Bet On You

Chapter 1

I ran. I ran as fast as I could. I've never believed in monsters, but now when one was chasing me and trying to kill me, I had no doubts it's real. Being in the forest didn't help at all. I wasn't an athlete, actually I always sucked at P.E back in school. Funny, how adrenaline makes an Olympic sprinter out of someone who hates running.

I desperately tried not to trip over the tree roots, stones and whatever else was on the ground. I had no idea where I was running, I just hoped the monster will give up sooner before I'll get exhausted from all the running.

I took sharp turn around big oak, jumped over stump and kept sprinting. And then, something shined in the far distance. Not knowing what that was, I made quick decision – I will run towards it. I picked up last bits of my strength and headed towards the shiny thing. As I was getting closer I recognized silver garden gate, way bigger than me, looking very stylish and ancient. Please be unlocked, I prayed silently as I was approaching it. I grabbed the handle, maybe too aggressively, but who cares about the handle well-being when being chased by a monster?

Thankfully, the gate opened and I ran inside.

For a split second, I forgot the monster. I was left in awe from what I saw. The gate led to beautiful, huge and well-kept house. It reminded me of the White House, beside it wasn't white, but grey with bright red roof. That second when I stopped to admire the house was all that the monster needed to get close to me and before I even realized it, it hit me and I flew through the air and then gravity pulled me back to sturdy, hard ground.

The red, brick path was the last thing I saw before I passed out. This is it. I'm dying. 

Everything hurt. Literally everything. Even the places I never thought could hurt. But that was good thing, wasn't it? If I felt pain, it could only mean that I'm not dead. At least not yet. My eyelids were too heavy to lift so I just lied there, feeling all the pain in my body.

Finally, after few moments I opened my eyes a little. And immediately regretted that decision. The biggest brightness hit my eyes, making my head pounding even more than before. I took a moment before attempting to open my eyes again. This time it was better, the brightness still made my head pound, but I got slowly adjusted to it.

The brightness, as I found out after looking around, was caused by the fact that the room was completely white and filled with sunshine. The room looked like a hospital room. I was lying on one of the six beds that were there. Everything looked clean and tidy. Just like hospital. I guess that makes sense, I got hurt so they put me in hospital.

My brain was slow. That was probably due to the pain and head pounding. That place however, felt very strange. If I'm in hospital, where are other patients? Or nurses? The second question was answered immediately.

"I see you are awake."

In the door on my right stood women in nurse attire. She had dark hair in a bun, brown eyes and pointy nose. She was pretty. Right now she was smiling at me.

"Eh..." That was all I got out of my mouth. I was too confused.

"No need to worry. I am Kanhin, your nurse," she said melodically. "Can you please tell me how are you feeling at the moment?"

I was bit unsure about this lady. Something felt off about her.

"My head hurts ... " I said slowly. "Actually, I feel pain all over my body."

Nurse Kanhin gave me yet another bright smile.

"Hold on a moment, I will get doctor Jacob right away," she said and disappeared in the door she came in through moments earlier.