Chapter 20

I fought desperately to stay awake, my mind racing with questions and my body trembling with fear and exhaustion. But whatever the man had administered to me earlier, the vapors still lingering in my system, took their toll. My limbs grew heavy, my vision fading as I struggled to hold on.

The masked man’s familiar eyes were the last thing I saw before the darkness claimed me. My thoughts slipped away,my eyes closing as the world around me dissolved into nothingness.

I woke up slowly, my head pounding and my body weak, lying on what felt like a soft mattress. The air smelled faintly of antiseptic, mixed with the clean scent of linen. I blinked, my vision adjusting to the dim light of the room. It was small but tidy, with beige walls, a single window covered by heavy curtains, and a wooden chair placed by the bed.

I tried to move, but my body felt sluggish. Panic started to rise again as I remembered the events from earlier,the men, the girl, the masked stranger. My heart raced. Where am I? Who brought me here?

The door creaked open, and I tensed, my eyes fixed on the figure that entered. It was a woman. Probably in her sixties.

“You’re awake,” she said, her voice soft and calm,with a trace of concern. She approached cautiously, placing a tray on the small bedside table.

“Who are you?” My voice came out hoarse, barely above a whisper.

She pulled up the chair and sat, his movements deliberate, as if trying not to startle me. “You don’t need to be afraid. You’re safe now.

“Safe?” I echoed, confusion and mistrust evident in my tone. “Who are you? Why did you bring me here?.

 You can call me Mrs. Robert. I'm the local nurse around here,and I didn't bring you here, someone did.

A man. wearing a mask. He carried you in, unconscious, and you were bleeding. I couldn’t just leave you like that.

I swallowed hard, my chest tightening. Did he say anything? His name? Why he brought me here?.

She shook her head. Not a word. He stayed for a while, sitting in that chair, she gestured toward the wooden chair by the window,watching over you. Then, he disappeared. I didn’t even hear him leave.

My thoughts whirled. Why would he save me and then vanish without explaining himself? Who was this man?

She stood up and poured a glass of water from the pitcher on the table. You need to rest. Drink this. Your body’s been through a lot.

I hesitated, staring at the glass in her hand, unsure if I could trust her. But I was too weak to argue, and my throat burned with dryness. I took the glass, and drank from it.

The woman’s voice softened, her gaze steady. So, there you go. Now it’s your turn. Tell me, dear,what happened to you? How did you end up in such a state?

I hesitated, my throat tightening as the memories threatened to resurface. I was kidnapped, I finally admitted, my voice trembling. There were these men who took me and some other people. I don’t know why. They tied us up, hurt us and then, someone came. He fought them, saved me. That must’ve been the man who brought me here.

Her expression hardened, anger flashing in her eyes. "Monsters," she muttered under her breath. I can’t imagine what you’ve been through. But you’re safe here. 

Where am I ? I asked, looking around the room again.

"A safehouse," she replied. An old friend of mine owns it. You’re lucky to have a saviour. 

I nodded, though her words only raised more questions. My heart still pounded with unease, but her calm demeanor offered a small comfort. Thank you for helping me.

She reached out, her hand warm and steady as it rested on mine. You don’t have to thank me, dear. Just focus on recovering. Whoever that man was, he left you in good hands.

As I tried to push myself off the bed, a sharp pain shot through my body, and I winced. "I have to go," I said, my voice laced with urgency. My mom, she needs me. She’s probably worried sick.

Mrs. Robert, who was sitting by the window knitting, quickly came over and gently placed her hands on my shoulders, easing me back onto the bed. "You’re not strong enough to go anywhere, dear," she said softly but firmly. "Leaving like this is a bad idea. You’ll only make things worse for yourself.

I can’t just stay here, I argued, my voice trembling.

And where would you go in your condition?" she asked, raising an eyebrow. "Where do you come from, child?.

"Everston," I replied weakly.

Mrs. Robert’s eyes widened. "My, oh my, " she said, shaking her head. "That’s miles away from here. You’re in Willowspring, the countryside. You’ll need to recover first if you plan on traveling that far.

Defeated but exhausted, I slumped back onto the pillow. She was right; I didn’t have the strength to leave yet. Seeing my struggle, Mrs. Robert smiled kindly and went to the small wooden cupboard in the corner of the room. She returned with a steaming cup of herbal tea.

"Here," she said, handing it to me. "Drink this. It will help you heal faster. It’s my special recipe, made from herbs I grow in my garden.

 taking the cup. The warm, earthy aroma was oddly comforting. I sipped the tea slowly, its heat spreading through me like a soothing balm.

As I lay there, my thoughts drifted to everything I had been through. What happened to Minho? Was he part of this? The girl in the shadows,was she saved? And the others in that terrible room,what about them? Who saved me, And Mom,is she okay?

My heart ached with worry and guilt, but the tea's calming effect began to take hold. Before I knew it, sleep claimed me once more.

When I woke up, I felt a little stronger. The soreness in my body had eased, though the weight of my thoughts remained. "Mrs. Robert?" I called out, but there was no response.