Sally

I woke up with a terrible pounding in my head. I slowly opened my eyes. My vision was blurry as I lifted my weight on both of my elbows. I gasped in pain, holding my head. What the...? I felt a bandage wrapped around my head. What happened? When did I get here? And where was I? As I looked around me, I couldn't recognize anything. I was stuck in a strange room. A large TV screen was on my left and a couch with green cushions was in front of the bed. I tried my best to remember anything from the previous night, but I couldn't. My brain was too empty and distracted. A knock at the door reached my ears. I swallowed hard before telling the person to come in. I didn't know who it would be or what I would say.

"You're awake," A stranger entered the room with a grin on his face as he came and sat down next to me on the edge of the bed.

"Who are you? And where am I?" I asked in a shaky voice, still holding my head to reduce the sharp pain that didn't want to leave me alone.

He didn't answer my question but instead, he arched his eyebrows in confusion and seemed worried.

"What do you mean? Don't you remember me?" He arched his eyebrows at me.

"No, I can't remember anything," I groaned.

He cursed under his breath but failed miserably in hiding it.

"What's wrong? Why can't I remember anything? What happened to my memory?" A lump started to grow in my throat. It wasn't good at all.

"Nothing. Don't you even remember a girl called Julia or the leader?"

"Who are they?"

His eyes widened as soon as he realized that I couldn't remember anything. His face lit up as his lips were curled into a wide smile, or a smirk, I couldn't really focus on his expression as I was too distracted by my headache that was killing me.

He leaned closer towards me and pressed his soft lips to mine. His hot breath immediately filled my mouth. I quickly pulled back and wiped my mouth on the back of my sleeve.

"Who the hell are you? What happened to my memory? And how did I get here?" I asked louder than I wanted.

"Don't worry, baby. It might be the effect of our night yesterday that you can't even remember what happened," The man winked.

What the hell? Did I actually sleep with a man I didn't know? How did I even meet him? How did he bring me here? What did he mean by our night together?

"What do you mean by our night?"

"Stop asking me too many questions and get ready for breakfast. I will be waiting for you outside," He sighed, getting up then left the room.

I didn't have the chance to yell at him or force him to tell me everything. He just left me here alone with my wiped memory. I couldn't hold my tears anymore, so I just allowed them to run down my cheeks. Was it a nightmare? I couldn't remember anything or anyone at all. I decided to climb out of bed instead of staying here and overthinking nonstop. I scuffed my feet to the door and put my hand on the cold doorknob. I was so weak that I had to make several attempts until I could finally open it.

I took my first step outside and my head started to spin. The place was huge. I caught sight of hundreds of rooms and a bar counter, but I still couldn't realize what that place was. How did I come here? Loud screams reached my ears, making me jump. A man was dragging a brunette girl and pulling her hair hard. Her clothes were completely torn as her face was full of bruises and scars. She looked very scrawny. She seemed to be in her early teenage years. It was so obvious that she had been raped and tortured. Poor girl. The loud voice of people talking with each other attracted my attention. Why were all the people here so loud? Their voices came from a room and I headed towards it. I assumed that maybe it was the room which I was supposed to go to. I followed their voices and got closer to the door. I couldn't really hear what they were saying, but I managed to catch some parts of their conversation.

"I can't believe it! If she really has lost her memory, it would be an amazing chance for us!" A harsh male voice said.

"Yes, I didn't imagine that the hit of yesterday would cause her brain that much damage. To be honest, I really did break the vase so hard on her head last night," a familiar voice laughed.

What? Who were they talking about? I slowly turned the doorknob and pushed the door. A couple of men were sitting at a dining table together. The room freaked me out for a bit, but not as much as those men. They looked scary and their clothing style was really awkward.

"Hey, Sally. Good morning. Come and have your breakfast with us," A man cheerfully said.

I gave him the weakest smile that I had, then sat down next to the man who called me from my room or that weird room which I didn't even know how the hell did I get there. A plate was in front of me. The breakfast looked delicious. There was an omelet, some boiled vegetables and a glass of red wine.

"Could you please tell me who you are? And how did I get here? I don't remember anything," I muttered.

