EMLYN | 18+

Chapter Four

The next time my eyes opened, no more light was streaming in through the curtains and the place sounded deadly silent. I brought a hand to rub at my eyes, trying to erase the groggy feeling that seemed to be hanging over me constantly.

I sat up in the bed - fear starting to creep up my spine from the darkness, trying to adjust my eyes to the room before my eyes caught the lamp on the bedside table. I reached my arm out quickly and fiddled with it until my hand brushed over the smooth nub and a part of the room became dimly lit by the soft orange light. Fancy.

My eyes caught the wad of money folded neatly on the table and I immediately reached for it. After grabbing the money and fleeing, I never counted the amount I had which was stupid seeing as though the mysterious man could've taken some.

I looked around the room briefly before my fingers started flipping through the bills. One, two, three, four, five, six, seven, eight, fifty- five. I had eight hundred and fifty-five dollars to start a new life. Great.

After removing the IV drip, I dropped the money back on the table and pushed the blanket from my body to stand. At the discomforting feeling as I stood, I looked down to see the socks and was reminded that the doctor had put ointment on my feet.

She seemed to know what she was doing, and that encouraged me to keep the socks on knowing I was unlikely to get any more of the ointment. Pushing my discomfort aside, I quickly started moving around the room first heading to the window covered by the curtains.

I shifted the soft fabric to the side and couldn't help the small gasp that left my lips. Outside was white. The buildings, cars, and few umbrellas I could see moving were all covered by the white substance illuminated by the street lights.

I pressed my hand against the glass, ignoring the cold that I felt seeping through. It was beautiful. Focusing on the more important task, I moved to the drawers to see if I could find a change of clothes.

Though I'd never seen or been in snow, the books I'd read all had similar descriptions of snow being beautiful but brutal. I knew I needed to dress warmly if I didn't want to freeze to death before I found somewhere to go.

As I carefully pulled the drawer open, my mind began thinking of what I was going to do when I left. Where was I going to go? I knew I would need a place to stay and my stomach grumbled softly reminding me I needed to put some food in there.

After throwing off the pajama set I was wearing, I pulled some thick black leggings on with some jeans over top. I shuffled through the drawer some more and grabbed a tank top, putting a long-sleeved shirt over it with another shirt on top of that one.

I hurriedly dragged the tags off, feeling slightly guilty that I was wearing someone's brand-new clothes. I was thankful that it seemed we wore the same size. My eyes shifted to the closet and I moved to open it and smiled when I saw different jackets and coats inside.

I grabbed the biggest one, my eyes widening at the weight but I shrugged it on nonetheless. I felt hot and stuffy but I considered that a good thing knowing when I was faced with the cold, my feelings would quickly change.

I slipped into some sneakers and moved back to grab the money and stuff it in my pocket.

I looked around the room wondering what else I could need and when I saw there was nothing else I took a deep breath and moved to the door. I pressed my ear against it softly trying to hear if there was anyone out there but when I was greeted with silence, I carefully pulled the door open.