Chapter Two

            I opened my eyes to find myself in a strange bed (with a killer headache). I was starving. And the bed wasn’t so much a bed as it was a bag. A body bag?  Whatever it was, I couldn’t see a damn thing. It was like a wraparound black out curtain.  It also was not the easiest to open from the inside. That is fine though because I felt like I had full strength. Or was this more than my normal strength? I tore the bag open in one quick deafening ripppppp. The room around me was not familiar at all. It had blinding bright lights, stainless steel surfaces throughout, and several strange looking instruments.  Was I in a morgue? This must be a morgue. Or Funeral Home? Obviously, not a hospital room with intentions of improving my health.  The goal here seemed to be aimed more towards cutting me open.  Ouch.   

            I had to get out of this room. Place. Wherever “here” was.  The room looked cold and bleak, but I felt nothing. I could smell the room though.  It was like someone had poured a multitude of different cleaning supplies together, it reeked of strong chemicals.  Which chemicals, I was not sure of.  A quick escape was needed. I was getting the creeps just being here.  There were a few different doors, but none of them had signs or windows.  There was a fire escape map on the wall with a mini guide the quickest exit routes.  Luckily, it looked like I was close to a way out.  I opened door number one and it was just a closet with more supplies. Opening door number two revealed my way to freedom.

            I didn’t see anyone in the hall.  It was still taking a while for my eyes to adjust to these glaring lights, almost like I was hungover.  I wonder if Mr. Bitey, the car creep, had drugged me. Did I overdose? Surely, they made a mistake. Clearly, I’m not dead. Maybe the man drugged me, and it made my heartrate so sluggish that they couldn’t find my pulse.  That had to be it.  Still, I’d prefer not to be seen. I’d probably terrify someone if they recognized me, and I was afraid they would try to keep me in here. Question me. Run tests. No thank you. I had to go check on my dog and let him outside, he was probably struggling not to pee in the house right now. Or peeing all over the house as payback for taking so long.

            I tried to remember which direction the exit was on that fire escape map and stumbled along in that direction.  I felt drunk, but alert at the same time. It was like adjusting to being awake. I could walk, I just was currently not the most graceful in doing so. I saw the exit sign and made my way out.  Freedom! It was dark outside, and I just realized that I have no idea where my car is. Did that man steal it? Is it still at that weird gas station?  What do they do when you leave your car somewhere?  If it isn’t stolen, I suppose it must be in an impound lot.  My phone is gone as well. 

            I began to walk a bit. I wasn’t sure where I was going, but I had hopes that eventually I’d recognize a familiar street sign and find my way home. One block in. Two blocks in. Three blocks in… this looked like downtown maybe? It is familiar, I just don’t recognize these streets. Four blocks in and I’m homebound. I do know this street – “Main St”.  This was in my hometown. I guess this was the closest area to take “dead” people to from the gas station. I had a 50/50 shot and I chose to go left. East, West, who knows. Left. I live west of the downtown area and close to Main Street so this SHOULD be right.  My sense of direction usually got me where I needed to be (even when I don’t know how to get there).  I walked for what felt like forever. Finally, I arrived at my cross street. I wasn’t tired somehow. My legs weren’t even sore at all from the walk, but I needed food. ASAP. I was so hungry I could eat my dog.  I’m kidding. We don’t do that here.

            I saw my house in the distance and suddenly I felt a sense of relief wash over me. That feeling that somehow everything would be okay. I was home. My baby would greet me with kisses, and I would feel better. Okay… my fur baby. And of course, MONDAYS. I had no keys. Where are my keys? Whoever grabbed my phone must have taken those too. Or maybe they were still sitting in my car, wherever that may be. I didn’t have a spare anywhere, but I climbed over the fence and tried to push up a window. Surprisingly, the windows were super easy to open. They’re supposed to be locked. I guess my window locks suck.  Kind of scary that someone could just pop a window open like that. But I was in! I’m home. Home at last.

            My poor dog, Cooper, was treating me like I was an intruder. He was barking his head off. It’s not every day that you see your owner climb in through the window though, so I suppose it is to be expected. I bribed him with his favorite treats and gave him ear rubs until he calmed down.  I let him out and gave him his nightly meal.  I guess I should contact someone and let them know I’m okay. I’m not sure who they would have contacted when they found me or if they even knew who I was, but still might be best to check in.

            Who to contact? I couldn’t even think of who to reach out to first.  That’s the ironic thing about my name. Rachel. Apparently, I was born in the prime of the show “Friends” and I was gifted with the name of a main character.  Rachel Ross. I know. The reason behind my name is ironic – only because I had none.  Well, ONE.  I have acquaintances, but I’m not close with most people. The people I am close with, I can count on one hand. One finger, really. Besides my best friend Madison (I call her Mads because she hates it) and my brother Riley, no one ever actually texts or calls me.  My mom and dad passed when I was younger.  I bump into acquaintances from time to time. Usually at random events and get togethers that Madison drags me out to. Otherwise, I sit at home on my couch with my nose in a book or my eyes glued to the tv. Sometimes I take random cooking classes and thing or go to the gym. Rarely, did I ever live the bar and night life that the other 25 years old’s my age lead.  I’d rather be stuck at home any night than be pushing my way through the sweaty, drunken masses. 

            I guess I should reach out to my brother & Mads. I didn’t have a house phone, who did these days, but I think I could still call from my computer somehow. If not, I could at least send a message.  I opened my computer and sent an email “text” to their phones. Mads first.

“Hey Mads,

I’m not sure if you got any weird calls tonight, but if so, all is well! At home now.  I’ve lost my car and phone, so message me here if you need me.”

And then my brother. Mr. Riley Ross. He was lucky enough to get the normal name.

“Hey Riley,

Did you get any weird calls tonight? If so, all is well! I don’t have my phone so message here if you need me.”

That should be fine for now. I tried. They usually check their texts fairly quickly.

            Wait. Wait! I’d completely forgotten that I was supposed to be somewhere tonight. I had made plans. More so, I was coerced into plans.  Mads had tried to set me up with one of her boyfriend’s friends and I was supposed to be meeting him tonight.  He is going to think I stood him up. Mads is going to be so pissed! She’s been trying to talk me into this for weeks. I better say something.

            Wait again. I can’t. I don’t know how to reach him. Go figure. I’d better send another message to Mads.  She is probably blowing up my phone right now, wherever it is.

“Don’t be mad! I got tied up tonight. I didn’t mean to, but I didn’t make it to the date tonight. I hope Owen wasn’t too upset! I’ll explain everything later. It’s been quite a night! Please just let him know about my phone and that I will make it up to him soon.”

Okay. There. That should be enough hopefully. Now I’m going to relax and nurse this faux hangover thing I’ve got going. I’ll snuggle up to Cooper on the couch and watch ridiculous rom coms.  Well. I wanted to cuddle with Cooper, but he isn’t having it. He’s acting strange. He’s sniffing me and keeping his distance. I wonder if he isn’t feeling well. Maybe he is still a bit unnerved by my window entrance earlier.  Never mind on the snuggles then, it is just me and the rom coms.  Good enough.

            I felt myself falling asleep on the couch about 20 minutes into the stupid movie that I had found. It wasn’t even that boring of a movie.  It was a straight to streaming “movie”, but that seems to be the norm now. It was cute, I guess I was just tired. I didn’t even bother to force myself up and into the bedroom. I drifted off to the sound of Cooper snoring.