"You were in a coma for the past two months, and you started to get conscious once again yesterday. But when you woke up, you were really delirious and couldn't fully control your body. I'm surprised that you're much better now. You had a car accident with Paul and he saved you, then brought you here," A man explained to me and I could notice that he was suppressing laughter.

"I can't remember anything. Could you please just take me back home?" I almost whispered.

"Your home? Baby, are you kidding me? Don't you remember our plans together?" Paul asked.

"What plans?" I stammered.

"Yesterday when you told me that you love me, remember? And we planned to get married soon," Paul said while leaning closer towards me which made me tremble.

I didn't know why I felt uncomfortable around these people. I felt like there was something wrong.

"I'm really sorry. You said it yourself. I was delirious and couldn't control my body, so I can't marry a man whom I loved while being almost wasted. Heck, I don't even know you," I cleared my throat and stood up from my place. "I need to go home."

"What home? Do you even remember where your damn home is?" Paul half shouted.

"No, I don't remember! I don't even remember that I had a car accident! I don't remember anything! It's crazy," I shouted.

"Please calm down. It's okay. Maybe it was just the accident that damaged your brain and caused you to lose your memory," Paul said as he pulled me for a tight hug.

"I need to get back to my family," I cried against his chest and filled my lungs with the smell of his expensive cologne.

"We are your family now."

"I don't even know you! I want to see my real family right now!" I snapped, pulling away from him.

"We are the Black Cult. You can join us and start a new life here. You're always welcome."

I raised my eyebrows at them. Was I really going to live my whole life with these people? Heck! I couldn't even remember who my real parents were. My head spun again and I was so confused. It couldn't be real. It must be a nightmare. A fucking nightmare.

"I think that I need some sleep. I'm dizzy at the moment," I groaned.

"Let me guide you to your room," Paul offered.

"No, thank you. I can get back on my own."

I immediately left the dining room and went back to mine. I tried to search for my bag or phone or anything that could help me remember my past. I found nothing. The room was empty. I sat down on the edge of the bed and let myself burst into tears.

A couple of minutes passed, then I heard someone opening my door. I quickly wiped my tears away and looked up. A cultist was forcing a guy to get inside my room and clean it. He didn't even notice that I was here already. He must have thought that I was still in the dining room having my breakfast. Ugh! I didn't even touch my food.

The guy entered the room, cursing under his breath. He had shiny blond hair and blue eyes. He looked pale. I assumed that he was the same age as me.

As soon as he saw me, his eyes formed tears in the corners as they widened in shock.

"Sally! Are you all right? We were so worried about you," The guy shouted, throwing his broom and running towards me.

"Get away from me! Who are you?" I shouted, pushing him away before he could hug me.

"It's me, Nick," The guy arched his eyebrows in confusion.

"Nick who? You must be looking for another girl," I huffed, holding his left arm and trying to kick him out of my room.

"Sally please. Try your best to remember me. I'm Nick, your best friend. Don't let them brainwash you. Please get back to us and don't listen to these bastards," The guy begged in tears.

"I can't remember you! I can't remember these people! I can't remember how I got here! I can't remember who is fucking Paul whom I promised to marry! I can't remember anything! Just leave me alone," I cried.

"That's exactly what they wanted to do! This fucking Paul broke a vase on your head last night and it affected your memory! They want to brainwash you and convince you to join their cult. Please listen to me, I am your real friend and not them."

"I'm not your friend! Don't talk to me like this! I'm not stupid. If you are really my friend, why didn't you save me from these people in the first place when I had a car accident? Just go away. It's my choice whether to join you or them," I yelled.

"What accident are you talking about?"

"The accident which caused me to be in a coma for two months! That's why they brought me here. To save my life!"

"What the fuck? They're lying! Nothing like this had happened! They're trying to make up stories for you to play with your brain! Because you don't fucking remember a shit!"

"Get out of my room! I don't want to listen anymore! I'm done!" I wept and this time, I finally managed to kick him out and slammed the door shut.

I lay on my bed. My eyes were red and swollen from crying and my throat became sore. I had another throbbing headache so I just decided to sleep it off. I hoped that I would sleep and never wake up again.

I felt so lost.