Her POV

Hands trembling, I skimmed the letter once more, a gluttonous desire bubbling within, a desperate need urging me to decipher the hidden connotations of each carefully selected word. I took a moment to admire the fine penmanship, black ink forming elegant swirling letters, so impeccably crafted that had the ink not bled slightly into the paper I would have believed it to have been printed. The writer clearly took great pride and consideration in his creation.

A thousand thoughts filled my head. Clearly the sender of this letter was of great importance to have forced the detectives sudden departure and the urgent manner in which it had come into my possession. I had heard them mention 'the commissioner' I assumed this was a higher ranking member of the policing force but something told me that he had not been the one to send the box, informing me that this item had been gifted to me by someone far higher and significant in society. I knew that I should take head of the warnings in the note, that every word was of great personal importance.

I didn't know where to start with my analysis, though I wanted to understand the entirety of the letter certain phrases had stood out to me more than others. Had demanded my absolute attention. 

'Dearest Ari'

Could it be that this mystery person had revealed to me my name? 'Ari'. I opened my mouth, saying the given name aloud. Considering the sounds it made, experimenting with its pronunciation. I was certain it was a shortened version of a name, a nickname perhaps, the friendly salutation of 'Dearest' implied that I had a personal relationship with the scribe. It implied that I was of importance to him, to have used such a term of endearment was clearly no accident, in fact I could say with complete conviction that not a singular letter of the note had been placed without thought. It angered me that this person, who for some reason I had decided was a he, had not used my full name in his address, this was clearly not an oversight on his part. I could think of two reasons for why he may have decided to use the abbreviation. Firstly that in using a nickname would cause me to trust this person more for if they had a pet name for me it would be easy to assume a bond between me and the writer. My second theory was that he did not want me to discover it yet, for had he not said that the discovery of my true self lay in my hands alone. Regardless of my irritation at the concealment of my full name, I was happy to finally have been given a small clue into my identity. Though I could not be certain of my true name, I could  be certain of nothing it seemed, I quickly decided that this is what I would introduce myself as for it was best I had at present, the sound of it upon my lips felt natural as though I had uttered it a million times before. 

Yes. 

'Ari' was how I would refer to myself from this point on, or at least until I had figured out some more of my identity.

This now freed up my mind to consider the rest of the letter, filled with so many unusual statements thick in there mysticism, each line seemed to hint at the existence of another realm, something beyond the bounds of nature. I wondered whether each statement was to be read as it was written or rather that this person took great pleasure in the use of metaphor and had dramatised the letter for impact. Though the latter conclusion would make far more sense I was unconvinced,for had so many strange things not already occurred in the brief time I had been awake, was it really that much more of a stretch to believe in something more that what was accepted as normalcy. 

I decided that I would carefully consider each eloquently scripted paragraph before I made my final decision. 

Another line which had echoed in my mind over and over was the one advising me not to mourn. This was something that though awfully vague and shaded in what it was trying to tell me I found the easiest to understand. That the person I had been informed I had lost had perhaps not been mine to lose in the first place. This both comforted and confused me in equal measure, only bringing more questions in its wake. 

Just as I was about to continue disassembling the letter something strange happened, something the letter had told me would happen, a prediction that I was sure wasn't without the scribes influence.

A striking girl cloaked in blue scrubs entered the room. Beautiful as she was tall. Her height must have neared at least six feet, so model like in her appearance. Rosy cheeks rested on skin as white as porcelain, not a blemish interrupting its smooth complexion.  

She greeted me, a huge, infectious smile spreading across her face as she spoke, her voice a symphony.

"Ari, so nice to see you again!" 

As soon as the words had left her mouth the smile faltered being replaced with an expression filled with unease. Clearly she hadn't meant to address me like that.

She quickly composed herself that smile returning to her face, this time not quite reaching her large doe like eyes. 

"So you've been given the go ahea-"

"What did you just call me?" I interrupted, my voice filled with accusation.

She paused, looking down at the bundle of clothes and medication she was holding. Opening her mouth to speak, closing it again whilst placing the items upon the foot of my bed.

She ignored the question, speaking faster this time, her voice rising a few octaves. 

"So you've been given the go ahead to go home, I have some clothes and pain killers for you to take, the dosage instructions are on the boxes. though I doubt you'll need them for very long..." Her voice trailed off for a moment as though considering what she would say next, clearly relieved that rather than interrupting her again I was now listening to her patiently.

