slide over my scalp in search for the remnants of a bump that would indicate some kind of head trauma. Of course, there’s nothing. I know that already, given I’ve felt my head several times over the last week. But it still doesn’t stop me from randomly pressing my hands over my body, searching for a bruise or injury. Again, nothing.
Standing in the hallway I hesitate, not knowing what to do next. Should I go back into the main living space and wait for the brothers’ return? Should I search the rest of the house just in case they’re upstairs sleeping like the dead and didn’t hear me letting myself in? I wince, my heart hiccupping in my chest. I know what I should do. I should leave. This is trespassing. It’s an offence. I could go to bloody jail.
I’m about to cut my losses and head back into the living room to grab my coat and shoes when another boom of thunder sounds overhead. Before my brain can catch up with my body, I’m taking the stairs two at a time and find myself standing on the upper landing.
Directly opposite to where I’m standing, a door lies open. Beyond is a huge room with a massive four poster bed. It must be a triple super king or something and is covered in soft throws and furs in beiges, creams, and browns. In fact, the room is incredibly masculine in style, just like the rest of the house. It smells delicious too, a mixture of heady musk, leather, wood, and pine. I find myself leaning over the threshold, my hand clutching the door frame and breathing in deeply. A flush of warmth rushes over my skin as a feeling of calmness and serenity washes over me, followed by bone-numbing exhaustion.
It hits me like a wave, practically knocking me on my arse.
My head swims, my eyelids droop, and my muscles spasm as I step into the room with heavy legs. I feel like I’m walking with lead shoes. Why am I so exhausted all of a sudden? This feeling has come out of nowhere. Could it be a delayed concussion? Something to do with how I lost my memory, perhaps? Or could it be a side effect of a stressful situation?
All I know is if I don’t lie down, I might just fall down.
Stumbling towards the bed, I climb on top of the throws and furs. The last thought I have before darkness takes me is that I hope I wake up before the Torben brothers return home and find me asleep on their bed.
“Goddamn it,” I groan, lifting my hand to my forehead and rubbing at the tight band of pain wrapping around it. I blink rapidly, trying to clear my vision, but it’s pitch black and I can’t see a thing. Then I remember where I am and sit bolt upright “Hello? Is anyone there?”
I shift myself on the bed that creaks and groans under my weight. The mattress is hard and without any of the throws or sheepskin rugs I remember falling asleep on top of. That’s weird? I don’t remember it feeling so uncomfortable.
It’s then that I realise I’m practically naked. My jeans are gone, as are my top and socks. I’m still wearing my underwear, but it doesn’t make me feel any better. Who the fuck undressed me? And where the hell am I?
“Hello!” I shout, my voice betraying me as I slide off the bed and onto a cold wooden floor. There’s no underfloor heating in this room. A shiver runs over my skin, as dread creeps up my spine. What’s going on? Am I still in the Torben brothers’ house? Did they come home and discover me sleeping on their bed and decide that I needed to be locked up in a dark room until they could contact the police?
“Hello! Is anyone there?!” I stumble about blindly, my hands trying to find purchase on something, anything. “I’m so sorry I trespassed. I should’ve waited for your return. I’m sorry. I’m not a thief, I promise you can trust me. Let me explain… Please,” I beg, fear tightening like a vice around my chest. I hunch down into a crouch before falling on my arse and wrapping my arms around my legs. Tears prick my eyes and I let them fall, feeling helpless. A sob escapes my throat, and I clamp my hand over my mouth trying to muffle the sound.
“Tears won’t help you, darling,”