Beautiful, Beloved

𝐂𝐡𝐚𝐩𝐭𝐞𝐫 𝐎𝐧𝐞

┈ ┈༺♡༻ ┈ ┈𝘊𝘢𝘳𝘭𝘦𝘯𝘦┈ ┈ ༺♡༻ ┈ ┈

Life is like a book. I sighed. I loved books, but I wouldn't call myself obsessed with romance. Love was a twisted fairy tale. I pressed pause on the car radio, as the audiobook shut off. The road ahead of me was silent and peaceful, clouds dancing around the sun. A scent of wildflowers filled the air as I approached a tiny cabin. It was made of logs and a soft yellow light that seeped through the cracks. I had always dreamt of a cabin like this.

Opening the car door, the wind suddenly hit my face with a wisp of aggression. I nearly tripped over my untied shoes, as I zipped up my medical bag. Slowly, I approached the front door and narrowed my eyes to peer into the window. Nobody was inside, and I sighed with relief. I was not a people person.

Using the set of keys that the small family had sent me in the mail, I twisted the knob.

The floor was smooth and shiny wood, and my feet sank into a dark colored carpet. The cabin was only one floor, and there was a small chimney in the back corner. Placing my stuff down, I found a yellow sticky note on the small table I assumed to be a counter.

I cleared my throat, and read the note aloud. "Off to the shop, be back soon," That was good, and assuring. I had more time to brace myself than I thought. This was my first job as a personal nurse, and I couldn't ruin it for myself. An angering feeling suddenly filled my mind. It was a twist of worry and nausea.

"Calm down, Carlene," I whispered to myself, picking at the loose skin around my nail. It was a horrible habit, one I inherited from my late mother. There were no mirrors, but I could see my reflection in the window.

Eyes baggy and skin drained of color. A lonely grey coated my eyes and my blonde hair drooped over my shoulders. I spotted a loose piece of hair hanging off my face, and I patted it down. Then suddenly I jumped to my feet.

They were here.

There were only three of them, a husband, wife and son. Each had matching red hair, glasses, and noses that pointed to the sky.

"Hello there," the wife croaked. She looked me up and down, judging every part of my body. I clenched my jaw and gulped. What if I wasn't good enough? What if they didn't like me? I dug my nails into my palm to stay calm.

The son and husband ignored my presence, each walking towards the refrigerator. The husband opened the fridge, and I noticed that his belly poked out from under his shirt.

"Hi," I whispered shyly, my eyes darting in all directions. There were only two rooms, the main room and a bedroom. I found my finger pointing towards the bedroom door, my eyebrows furrowing.

"You can sleep on the couch, honey," the wife said reassuringly, patting my shoulder. I nodded in agreement.

The nightfall came quickly, and we ate porridge for dinner. I felt like I was in a dark, realistic version of Goldilocks and the Three Bears. Except, I was Goldilocks. And I was about to get eaten alive.

I sat reading a book on the comfy sofa, and waited for the big bellied husband to turn into a bear. Hours ticked by, and one by one the family trickled into the bedroom. The wall turned fuzzy and I felt my eyes get heavy. One day down, a lot to go.