Of course I had not forgotten what she'd said, I was merely waiting, lulling her into a false sense of security before I took my second strike.

"...I mean with how well you've healed so far, you know it won't be long until you are back on your feet. I'm sure he will be so happy to hear how well you're doing all things considered I can't wait to te-"

She stopped taking abruptly, her slender hand animatedly slapping against her mouth, frozen for a moment as if she had been blasted by ice, unable to move a muscle. Her composure slowly returned as she muttered something almost inaudible but I had been listening very carefully and managed to pick up 'I knew he shouldn't have sent me' .

I met her gaze as she unfolded the clothes laying them out on the  bed, as if waiting for my approval, as though she could distract me from the words tumbling from her mouth, with a pretty dress and pair of ankle boots.

"Who are you talking about? Do I know you?" My inquiry had clearly unnerved her, but she seemed to have been expecting it by the way she gazed back at me, her eyes filled with sincerity, worry clearly marking her perfect features.

"I really can't say anything, I'm such a fool, I really shouldn't have said anything but holding my tongue has never been a strong suit of mine. I'm here to help, trust me, its for both of our best interests that you just accept that, take these clothes and make your way out of here, okay?"

There was that word again, trust.

Could it be that she was one of the people mentioned in the letter, someone who would assist me in this unknown journey that the note had seemed to invite me to partake in, no invite was the wrong word. That the letter had insisted I partake in. Despite myself, I did trust her, though I had just made her acquaintance I felt instantly at ease around her, as though we were connected in some way. She stared back at me, vulnerability and fear etched across her features, desperately pleading with her eyes for me to drop the questions. It was clear that this girl had answers to the questions of which I so desperately craved. I simply could not bring myself to inflict any suffering upon the figure stood before me. I instead simply responded with a request.

"Could you help me out of bed, perhaps help me dress? I'm not sure I  trust my mobility at the moment." My words were gentle, her face instantly went back to that warm inviting smile.

"Of course! Just lie still for a minute and I'll remove the drip and what not." 

She moved to the side of my bed, hesitantly taking my hand, removing the needle with expertise, I barely felt a thing only a faint sting remained from where my skin had been pierced the discomfort disappearing almost instantaneously. She went on to remove the various wires and tubes littering my body before moving them out of the way, clearing a path to the private bathroom. 

She then returned to my bed side holding out her hand to assist me in standing. I decided that before I continued to allow her to help me I would ask her for her name, it only seeming fair that I know hers considering she had called me by the name I had provisionally accepted as my own. She paused for a moment, seeming to be processing my request.

"Amitiel, but you can just call me Amie." She beamed. 

What a unique name I thought to myself, though it was strange it seemed to suit her, seemed to personify her in some way that I couldn't quite place my finger on. Thankful she had divulged this information I took her hand, slowly swinging my legs to dangle over the bed. 

Cautiously, and to my surprise almost free of all pain I stood. Shaking for a moment, balancing on my unused legs, I was practically the same height as this impressively tall girl. Amitiel patiently supported me, having now come to my side snaking her arm around my waist, securing me in my upright position.

"I think I can stand on my own."

She slowly released her hold on me, still standing close to my side, ready to leap to my aide if I were to require it. I took a slow, purposeful step towards the bathroom, my companion grabbing the garments and shoes. With every step I took I felt my strength grow. Upon reaching the bathroom, that had only been a mere six steps away, I felt almost unaffected by my injuries.

Amitiel opened the door for me, ushering me inside, I walked straight to the sink, grasping the side of the ceramic, not because I required the physical support but rather that I needed to feel rooted to something as I appraised myself in the mirror. 

My face, slim and elf-like in shape was covered in purple bruises, a cut lay above my left brow, another slicing through my chin. Though the wounds looked offensive I noted that they looked remarkably well healed considering I had only acquired them six days ago. I tired to look through the blemishes upon my skin to take in my appearance. My eyes, the lightest shade of blue, long black natural lashes framing them, strong arched brows sitting above, noting every small insignificant feature on my face. My skin a pale porcelain had the lightest freckles trailing over the bridge of my nose, spilling onto my cheeks which were a slight flush of pink. I smiled into the mirror revealing a set of perfectly white aligned teeth. Had it not been for the injuries masking my features I would have been more than happy with my appearance, pleased with the face that stared back at me in the mirror. 

