by The Awethors
Chapter 4
His hunger and thirst abated, Paul pushed back from the table. He felt like a medieval king eating with his hands, but it was a filling and satisfying meal. There was a napkin on the table near him and another on the opposite side of the table where the other chair was. He picked it up and wiped his mouth and fingers as he leaned back in the chair.
With his hunger and thirst taken care of, his mind started wandering again. His room had been returned to its original state while he slept, by someone or something. He looked around the room he now occupied. It was about twice the size of the room he came from. In addition to the dining table and chairs, there was more. As with his room, the same four tapestries decorated the walls, and there was a long divan in the room with soft cushions. It appeared to be a room for relaxation and conversation, as well as dining. Conversation? With whom?
He looked back at the door from which he had entered to confirm it was still there. It was there, so the door on the other side was not the one from which he had entered this room. He did not remember seeing that door when he first entered. Perhaps his hunger caused him to miss that fact. He rose from the table and decided to explore some more. So far he had found no clues, but his logical thinking said there must be clues somewhere. There must be an explanation. He began walking towards the opposite doorway, but before he got within six feet of the door, it opened suddenly and without a sound.
The woman on the other side of the door jumped with a squeak of surprise at the sight of Paul. Her eyes showed fear as she drew back from the open door. Paul was surprised as well but not afraid. He was relieved he was not alone after all. Though he did not know what was going on, he could not stop a small smile from forming on his lips. Not only was there someone else, but she was beautiful as well. Perhaps five and a half feet tall, slender build, green eyes, and she was a welcome sight to Paul. Her shoulder length, red hair framed a beautiful young face. She could not be much older than twenty, Paul thought.
Paul held out his hands, showing them empty. “Don’t be afraid. Please,” he said with a warm smile, hoping this was not another tower illusion. Even if she had no answers, it would be so nice to be able to talk to someone.
“Who...who are you? Where am I?” she asked as she relaxed a little, her fear vanishing.
“My name is Paul. I have no idea where we are. I was hoping you might have an answer,” said Paul. He stepped toward her with slow movements. “I awoke here a day ago, I think. I found this room with the food a short while ago.”
She eyed the food with a hungry look. “Food? You have food? I’m starving!” Her fear seemed to abate, and she stepped into the room, the door closing behind her.
Paul smiled and with a nod, gestured toward the table. “Please, help yourself. There’s plenty.”
She quickly moved to the table and began to eat. It was apparent she was as hungry as he had been, if not hungrier. He sat down opposite her at the table, watching as she poured some wine and drank the whole goblet in almost one gulp, then began eating the flat bread.
“My name is Caryn. Caryn Steil. I feel like I haven’t eaten in days,” she took a mouthful of bread and started chewing, speaking between bites. “What is this place? How did we get here?”
“I don’t know,” Paul said. “I woke up here a day ago, I think. Time seems to have no meaning here, so it is hard to say. Where did you come from?”
“I’m from Kansas. Topeka actually,” she said between mouthfuls, gulping the wine to wash each bite down. “I woke up in a strange room with a storm outside. I have been terrified and wondered if I’d been abducted by aliens,” she tilted her head inquisitively and looked into Paul’s eyes. “You’re not an alien, are you, pretending to be a human?”
Paul shook his head with an amused smile. “No, but I could ask the same thing of you. You’re the only other living soul I’ve seen,” he grinned. “Are you an alien?”
For the first time, Caryn smiled and her eyes twinkled with amusement. It was a beautiful smile, and Paul felt disarmed by it. There was something about her that pulled at him — an appeal that went beyond mere beauty. Paul realized he was attracted to her, not just physically.
“No,” she said, a shy smile appeared upon her face. “I guess we’re both in the same boat, huh?” Caryn looked around the room. “Have you found any other rooms? This is the first I’ve seen besides the one where I... appeared,” She looked at Paul with curiosity.
Paul shook his head, “I searched what I thought were other rooms, but they turned out to be all the same room.” He shrugged. “This room wasn’t here before, but now it is. I’m as confused as you are.”
Caryn finished eating and took a long drink from the goblet, then wiped her mouth and hands with the napkin. She looked at Paul with expectation, her eyes piercing him. A feeling washed over him, and he felt he knew this woman, though he had never met her before. He felt there was more to her than he could now see.
“Well, I suppose a proper introduction is in order. I’m Paul Darvin, a computer programmer from Oklahoma. It is a pleasure to meet you, Caryn, even in this unusual and mystifying situation,” he smiled and extended his right hand.
Caryn took his hand to shake. “I’m a digital artist. A starving artist, I guess you would say,” she laughed and the sound was like music to Paul. He was a bit amazed at how comfortable he felt with her. His logical mind would not have thought such a reaction possible, yet here he was, feeling all warm inside.
Paul stood up, looking at their surroundings with a serious expression. “I don’t have any answers yet, but perhaps if we explore together we might find some clues to help solve this mystery.” He looked back at Caryn and she nodded and stood as well. Paul said, “I wonder, was your room the same as mine? Did you have a desk with paper, a pen, and a Bible?”
She shook her head, looking a bit confused, “Bible? No, I did not see any Bible — pens and paper, yes, but no Bible.”
Paul frowned. “Can you show me your room? Maybe there’s a clue there I didn’t see in mine.” She nodded and began to lead the way back from where she had come. Paul followed, wondering if there were going to be clues, or more mystery ahead.
