you're the only thing that's keeping me alive

chapter 2

The next time I open my eyes, it's daylight. The sun is blazing but I'm still feeling cold. I snuggle back down in the comfortable bed and it takes me a few seconds to realise that wasn't a dream. My feet are still throbbing with pain and my bed isn't this comfortable.

I sit up and look down at what I'm wearing - some sort of pyjamas I guess. I tenderly place my feet on the floor and trying to keep the weight off the balls of my feet, I make my way to the door. I open it a crack and hearing silence I head for the stairs. I quickly glance over the railing and seeing no-one, I attempt to make my way down. I hiss with the pain and by the time I reach the bottom step I feel sick. I slump to the ground and get my breath and my bearings back.

I hear movement upstairs so I look in that direction and see Danielle walking downstairs.

"There you are" she says, smiling.

I nod, unsure what else to do. She helps me up and leads me to a couch? It's different to any couch I've ever seem before.

"Tell me what you can remember" she says in a friendly manner.

"Do you remember your name?"

I nod. "Annie O'Reilly" I tell her.

"How old are you?"

"21"

"Where were you born?"

"Belfast, Ireland"

"I'd say you don't have amnesia if you're remembering the important details then" Danielle says. "But what's the last thing you do remember?"

I furrow my brow and think. It seems like weeks ago when it was just yesterday.

"Mrs Richards asked me to go and buy fabric for Niamh's new dress and I was walking back to their house when it started raining. I started walking faster but it was no use. I was still a good mile away and then it started with the thunder and lighting. I started running and then I heard the loudest clap of thunder I've ever heard - then I woke up here."

"I don't understand though" said Danielle. "It didn't rain here yesterday - it was sunny all day. That's why we were so confused."

"You're confused?" I say. I look around and see items in the house I've never seen before and I've no idea what they are for.

"Would you like a drink?" Danielle asks me. I nod.

"Water please."

"We have coffee if you'd like some" she offered.

"I've never had coffee" I tell her. I see a look of disbelief cross her face and I look at the floor, tears in my eyes. I'm so confused. Danielle pulls me towards her and gives me a gentle hug. I can't help it. I start sobbing. I hear a man's voice and look up to see a dark haired guy with a hoop in his nose. I've never seen that before. I quickly wipe my eyes and look down again.

"This is Vic. My boyfriend" Danielle tells me. I smile weakly and say hi.

"Listen Annie, is there anyone we can contact for you. To let them know you're safe" Vic asks. I assume Danielle told him my name.

"Mrs Richards I guess."

"Who's Mrs Richards?"

"My employer."

"Do you have her phone number?"

"They don't have a phone?" I say, sounding confused. I'm not sure what a phone is but I have never heard one mentioned.

"Where does she live then?" asks Vic, giving Danielle a worried look.

"The big white mansion on Richards avenue" I mumble.

I see them look at each other, confused.

"Honey, the only big white building on that road is a hotel. No-one lives in it as a house. It's been a hotel for over 70 years."

I feel myself feeling faint.

"What's happening to me?" I cry before blacking out again.