The Unexpected Journey and How It Actually Happened

Where is Rosa Gonzalez and What Have You Done With Her?

The day had begun like any other; I woke up late, got ready for work, and spilled coffee all over my brand-new blouse on my way to the boss's office. And just like any other day, I got yelled at for my tardiness because that's all it was, another regular day.

"God damn it, Rosa," huffed Mr. Finnly, snatching the napkins from my hand and wiping his blue button-up, "I specifically told you to arrive 15 minutes early to the conference room to update The District Incorporated! The contract was going to secure everyone in sales a big holiday bonus!!" his voice boomed, allowing everyone in the office to hear.

"I-I'm so sorry, Mr. Finnly. I did put my alarm on, though!" I sighed as I helped him wipe his shirt clean.

"Obviously, not loud enough. Meet me at my office at the end of the day. We need to have a serious talk." Mr. Finnly threw the damp napkins at me as he returned to his office.

I tossed the napkins in the trash, walked back down the hallway to my depressingly stale cubicle, sat in my chair, and opened my laptop. As I logged in, reminding myself to keep calm and pray that I don't lose another job, my co-worker leaned over the wall of my cubicle in front of me and dumped the contents of his to-go coffee cup onto my keyboard. A sudden flash of light burst from the screen with a buzz or two, and a zap of electricity shocked me before I had time to react. My co-workers seemed to react faster than I did as I heard them giggling behind me.

"Honestly, Rosa, can you suck at your job any harder? This is a genuine question," Nathan snickered above the wall.

I shrieked, dripping with hot coffee, "Nathan, what is wrong with you?!"

"Since you're going to get fired anyway, you might as well not work for the rest of the day," he shrugged.

Before I could retort, Mr. Finnly opened the door to his office with a slam and screeched, "Pack your things and go, Ms. Gonzalez. You're fired!"

"Told ya," Nathan smirked at me before slinking back into his cubicle.

Without a second thought, I grabbed my purse and left for the elevator before anyone could see I was about to cry. Everything on my desk was company owned, and I'd be damned if I had to return it myself after the embarrassment I suffered. At the very least, the ride down was more relaxing than the ride up to face Mr. Finnly's wrath. I think that was the longest job I've held down, I thought to myself. I should be proud of that, if nothing else. I walked out of the lobby, through the large, glass swinging doors, down the walkway, and stopped at the crosswalk before I got a call.

"Hello?" I answered, pressing the crosswalk button with my free hand.

My mother asked, "Rosa, are you at work right now?" over the phone in a thick Spanish accent.

"Well, I was just a second ago."

"Don't tell me you got fired again! Puta madre- You have no idea what strings I pulled for you, pendeja!" She screamed into my ear.

I started walking across the street, "Mami, please, I know-"

"Eres estúpida?" She continued as I looked to my left, only to see a semi-truck ram itself into me.

And that was the last thing I remember before I woke up.

*-*-*-*-*

I woke myself up with a scream and sat up, finding myself in a room I didn't recognize and a bed that wasn't mine. What the hell, I thought to myself, looking around. The room was small and round, and everything was wood or stone. A small vanity sat at the corner of the room, by the door, with a wooden stool tucked under it, and on the other side of the door was a tall wardrobe. Nightstands were on each side of the bed, and a candle holder with a lit candle was on the one closest to me. Doilies and crocheted blankets covered the bed and nightstands, and decorative plates hung on the walls. My body felt so sore as I tried to move off the bed, and a very short and stout older woman with long, brown, curly hair waltzed into the room and shrieked once she saw me.