Jake

Chapter 16 - Brothers

I quickly stood and followed him, watching as Imelda returned to what I assumed to be the kitchen.

I carried my spare shoe in one hand as I felt my leg sway a little at the odd pressure.

I began to take in the surroundings, passing through a hallway, the walls a vanilla colour. Another two closed wooden doors went by to my left.
Our feet made small sounds on the wooden boards, light from another passing room - this door open - streaming inwards.
Aldrek stopped at the next door, the second last in the hallway on the right, a final door at the end of the hall.

"Jake already placed your things inside. If there's anything else you need, just let me know" Aldrek lightly smiled towards me.

I took a step into the room, lit up with a small white luminescent lamp. It was small, but cosy, white and peach in colour, matching in every aspect of decoration.
A ceiling to floor window opposite the bedroom door remained guarded by clean white curtains tightly held shut. A double bed sat neatly in the middle, the wall behind the low headboard decorated with a hand painted picture of an angelic woman. I stared at it's fine strokes, the woman realistic and well dressed. She had curled brown hair and dashing green eyes. Her formal pose appeared Royal, as did the red intricately designed couch she sat on, her hands in her lap neatly.

"She's beautiful" I mumbled out loud, Aldrek watching me carefully from the doorway

"She is" He mumbled with an indecipherable small smile before exiting the room.

I stood in the middle of the room on a fluffy white rug, my suitcase leaning against a dresser opposite the bed.
All of the furniture was white, and it appeared to have remained untouched with light dust settled in top.
The smell of lavender entered my system, rushing back memories that I preferred to keep dormant.
I carefully dragged my fingertip along the dresser, picking up the fine grey particles with a sigh.

Gazing up at my reflection, a mirror hanging above the dresser, I realised how awfully run down I appeared. The edges of my hair danced with rogue wisps, my attempts to flatten it in Jake's car futile. My skin was lighter than usual, bags visible from lack of sleep.
I winced at what my breath must have been like, paranoid and embarrassed.

While staring at my distressed image, I caught glimpse of another door tucked into the corner of the room beside the window.
Walking towards it, I wondered if it were a closet, or a secret room I hadn't been expected to enter.
I hesitated before curling my hand around the handle and pushing it open. My shoulders fell with relief, a bathroom, my own bathroom.

Instantly, I looked forward to a warm shower. Without contemplating, I gave in and collected together some clean clothes for a well-deserved soak.

The second I stepped under the steamy water, everything around me seemed to vanish for a brief moment.
I allowed the warmth to soak me entirely, closing my eyes and leaning my head back, the water washing over me.
My leg itched at the forgotten sensation, my skin screaming for a good scrub and marination in moisturiser. I could almost feel the dead skin cells trapped inside the cast escaping down the drain.

I used a fancy shampoo and conditioner provided inside the shower, ensuring I only used a small necessary amount.
I lathered myself up in soap that smelt of honey and oats, breathing in the refreshing cleanliness before regretfully stepping out a good hour later.

Using a clean white towel hanging, I wrapped myself up, fog in the bathroom slowly dancing around my movements.

I stood in front of the mirror and swiped my hand over the moisture stuck to the glass blocking my reflection.
Thankfully, it seemed that the shower had improved my drawn in features. I felt better.