Is This Us?

Stiff...

Her neck was stiff...

Her back was stiff...

Everything was tight and stiff.

Miranda's eyes opened just a bit, and the bright sun assaulted her instantly. The sun? When she last looked around the sun was setting, and now it sat high in the sky. She moved slowly, acclimating herself to her surroundings. She heard the faint song of birds and the clanking of metal. She could smell something delicious in the air and stood from the bed almost without a thought.

As she moved about the tiny room she took note of the flowing curtains by the open window, and the soft bed she had just vacated. Though the room was small it held a bed, a little desk, and a set of drawers. The open window made it feel less confined and she smiled for but a moment, before realizing she still had no idea where she was.

Steeling her nerves she moved out the door and down the empty hallway to the soft clanking noises and tasty smells. The walls were gray, the floors clean, and as she continued on she noticed the bright lights shining in the ceiling of the home. She knew at that point she was no longer in Flat Creek. Her little hometown was not developed enough, nor did they have the resources to power the dwellings there. Candles and fireplaces kept the houses lit when need be, otherwise, open windows suited them just fine. Those that lived on the other side of the river tended to be a bit more established.

She stepped quietly, peeking around the corner into the kitchen, and watched with rapt attention. The woman's long blonde hair swished back and forth as she danced about the kitchen. She hummed a lovely melody as she cracked two eggs into an iron skillet with four thick, sizzling slices of bacon. The woman stopped moving her curvaceous body and giggled, the sound being just as sweet as her humming.

"Come now, no need to hide." She said without turning.

Miranda looked around for a bit marking the exits, before making the decision to step into the open kitchen. The woman at the stove finally turned to meet her gaze, and Miranda stopped instantly. The woman's eyes were the most enchanting shade of green, like a precious stone. Miranda swallowed nervously, not quite sure what to say.

"Don't be shy honey, I won't bite." She got a mischievous twinkle in her eye, before continuing. "Unless you're into that sort of thing."

The woman turned again and plated the food, and moved smoothly to the table. She sat down and placed the plate across from her, gesturing for Miranda to have a seat. Miranda nodded and sat down, cautiously.

"Who are you?" She finally found her voice.

"Oh of course, where are my manners. My name is Madysen, but you can call me Maddy." She spoke cheerfully. "And you are?"

"Miranda." She answered, eyeing the food warily. "Where am I and why am I here?"

"Oh wow, just skip right to it, huh?"

Maddy huffed, as she stood and retrieved a fork. She handed it over to Miranda and sat back down.

"You are in my home, and I brought you here because you had fallen ill in the forest," Maddy answered matter of factly. "Are you going to eat or simply play with your food?"

Miranda shrugged.

"I don't know you, forgive me for being cautious."

Maddy raised an eyebrow at her guest and grabbed the fork and plate.

"Fine, but I am not letting good food go to waste." She said around a bite of eggs and bacon.

Miranda stared at the blonde, her mouth agape before she realized she was being rude and closed it.

"Well I appreciate you helping me, and whatnot, but I need to get home so if you'll excuse me."

"I like that locket of yours," Maddy said suddenly and Miranda stopped. "Where did you find it?"

Miranda turned around a hesitant look in her eyes. "Just-just lying around."

She stuttered and Maddy smirked.

"Interesting. The talismans are not supposed to just be lying around."

Miranda tilted her head in question. "The what?"

"Oh nothing, don't mind me."

Maddy said as she stood and placed the dishes in the sink. She glanced to the side and snapped her fingers, causing the silver and green bangles on her wrist to clank against one another. The door to her right opened slowly and Miranda gasped.

"Weren't you leaving?"

Miranda looked from the door to Maddy who stood at the sink, arms crossed in front of her chest and an eyebrow raised in challenge.

"How did you...did the door just open by itself or...?" Miranda tried to make sense of what she had seen.

Maddy giggled and with the flick of her wrist the door closed and a chair swooped Miranda off her feet and back up to the table. Miranda let out a shriek making Maddy laugh again as she turned back to the stove.

"One egg or two?"