From Light Unto Darkness

I woke up on the edge of panic and sadness. It was a terrible, terrible feeling. My stomach was clenched in knots, my head a blinding headache, an encroaching sense of terror and misery tingling at the tips of my fingers. The memories from the past experience, the one that made my heart heavy, lingered.

Rubbing my eyes, I looked around. I was on a couch in what seemed like an empty living room. No noise. No movement. The house seemed to hold its breath. I stood up. My body ached, but I was otherwise unharmed. My legs wobbled and teetered, but I otherwise was fine. Taking a few steps, I looked around. Why was there a house in the middle of the plains? There should be no one in this vast emptiness. I shouldn't be in a house. The last things I remembered were falling at the end of a long, long road. The dirty had scratched my face as I collapsed on it, seeing my one lover and mother fall before me miles to my back.

Taking a soft breath, I looked at my surroundings. A TV, couches, chairs, a small dining room area, a kitchen, and a sun room with a wall of glass to overlook the plains. In the far distance, a simple ocean of swaying grass, deer leaped through the waves, nibbling on the stalks of fine leaves.I looked around. Still no one.

Peering around the edge of a hallway, I noted a bedroom at the end and a set of stairs leading to a loft like the one in the barn, but the loft had a large second floor attached to it with doors that must lead to bedrooms and bathrooms, or so I assumed. Step by silent step, I carefully made my way around the house before traveling back to the living room.

Someone coughed in the kitchen.

I ducked upstairs, running as fast as I could. Who would take me here? Who would trap me again? I tumbled up onto the carpeted floor, finding something to grab as a weapon. My rough hands closed around a book that was on a small table. Instincts kicked into play as someone came around the corner. I heard their footsteps but waited around the corner of the stairs. I had the advantage up here. I did better up high, from a distance. There were perks to getting up high to attack.

Someone, a man, as I judged from the heavy footsteps, spoke up softly. "Oh, she's gone. Uh oh..." He trailed off, his footsteps picking up the pace as he scurried around. Gathering up the courage to peek over the banister, I looked down to the first floor. Just at that moment the man decided to glance up and came running to the foot of the steps. He saw me standing there wielding my book in hand (because anything can be a weapon if you believe it to be) and glared. A snarl took form on my lips.

"Hey, hey, it's alright..." He held up his hands as soon as he took in my defensive posture. The man took a step up the stairs, but I said nothing. I just flinched, as if aiming my book to his throat.

"Get away!" I growled as he climbed the stairs. The man froze, eyes wide. They were a deep color, full of surprise and caution. He paused.

"It's alright. I'm not going to hurt you...I just want to help you. My name is Haven." He said softly. I backed up, not wanting to be near him. How could I trust this man? He looked about the age of my last love. How could I be sure he spoke the truth? I backed up near the far wall. Haven mounted the steps, reaching the top. My eyes narrowed as I watched him. He paused, taking only two steps closer.

"Look, I don't need help right now! I just need to get away..." I said harshly. I didn't need anyone's help. I just needed to get away from here and figure out where to go to next. The man didn't speak for a moment, his eyes flickering around.

"I understand, but you're safe here. I'll help you get on your feet and get better." He said. I kept my sights trained on him. Haven just relaxed, showing that he was empty handed. I didn't say anything, just kept with my back to the wall.

Moments passed. Still silence.

"I'm going to go downstairs. I'll leave you up here." He said quietly, reassuringly. I nodded slowly, watching him back down the stairs.

Sitting against the wall, I didn't know what to do. For once, I was at a loss.

Notes

Hello everyone!

So sorry I've been gone. Life has been catching up to me and well, it's been very hectic!

I'll try to update when I can and check the site for any comments or messages, but I have finals to finish up and maybe during winter break I'll get a chance to write again.

Much love!