You knock on the door of the well-kept house several times, but no one opens the door. After a few minutes, an indifferent and tired voice comes from behind the door. "Come in, it's not locked." You step inside the house and immediately notice a girl in a wheelchair. A shawl is slung over her frail shoulders and her delicate hands are folded in her lap. The girl turns her dull grey eyes to you and speaks quietly:
"My name is Yvette... I guess you're my new caregiver. Your room is upstairs. I'm sorry, but you'll have to look around the house yourself."
“Hi, im alex, no worries ill look around the house and then ill be by your side by no time!@
As you search the house, you hear her voice drifting faintly from upstairs. There's a desperation in it that makes your stomach turn. You hurry to finish and find her in her room, lying on her bed with a distressed look on her pale face. She glances at you briefly before returning her gaze to the ceiling, seemingly lost in thought.
“Are you okay? I heard some noises and i cant really tell what they werw”
"I'm... fine," she whispers hoarsely. "Just my imagination." Her gaze wanders back up to the ceiling as if lost in thought, her long gray hair hanging over her pale face like a curtain. She seems to be trying to shut out everything around her.
“Oh, okay, im glad you are fine
"Thanks," she murmurs quietly before closing her eyes again. The sounds that fill your head now are the quiet wheezing of her breath and the soft rustle of the sheets underneath her. It feels unnatural, watching her like this, as if something were profoundly wrong but you can't quite put your finger on it...
You wish there was something more you could do to make her feel better, safer. But for now, all you can really do is sit here and wait until she feels comfortable enough to talk to you.
I sit beside her bed on a chair “do you need anything? Some food? A drink? Your cat?”
Yvette starts at your sudden words, as if she hadn't been listening before now. "Ah... no, thank you," she says softly. "I don't need anything right now." There's a hint of wariness in her voice that makes it difficult for you to approach the subject further.
She averts her gaze, looking out the window instead, fingers twitching restlessly on the bedspread beside her. It's hard to tell whether she wants your help or simply wants you to leave her alone. For now, you decide that silence is probably the best course of action; perhaps she'll open up to you more easily if given time and space.
“Maybe instead of me bringing you something, would you like to gö outside to get some fresh air?”
"Outside?" she repeats, sounding doubtful. "I... I haven't been outside in months. It's too cold and people stare..." Her voice trails off as her eyes drift back to the window, filled with a longing that makes you feel uncomfortable.
For a moment, there is silence as she seems to struggle with the idea.
“It doesnt matter what others think, if you want to gö outside just say the word and we’ll be out in no time”
After what feels like an eternity, she finally meets your gaze again. There's a hint of resignation in her eyes that you can't quite decipher. "Alright... maybe some fresh air would be nice." Her voice is soft and quiet, as if she's not entirely convinced herself.
“Great! Ill grab your coat and then we can get going”
As Alex gathers her coat and wheels her chair out the door, Yvette can't help but feel a strange mixture of hope and dread swirling within her. She knows that being outside in the cold air will likely make her physical pain worse, but maybe it'll also help clear her mind for a little while...
She wraps herself up in the thick coat, trying to ignore the way it scratches against her still-healing scars, and settles back into her wheelchair as they make their way through the house. The fresh air feels bitter on her lips when they finally step outside, but it's a welcome reprieve from the stale indoor air that has been her prison for so long.
They take a slow walk around the block, and Yvette tries to focus on the sound of their footsteps crunching against the snow instead of listening to the whispers and tearing flesh that seem to echo in her ears no matter where she goes. Every now and then, she steals a glance at Alex out of the corner of her eye, wondering what he's thinking about all this...
She wonders if maybe he can see past her wheelchair, past the scars on her skin and the blank expression she wears most days, to who she used to be before everything fell apart. Or perhaps he only sees another patient, someone in need of care and attention until they get better. Either way, it's a relief to have company that isn't part of her memories haunting her every moment...
“Its nice isnt it? It is quite chilly but its refreshing”
As they continue their slow circuit around the block, Yvette finds herself surprisingly able to enjoy the fresh air and crisp winter day. It's true that the cold makes her body ache more intensely than usual, but it also feels like a small victory over her imprisonment in the house, however temporary. She turns her head slightly to glance at Alex out of the corner of her eye. "It is refreshing," she agrees quietly. "I hadn't realized how much I missed being outside until now."
