Cabin 4

Chapter 20: "Abandoned City"

I wake up to the scent of bacon, the kind my mother used to make. My eyes slowly flutter open, revealing a man hunched over a plate of eggs and bacon. I clear my throat quietly, but he still seems to notice. He jumps from the sudden sound and says, "Oh, I...uh...thought you were asleep."

I nod my head and say, "I was asleep." I yawn and look at the clock on the wall. 9:30 a.m.

It isn't that early, I think to myself.

I look at the breathtaking omelet on the table and sigh with awe. How long has it been since I have had bacon? I mentally shrug and continue to stare at it.

"Oh, the omelet is for you," he says. "Enjoy." He mutters while quickly walking out of the room--er, I mean nook. It was a nice little area, cozy, but nothing compared to my old room. Jeez, I am so nostalgic today. I glance at the plate of bacon, and rush over to it.

I pick up the silver fork and take a bite of the wonderful omelet. I sigh with content as the crispy thin bacon melts in my mouth.

Water, my mouth begs. I look around, and in fact there is a pitcher of orange juice on my bedside table. I take a glass and fill it with the fresh, ice cold orange juice. I lift the cup to my lips, the sweet liquid dancing on my taste buds. I lick my lips and continue scarfing my breakfast down like a wild animal.

After my belly was satisfied, I began to look around the room. Hmmm, I think to myself, I would love a shower. I walk towards the bathroom, and a small shower is there with shampoo, conditioner, and body wash. I smile and head back to the dresser in hopes of clean clothes. I open the wooden drawer and frown when I see nothing there. I sigh, grab a towel, and walk back to the shower. My old clothes will have to do for now.

I lock the door and strip myself, and I whimper as the cold air slices my bare skin. I quickly turn on the shower to boiling hot, ignoring the burning. I hope that the water washes my regrets and my past memories. Although it relaxes my muscles and soothes me, it does not make me forget anything. I sigh and pick up the shampoo to massage my dirt-covered, blood-caked hair.

* * *

After I am done with my 10 minute shower, I dry my soaking wet hair with a towel and wrap it around my body. I swiftly step out of the bathroom to find a pile of new, clean clothes on my cot.

I smile to myself and change into them. They are a little too small, but they fit just right. The style reminds me of--

I sigh. Alyssa, of course. These were her old clothes. I feel tears welling up in my eyes, but I force them away and brush my damp hair. I feel fresh, and relaxed. I grab the pair of black converse, put them on, then I walk out of my room and silently close the door behind me. The building is so gloomy and dark. And quiet. The quiet is the worst part. It makes me feel lonely, like I am the only person left on this planet we call home.

I gulp and look around. "Hello?" I say. My voice echoes and I begin to realize that this used to be some sort of abandoned parking lot structure.

"Governor? Are you--umm--here?" I say again. I sigh and look around the empty building. Where could he be?

Just as I am about to head back to my nook, I hear a growling voice. "Get over here." I gulp and freeze.

"D-Did I do something wrong?" I ask timidly.

He narrows his eyes at me. "You were about to try to run away, weren't you?" He growls in a low, dangerous voice. I shake my head.

I talk nervously, "N-No sir, I was just looking for--" His piercing glare stops me. I look down.

"Get over here, I will not repeat myself." He says in a low voice. I nod and walk up to him carefully, like someone walking up to a wild animal.

I purse my lips and furrow my eyebrows. "Now tell me," he says in a softer voice. "what exactly were you doing out of your nook."

I look him in the eye, trying my best not to me scared. "I just was checking to see if you needed me for any--erm--work, I guess."

His expression softens and he nods. "Okay then, if you want work, why don't you head on over to the animal shelter," he says calmly. Animal shelter? "and help out Jessica with walking the dogs." Jessica? What?

I give him a tiny smile. "Why would you need an animal shelter? This place is abandoned."

He chuckles lightly. "Well, I am about to show you the real 'abandoned city' people always talk about."

I give him a confused look, and he grabs my wrist softly. "Follow me."