The water was so chilling I could not even think straight. Jack hoisted me up on a hard surface, trying to pull himself up but eventually dangled off the side for support. I pushed my body down to the lower half to level it for him and started pulling him towards me. It was so cold I could not even comprehend the amount of time we spent holding each other trying to draw any warmth to avoid freezing to death. There was a beam of light moving back and force reflecting in the distance but I could not even imagine if it was really happening until Jack paddled us with his arms closer to the beam. I started calling out, my voice hoarse but it was pointless, they are too far away. I started paddling my arms alongside Jack to try and cover the distance. As we got closer the beam ahead started to blind my eyes appearing but I could also make out the silhouette of a boat. The boat approached us and a pair of hands pulled us on the boat. I woke up with the blinding light shinning in my eyes but this time it generated warmth to my body. As I opened my eyes, I looked upon the rising sun casting a shade of orange onto Jack’s face. Somehow we had survived this, it didn’t seem real. As the realisation set in I wondered about my mother and my ex fiancé. If they were alive and how I would find them. I didn’t have to wonder too much though because there was Cal in the distance looking smug as if we almost didn’t have a near death experience. Maybe this could be my fresh start, I squeezed Jack’s hand and smiled as his eyes looked tenderly into mine. This was our fresh start.
I pull my hood over my head, rushing past the city goers. This is completely humiliating, how could I be so stupid. I can’t get that image out of my head and I can’t tell if this water sliding down my cheeks is from the rain or my tears. I make my way to my favourite coffee shop, the only place in New York City so far that has felt like home to me. It’s always warm and comforting and the waitress sometimes gives me free cake. I sit down in a hidden stall at the back hiding my face. The waitress takes my usual order and all I can do is nod and I can already see it in her eyes. What I didn’t want, that sympathetic stare and my eyes glaze over again.
This was supposed to be my fresh start, in the city with my fiancé, settling into our apartment and embarking on a new adventure. He was my everything, the entire reason I came here and for the sole purpose of his new job. I mean I didn’t mind, I always wanted to support him in anything and I know wherever he was I could be happy too, it was just an adjustment. To think of everything I sacrificed though and he just gave it up for some secretary tramp!
That’s it, I will throw the ring in his face when I get back and then I will decide what it is that I want. “Is this seat taken?” I look up at the face that matches that deep voice, from his dark black hair to his chiseled jaw. His eyes are kind but yet commanding, he is well built and if I do say so myself it seems as though the gods created him. “Sorry, everywhere else is full but if you aren’t comfortable, that’s alright.” He smiles and I forget that I have been staring at him for what seems like forever, he probably thinks there is something wrong with me. “Of course, I don’t mind, go ahead.”
He strikes up a conversation with me and for some time I forget why it is I first came to this city. In my cosy cafe, sitting across from this handsome stranger, maybe the city isn’t as bad as I thought and maybe there is some place for me in it.
I must have fallen out of the cruise ship washing up ashore because I have no recollection as to how I ended up on the side of the Nile River. How would I call for help or even find my tourist group...wait scratch that. I can’t even get up my head is spinning. But my best bet is to get as far away from here as possible, I mean after all I don’t wanna find out if there is still crocodiles. I peer out into the darkness that is endless, I can’t see anything beyond the sand dunes. Well my options are die here from a crocodile attack or die from the harsh conditions of the desert. But I suppose I have more luck of finding someone out there.
As I walked for what felt like hours I slumped down onto the soft sad. “Ouch”, maybe it’s not soft after all. I wipe away the sand as I see a wooden trap door underneath. This is just odd, a random door in the middle of nowhere. I really should keep walking but the curiosity is killing me, plus I can seek shelter here until I find some help. Opening the trap door I see absolutely nothing, well that’s comforting. But it’s better than staying up here, these winds are really picking up.
I descend the ladder and safely land my feet. But as soon as I take a step I bang into a sharp object. Well that’s gonna bruise, but as I look up that’s the least of my worries because ahead of me I see each mirror catching the light of another until finally the room is well lit. I wonder what this room was used for, the cobwebs indicate that this has been untouched for sometime. Can’t hurt to look around, not like I have anything else better to do. Walking past each corridor I see ancient Egyptian inscriptions on the wall but I have no idea what they are saying. Who would’ve thought I spent so much money to go on a tour to stumble on what looks like something that has been uncovered since the ancient times. I shine my torch light across the walls as I continue onwards.
This next room looks different from the next, it appears as though whatever it was used for was important. There are several statues of Egyptian gods and what looks to be a throne. I walk over to the throne and learn back against the seat wondering what this would have been like. But all of a sudden the ground disappears beneath me and I fall down hard onto the surface. This is complete darkness and I can’t even stand without hitting my head. I crawl forward until I push past a door. All of a sudden my heart completely stops, every single thing the light catches is gold. But that’s not even the weirdest part, the voice that repeats my name I’ve heard many times before.
I nestle my head against the soft blanket, stretching my arms and legs. A squeak escapes my mouth and I yawn as I open my eyes the bright light streaming through. The morning sun shines from the windows as I arch my back and glance at my human. It appears by her peaceful face and her closed eyes it is not yet her time to rise. But I find myself awake and in need of a tickle or scratch behind my ear. I walk over to her side of the bed and knead my paws into her side. A meow bellows from my croaky morning voice as I nudge into her face. She groans in her sleep and turns over. Well it was worth a try. I jump of the bed, shaking my head and ringing my bell. I love that sound, makes me feel important. Maybe time for some food but no my human still has not arisen to feed me. Off to glance at some birds hungrily I guess. I walk over to the window and see my reflection through it. Well I think if looks could kill then I could kill every bird in those trees. I see my soft, glimmering ginger coat and yellow big eyes staring back at me. I would be scared if I was a bird, I mean I’m quite intimidating. If only I could get beyond this see though glass and run my paws through the soft grass. Chase the birds and call to them. There is a big fat bird in the tree, I lick my lips. I wonder if it tastes like that chicken I get every morning or better. But I will never find out as my human tries to tame me daily. I do love her but the thing is, I’m a wild animal and that I’m tame.
I hear my human getting out of bed in the next room, walking over to the kitchen. Well I guess it’s time to pester her again. I follow her back into her room as she sits in her chair drinking her morning coffee. Hmmm that lap looks nice, I jump onto the chair and then again into her lap, purring and bumping into her hand for more head scratches. “Good morning Milkhy”, she says and she stares down lovingly at me and kissing my head. I always like those kisses, makes me feel warm. But not only that I always like the mornings before my human leaves the house for today. I stretch out my paws and drift off, making use of the warmth of her and dream about a time when I can escape and eat that yummy bird. Well who knows if it’s yummy but I know one day I will be curious and smart enough to escape and taste it.
