Silence

Chapter 5

This is a work of fiction. Names, characters, places and incidents are the products of the author's imagination or are used fictitiously. Any resemblance to actual events, locales, or persons, living or dead, is entirely coincidental.

I woke up in a house that I didn't recognize.

"Hey, you're up." I saw a blurry person in front of me wearing a tank-top.

"Wh– where am I?" I asked, my mouth dry. The person sipped their drink.

"Mm, my house," they said. "I just made this really good kale smoothie. Want some?" They shook their cup in front of my face.

"No, thank you."

"You sure? You sound dry, bro." 'Bro'? Who is this person?

"Who are you? And why am I here?"

"Don't you remember falling in that shuck yesterday?"

"A bit, yeah."

"There's your answer. I found you bleedin' out in it. Patched ya up and let ye stay here. Now, thank me."

"Thank you," I said, coughing.

"You're very welcome."

"What's your name?" They didn't respond, instead they put their finger to their lips.

"I'm gonna get you some kale smoothie. It'll help, I promise."

"You make a lot of promises." They were already in the kitchen, fixing up a glass.

"Do I?" They sounded absent.

"I'd say so. Where are you from?" They came back, holding another drink.

"Lots of questions today, huh? I'm from Cali." They handed me the kale smoothie.

"As in California? As in the U.S.?"

"Ah, yup," they said, nodding. I took a sip of the smoothie. Wasn't too bad, if I do say so myself. They had a big ol' beanie on, partially hiding their face.

"And why are you here?"

"Okay, geez, kid. The questions are gettin' annoyin'. It's none of ya business, so shut yer trap," they growled.

"Fine. Trap shut," I said, taking another sip.

"Whenever you feel ready, feel free to leave," they said, setting their drink down and grabbing a coat. "I have somewhere I need to be, and taking care of some kid wasn't on my bucket list for staying in Boyle, Ireland."

"Got it."

"Be seein' ya." And they left through the front door.

I fell asleep and woke up again in the person's house, but it didn't seem like they were home. I pulled the blanket off and tentatively put one foot on the floor. I was wearing a pair of tracksuit bottoms that weren't mine and a T-shirt for the band 'Nirvana.' My limbs were all bandaged up, but I was able to move them, thankfully. I stood and twirled around for a second. I felt fine, minus a few little spikes of pain here n' there.

I walked around the house a bit. It was pretty plain. With the usual kind of decorations that you'd find in an Irish house. The walls were wood. The house itself was one story, but had a very high roof. After exploring thoroughly, I found my shoes by the front door. I slipped them on and opened the front door. Outside, the sky was grey and cloudy.

Then, little raindrops fell down. I reached my hand out, and a few droplets melted on my skin. I stepped outside fully, closing the front door behind me. I pulled up my shirt a bit to cover the back of my head, and ran. I was in the middle of town. I knew the way home.