Taya slowly opened her eyes, taking a moment to reorient herself to her surroundings. The dozing off had done her some good—the sharp, shooting pain from yesterday had faded, leaving behind only the familiar dull ache of flesh, which was her hair being held too tightly. She had long gone accustomed to that sensation.

  That was when she noticed where she was.

  She lay atop a plush, fluffy bed, one that screamed luxury in a way she was entirely unaccustomed to. Dimly lit lamps stood on either side, casting a warm yellow-orange glow across the room. Beside the bed stood an IV stand, its presence immediately setting her on edge.

  She tried to rise from the sheets and noticed a small bandage on the dorsum of her hand, a closed IV cannula taped beneath it. Confusion flickered through her mind as she couldn’t recall how she had gotten it.

  Sliding off the bed, her bare feet touched the floor, and the sudden cold made her flinch. She hurried toward a pair of sandals nearby, slipping them on with a quiet exhale.

  A chill lingered against her skin feeling the coolness of the winter and that was when she realized, her cloak was missing.

  Her heart skipped a beat.

  She spun around -a tightening feeling in her chest, only for relief to wash over, when she spotted it draped neatly over a chair.

  She was already facing the brunt of poverty, and losing the only cloak was not good for her.

  Hurrying to the chair, she clutched the familiar fabric and pulled it atop her worn out grey-brown gown.

  “Where… am I?” she muttered softly.

  And slowly the fragments of the previous night began to re-surface—

  The sudden attack, the beast emerging from the darkness, the unbearable pain tearing through her head.

  The tale has been illicitly lifted; should you spot it on Amazon, report the violation.

  And then… the man. The one who had stepped between her and the monster.

  "Did he bring me here?"

  She studied the room more carefully. It was spacious. A table occupied the far-right corner, with two couches placed together nearby.

  She hurried to the large window and drew the curtains aside. The sight beyond made her eyes widen.

  "It's the town square!."

  Bustling streets stretched below.

  People walking freely going about their daily activities, cars and buses moving along the roads.

  Indeed this town was under the protection of the local guild, and they protected it in return for their monthly payment.

  Before she could process it, the front door clicked. The hinges groaned softly as it opened.

  “I’m glad you finally woke up,” a cheerful voice cut through.

  She spun around.

  It was the man from the last night—Cory.

  He stood near the doorway, holding a large brown bag.

  Taya raised her hands in front of her, settling into a clumsy, defensive stance on an instinct.

  “No need to be alarmed,” he said calmly. “I saved you yesterday. Don’t you remember?”

  She hesitated, then lifted her hand, pointing at the bandage. “Then what was this for?”

  “Oh, that?” He waved it off lightly. “You weren’t waking up, so I called a doctor. He told me you were hypoglycemic and and there was nothing to worry about. The doc put you on a one-hour dextrose drip.”

  "yeah i saw as much."

  “…Why are you helping me?” she asked quietly.

  “Well,” he shrugged, “you sort of needed help.”

  She didn’t want to be rude. He had saved her. And yet… kindness from strangers was dangerous in this day and age.

  “As long as that’s settled,” he said, placing the bag on the table, “I brought you something.”

  He began unpacking it—and put them one by one on the tabke— fruits, vegetables, loaves of bread, packaged food items in a neatly arranged manner.

  As he moved, Taya found herself observing him more closely.

  He had a lean yet muscular build, wearing tight black jeans, and black leather biker jacket. Beneath the jacket, he wore a high-neck sweater and a thick black scarf. Aviator sunglasses rested on his face, thus completing the look. He was undeniably handsome, though what caught her attention was the scar tracing across the side of his head.

  “Why are you just standing there?” Cory said lightly. “Come on... You can join me, I am such an approachable guy.”

  He opened the packed food and the mixtures, quickly stuffing them between sliced loaves of bread. Once done, he handed it to Taya.

  “Tell me how it is.”

  He smirked. “Isn’t it delicious? I used to eat this every day during my teens. Quick, efficient, and fills your stomach.”

  He laughed, mostly to himself.

  Taya took a cautious bite, then another.

  And then she started devouring it.

  “Thank you,” she said through a mouthful, continuing to chomp down without slowing.

  Cory watched her with mild amusement and began eating his own portion.

  “So,” he said casually, “what’s your name?”

  “I’m Taya,” she replied, still chewing.

  His expression shifted, tone sharpening just a little.

  “So tell me...why were you out there last night? You know it was the curfew time, didn’t you?”

  She glanced at him. “I could say the same to you. You shouldn’t have been there either.”

  “Well,” Cory said calmly, “for your information, I’m authorized to walk those streets at that time.”

  He reached into his pocket, pulled out a card, and handed it to her.

  She read it carefully.

  Dorton Willow

  Head of Investigations — Damstalk.

  “Well,” he said, leaning back, “now that you know, let me do the questioning.”