Adventures of the Introvert

Chapter 1

Sophia was sitting on a bench by rose bush in a completely unknown garden. "Where am I?" She was looking around searching for the answer. All she could see from her seat was an endless sea of red roses. Standing up seemed impossible, her legs simply weren't listening.

Her hand reached for the bush. She didn't know where she was, but that didn't bother her anymore. The flower was all she could think of. Her gentle fingers wrapped around the pedicel. A drop of blood, as red as the rose, hit the ground.

"Sophia!" An unfamiliar female voice called all of a sudden.

"Sophia!" Still no response.

"Wake up!" But she didn't want to. It was too hard to leave such a peaceful dream.

"I give you five seconds to raise your skinny- Uhm... -to get up!" But she wanted more time.

"Fiiive" The countdown started.

"Foour... Are you even listening to me?" She tried not to.

"Three... You must!" But she just wanted to stay.

"Twoo... Awakening!" Triumphantly echoed.

"On--"

The voice was gone.

"What a dream." Sophia whispered. Her eyes were still closed firmly. Opening them would have separated her from that dream even more. And she wanted to go back.

Few minutes had passed and there were still no traces of that endless red. Her effort was in vain. Finally realizing that she was acting silly, she opened her eyes and sighed.

Squinting her eyes, she managed to find wall clock hands in the dark room. It showed few minutes past 2AM.

"Ugh," she mumbled. "There's no way I'm falling asleep again."

A glass of water stood on the table next to her birthday present, so she got up and drunk it greedily.

"And she was so insistent," Her voice was barely audible, yet overflowing with frustration. "I'm awake now... And what have I missed? Nothi--"

"Hey!" A scream cut her whining. She jumped. She would have thought of her grandma, but this was man's voice.

After few moments of absolute silence she assumed it had probably been just a new voice in her head trying to start a conversation with her. Sitting in the dark room in the middle of the night, talking to her imaginary acquaintances.

"Great, I'm officially going crazy." She smiled sarcastically. "And now I'm talking to myself." She rolled her eyes. "Cheers!"

"Hey! Help!" The voice yelled again. It sounded more realistic this time, which made Sophia ask herself if maybe she is not imagining things after all.

She pulled the curtain off the window. Complete darkness, shattered only by little white sparks - weak moonlight reflecting on the iced waterdrops. Her eyes were searching for a human silluete, but there was no one out there. All she could hear now was a loud wind howl.

Her heart speeded up its pace. "What's happening with me tonight?" she whispered.

"Help! Please!" She heard clearly, as if a person was standing right next to her. It made her shiver.

"Sophia! Hurry! Please!" The scream echoed making her body numb. "He..." She whispered. "...knows... my name?"

Her heart was beating so fast, it felt like it's about to jump out of her chest. Temporary numbness was passing and she felt that her body is under her control again. Jumping off the bed she grabbed her coat from the chair.

While dressing up the thoughts of how stupid and inconsiderate her actions are crossed her mind. But something was telling her that was the only right way. At least she will have that "something" to blame later.

Since she had fallen asleep in her clothes, only coat and a pair of boots had to be added. Although trying her best to sneak out inaudibly, she almost toppled over the entire shelf while reaching for the flashlight. That made her wonder if the person calling for her help actually knew how clumsy she is.

Sneaking out in the middle of the night on the call from a stranger. "Could this be any worse?" She asked herself, trying really hard not to think of all the consequences that will surely follow.

"But hearing voices like that is not desirable either, right?" She mumbled to herself while unlocking the front door. "So I guess this fits my new person profile." She said as she stepped outside.

Slowly Sophia managed to get down the iced stairs. Hidden under the canopy, observing the scenery in front. Her legs trembled with cold and fear, and for a moment giving up seemed like the best option.

"Sophia! Please!" More clear than ever was heard from the forest.

"Sorry granny." Not giving it one more thought, she jumped into the snowy vastness. Snow layer was too deep and her feet were getting stuck. But she rushed forward persistently, as fast as possible.

Sharp wind was deafening. However, the voice was distinct. It kept calling her, and she followed.

Concentrated only on the purpose of her improvident voyage, Sophia didn't even notice a huge black cloud hanging right over her.