A Nightingale Must Sing

Chapter - 3

"Hey, Ovidia, wake up darling, we're here." Ovidia was gently lulled out of her sleep by a slight nudging and voice that could only belong to one person. She quickly bolted upright, on high alert. "Whoa, it's okay, don't bump your head." Ovidia looked over to find a chuckling Mr. Henrich standing next to an open car door, a car which she was seated in.

Ovidia gulped as she stared into his eyes, struggling to voice her next words. "W-where a-are we Missster. H-henrich?"

His reply was a soft smile as he held out a hand to help her out of the vehicle. "You don't have to call me Mr. Henrich, Ovidia. Call me, Royd." Ovidia now stood outside of the Four-wheel-drive, with Royd towering over her; normally this would intimidate Ovidia, but she felt more protected then ever.

"O-ohkay Royd", she said shyly.

He smiled again, "we're home Ovidia. And I'm glad you're here with me, it's been lonely without you."

Ovidia didn't know what to say. He knew her. He remembered her. She didn't know him. She couldn't remember him. She couldn't remember anything. How could he smile like that? How could he be happy with the way she was? How could he willingly invite her back into his life when she couldn't remember ever being in it in the first place? How could he be so kind?

Royd tilted his head, gesturing for Ovidia to follow him into the house. Noticing her hesitation, his hand found a way into hers and intwined their fingers. "Is this okay?" he asked remembering the Doctor's words, the reply he recieved was a little nod; they entered together.

Royd led her through the entry way; show'd her the kitchen with its pristine counters and sticky notes all over the fridge; the living room with its soft looking couch and its huge tv; he skipped the downstairs bathroom and the laundry as they weren't high on his list. Then they walked up stairs and Royd led her into the office which barely looked used - a part from the chair which Ovidia was able to notice a breakage on the legs, a loose wheel, and a glimpse of scratch marks (almost like claws) tearing through the cushioning. Something happened here, and at that thought her heart beat in terror? No, more like, sorrow.

Royd could tell her mind was reeling with questions, he somehow knew her heart was pounding; maybe it was how she squeezed his hand, but however he knew, he quickly shut the door - causing Ovidia to jump back slightly from the sudden action and sound - and rubbed the back of his neck, "Um moving on".

They continued down to the next room; it was, hard to put into words how Ovidia felt. It was so nice, and breathtaking, but homey and comfortable and familiar so very familiar. "This is ou-my room." Ovidia looked at Royd with a question in her eyes. "I-uh. This is our room, we sleep in it together. We used to that is, but I understand it might be too much for you now. I'll show you where you will be staying." Ovidia got one last look at the beautiful bedroom that seemed empty in happiness - like something had been missing for a long time - and shuffled after her host.

A lilac door, similar to her hair stood in front of the two. Royd gestured to the door, inviting Ovidia to open it. This room, it was different from all the others in the house, she could tell, this room was something special. With shaking hands, Ovidia grasped the handle and twisted it.

Breathless. Speechless. Awed. This room looked untouched but had the sense that someone was living in it. The light of the sunset shone through the curtains that moved slightly due to the breeze entering the room when Ovidia and Royd did. A daybed was nestled on a raised level at the corner of the room; it had been used as a couch judging by the cushions being positioned the way they were. A desk was in front of the window that looked out upon the forest and was that a lake in the distance? An eisel was in a corner that seemed to be painted on more than the canvas; a bookshelf was on the raised level beside the bed, and more books were stacked under the windowseat which had a bookshelf made into it. Two other doors were in the room and after running her hand gently over ever book and surface she could manage, Ovidia stalked over. 

She opened the right door first. It had a mirror attached to the other side of it and opened up to a wardrobe that had multiple boxes at the top on a shelf, and a safe hidden from view but Ovidia noticed; she always noticed the little details - a habit she picked up from being trapped for three years. 31-4-29. Why? Why those numbers? Why did they pop into her head? Something special must be in that safe, maybe those numbers are the code. Ovidia decided that she will look into it later.

The next door led to a bathroom, and thus concluded the tour. Ovidia was left to rest on the bed as Royd told her she needed sleep as per the Doctor's orders. He closed the door gently behind him and for the first time in a long time, Ovidia didn't feel frightened that she was left alone with a closed door. She knew she could leave if she wanted to - she hadn't heard a click of a lock - if she wanted to, but she didn't want to.

A photo caught her eye, it was her and two other people - none were Royd. Ovidia looked different though. Her hair, it was blonde with pink streaks. She had paint splattered on her chin and neck and hair and clothes and she was smiling. Ovidia had her arms wrapped around the other two. The girl had chocolate brown hair that curled and twisted this way and that in what could only be described as boofy, natural, and beautiful. It too had paint smeered into. She was taller and wore overalls that protected a nice top which sadly still got paint on it. The boy had a more natural colour of blonde for hair. He smiled as widley as the girls, but it held mischief in it as well. He was the same height as the other girl and they both sandwhiched Ovidia inbetween their paintcovered bodies. They all wore a necklace of similar design, a dog tag with writing on it. The words were different though, but they all connected.

Best.

Friends.

Forever.

A tear slipped down Ovidia's cheek, and she sniffled as she wiped it away as she walked over to the daybed and cried herself to sleep.

***

Ovidia had to blink to adjust to the light. It felt nice, waking up in someplace not dark and cold and terrifying, she could get used to this. Stretching and rolling around till she registered the fact that a trolley was placed next to the bed. She sat up and blinked in shock. On top of the trolley was a tray containing toast already buttered, a glass of water, a glass of orange juice, a little bell, a rose in a vase and a note. Ovidia reached over with curiosity and opened the note whilst taking a sip of the water. 

To my beautiful Ovidia,

I hope you have rested well. The Doctor says that you shouldn't eat a lot because you aren't quite used to it; so here is a little something that I hope helps. Don't eat too quickly or you might be sick.

I have people over today so you don't have to come down if you don't want to. 

Please ring the bell if you need me; I'll come as soon as possible.

Love always, Your Royd.

Ovidia smiled. This was new. Someone caring for her. This was very new, but Ovidia found herself thinking that she didn't quite mind new. She looked back at the trolley and almost dropped the note when a sudden flash of images raced through her mind, leaving a gasp to escape.

It's the girl; the girl from before with unruly hair and a gorgeous smile as they stand at the top of the staircase, a trolley in front of both of them. "Ovidia. What are you doing?" The girls turn around to find Royd with a worried expression on his face which he pretends not to have as he makes it look more stern than anything. 

Ovidia looks back at the girl with an oh-shit face as they both yell "go!" The girls hop into the bottom part of the trolley and the force pushes them down the stairs as they race to the bottom. Royd soon follows behind fearing for their safety. When the trolley's reach the bottom the impact causes them to topple over and the girls burst out laughing from the adrenaline as they lay down on the floor. 

"Ovidia! Minnie! Don't you ever do that again! You nearly gave me a heartattack!" Royd exlaimed helping them up and trying not to laugh as well.

Ovidia found herself sprawled on the floor when she returned to the present. "M-Minnie?" She ran out of the room, still breathless, and fled down the stairs to the only person her instincts told her to go to. Until she remembered he had people over and almost ran into a wall trying to hide herself when she saw them.