Embrace the Darkness: Part 4

The house was very ornate and I smiled at the carved fireplace. It had little winged creatures skillfully carved into the surface of the ebony wood. I ran my hand over it and felt the layers of smooth varnish under my fingertips. The creatures looked interesting, but I couldn't place what they were. They looked like they had squirrel like bodies and bat wings. My parents had left me in this room, as they were quickly rushed away buy an expensive looking man. Jack and I were the only ones in the room and he was just sitting on one of the many couches in the huge room. 1

'So you don't remember anything at all?' Jack said waking me out of my trance.2

'No, and I'm not sure I am ready to remember.' I said looking at him sternly, 'This is all too much. This life, the people, the things...I am not ready for all of it.'3

'Oh, yes you are. I think you'll be surprised how much you enjoy life when you get your memories back.' He smiled with his usual childish twinkle in his violet eyes. 'Do you want me to show you your room?' I nodded in solemn acknowledgment. There were so many halls and floors I don't think I'll ever find my way back to that room with the ebony fireplace. We must have gone up at least ten floors before I lost count. As we passed, each floor looked more exquisite than the last. We went down one hall and reached a winding staircase. Jack ushered me to lead up the stairs. At the top of the stairs, there was and egg shaped door.4

'Well this is it.' He said.5

'Yah, I don't know how I'll ever find it again though. Is there a map anywhere for this place?' I looked at his amused face. He didn't notice that I wasn't joking. I opened the door and let the area seize me. There before me was the most beautiful circular room I had ever seen. There were several glowing candles gracing the walls. They were the only source of light for the dark room. The air smelled of cinnamon. There was a couch and two chairs in one side of the room. Â At the other end of the room, there was a small door identical to the one I had just passed through. The centerpiece of the room though was the circular bed with a black canopy hanging delicately over the beautiful red silk cover. 6

'Are you sure this is the right room?' I asked. It was far too much for me.7

'I am quite sure, since the day you were born.'8

'But it's so big. I mean all this for just one person. It seems like a waste.'9

'This house is infinite...'10

'Well that's good to know. I know I'll never get lost.' My old sarcasm crept into my voice.11

'I have some things to attend to. You can take a bath and get dressed; someone will be up later to escort you to dinner.' He gave me one final hug and left me in the huge room.12

I can't imagine sleeping here, I thought. I slithered onto the soft red cover on the bed. It defiantly was comfortable, but the room seems so...empty and lonely. 13