Her gaze drifts back to the sidewalk beneath their feet as they continue walking in silence. The quiet between them doesn't feel uncomfortable this time; instead, it almost feels peaceful. She wonders if maybe there's more to Alex than just a caregiver - someone who could possibly understand what she's been through and why she feels so lost these days...
But then again, that's probably just wishful thinking on her part. People always seem to disappoint her in the end. Better not get too attached this time around, she tells herself sternly. It would only make things worse when they inevitably do betray her trust or abandon her like everyone else has before...
After a couple laps i say “we should get back indoors, i lit the fireplace and we can get cozy “
"Alright," she says quietly, turning her attention back to Alex as they near the house once more. The thought of being cozy by the fireplace does sound somewhat appealing - warm and comforting in its familiarity. But there's also a part of her that wonders if going inside means going back to her lonely existence behind closed doors, with only her hallucinations for company...
As they approach the house, Yvette can already hear the faint sound of the television playing from somewhere upstairs, muffled by the walls and windows. It's a strange juxtaposition against the peaceful silence of their walk outside; one reminds her of everything she's lost, while the other offers a fleeting glimpse into what life could be like if only things were different...
We get inside, i help her onto the couch “i will bring in some firewood, heres the remote incase you want to watch tv for that time”
"Thank you," she whispers softly, settling herself more comfortably against the cushions as Alex leaves to fetch some firewood. As he walks out of sight, she picks up the remote and begins idly flipping through the channels, her fingers moving almost automatically. The television fills the silence with its inane chatter, but it fails to distract her from her own thoughts; instead, she feels more trapped than ever before...
She glances around the room, taking in the familiar surroundings: the painting on the wall, the framed photographs on the mantelpiece. They hold memories of a life that seems so far away now, full of friends and family who have all abandoned her one way or another. It's hard not to feel bitter about it sometimes, to wonder why she should even bother trying to find happiness when everyone else seems content to watch from the sidelines as she struggles...
A sudden movement outside catches her eye; Alex has returned with an armful of wood which he now stacks carefully beside the fireplace. His strong arms and broad shoulders strain against his jacket, revealing hints of muscle beneath the fabric that she hadn't noticed before. The sight makes something stir within her, a strange mix of desire and envy...
She forces herself to look away, fixing her gaze on the TV screen instead, trying desperately not to think about any of it. But even as she tries to ignore these new feelings, they refuse to be ignored; they continue to simmer beneath the surface, like embers waiting for the right kindling to ignite them...
I lit the fire and sit down beside her “found anything good?”
"Not really," she murmurs, still flipping through the channels absently. "It all just seems so meaningless... I used to love watching TV, but now it just reminds me of everything I've lost." She pauses, glancing briefly at Alex before looking away again. "Sorry, that was probably a bit harsh... You didn't need to hear that."
The warmth from the fire begins to spread through the room, chasing away some of the coldness in her bones. But it also serves as a painful reminder of how helpless she feels - trapped inside her own body, unable to even move without assistance...
She can feel Alex's gaze on her and wonders what he must think of her; here she is, lying on the couch like some sort of invalid, whining about not being able to watch TV when there are much bigger problems in the world. Maybe he's thinking that she's just another entitled brat who's used to getting everything she wants and can't handle it when life doesn't go her way...
“Its okay, you can these stuff out loud, its understandable also… must be very hard to cope with the scars and everything… incase you need someone to talk to about it, id be happy to listen”
"Thanks," she whispers softly, her cheeks flushing slightly as she turns away from him. "It's just... sometimes it's hard to talk about things without feeling stupid or pathetic." She pauses, searching for the right words. "I feel like everyone around me has given up on me already, you know? Like I'm nothing but a burden."
Her gaze drifts back to the TV screen, avoiding meeting Alex's eyes once more. But deep down inside, she can't help but wonder if he truly means what he says... or if he's just being nice out of duty and pity. The thought makes her stomach churn with an uneasy mix of hope and fear.
The fire crackles loudly in the silence that follows, and Yvette wonders if it's getting too hot. She reaches out absently to adjust the knob on the thermostat before realizing that she doesn't need to move her hand more than a few inches to do so; Alex has already anticipated her needs and placed a small throw pillow within easy reach.
Her throat tightens as she swallows thickly, feeling suddenly self-conscious about how much he's been doing for her since arriving. He probably thinks that she doesn't notice... that she hasn't noticed his kindness, his patience with her moods and outbursts. But she does notice, and it only makes her feel more guilty and helpless than before...
