Running. As far away from here as possible. Strange mindset – I could remember nothing. I could not remember why I was running. I could not remember where I was running from. Just running. Possible deterioration of memory. Need food. Need water. Need something – someone?
Definite deterioration of memory.
Water. An ocean, perhaps. Or a very large lake. I could not see the other side – I did not know if I wished to see the other side. Perhaps I only believed I did. There was a boardwalk, with many interesting shops. A door with something written on it in bright pink glaze stood out from the mess. It was intriguing – perhaps there were answers there. Answers to everything. Or anything at all. Perhaps food. Or drink. Food and drink. Drink and food. Right.
Door, open, walk in, give name, sit down. Relax. Comfortable chair, relax. Safe now, relax. No need to fret, just relax. No one was coming now, must relax.
The man in the corner was watching me. From behind his lime green glasses, he was watching. Nervous now. No, relax! Relax damnit! Breathing faster, then scream.
Dark. Eyes open, strange lady in a white outfit staring at me.
"Miss! Are you all right?"
"Yes, I'm fine. I'm so sorry about that. I'm deathly afraid of," I could not think of anything. "Um, spiders. Deathly afraid of spiders." I pointed to a spider nearby.
"Oh! I'll remove it now." She quickly killed the spider and threw it in the bin. "We will be with you shortly, miss."
Nod, smile, continue to stare at man in glasses. The man was gone. Attempt to find man in glasses, but cannot. Such is life. He knows.
"Miss… Naina? We're ready for you now." Not the lady in the white outfit again. She led me to a nice office in the back, where she offered me coffee.
"Thanks, I'd love some." It better be strong. Ah, soft traces of the Cure playing from the next room. I like this place. What is it? The lady with the coffee returned, and gave me the cup. I took a sip – it was hot and strong. Perfect. A man in a perfectly pressed suit walked up to the desk, and sat across from me.
"Hello, Naina. How can I help you?"
How does he know…? "This is really great coffee."
"Yes, I know. Is that why you came in?"
"No, no, sorry. I didn't mean for it to sound like that. The door – the door told me to come in. Pink. Bright. You know."
He laughed. "I know."
"What exactly do you do here?"
"We assist those who need more, or who are looking for some sort of refuge. Sanctuary. That sort of thing."
"Like a church."
He laughed again. "No, not really. Women of, how do you say, a less reputable nature come here. Homeless come here. People who cannot seem to get settled after, perhaps, a traumatic experience. We help them establish themselves."
He knew.