Twisted

Chapter 4

"We all need somewhere where we feel safe." -Emma Thompson

~~

After hearing Benjamin say that the people who took me would come back for me, I was more than willing to stay with them. The entire situation was unnerving, but it seemed sensible to remain close to those who seemed willing and able to help. If Sara trusts these people, then I should also.

Sara leads me back down the hallway to the room that she had brought me to earlier in the night. She opens the door and motions for me to enter. I walk inside and slowly turn back towards Sara.

"Sara," my voice comes out sounding emotionally and physically drained, "thank you." Sara gives me a small smile and approaches me. Her arms slowly wrap around me, pulling me into a comforting hug and I can feel tears begin to stream down my face once again.

She pulls back and wipes a tear from my cheek. "It's going to be alright. I will protect you," Sara soothes. For the first time in my life, I feel as if someone actually cares about me. Not just the money they will receive for watching over me. "Now get some rest, Elyse. You need it."

I climb into the large, four poster bed and try to keep my mind from wandering. I don't want to remember what happened earlier. Instead, I remember what Sara had said to me just a few minutes earlier. How comforting her words and actions were. And with that, I drift into one of the most peaceful sleeps of my seventeen years.

•••

My eyes slowly drift open and for a moment, I think that it was all a nightmare, but I look around and realize that it was reality. Will I forever be hunted by creatures that I once thought were fairytales? Am I one of those creatures? The last thought makes me giggle at my stupidity. Of course I am not one of them, how could I be?

The sunlight peeks into the room through a slight opening in the curtains and I smile. At least I live to see another day. I toss my feet off the edge of the bed and hoist my body onto the floor. The feel of the luxurious rug beneath my toes feels surreal. I stretch out the rest of my body and can feel stiffness within my bones. My neck is sore and I know that the bruises will be taking on some new and hideous colors.

I walk over to the window and push open the curtains, letting the sun fall onto my pale skin. The warmth of the yellow rays, painted across my skin, is comforting. Outside the window is a beautiful courtyard, filled with flowers and many other plants. Standing in the center of the courtyard is a beautiful fountain. The fountain features an intricately designed wolf that appears to be howling at the full moon, which is held in the hands of an elegant woman. Water flows delicately out of the top of the moon and onto the wolf, before flowing into the base of the fountain.

A quiet knock on the door pulls me out of my thoughts. "Yes?" I call out. The door knob turns and the door opens, revealing Sara. She sees me by the window and smiles.

"I brought you some more clothes," Sara states, walking over and placing them on the bed. "I can take you out there," her voice comes once more. A large smile spreads over my face and I nod.

"I'll let you get dressed. Some of us are working together to make breakfast and after, we can explore the courtyard for a while." Sara leaves, closing the door behind her. I listen to her humming get quieter as she walks away from my room.

Walking to the bed, I grab the clothes that Sara has brought for me. A simple pair of jeans with a white, flowing blouse. I change from the sweatpants and shirt Sara provided last night into the outfit. I walk to the bathroom to make sure that I don't look like a complete mess. The girl in the mirror looks less tired today, than she did last night. I study my features and pull a brush out of a drawer. I pull it through my hair and decide to leave it down. As expected, the bruise on my neck is now all shades of blue and purple.

I leave the bathroom and make my way to the door. I follow the sound of excited voices, assuming this will lead me to the kitchen. When I find the source of the voices, I am met with the most amazing smells. There is a smell of cinnamon that drifts above the rest, but I can also smell the sickeningly sweet smell of maple syrup and freshly cooked bacon. I look around the room and there are a total of five women, including Sara. She spots me and smiles.

"Elyse, I'm happy you could join us! Are you hungry?" Her motherly tone makes me smile. I am not used to feeling so cared for. The four other women turn to look at me, each with a smile on their face and curiosity in their eyes.

"Um, yeah, I guess. Can I help with anything?" I respond as the women all return to various tasks.

Sara smiles. "Why don't you bring these into the dining room over there?" She hands me the tray of food she is holding and points to an open door. I suddenly realize there are more voices coming from this room and begin to feel a little uneasy. I try to shake it off and enter the room, carrying the tray of delicious smelling food.

"Good morning, Elyse," Benjamin's smiling face greets me as I enter the dining room. He grabs the tray from my hands and places it on the table. "Have a seat," Benjamin motions to a chair next to him. I sit down and glance around the room. There are six other people seated at the table, all happily conversing with one another. The table is huge, long enough to seat at least twenty people, but we are all gathered towards one end of the table. Benjamin sits at the head of the table.

Finally, Sara and the four other women enter with more trays of food. They set the trays throughout the table and take their seats. Sara is seated across from me, also next to Benjamin. "Let's eat," Benjamin exclaims and everyone digs in.

•••

After finishing the delicious breakfast, I help Sara and the other four women clean up. During the meal, I learned each of their names, as well as the name of everyone else who sat at the table. I was also informed that everyone in the house was also a werewolf and that this place is what they called a 'pack house.' It is a place of gathering for the pack and the important members of the pack live within the house.

Everyone at the table during breakfast, Benjamin and Sara included, were impressed at how well I was handling all of this information and were happy to answer all of my questions. I wasn't sure why I was taking the information so well, but something within me urges that there is nothing to fear, especially with these people.

As we finish cleaning the dishes, I look outside the window over the sink and once more see the beautiful courtyard. I hand the last dish to Elizabeth, who I learned was Sara's younger sister. She thanks me and begins drying the plate.

I look around to see if there is anything else I can help with, but everyone is busy putting the last few plates away. I make eye contact with Sara and she motions towards a door.

I walk over to Sara and she opens the door, revealing the courtyard. A huge smile spreads across my face and I step into the sunshine.