The Shadow Kingdom

Chapter 4 - Full Disclosure

It is daytime when I awaken. The way that the sun shines on my face tells me that it must be around high noon. Before my eyes open, I feel the material touching my skin. I am in bed. The sheets feel like satin, and the bedding is duvet.

I lazily open my eyes and examine my surroundings. I'm in a large and rather opulent looking bedroom, lying on a pristinely cleaned king-sized bed. Some of my clothes from last night are gone; I'm wearing only my underwear and a white t-shirt.

My head is still not entirely in equilibrium, so I stay in bed a little longer, hoping that sleep will retake me. I flip over onto my side and see two glasses of milk and orange juice on the bedside counter. There is also a bottle of aspirin, which I eagerly claim. I take two pills and pop them into my mouth, using the milk to wash them down.

Slowly, I feel strength and balance return to me, so I climb out of bed. The clock on the bedside reads 12:15 pm; I've been here for a while. I take a look out the window to gauge where I am, and I see Central Park not far away. It looks as if I'm on the Upper East Side. There is a neatly folded pile of fresh new clothes on a chair, and I assume they are meant for me.

I splash some water on my face inside the ensuite bathroom. This is probably Adrian's apartment; he must have brought me here last night. Upon opening the double doors of the bedroom, my assumption about Adrian being rich is quickly confirmed.

The massive two-storey penthouse apartment looks like something out of an interior design magazine. It is huge, at least several thousand square feet. The floor is a beautiful combination of ceramic tiles downstairs and hardwood upstairs. The staircase to the main level has steps made of glass. The master bedroom in which I was sleeping is on the second floor, and it overlooks everything on the main floor. The west-facing wall is practically a giant window, providing a breathtaking view of Manhattan. Strangely, I don't see any curtains.

There are however no paintings, sculptures, plants, or any form of decoration. It is beautiful but minimalist. I descend the stairs, and it becomes clear that I am alone. I walk around for a few minutes to get my bearings. I find a kitchen, dinning room, study, exercise room, and two more bedrooms. Hmm, not bad. Either Adrian's parents are loaded, or being a university professor pays way better than I thought it did.

There is a very stylish grand piano in the living room, and I tap a few keys just for fun. I always wished John and Sophie had made me learn how to play an instrument. I stand in the living room, and for the time being, I pretend as if I live here. Sprawled out on the sofa, I smile when I see a bowl of candy on the coffee table. I take one and unwrap it, picturing myself as Marie Antoinette as I stare blissfully at the ceiling.

But then I snap back to reality. I raise my t-shirt and touch the part of my stomach where a fatal knife wound was last night. I look closely, and there isn't even a scar. I don't feel any pain or even discomfort. It's as if nothing happened.

And I remember what Adrian said, "I'm like you, Scarlett. I'm special." I sit up on the sofa and turn over his words in my mind. He is like me. There is no way in hell all of this is coincidental. He is the professor for all of my classes, I thought I saw him outside my building once, and he has the ability to magically heal knife wounds.

I consider running like hell out of this place, but rationality prevails. He did save my life last night, which means he certainly isn't hostile, and he's been very friendly to me since day one. Although now, I think there might be an ulterior motive for that. I can't imagine what he would want with me, but I know there is something I want from him – answers.

Eventually, someone else enters the apartment. It's a girl about my age, wearing a tight black t-shirt and blue jeans, and she's carrying some bags. I stand up to introduce myself. "Hello, I'm Scarlett. I'm a friend of Adrian's."