Evelyn

I slowly opened my eyes, only to shut them back again as the sharp pain in my head intensified.

I held my head only to discover my fingers slick with liquid. I brought my hands to my sight and saw blood.

A groan escaped me as I tried to sit up, but the pain was overwhelming, leaving me feeling like jelly— weak and unsteady.

I felt pain all over. Hot tears burned behind my eyes but I refused to let them fall.

I hate tears, I haven't cried in 10 years and I wasn't about to start now. I slowly raised my body after some minutes.

It was dark already. The world around me was cloaked in darkness, with only the distant calls of birds breaking the silence.

The air was growing colder, sending chills through my already frail body

After what felt like an eternity, I finally managed to sit down, though blood continued bleeding from my head and shoulder.

I attempted to crawl up but came rushing down as my strength failed me. I could only rely on one hand to push me up.

I can't possibly go up unless I go round and that will take hours with my current state. There was no way I could make it.

Seeing I had no option but to spend the night in the woods, I dragged myself deeper into the woods and found a huge tree whose root was big enough.

I found refuge beneath the tree and leaned against it with my body sore and aching.

It wasn't something I wasn't used to. I hope Raffaele finds me fast to save me the stress and energy of finding a way myself.

I never thought there would be a time I would depend on someone, and finding myself relying on Raffaele made me hopeless, but I had no choice.

I was at his mercy, which I didn't like, and it made me angry.

I closed my eyes, embracing the chilled air and getting used to the pain. Due to the fatigue, sleep crept in more than intended.

Sometime in the middle of the night, I felt my body being lifted. I got ready to fight the person but I heard a soft whisper “It is me,”

Raffaele.

I breathed in relief and gave in to the unconscious that was consuming me.

*****

I heard a slight movement and opened my eyes. The ceiling was white and the air was filled with a thick scent of antiseptic. Where was I?

I felt my hand held by someone and saw Emily by myself. She was sitting in a chair and her head was on the bed beside me, holding my hand.

I tried sitting and felt a slight pain in my shoulder and head. It was mild compared to before but the pain was still there. I tried again and Emily stirred and woke up.

“Thank God you are awake,” she said, relief washing over her face. Her eyes were swollen as if she hadn’t slept much and had been crying.

“Why would you go like that? I thought you were not coming back,”

“I told you I had to lose them,” I said, feeling my throat dry. I saw a glass of water on the bedside table and stretched for it but she was quicker and handed it to me.

I frowned but accepted it anyway. I gulped the entire glass and gave her back the cup.

“It was all my fault; if I hadn't wanted to go out, all these wouldn't have happened,” her eyes became teary.

If there is something I have learned about Emily, it is that she was so soft-hearted and a crybaby.

A girl like her isn't cut out for this life or this family, I thought to myself as she sobbed. “I am sorry,” she said, her voice shaking.

“I knew you were a crybaby, but I didn't take you to be this dramatic, too,” I teased, and she looked at me with teary eyes.

“If you are done with that, could you help me with some food? I am starving” I said, dropping my legs over the side of the bed.

“You should stay in bed; you are really hurt,” she rushed to my side, gently placing my legs back on the bed.

“Since I got you in this situation, I will take care of you till you are fine,” I let out a groan. Why is she babysitting me?

“I am not a baby, you know,” I muttered as she tucked the duvet around me.

“You are a full-grown woman who is injured. Now, stay here and don't move,” she ordered as she left the room.

It was like a switch was flipped; she was crying one minute and caring the next.

I glanced around the room and was relieved I wasn't in a hospital. But how did he find me? Especially in the middle of the night.

Emily returned to the room with a tray of food. The tray had a variety of sandwiches, fruits, a bowl of soup, and a glass of juice.

“Who is all these for?” I eyed the tray. “I didn't know how you liked your sandwich and the bowl of soup will help your injury,” I smiled at her achievement.

“Thank you,” I said and took the tray for her.

“I wasn't expecting that,” she muttered but I didn't say anything. As I picked a sandwich and brought it to my mouth, a sharp pain shot through my body and I winced.

“Let me feed you,” she collected the sandwich and brought it to my lips. No, no, no, I was injured and not incapacitated.

I collected it back from her. “I can take care of myself” I insisted and took a bite. I almost moaned at the savory taste.

“Delicious right?” She smiled down at me. “Yes,” I nodded and she clapped in happiness. “I am good at what I do,”

I couldn't help but smile at her behavior. She looked so cute and happy; I was glad I had prevented anything from happening to her.

“You should smile often; it fits you,” a voice came from the door, and my smile fell.

“What are you doing here?” I asked as he strolled into the room.

“I wanted to come check on you” he looked down at me on the bed.