“If people treat you like a burden, then they are not good enough to deserve your attention, you may have changed in some ways since your accident, but you are still you, you are still Yvette arent you? You deserve the same treatment as before”
Her eyes meet Alex's as he speaks and she feels tears prick at the corners. It's rare for anyone to say anything like that to her these days; most people just see her as a broken shell of her former self, someone who can never be happy or whole again. But his words give her hope, make her feel less alone in the world.
She swallows thickly, trying to clear the lump from her throat. "Thank you," she whispers hoarsely. "That means more than you'll ever know." For a moment, they just sit there, silently sharing something intensely private and profound between them. It feels like an oasis of peace amidst the storm that is her life; a brief reprieve from the darkness that threatens to consume her at every turn.
But as the fire crackles and the shadows lengthen across the room, Yvette knows that this moment can't last forever. Sooner or later, reality will intrude once more, and she'll be left alone with her thoughts - memories of happier times fading further into the distance with every passing second...
“Would you like to share more? I understand if youd rather not, im happy you are comfortable enough around me to even talk about it.”
"I..." she starts hesitantly, her gaze fixed on the fire burning in the hearth. "It's hard to know where to begin." She takes a deep breath and lets it out slowly before continuing, her voice little more than a whisper now. "You see... everything changed after the accident. People who used to be my friends turned against me, like I was some sort of leper or something. And my family..." Her voice trails off as tears begin to well up in her eyes.
She wipes at them roughly with the back of her hand before looking away from Alex, focusing on the pattern made by the firelight dancing across the ceiling. "I don't know why it had to happen to me," she whispers hoarsely. "Why couldn't I have died that night instead?" There's a note of pleading in her voice now, as if begging him to understand the depths of her despair.
Alex watches her carefully, his expression softening with sympathy and understanding. He doesn't speak; he knows there are no words that can truly make this better, but he also knows that sometimes just being there is enough. For now, all he can do is sit beside her, offer her the comfort and support she so desperately needs...
I grab her hand and squeeze it “dont say that! I know that seems as an easy option rather then what you have now, but you to do the best you can. You musnt waste what was given to you! Im sorry it happened, and i cant know or understand how hard it is for you, but i dont want you to ever say youd rather die then live. Your ‘friends’ werent real, they were fake people trying to use you, they dont deserve you now and they definitely didnt diserve you then! For your parents… im just sorry about them… they should help you… they should be here with us… but they are selfish… im really sorry about that”
Her hand twitches faintly in his grasp and she looks up at Alex with damp eyes. There's a flash of surprise on her face before it turns to something else - relief, maybe? Or gratitude? It's hard to tell. "Thank you," she whispers, her voice raspy from holding back tears. "That means more than I can say."
She pauses for a moment, gathering her thoughts, and then continues in a softer tone: "I know it's selfish, but sometimes... sometimes I wish I could go back to before the accident. When things were different, you know? When my life had meaning, purpose..." Her words trail off as she stares unseeingly into the fireplace once more.
Alex squeezes her hand reassuringly. "I understand," he says quietly, thinking back on his own past; to when everything was simpler and easier. He knows that it's impossible for her to go back in time, but perhaps they could find a way forward together - build a new life where she didn't feel so alone, so lost... "We can figure something out," he adds, his voice strong and confident despite his own doubts. "I promise."
The look of hope that flares briefly across her features is enough to make him wonder if maybe, just maybe, he can help her move past this darkness and find a little bit of happiness once more...
“It mustve been a huge turn around for you, but you will figure it out, you are strong and willful… you are so strong… just dont give up… please”
Her eyes meet Alex's again, and there's something different in them now - a spark of determination that he's never seen before. "I won't," she says firmly, her voice steady despite the emotion threading through it. "I promise I won't give up."
She pauses for a moment, considering his words about her strength and willfulness. It's easy to dismiss such things when she's feeling as weak and helpless as she does right now, but perhaps there's truth in them. Perhaps if she clings to that belief, to the idea that she can overcome this darkness... maybe then she really can find her way back to a life worth living.
With renewed resolve burning bright within her, she squeezes Alex's hand in gratitude. "Thank you," she says simply, her voice filled with a quiet strength that surprises even herself. "For believing in me... for being here." A shy smile tugs at the corner of her mouth as she glances up at him, and there's something almost hopeful about it that makes his heart skip a beat.