The World Cannot Know

Chapter 54

Matthew Wild 

I woke up to the soft glow of morning light filtering through the curtains, the warmth of the sun gently nudging me awake. For a moment, I felt disoriented, the remnants of sleep still clinging to me. I reached out instinctively, expecting to find Sebastian lying beside me, but my hand met only empty sheets.

Panic gripped me for a split second before I forced myself to breathe, reminding myself that he was probably just up early. I sat up slowly, rubbing the sleep from my eyes, and glanced around the room. The space was quiet, the only sound the distant chirping of birds outside the window.

"Sebastian?" I called out softly, but there was no answer.

I pushed the covers off and swung my legs over the side of the bed, feeling the coolness of the floor beneath my feet. My body still ached from everything it had endured, but the rest had done me good. I felt stronger, more alert, though the emptiness beside me left a strange, hollow feeling in my chest.

Taking a deep breath, I stood up, steadying myself as I walked toward the door. The house was silent as I made my way down the hallway, the morning light casting long shadows across the floor. I found myself drawn to the kitchen, the smell of something warm and inviting wafting through the air.

When I entered the kitchen, I saw a small table set for one with a simple breakfast—fresh bread, a bowl of fruit, and a steaming cup of tea. It was a comforting sight, and I couldn't help but smile at the thought that Sebastian had likely prepared it for me before heading out. A note was placed beside the plate.

"Matthew, I had to step out to handle some things, but I'll be back soon. Eat something and rest. You need your strength. – S"

As I sat down at the table, savouring the warmth of the tea and the softness of the bread, I heard the faint murmur of voices from the adjoining room. Curious, I stood up, following the sound to a cozy nook just off the kitchen.

There, seated around a small table, were Alice and Elizabeth, quietly chatting over their own breakfast. The sight of them brought a smile to my face, the sense of familiarity and comfort filling the room.

Alice was the first to notice me, her eyes lighting up as she saw me. "Matthew! You're up. How are you feeling?" she asked, her voice filled with genuine concern.

"Better," I replied, the warmth in her tone easing some of the lingering tension within me. 

Elizabeth, who had been stirring her tea, looked up and offered me a kind smile. "It's good to see you out of bed. Sebastian mentioned you've been resting a lot, and that's exactly what you need. Come, join us."

I hesitated for a moment, but the inviting atmosphere and their friendly faces convinced me to pull up a chair. I sat down, and Alice immediately passed me a plate with more bread and fruit.

"Sebastian made sure to leave enough for all of us," she said, a teasing glint in her eyes. "Though I think he was more worried about you eating enough."

I chuckled softly, picking up a piece of fruit. "He's always looking out for me."

"Of course he is," Elizabeth added, her voice gentle. "He's been through a lot too, you know. We all have. But seeing you here, up and about, that means something to him." 

I nodded, taking in their words. It was comforting to be surrounded by people who cared, who understood the weight of what we'd all been through.

"So Matthew, how has it been?" Alice asked, "We've missed you the past 5 years, tell us everything you've been up to?"

I hesitated, the memories of the past five years flashing through my mind like a series of disjointed images—some dark and painful, others filled with small moments of hope. It was hard to put it all into words, especially now, sitting here in the warmth of the kitchen, surrounded by people who had been like family to me.