Chapter 26: Chapter 26

"Yeah, I know. Can you believe it, man? I was driving on the highway when I stumbled upon this weird lady covered with blood and mud all over her body."

"Nah, man, I thought I saw a ghost or an evil spirit, ready to take my life there for a second."

"No! No…she didn't harm me. The woman was actually begging for me to save her and her husband. She said they were being chased to kill them. Yeah, I know. Feels like straight from a horror movie."

I grunted when I heard a series of noises. I shifted, trying to move my body but was too fagged to even move my fingers. I gradually opened my eyes, and the first thing I noticed was a chandelier hanging above. Where am I? I tried to sit up but fell miserably due to the pain and stinging I felt from my wounds and muscles. Am I dead? Is this heaven? But why does it look like a luxuriant room?

I roamed my eyes around the corner of the room, squinting and processing what this place was. The room was spacious enough for the four family members to live there. High ceiling, minimalist style, a cold breeze of air from the above vent was blowing right below me, sending cold shivers down my spine. My eyes traveled toward the end of the bed and saw a man pacing back and forth while talking to someone over his phone.

"Yeah, she's okay for now. She's taking a rest. Yeah, she's sleeping right here-" the man suddenly ceased speaking when he saw I was already awake and listening.

"Uh…bro, I think I have to call you back. She's awake-what?! No, she's not possessed. Whatever, dude." the man rolled his eyes before putting his phone down and crossing the gap between us.

"Hey." the man smiled at me, waving his hands a little. I blink, recalling who this man was. He coughed, looking around and finding a place where to sit. When there is no chair he can drag closer, he chooses to sit at the edge of the bed.

"Well, you probably don't remember me." he started, and I nodded in response. Does he own this place, though?

"Okay, I don't want to push you over the edge and make things weirder as it already is, but I am the man who saved you."

I didn't say anything, so he continued.

"You were yelling and panting, begging me to save you from the thing that was chasing you. You said to me you needed to get back to save your husband before something went wrong-"

That triggered my adrenaline rush. I suddenly kneeled down on the bed, snatching his arms. The man panicked, startled from his seat. He looked frightened for a moment when I spoke, not knowing what to do with me.

"Jeez! Lady, calm down-"

"Where is he?!" I yelled, shaking his shoulders. The man tried to calm me down, but then I recalled what had happened to my life.

"Where is my husband? Did you kill him?! What happened to Bobby?! Please don't tell me you did something awful to them?!"

My fingers were unsteady while staring directly into his eyes, searching for answers. My imagery becomes abruptly indistinct from the tears. I let them fall off my cheeks. I couldn't care about how I looked in front of him. I needed to know what happened to my family!

The man didn't say anything. Instead, he raised his right hand, reaching my face. I narrowed my eyes, leaning away from it when he touched my cheeks, wiping the tears off. I was speechless and paralyzed from my spot. When our eyes locked for a moment, I saw sympathy in them.

I flinched, letting go of him before turning my head in the other direction. A long deafening silence creeps us, and the man still finds his words to say. I know I shocked him too much. It's like it's normal in your life to see a strange person all wounded and yelling for someone to help them, then suddenly you are their obligation. I feel ashamed of my actions.

"My name is Harry, and I am the..owner of this house."

They finally spoke after minutes of silence. I didn't say anything. He knows what I want. I already told him that. Harry breathed out a profound sigh before continuing.

"Your husband is fine. He's in a different room and being treated by a family doctor. The dog was downstairs, playing with my dogs. I am also a fur dad." Harry chuckled slightly, lifting up the atmosphere, but I didn't laugh back. I sighed in relief, glad to know that my family was okay and I had nothing to worry about too much.

"If you don't mind, is it okay to ask what happened to you? And to your husband? He was deeply wounded and-"

"None of it matters to you," I said, squeezing my body before resting my head against the bed's headrest. I was shivering from the cold. I am not used to this cozy environment. It's making me sick, and I don't want to keep my hopes up.

Harry was speechless for a minute before I heard him stand up from his seat. I closed my eyes, sinking my body against the wall. I may sound rude and disrespectful, but I must keep my guard. Once everything is settled here, we'll leave this place immediately. Harry might be hiding something under his sleeve. We're the most wanted criminals in the state, and it's unthinkable for him not to find out about us.

The sooner we leave, the lesser we leave crumbs behind.

"Okay, look. I understand you have trust issues. Something happened with your family. You probably lost your kid or something. You were all wounded and almost died, but a simple thank you is much appreciated."

Before I knew it, Harry had already left the room, slamming the door shut. I flinched from the noise, but I didn't mind it. I know I should be grateful enough, but the thing here is you can't trust anyone anymore. Harry may have shown his generosity, but soon once he founds out in the media about us, he might even kill us himself.

What I did was risky, putting Ethan in a dangerous situation again. That's why we need to get out of this place before he finds out. I pushed myself out of bed, propping my feet on the carpet. I looked down and noticed I was wearing pajamas. I don't know who changed my clothing, but I hope it's not Harry.

I winced, clenching my stomach, when I felt a sudden hunger. I closed my eyes, whimpering and almost falling to the ground when I rested my hands above the table, leaning against it. I couldn't even walk properly. I breathed in and out before striding away from that room. I reached the door and twisted it open. A hallway greeted me. It was quiet as if no one was around.

I doubt this was a house since everything looks expensive. My stomach grumbled in annoyance, and I had to hush it before stepping out. I slowly closed the door, looking around to see if Harry might catch me. The coast is clear.

I look to my left and right, observing the house's interiors. The walls are painted in white and marbled floors, which you could also see your reflection. I suddenly remembered what Harry had said. I need to find Ethan where he is placed. I quickly went towards the closest door I could see and opened it. Nothing was there, just an empty room with old stuff.

I closed it and then continued my search. I gritted my teeth, suppressing the hunger I felt. My throat was dry, and I almost lost my balance once again. I breathed in, facing the last door. I swallowed the tension in my throat before opening it, and the scene before me made me teared up.

I controlled my sobs, covering my mouth with my hand before rushing closer to his spot. I dropped to the floor, my foot hitting on something, but I didn't look at my swollen foot. I crawled all the way just to get closer to him. When I reached his bed, I raised my hand to push myself to see him up close. I choked back a sob when I saw how peacefully Ethan was resting on the bed. His eyes were closed, flaunting his long lashes, and his wounds were already treated.

I lifted my trembling hands, caressing his cheeks lightly. He was breathing, and his condition was stable. I gradually embraced him between my arms when the door slammed open, and Harry was yelling.

"Are you here-" Harry stopped when he saw me kneeling beside the bed, hugging my husband while resting my head on his chest.

"Thank god you're here. I thought you ran away there for a sec, and I was about to call-"

"T-thank you…" I mumbled quietly.

"What's that again? I'm sorry couldn't hear you since you're just whispering." Harry's footsteps echoed inside the room, crossing the gap between us.

"So, what are you going to say-"

Before he could even finish what he was about to say, I dropped to the ground and then hugged him on his knees. My shoulders shook terribly from the wails. Harry panicked when I was crying on his knees. He tried to push me away, soothing me down when I tightened my grip around his legs.

"Thank you for saving him…." I mumbled before looking up to stare at his eyes.

"Thank you for saving me….for saving Bobby. It r-really means so much to me…" my voice broke down. I was thankful for this moment. I was glad that Ethan survived this time from the horrific situation we escaped.

"T-thank you for giving us another chance to live…." I said with all my heart before passing out from starvation.