ROSE

Chapter Twelve - Be My Guest

Kimberly was beginning to tire, she panted heavily, the leopard was on her trail; its aggressive grunt sounded in her ear. Her heart pounded on her chest, her bag pack slowed her down. Like a lunatic; she screamed for help on top of her voice.

She began to feel numb in her legs up to her hands, her head ached, her vision blurred, she could hardly see. Ahead of her, a light creeped through the trees, but her blurry vision made it difficult for her to tell who or what it was. Her legs couldn't keep up, she felt dizzy and feinted.

                                                         * * * *

Distant conversations, songs, and laughter echoed in Kimberly's head. Slowly, she opened her eyes, but her vision was blurry. She blinked several times and squinted, until the candlelight glimmered faintly through her eyes. Reality finally hit her, realizing that she was in a room decorated with old-fashioned furniture.

Two windows were ajar on her left side allowing the fresh breeze to blow inside cooling the room, glancing out of the window, she feasted her eyes on twinkling stars up in the sky.

Her eyes scanned the room for portraits or anything that would review the owner of the room. Her nose quickly picked up a repulsive smell wafting in the air, directing her to a green paste smeared around her ankle.

She began wondering whether she was kidnapped, but the fact that her wound appeared to be treated contradicted her negative thoughts. While she was still pondering, a rhythmic patter echoed on the other side of the door. Her mind sensing that it was time for danger, she braced herself and clenched her fist, preparing for combat.

The door opened quietly, it was so quiet such that you wouldn't notice it if you were in slumber. An old woman walked inside the room with a walking stick aiding her footsteps. She held a cup of water in her left hand. "Ah! You are awake. I thought you would sleep through the entire night."

"Who are you? Where am I?" demanded Kimberly.

The woman chuckled silently as she walked over to Kimberly's bed, seeing this made Kimberly to slowly lean back in fear. The woman saw the fear in Kimberly's eyes. "Don't be afraid, child," began the woman. "I mean no harm. Have some water first, and I will tell you how you got here."

Kimberly refused, fearing that the water contained poison.

The woman smiled and spoke slowly, "I don't blame you. I would also refuse to drink water offered by a strange old woman who appeared out of nowhere." She paused and glanced at Kimberly's ankle. "How's your ankle?"

"Fine, I guess. You haven't answered any of my questions though."

The woman placed the cup on the table before dragging herself to a chair. "Child, my name is Elizabeth. You can call me Eliza if you please. Let me be the first one to welcome you to the North Community. I guess I have answered your questions."

Kimberly interrupted, "North Community? Wasn't I in the forest? How on earth did I get here?"

"Yes, you were in the forest, but that was 2 hours ago. We heard your screams from here, I sent some men to your rescue, where they found you almost devoured by a leopard. You and your friend were brought here, thereafter, I treated your wound on your ankle."

"My friend? You mean Thomas?"

"The handsome guy, right?" Elizabeth smiled.

Kimberly blushed. "Yes… Well, no… I mean… Where is he? Is he alive?"

"Don't worry about him, he's resting in the next room."

Kimberly was relieved to hear the good news, her eyes sparkled, you could almost see the wide smile on her face.