Broken glass hangs in the air, but the sound of it breaking echoes all around me. I peer into the darkness to see a shadow staring at me. Slowly warmth seeps into my flesh and flames skitter past me, towards the shadow, lighting the way. I wait with anticipation for the light of the flames to reveal their face to me. The flames around me are becoming hotter by the second, inching closer to me, and to the shadow. I can’t move, even though the heat is burning my skin. The light of the flames begin to reach the shadow, revealing their feet. As the light creeps up their body, the flames start to burn my skin.

I know I should run, but my feet are stuck to the floor. I can’t scream, I can only watch, waiting for the light to reveal their identity…

With a gasp I satup, gripping the top of a couch. I blinked a few times as my eyes adjusted to the sunlight. Pressing a hand to my chest I slow my breathing. It was just a dream. The light of the sun was hot on my skin, I already felt like I was boiling. I push the blankets off and onto the floor, trying to focus on where I was.

The pink fabric of the couch feels soft under my skin, and unfamiliar. The sun filters through the white sheer curtains behind the couch, far too warm. I carefully step onto the wood floor and away from the window, surveying my surroundings.

Pink couch, matching arm chairs, crocheted blankets on the floor, grey carpet on the Jarrah. I was in someones loungeroom. I glance around for an exit and see a hall behind me. Carefully I place my foot on the step up to the hall, praying it won’t creak. Peering into the hall I realise I’m in a relatively large house. There are several open doors and alcoves exiting from the hall to my right, and a solid Jarrah door to my left.

That must be the front door.

Creeping into the hall and freeze as a tiny black dog sits before the door.

Seriously? A gate keeper?

Staring at the tiny dog as its black eyes peer back at me.

“So you’ve returned to the land of the living?” A man’s voice echoes down the hall causing me to stiffen.

Hesitantly, I turn to see the man leaning against a doorway not too far from me. Dark hair cut short, dark eyes and a grey stubble that was on the boarder of becoming a beard. Swallowing dryly, I stare at him and he stares back. The sound of a small plop has me whirling towards the noise, only to see the small black dog curling up in the corner of the pink couch. It glances at me and sneezes before laying down its head.

“Are you hungry?” The man asks slowly, snapping my attention back to him.

With a frown I narrow my eyes at him. He was a foot taller than me, but he didn’t seem to give off a dangerous vibe. His eyes were dark, but they weren’t black. I didn’t know where I was, and I didn’t trust him either.

Was he like her?

His face remained neutral as he waited for my response. I nod hesitantly and watch as he gently leads the way to the Kitchen. Within minutes I’m chowing down on jam and peanut butter sandwiches, apples and strawberries. It had been days since I last ate.

“Do you want to tell me your name?”

My eyes flicker between the sandwich and the man standing on the other side of the table. His hands rested on the back of a chair, at the time I though it was so he could throw it at me if I tried to run. A cotton t-shirt, cargo shorts, jogging shoes, little scars scattered across his skin. I couldn’t put my finger on it, but I felt a sort of gentleness from him.

“What’s yours?” I retort as I take another bite of the sandwich. My eyes flickered to his hands resting on the chair.

“Elijah, I live here with my two daughters.” His finger stretched outwards, opening his palms as he lifted his hands of the chair.

A father of two daughters, of course, I could see it now.

But, what if he is lying?

“How old are they?” I asked between mouthfuls. I noticed the coloured magnets on the fridge. Pictures of Elijah with two young girls.

“Kacey’s Fourteen and Dinah’s Seventeen. How old are you?”

How old am I?

My brow furrows as I try to remember. I wince as a sharp pains rake across my skull. Rubbing my temples as I grit my teeth together I hear Elijah shift.

“Are you alright?” Elijah asks as rests his arms on the back of the chair this time, leaning slightly towards me.

“Yea, just a stupid headache,” I muttered and take a sip of orange juice, eyeing him suspiciously.

“You look to be around the same age as my daughter Kacey.” Elijah let go fo the chair and walked to over to a cabinet. “It looks like you hit your head and fell unconscious before Claude found you. Do you want some Panadol for the headache?”

I don’t respond, but he places a box of tablets on the table anyway.

“Do you know what happened to you?”

With a frown I picked up the box of tablets. Inspecting the box I realised I had no idea what I the medicine was. As for what happened to me, I didn’t really want to think about it.

“I was running, and then I woke up here.” I replied vaguely.

“Running from something? Are you in some kind of trouble?”

I don’t know?

“What do you remember?”

I frown again and pushed myself away from the table. “I don’t want to talk about it.”

“Okay,” Elijah held his hands up in surrender. “If you need a place to stay, there’s spare rooms upstairs.”

“I’ll pass,” I say as I stand.

“The offer still stands, you look like someone who could use some help.”

“I’m not a kid! I don’t need your help!” I snap at the implication. “I’m fine.”

“My apologies, you just remind me of my daughters.” Elijah slips his hands into his pockets as he watches me with caution.

I glare at him in response. As much as I’d hate to admit it, I did need help. I woke up on Christmas morning in a place I didn’t recognise wth no memory. I’d been running from two women ever since. The problem was I didn’t know why they were pursuing me. I didn’t remember how I got here, what had happened to me, or where I was. I didn’t even know who I was? am? used to be? Thinking about it made my headache worse.

“Why don’t you just stay here for a few hours, get cleaned up and maybe some rest before you go running off on your own.” Elijah tried to barter, but I had heard those words before.

Fragments of memories from the day before flash in my mind. Pain lanced its way through my scalp with each image. I clutch my head with one hand. As I felt myself sway I grabbed onto the back of a chair.

“Hey, are you okay?” Elijah asked, sounding genuinely concerned. I heard him move towards me.

“I’m fine,” I bit out and push myself away from the chair. “I have to go.”

“Hey, uh-“ Elijah calls after me but I’m already down the hall and out the door.

There was no dog stopping me this time. I slam the door shut behind me, crossed the veranda and quickly descended the stairs. I hear the front door swing open and panic crawls under my skin. I start jogging towards the gate as Elijah call out, “the door is always open if you need help!”

I don’t hear the door close.