Faith's POV
I jolted awake, panic setting in as I scrambled to remember where I was. The room was unfamiliar, yet eerily comforting.
I lay in a plush bed, surrounded by elegant furniture that seemed to belong in a magazine.
Definitely not my tiny apartment.
My fingers brushed against the soft fabric of the shirt I wore, and I realized I had on a pair of shorts too. They were baggy, clearly not mine.
A shiver ran down my spine as I tried to piece together the events that led me here. The last thing I remembered was running with that stranger, feeling the rush of the river as we fell in…
Who had changed me into these clothes? And how did I end up in this luxurious bedroom?
I sprang out of bed, my bare feet slapping against the chilly floor. A sense of urgency drove me to move, to find someone or something that could anchor me to this unfamiliar place. For a moment, I stood there, my eyes scanning the room as if searching for a lifeline.
But my gaze kept drifting back to the door, my only escape from the suffocating uncertainty. I padded towards it, my fingers closing around the cool metal handle.
The door creaked open, revealing a hallway that stretched out before me like an endless ribbon. I stepped out into the silence, my feet carrying me forward as I gazed down the long, winding corridor.
As I walked, my feet carried me forward on autopilot, my mind consumed by a jumble of questions. What had happened after I fell into the river?
How did I end up in this grand, yet unfamiliar, place? And who had changed me into these clothes? I mean, I was grateful to be out of my soggy, river logged outfit, but seriously, who undresses a unconscious person and puts them in...this?
I looked down at the baggy shirt and shorts, and a snort escaped me. I looked like I'd raided a giant's closet. The stranger, I assumed, since I couldn't exactly see a team of fashion conscious elves scurrying around, changing my clothes.
I wanted to thank him, of course
I mean, he had saved my life, after all. But mostly, I just wanted to ask him about these enormous clothes. Were they his? Did he have a secret life as a giant? And why, oh why, had he chosen these particular garments for me?
They were comfortable, I'll admit, but still...I looked ridiculous. I quickened my pace, my eyes scanning the empty hallway for any sign of life. Time to track down my mysterious rescuer and get some answers.
I let out a frustrated sigh, feeling like I'd been walking forever. Door after door had led to nothing but more empty hallways and unanswered questions. I was starting to lose hope. But then, like a beacon of possibility, I spotted it, a door slightly ajar.
My heart skipped a beat as I hesitated for a moment, wondering if I should investigate. Someone had to be on the other side, right? I pushed the door open slowly, my senses on high alert, and stepped inside.
As I stepped into the room, I was enveloped in a darkness that seemed to vibrate with an air of sophistication. The space was a shrine to order and precision, with books lining the shelves in neat, towering rows.
The chill in the air only added to the sense of refinement, making me feel like I'd stumbled into a private sanctuary. My eyes adjusted slowly, drinking in the stark beauty of the black and white color scheme.
It was a space that seemed designed to soothe the soul, and yet, it was unmistakably an office. I wandered deeper, my gaze drawn to the sleek, black desk and the plush, white couch that seemed to glow in the dim light.
A chair sat tucked away in a corner, as if waiting for its occupant to return. And then, my eyes landed on a painting , a haunting portrait of a man, his face a map of sorrow, even amidst the crowd of people surrounding him.
There was something about his expression that seemed to resonate deep within me, but I couldn't quite put my finger on what it was.
I tore my gaze away from the painting, feeling a shiver run down my spine. My eyes landed on the desk, and I found myself drawn to its sleek, black surface. I reached out a hand, running my fingers over the cool wood, feeling a sense of luxury emanating from it.
This office exuded wealth and power, the kind of space that commanded respect. I couldn't help but wonder about the person who occupied it , someone with means, clearly.
The kind of person who didn't just have money, but taste and sophistication as well. I felt a pang of curiosity, wanting to know more about the mysterious owner of this opulent office.
As I stood there, my fingers tracing the edge of the desk, my gaze fell upon a small, framed photograph. My curiosity got the better of me, and I picked it up, feeling a pang of guilt for snooping. But as I looked at the picture, my guilt gave way to a deep sense of sadness.
The photograph showed a little boy, no more than ten years old, with piercing blue eyes that seemed to bore into my soul.
His clothes were torn and dirty, his face smeared with blood and dirt. His small fists were clenched, and his messy hair stuck out in every direction. But it was his eyes that really caught my attention , they were filled with a deep seated anger and loneliness that seemed to echo through the years.
Who takes a picture of a child like this? I wondered. A social worker? A journalist? Or someone who cared for him, but couldn't protect him from the hardships of his life? The questions swirled in my mind as I gazed at the photograph, feeling a deep connection to this little boy, and a sense of sorrow that I couldn't shake.
I was still lost in the haunting gaze of the little boy when a hand reached out and snatched the photograph from my fingers. I turned to see a beautiful young blonde girl, her eyes flashing with a mixture of anger and warning.
She quickly returned the photo to its place in the desk, her movements economical and precise. "I was just…." I began, but she didn't let me finish.
Instead, she grasped my arm and pulled me away from the office, her grip surprisingly strong.
I stumbled after her, my mind reeling with questions. "We need to get out of here," she said, her voice low and urgent. "My brother wouldn't be happy if he knew you were snooping around in here."