Chapter 1: Arrival
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Story copyright (c) 1998 Siergo Desteran.
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"After 4 long years, we are finally getting somewhere. And now,
we may never be able to finish this. What is this writing, and why would
someone go to such lengths to keep it a secret." I was mumbling to
myself. It took me a few moments to realize that I was not at home. I opened
my eyes slowly, thinking that I would be in a hospital with Jerry watching
over me. He was so nice to me, but he wasn't there. I looked around the
room, and saw nothing that could be called a hospital room. It looked like
someone's spare bedroom. I rose in bed quickly, and inadvertently discovered
that I wasn't in pain. Not a scratch or scar was visible on my body. I reached
up to the back of my head. There was nothing. No bump, no blood, no pain.
I became concerned. Had I just imagined the accident? And where was I?
The next thing I noticed was that my clothing was gone. I looked around
and found them laying on the dresser next to the bed. They were clean, except
for the back of the shirt. There was a blood stain running down from where
the back of my neck would be. I was startled. "The accident.... my
head... what is going on?" But the one thing I didn't want to think
about came to mind immediately. Was I in a coma? For how long? I began to
cry slowly. I couldn't think straight. My usually scientific mind had no
explanation and with this realization came fear.
I recovered quickly, wishing to remain strong. "There is an
explanation." I thought to myself. I would not allow fear to control
my actions.
Taking the time to dress, despite the blood stain, gave me time to think
about where I was and how I had arrived at this place. And Jerry, where
was he? At this point, only the worst scenario came to mind. "No...
Jerry... where are you?" I whispered under my tears. He must have survived.
Someone must be here. I looked up towards the door.
It was an odd door, not that I was the judge of such things I suppose. But
there was something not quite right about it's appearance. There was no
knob, not the kind you would expect to find in a modern home, at least.
There was an object where the doorknob should have been that looked similar
to a knocker. It didn't have a keyhole, not even an ornamental one like
most old doors do, and by the faded color of the wood, it was most definitely
old. Also, it was not painted or tinted at all. It looked as if whomever
built it had cut the wood and nailed it together. My legs were a bit weak
as I arose and I almost fell to my knees. Walking slowly over the wooden
floor, which was much the same as the door, I reached for the handle. The
door did not move. It felt as if it was bared from the outside. This only
fueled my already burning uneasiness.
Since there I wasn't going anywhere soon, it was most reasonable that I
should take a look around the room and try to figure out where I was. The
most noticeable feature of the room was not what was in it, but what it
lacked. On the walls where sections of wood that were a bit less color worn
than the rest, indicating that the walls had held pictures or paintings
of some sort. I found it difficult to understand why anyone would remove
such simple things from a room merely because I was there.
The room didn't have much in the way of furniture. There was a dresser next
to the bed, a simple desk with draws on the legs of it and a wooden chair.
The bed, for some reason, looked out of place in it's somewhat primitive
looking surroundings. It took me a moment to realize why, but then I saw
that it was my bed, from my room at home. What was it doing here, in this
place? Did someone bring it here for me, or was it just similar to the one
I had? It wouldn't have been healthy to dwell on it, so I continued my investigation.
The dresser was empty, except for the bottom drawer, which held a few spools
of yarn and some sewing utensils. The yarn was an arrangement of beautiful,
natural colors that were hard to come by recently. Not that I sew, mind
you, but I do know a thing or to about it. Anyway, there was nothing about
the yarn that looked as if it had been used recently, but I imagined that
whomever did use it was very good at it, or at least knew how to find quality
yarn.
The desk was equally as empty, except for the bottom, left hand drawer,
which was locked. I thought about it for a moment, then pulled the drawer
above it out completely so that I could reach down inside it. The first
thing that i put my hand on was a brush. It was metal, with fine bristles.
There was some hair caught in it. No, it wasn't hair, it was fur. Maybe
it was for some kind of pet? Behind that was a small figurine. The base
fit a dustless spot on top of the desk, so I set it there to examine it.
It was an image of a fox, or a wolf; but it was upright, like a human. It
looked like a child who was looking up towards the sky. I stared at it,
fascinated by the craftsmanship.
I don't know how long I was staring at the figurine when there was a sound
on the other side of the door. I quickly put the brush and figurine back
in the bottom drawer and replaced the one above it. I stood up and turned
around.
Jerry opened the door and stepped in, with an uneasy look on his face. "Jerry!"
I pouted and put my arms around him. "I was so worried about you. I
thought that.. I.." I was crying again. Tears of joy washed over my
cheeks as I held him close.
"Alexi.." he said quietly, "I didn't think you would awaken
so quickly." there was something in his voice that I didn't recognize.
I let go of him and looked into his eyes.
"What's the matter, Jerry?" I said with a bit of cheerfulness.
"Nothing... nothing at all. Please, sit down. You've been unconscious
for a few hours."
I didn't know what to think or ask first. So many questions that I could
ask, and not one that didn't require another for an explanation. "What
happened to us? The car..."
He put his arm around me and comforted me. "It's alright. We're both
ok, that's what's important." He smiled and I felt myself relax a bit.
" You were badly injured. I didn't know what else to do. There was
no-where I could take you, I didn't have any choice." There was a sadness
in his eyes that bothered me.
"I.. I don't understand.."
"You were injured, and, and even if I took you to a hospital, there
was no guarantee you would survive. I had to bring you here."
I didn't know what to think. What he said didn't make any sense to me. "Where
are we? What are you talking about, Jerry?"
He didn't answer immediately. He let go of me and stared at me quietly.
"You don't need to worry about it. Go back to sleep and I'll take you
home as soon as you recover."
I shook my head. "You know me better than that. Tell me what's happening.
I need to know."
He looked down and sighed. "I know. But you have to promise me something.
Whatever happens, you must promise not to be frightened."
I was unsure, and more than a little confused, but I nodded my head.
What happened next was both a shock and a mistake, I would find out later.
If I wasn't so damned curious, things might have been different. But I couldn't
know at the time, and do not regret my decision.