Amitiel, or Amie, handed me some toiletries, seemingly reassured that I was able to stand now unassisted, directed me to a towel hanging upon the door. She turned on the small shower, adjusting the temperature, testing it with her hand then exited the en-suite informing me she'd be just outside. I peeled off the hospital gown jumping straight into the shower, a perfect heat, savouring the way the water glided over my skin. I looked over my body, like my face it was covered in bruises and cuts, some appeared to have stitches poking out from them. I took care to avoid contact with them as I lathered myself with soap. I turned my attention to my long hair next, it seemed to have a slight natural wave, a deep oak brown in colour. Using the combined shampoo and conditioner I massaged it into my scalp, the slight tangles instantly falling out. I washed off the suds, forced myself to leave the comfort of the shower, turning it off as I exited. I dried off my body and placed on the matching underwear set, removing the tags, telling me that these items were new and must had been selected by someone, presumably Amie, impressed that they fit perfectly. I pulled over the navy summer dress, patterned with delicate daisy flowers, which fit perfectly over my slim physique. A knock on the door reminded me that I was not alone, Amie's smooth voice passing through the wood of the door, asked me if I was decent for her to enter. I affirmed this with a simple yes, the door swinging open. She held open the door for me to exit, I perched on the bed and placed the cotton socks and brown ankle boots she'd handed me onto my bare feet, noting that they were a size seven. 

"Well, now that your all sorted, its time for you to leave, I'll wait outside the door for a moment while you gather your... belongings." She hesitated before the word belongings, I was sure she was referring to the letter and box.

I sat on the bed for a moment, grabbing the box and peering inside. To my absolute astonishment a golden, luminescent symbol had appeared on the once plain white interior of the box. It appeared to be the image of a delicate feather. I placed my hand onto the box as per the instructions in the letter, a pleasant tingling sensation passed though my arm as I made contact. The box visibly grew in size right before my eyes, a small handle appearing the same gold hue of the insignia. I waited a moment, bewildered by what had just unfolded before me. I grasped the small handle pulling it to unveil a hidden compartment, inside were the items from the note. 

I guess that meant I trusted the sender of the letter, for had it not detailed that it would only open if i were to trust them?

My eyes went straight to the locket. It was stunning. A small oval of blinding silver, engraved with tiny delicate leaves and vines, a singular aqua gem set into the centre, the same colours as my iris' I noted. It looked incredibly expensive, though this item was truly beautiful I knew that its beauty came as a secondary purpose. As I picked it up, energy seemed to radiate from the locket and into me, coursing through my body. I felt magnetised towards the object, I dared myself to open it though the letter had told me to wait. After several minutes of consideration I left the locket closed and fastened it around my neck. Sitting just above my heart I prayed that I would never have to take it off, craving its proximity.

Realising that I had no other choice than to follow the letters instructions, wanting to see where it would take me. I removed the car key from the box, returning the lid to cover the rest of the items, resolving to investigate them later, I stood taking once final glance around the room. Something was stopping me from leaving, to allow Amitiel to guide me out of the hospital.

Not something, someone.

I exited the room, finding the girl waiting for me, lounging casually against the wall, her eyes went straight to the locket around my neck, her eyes lighting up.

"Your trust has not been misplaced, follow me." With that she started walking, clearly expecting me to follow.

"Wait!" I exclaimed, a few heads turning at the raised tone in my voice.

"What is it? I really advise that you leave now." She had taken a few paces back towards me, her voice soft yet insistent.

"I just need to speak with someone first in the waiting room, there was a boy, by my bedside when I woke up. I think hes the one who saved me...I need to thank him?"For some reason my statement had sounded like a question.

A knowing look passed across her features. 

"Ah, so hes here then. They'll be plenty of time to meet him later, for now you need to leave, I'll show you to the parking lot."

"How can I meet him later when I don't even know his name or contact details?" I inquired hoping she would change her mind and take me to him before my departure.

"Fate finds a way." She replied and with that she turned and this time, clear that I was not going to change her mind, I followed. Once again finding myself trusting her. 

It turned out that I wouldn't have to wait long for fate. As just as I absentmindedly followed her around one of the winding corridors of the hospital I slammed head first into a rock hard chest.

I looked up, embarrassed for being so clumsy, preparing to apologise to whoever I had just bumped into when my breath caught.

Two forest green orbs stared back at me.

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AN-

So if you've gotten this far I really hope it means you are enjoying my story!

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Thank you so much for reading! 

J :)