Chapter 2
SONJA told her to stay away or keep a safe distance from the stranger. But for some reason, Sybil found herself drawing near and near him as the minutes passed. And there she was, sitting on the chair beside the bed where the stranger lay down.
She watched Sonja nurse him and could tell how much pain he had been through. He has wounds and bruises everywhere. It looked like someone had tortured him. Whatever the reason there may be, Sybil believed it wasn’t right to do such a brutal thing to someone. Even the law already prohibited torture for a reason; it was cruel.
Sybil turned in the direction of the door when she heard the hinges creak. She found Sonja leaning on the doorframe with her arms folded over her chest, staring at her intently. Though she wasn’t mad, she knew that because she was seeing something different in her eyes, only she didn’t know how to give it a name.
“What?” she mouthed afterward.
Sonja gestured behind her.
“I made hot chocolate. Would you like some?”
She jumped off her seat and walked to the door.
“Of course, I want not just some, but a lot of it,” Sybil said exaggeratedly. “You know I always love a cup of hot chocolate drink.”
“Hm.” Sonja nodded and walked to the kitchen ahead of her.
“How long do you think before he wakes up?” she asked upon reaching the kitchen. Sybil pulled a chair and sat down.
On the other hand, Sonja filled their mug with hot chocolate and brought them to the table.
“Why?” Sonja sat on the chair across from hers.
“Just asking….” She picked up the mug and inhaled the invigorating scent of her drink. “I was just wondering because he has been sleeping for hours now. Do you think there’s an internal hemorrhage somewhere inside his body?”
“I don’t know when he’ll wake up. His body must be tired and shocked from whatever he’d gone through. But if he has an internal hemorrhage, that might put his life at risk. If he doesn’t wake up by tomorrow, I’m bringing him to the hospital.”
“Can I come with you?”
Sonja sipped her drink without taking her eyes off her.
“And why would you want to come?”
“Well… maybe you need a hand or something?” She tilted her head to the side.
“We’ll see. Perhaps I should just call the police station and let them handle this matter.”
“Sonja…”
“What?” Her brow arched.
“What if—”
“Don’t you think it would be the best option?”
Sybil shut her eyes for a moment. She couldn’t understand why she suddenly felt overly protective of the stranger.
“Can we just hear his story first?”
“Sybil… listen to me.” Sonja pressed her lips firmly. “Anyone can lie for their benefit. What if he lies to us when we ask him?”
“He hasn’t lied yet,” she countered.
Sonja stared at her with her mouth dropped open.
“You’re unbelievable, Sybil.”
“Am I?” she chuckled and took a couple of sips.
“Yes. I don’t expect you to be like this. You know what… you amaze me every… single… time.”
“Perhaps this is the real me.” She let out a sigh and turned her gaze in the direction of the bedroom she had left a while ago.
Sonja reached for her hand and cupped it.
“Hey…” Her gaze reverted to Sonja’s direction again. “I didn’t mean to—”
“Don’t tell me you’re sorry again for what you said earlier?” A smile curved on her lips. Please, don’t. There’s no need to treat me as if I’m some kind of emotionally fragile being. I’m not going to break if you tell me I’m ugly.”
“You won’t believe it if I tell you anyway.”
They both laughed at that. Sonja picked up her mug and raised it afterward. She did the same and tossed their mugs.
“Perhaps it would be better if we drank some cans of beer?” Sybil suggested after taking a huge gulp of her now semi-hot chocolate.
“Which reminds me that we haven’t unloaded everything from the trunk yet.”
“Right!”
They had been busy attending to the guy since she got home.
Sybil left the table first and headed out, then Sonja followed her a little later.
“You bought quite a lot today.”
She turned to Sonja with a wince.
“I’m sorry. Aside from those I listed last night, I also bought some… you know.”
“This isn’t smart shopping, Sybil.”
“I know. But they’re so cute and fancy.”
“This is why I seldom let you shop on your own.”
“Sorry. I will try my best to resist next time.”
Sonja just shook her head and picked up the box of groceries from the trunk. She knew she wanted to scold her, but she just held back because she was the one who brought more money at the moment. When Sonja resigned from work a few years back before she found her, she used her savings and severance pay to start a business that failed later on. Meanwhile, Sybil discovered her talent for art, or it had been there ever since, and she just forgot about it because, well… she had amnesia. But what was important now was that she had earned money through her art, helping them live decent lives.
Sybil remained outside and continued unloading the remaining stuff. And then, Sonja suddenly rushed to her.
“Why?”
“He’s awake…!” she informed her.
Her eyes widened. She entered the cabin and saw the guy standing by the door with a hand propped on the wall.
“Don’t come near him yet,” Sonja muttered, reminding her.
But she didn’t listen and sauntered toward the guy. She even assisted him so he could walk. Sybil took him back to bed.
“W-were you the one who brought me here?” he asked with a hoarse voice.
She nodded in response.
“Stay here. I’ll get you something to drink.”
Sybil went to the kitchen and got him a glass of water that he immediately chugged down as soon as she handed him the glass.
“Do you want more?” she asked afterward.
“Y-yes, please.”
This time, she got him a pitcher and drank almost half of its content.
“If you’re starving, we have food here.”
“I think it would be too much if I ask for food—”
“It’s okay.” She heaved a sigh. “I offered you food anyway.”
His expression lightened a bit. Perhaps he thought she really wouldn’t mind.
“Thank you then.”
“Alright. Wait here.”
She went to the kitchen one more time and started preparing food for the stranger she had brought home. That was when Sonja approached her.
“What do you think you’re doing, Sybil?” she grasped her arm.
“What do you mean” I’m just helping him out—”
“I thought we already talked about this that you’ll keep a safe distance when he’s awake—”
“I don’t think he’s a bad guy, Sonja.” She let out a sigh.
“And how could you say that when you don’t even know who he—”
“Gut feeling.”
“Haa!” Sonja let go of her arm and started pacing back and forth, and then she stopped and looked at her intently. “Listen to me, Sybil… sometimes the purest feelings can deceive you. Mark my word. Ah, I need to smoke!”
She just stood in the kitchen watching Sonja get out from the backdoor. But she just shrugged off everything she said and continued preparing the meal.
The guy was standing by the window when she brought the food inside the bedroom. His mind must be wandering off somewhere because he didn’t even notice that she was there. Sybil carefully put the food tray on the bedside table and cleared her throat to get his attention.
He immediately turned to her.
“I… uh… I’m sorry about that.” He ambled to the bed and sighed as he sat down.
“It’s fine. No worries.” She gestured to the food on the bedside table. “I hope this will somehow suffice your hunger. We only had a Hawaiian sandwich for dinner. Sonja didn’t have the time to cook because she nursed your wounds and… I’m the worst cook on earth, so…”
He chuckled softly and picked up the sandwich. She couldn’t help but smile when he saw him shut his eyes and groan on his first bite.
“This is… delicious.”
She laughed and leaned her back against the wall.
“It’s just a sandwich. However, I bought it from Mrs. Collin’s Diner, and everything from their kitchen is wonderful.”
He smiled and brushed the crumbs on the corner of his lips.
“I haven’t thanked you yet for what you’ve done,” he said afterward.
“Nah!” Sybil shook her head. “If there’s someone you should thank, that should be Sonja. She’s the one who attended to you while you were wounded and unconscious.”
“Oh… I see. But thanks to you both because I’m safe here. Why did you help someone like me?” He tilted his head to the side.