Save Me

Chapter 5- Christmas

Bright morning light shone on Nerine's face. She woke up in a strange bed. Nerine rubbed her eyes as she looked at her surroundings. She saw the small wooden ceiling, wooden floors, and a wooden door. She saw a picture frame near the table and wondered where she was. She looked out the window and saw a vast meadow covered in last night's snow.

"Oh, you're awake. Thank goodness," a lady with brunette hair and black eyes greeted her. She put down her basket of fruits beside her. "Eat up kiddo."

"Where am I?" Nerine asked as she hesitatingly chewed on the apple. The sweet fruity flavor came crashing into her mouth. She was starving and couldn't help but pace up her  munching. 

"Slow down kiddo, you'll choke." the lady said as she wiped her mouth with a napkin. Nerine flinched and the lady gave a curt smile.

"We are in the Town of Carious.  My boys actually saw you passed out near the castle border. Their expressions are priceless! My boys have never seen a lady as pretty as you around here despite all the tomato on your clothes." the lady winked.

Nerine shivered in fear and agony. She kept hyperventilating. She couldn't breathe, it seemed like her lungs weren't functioning and the world was a messed up swirl of illusion. Everything became distorted like a  puzzle piece she couldn't place. Nerine gasped for breath as her headache thrummed her brain like a hammer. Her heart ached as hot tears fell down her cheeks. 

"Kid, calm down. Breathe in and out," the lady coaxed her in her arms as Nerine cried her heart out on an unknown lady's bosom. 

Nerine cried her heart out. The empty and hollow feeling took over her heart. She couldn't feel anything but the terror of sadness. It felt like her heart was being crushed into pieces and her world was shattering into pieces. She let everything out and cried for a very long time and she eventually fell asleep once more. 

***

"I need to meet my mother Mrs. Anna," Nerine said as she pulled the slip of paper tucked in the pocket of her dress.  Anna was the brunette lady who fed her and took her home. She was kind enough to open her humble house to her. 

"Basil City? Hmm, that is quite the travel. It will be a long way from here. Are you sure you're alright if you go alone?" 

"Yes..." Nerine looked down on the floor and played with her fingers. Her hand was trembling as she bit her lip to stop shaking. 

"Alright, I'll send one of my boys with you just to make sure you're safe. A pretty young lady shouldn't be traveling alone. There are many beasts out in the world and they're not animals." Anna smiled as she pats Nerine's head.

 "A coachman would be quite pricey if you travel from here though..." Anna murmured under her breath

Nerine took off her gold necklace and handed it to Anna "Ms. Anna, is this enough?"

Anna's eyes gleamed as she smiled "This is more than enough. I'll make sure you can go to Basil City right away,"

 She hugged Nerine and glided her hand on her small back. Nerine tensed but she liked the warmth Anna gives her. She felt it was very comforting and pleasant to have someone hug and comfort her.  

"I'll introduce you to my boys come with me," Anna said as she dragged Nerine by her wrist. Their house was very quaint and simple however it had a very cozy feel. They entered a room with two wooden table and six chairs.  A big chicken was in the center of the table and it looked mouth watering. 

"Merry Christmas!" Anna's family greeted her. Nerine jumped back in surprise as she heard the loud and enthusiastic greeting. 

"So this is my husband John," Anna pointed to a man in his fifties, he was tall and thin. He had long black hair and obsidian eyes. He had tattoos on both his arms and a few piercings on his lip and nose. His eyes had a sharp glare and he looked quite scary. Nerine took a few steps back.

"This rascal here is Mike. He will be the one who will accompany you to Basil City." Anna winked. Mike looked 13, he was taller than Nerine and had brunette hair and black eyes.

"Mom!" Mike whined

"Hush baby, now this one here is Donald. My youngest and most kindhearted son,"  Anna said as she squeezed the Donald's cheeks. 

"Alright let's eat dinner and celebrate Christmas. The chicken will be cold soon." Anna said happily as she sat on the table

Nerine took a seat next to Anna. They gave her spaghetti and the thigh part of the chicken.

"Mom! I want more cheese on my spaghetti!" Donald pouted as he mixed his spaghetti.

"Donald, go get it yourself." John, Anna's husband said strictly. 

"Hush honey, it's Christmas remember? Donald's still a child." Anna said as she grated the cheese over Donald's spaghetti. "Here you go baby,"

"Mom! That's why Donald is so spoiled." Mike whined. Donald stuck out his tongue at Mike and grinned with satisfaction. "Look! This spoiled brat." 

"Mike shut up and eat your spaghetti." John said while slicing a piece of chicken. "I need more rice honey,"

"I don't wanna deal with this during Christmas. I need a break from taking care of three babies." Anna shook her head and sighed. Mike and Donald laughed heartily while John blushed like a tomato. 

Nerine quietly ate while listening to Anna's family bicker and joke around in joy. They looked like a very happy family who lived a simple but fulfilling life.

The chicken and spaghetti was delectable and everything was so nice and perfect that Nerine felt she doesn't belong here. She felt numb despite all the laughter happening around her. She wanted to barf her food and just crawl into a corner to cry.  She forced herself to smile while she felt like she was dying inside. This was the first time she spent Christmas without her family and it won't be her last.