt with the little light that the closed blinds allow in the tiny room. I don't remember ever having any floral patterns for myself, too used to the plain and dull colors by now, and it feels oddly comforting and nice. Like a garden itself has allowed me onto its soft grassy mattress with a beautiful aura of purity and cleanliness enveloping me.

My eyes close easily as I revel in the poetic feeling.

I feel sleep wrapping me in, as I relax with calm, organized breathes and a steady beating heart but then there's a sudden jolt and my eyes fly open before blinking various times to get used to the sudden light that comes with the movement.

I see a pair of copper-like eyes widen as long, thin fingers search for a switch in the dark.

I groan, covering my eyes with my hands from the abrupt light as a switch makes a slight flicking sound. There's an immediate gasp, amd in stimuli to my own reaction, the light is hastily turned off again.

I dare to open my eyes once more, the side of my head slightly throbbing due to the drastic changes in light around me.

I can almost sense the brown eyes adjusting to the dark in the room before a man's silhouette steps forward, towards my bedside table.

I look at the figure in awe as it wobbles a tray, full of food with a distinct bottle of water on its side, twice before setting it at some table at the huge bed's side.

The man hesitates before turning back to the door which was letting some light in. I could now make out the wooden floor near the entrance of this room.

He hesitates once more at reaching the illuminated doorway, and I can make out his tanned, dark skin tone as he turns around to say, "I'll keep this door open in case you ever need anything. You can come out into the house or ask for it from in here...I-" Neatly trimmed, shiny black hair dance along with his head as he shakes it. "Just ask for me whenever."

He's about to leave, holding the door, ready to guard me from foreign light when I clear my throat, my heart thumping faster with a single question.

It takes a few swallows to get my throat to work again and as the man waits for me patiently, I notice that his whole body is tense.

"Wh-," I clear my throat again, "What's y-you' name?"

There's silence for a moment and then his whisper echoes in the small room, "Sal."

I blink, my eyes closing off slightly, flinching slightly from the light that made it into the room from behind a waiting Sal.

He was probably waiting for me to continue or elaborate, but I had nothing else in me. I was thankful for his help, though...

"Thank you."

Sal nods and then leaves, realising that I didn't have much to entertainment him, nor did he for me, for now.

I pick up the water bottle, emptying the whole tray gradually as I slowly eat to my heart's desire.

I realise that the light outside is too bright for me right now. I am not ready for the bright blue skies just yet. For now, I could only dream of being strong enough to endure a day in the shining sun's light, to be unflinching from the challenge beyond me.

And so, with my stomach and heart, both full to the brim with their respective fuels, I dream all night long.

-.-.-.-.-

I'm continuing this story!

Honestly, I had a whole novel length story prepared just for writing the first small chapter, too. I had not given as much thought to actually write it down, though.

A big thanks to X_Ashes_To_Ashes_X for providing that nudge that made me write, and share, the rest of the story.

I hope you all will like it, vote or comment to let me know what you think. xx