Something's Not Right

Chapter 1: Welcome to Wimfield

The girl heard a faint call, calling her to climb into the dark, green van. Without a moment of hesitation she turned from the red stained ground in front of her. Next thing she knew she was surrounded by wires all leading to her skull, a searing series of pain shot through her body as heat belted from her temples. Unable to move her arms and legs far from the chair she was seated in, her head flung back trying desperately to be relieved from her pain once and for all. As suddenly as the pain had come, a floating sensation encircled in her mind. The light and dreamy summer days that swayed in her mind quickly contorted into thick gloomy clouds that accumulated in her throat. Sputtering for air, all she could hear was "I will always control you, Gwen."

Gwendolyn sat up, panting and drenched in a warm sweat, on cold cement. Tears streamed down her face and did not stop. She was alone. Through her blurred vision, the only bright light was about half a block down. The prickling fear of not knowing where she was or even who she was trickled down her spine, but caused the tears to cease. Rather than sitting on the hard cement, she got up and started stumbling towards a faint light. Her legs were weak and felt as though they had not been used in months. Gwen's head stung and pulsed as she tried to figure out what had happened to her. All she could remember was a grey room and the whispering voice in her dream. She wobbled on and soon enough was standing in front of a liquor store. The lights inside were off but nothing could escape the brightness of the neon store sign. On the windows were signs reading Wimfield's Local Newspaper available for purchase in store. It had seemed Gwen happened to land herself in the little town of Wimfield, population 1,537, and after feeling around inside her pockets, she found a wallet with a total of three dollars in it along with a coupon for ice cream.

Deciding that she did not want to continue to stand around, Gwendolyn walked through the misty streets with the dimly lit street lamps as her guide. Quite unsure of what time it was or even where she was going, she turned left and immediately ran into a rather tall and solid person. She fell to the ground as the stranger rushed down to help her up.

Extending their hand and putting their other hand on her back they asked, "Are you alright?"

"Yeah I'm fine, just landed on my hand funny." Gwen lifted her wrist and rubbed the back of her head.

"Here, let me help you up." They pulled up on her arm and easily helped her off the ground. Through the faint light, she could see the concern in the strangers eyes as she winced.

"Thank you," Gwen wheezed, nursing her hand.

"Sorry about that, I couldn't see anything in this fog."

Gwendolyn had just come to realize the stranger had a deep voice, that most certainly belonged to a male. An uneasiness surged through her body as she remembered she was alone in an unfamiliar place. Although there was only warmth and a note of comfort in his voice, she felt as if she couldn't trust anyone.

"What's your name?" he asked.

Gwendolyn started to back up. Why is he asking me questions? I don't know who he is or why he is trying to help? Anthony could see that he made her uncomfortable and stepped back as well.

He then said, in the most calming voice he could muster, "I know you don't know me, and I know I'm just a stranger. I normally go out for a run around five in the morning, and I happened to run into you. I'm sorry for frightening you. If you're okay now, then I can just continue on my way." And then he turned around, about to jog off again.

"Wait!" called a panicked voice, "I need help."

Anthony stopped and his body released all tension, she sounded scared.