3 Chapter Two

Everything was black. Everything was swaying. I couldn't open my eyes, i couldn't move. Why was ground under me cool and smooth, I vaguely wondered before drifting into unconsciousness again.

I woke with a jolt and and sprang to a sitting position. My head was spinning, and my vision blurred. I was soaking wet and freezing. The sun had set and i was no longer in the middle of the road. I was laying in some metal contraption i couldn't place. Where was I?

"Rise and shine!" A cheery voice yelled from behind me. I whipped my head around to quickly and felt faint again.

" Who are you and where am I?" I demanded trying to clear the haze in my eyes to get a clear look at who had spoken.

"Well that's not the way to speak to someone who saved your life, now is it?" The voice said with a subtle edge of humor in it. "I am Crena, i found you in the middle of the road. You looked like bird food and i almost just left you there. Luckily your body started twitching all crazy like. I loaded you up in my truck here and brought you back to my farm. By the looks of it you need some water and food."

What was she talking about? "Your truck? What is a truck? Where are we?" I was desperately trying to make sense of what was going on.

"Uh honey, that thing you're sitting in is a truck. Are you one of those naturists that tries to live totally disconnected or something?"

Naturist? What the hell is a naturist and why the fuck isn't she answering my questions, i tried to bury my frustration.

"Yeah, sure. Me and my family were naturists. I decided to leave and wanted to see what i had been missing. Can you tell me where i am and how i can get to Lesan? I have a friend there i was going to stay with." I decided that playing along and hiding as much as i could would help keep me hidden from the men my dad said were looking for me.

"Well why don't you get out of that truck there and come inside. I'm sure you could use something to eat and drink and we can figure out a safer way then walking for you to get to Lesan." Her voice was kind and my instincts nudged me to trust her. I slowly stood to try to prevent my head from spinning again and rolled over the side of the metal thing she called a truck. I had vague memories of seeing photos of something similar in a book my mom often read. I wonder why they never taught me of these things?

As I follow Crena inside I am able to really study her. She seems to be an older woman. She had golden leathery skin that suggested she spent many hours a day in the sun. Her hair was black with specks of gray. She walked quickly although with a slight limp. As we enter her house i am overwhelmed with the scent of cinnamon and nutmeg. It smelled welcoming and inviting. She had a small kitchen and eating area with a large sitting area to the side with multiple sofas that suggested she often had company. There was also a large flat black box seated against the wall opposite the sofas. What a weird decoration, i thought.

"Have a seat right there honey and I'll get you something to eat." She pointed to her small eating area that contained a table and two chairs. She was quickly bustling about and pulling items from the fridge and popping them into her microwave to warm. After a few minutes that felt like eternity she set a plate in from of me that contained some type of bread with white icing and a small glass of water. It smelled heavenly and i was hit with a ravenous hunger and thirst as i remembered it had been more than a day since I'd eaten or drank.

"That is one of my signature cinnamon rolls. People travel days to purchase them. You're going to need to take it slow. Start with something not to heavy on the stomach and take small bites every couple minutes and small sips as often as you can. I don't recommend eating more then half of that or you will be throwing it all back up. If you can keep that down for a couple hours I'll make you something a little more filling and nutritional. Once you're done eating you may rest in that bedroom right down that hallway. I'll be outside if you need anything, just holler!" After pointing out the bedroom she mentioned she hobbled outside and left me alone. I took the first bite of food I'd had in days and let a small moan slip out. It was flakey and butter and so sweet. It practically melted in my mouth. It took all the self-control i had to not eat the entire thing in just a few bites. I followed Crenas advice and took my time and only ate a small portion. I drank two glasses of water and felt full to the point of bursting. I got up and slowly walked to the bedroom i was to use. I fully expected to immediately fall asleep.

As i laid down i was overwhelmed with questions and confusion. Growing up my parents always told me not to trust anyone and to never let anyone dwell in our home. Why had this woman invited me into her home, fed me and then left me alone. It didn't seem right. What if she worked for the people i was running from? What ever her reasons i couldn't bring myself to leave the first place I've felt safe in nearly two weeks. My mind drifted to my parents and i was hit with a new wave of confusion.

Why had my parents kept this all a secret? Why didn't they prepare me? Why did they leave me all alone?

I was drowning in confusion, loneliness and fear as i drifted into a fitful sleep.