The Dark Inheritance

Chapter 2

The pull of eternal slumber was so enticing. How could one resist its temptation? She was about to give her weary mind over to it, but then a voice rang out in her head.

"Serah!"

Serah? For some reason the name sounded familiar. Could this be her name?

"Serah, you have to wake up!" The voice shouted, startling her in her dazed state. "Don't give up yet!"

Somehow this brought her consciousness back from whatever road of no return it had embarked on.

Her eyelids felt unbearably heavy and she groaned internally as she strained them open. She slowly tried to grow aware of her body, but then instantly regretted it when unbearable pain assaulted her. It was like all her bones and organs had been crushed. She even wondered if her body was still in one piece but a glance downwards reassured her that everything was in place.

She darted her gaze around her unfamiliar surroundings, her confusion growing by the minute until it bordered on panic.

Just then a door burst open and a woman dressed in white sauntered in. Her eyes displayed surprised when they connected with hers but then her lips hiked in a warm smile.

"Finally you woke up!" She said in a jovial voice. "We were beginning to fear that you wouldn't make it."

"Where am I?" Her voice sounded strained even to herself, but with the way she felt it was a feat that she even managed to get the words out.

"You're in a hospital." The woman curtly replied. "You were found unconscious in a graveyard and your condition turned really critical. I'll inform the doctor right away that you woke up so we can ensure you're out of danger now. Just wait for a bit." She gave a reassuring smile, then walked out of the room.

She stared at the place the woman disappeared through, her mind taking some time to process her words. Hospital… graveyard… words that she seemed to have to pull forth from a distant, buried memory. She tried to think about the last thing she remembered, but everything was a blank. She couldn't even remember who she was! Just then the memories from just before she awoke seeped into the darkness of her mind. That clear but unfamiliar voice had called her Serah. She couldn't even be sure that this was her name but she had to assume so. But anything beyond this was a void.

The door to her room once again burst open, startling her. A middle-aged man entered accompanied by the earlier nurse. Both had warm smiles on their faces, but in her current state of disorientation, everything seemed hostile to her.

The man spoke up first. "Good morning, Miss. I'm the doctor in charge of your treatment. How are you feeling?"

"What happened to me?" She couldn't help asking in hopes of being given at least a clue of where she came from.

"I was hoping you would tell us this." He said wearily. "You were suddenly brought to us in a normal condition other than the fact that your heart was abnormally weak. You almost lost your life."

"I have no idea how I got like this… or where I even came from." Her voice bordered on hysterical, her eyes displaying her distress as she stared at them.

The doctor gazed at he in puzzlement. "You don't remember anything? What about your identity?"

She shook her head. "Nothing at all. Only that my name is Serah."

"That's strange." The doctor mumbled pensively. "You haven't received any mental shock, so your memory shouldn't have been affected. What about your surname? Can you remember it?"

She bit her lip in an effort to concentrate, then shook her head miserably. She probably wouldn't have even known her name if it wasn't for that voice in her dream.

"It's okay, don't strain yourself." The doctor said reassuringly. "It might be that you have a temporary amnesia because of an emotional shock. Surely it'll get better soon."

"Yes, thank you." Serah mumbled. She then glanced towards the nurse. "You said I was found in a graveyard?"

The woman nodded tersely. "A pair of siblings found you unconscious there. Oh, speaking of them, they're going to be so happy to learn that you woke up. Even through they don't know you, they were so nice and waited on you the whole night. I'll call them soon and inform them of the good news."

Several tests were carried out on Serah all of which turned out favorable. Her body was still wracked with pain but as she rested, it gradually started to subside. The doctor even told her she could be dismissed in the afternoon. However, the news caused her more worry than relief. With nowhere to go and no money the only option available to her was the shelter for homeless. The nurses told her that there were no personal belongings on her when she was brought here, other than the plain dress she wore. Not even a piece of jewelry which might give the slightest clue of her identity. As she sat on her bed, mulling over her next course of action, a cute brown-haired girl suddenly sauntered into the room, a bright smile illuminating her tiny face as soon as she saw Serah.

"I'm so glad you woke up." She announced cheerfully. She then abruptly advanced on her and leaned forward to peer at Serah's face closely.

"Oh my! Your eyes are so beautiful!" She breathed.

"My eyes?" She now realized that she had no idea what they looked like, or even her face for that matter.

The girl nodded her head excitedly. "They're such a unique color… almost entrancing."

"Thanks." She mumbled, not knowing how else to respond.

She caught sight of another movement in the room and brought her focus to it. Icy blue eyes stared back at her, seeming to pull her in. Her heart suddenly went erratic to the point that she feared she was having a relapse. She didn't know how beautiful her eyes looked but in her opinion this guy's appeared the most uniquely stunning. His face wasn't any less alluring. Carved to perfection with straight, light blonde hair which looked almost white, falling over his forehead. He stood at the back of the room, those hypnotizing eyes trained on her, as if trying to see through her soul.

"Oh right!" The girl in front of her suddenly exclaimed, pulling her from her trance. "I haven't introduced myself. I'm Aria Summers and this is Asher Wilde." She motioned towards the handsome guy.

"It's nice to meet you both." Serah smiled. "I'm guessing you guys were the ones who found me and called an ambulance. Thank you so much for this."

"Aww, don't mention it." Aria quipped, giving Serah a light hug. "As long as you are fine." She then drew back and stared at her solemnly. "I heard that you lost your memory?"

She nodded dejectedly. "No matter how much I try, I cannot remember anything."

Asher remained in his spot at the far back, still doing that close perusal which was starting to make her nervous.

"That's horrible." Aria mumbled. "I cannot even imagine how you must be feeling. What do you intend to do from now on?"

Serah sighed. "There's nothing that can be done. Once I'm released from the hospital, I'll seek help at the homeless shelter."

"What? But that place isn't safe at all! There are lots of creepy people always hanging out there."

Serah shrugged. "It should be fine. I'll be as cautious as possible."

"No way!" Aria exclaimed, glancing at Asher behind her.. "We can't allow a girl to stay at that place, alone and helpless." Her eyes then brightened. "I know! You could stay at our place. I'll talk to mom. I'm sure she'll be more than happy to help you." She was already taking out her phone, dialing the numbers.

"I don't think that's a good idea." Asher boomed out, finally speaking for the first time.

"Why not?" Aria retorted. "She has nowhere else to go and no one to turn to for help."

"That's not a reason for us to take any random stranger in. We aren't a charity case."

His words tore at Serah's heart.

"How can you be so cruel!" Aria shouted.

"But he's right." Serah interjected. "I do not want to impose on you two. You already did more than enough when you saved me."

Aria gripped her hands reassuringly. "It's no trouble at all. Don't pay attention to this selfish guy." She shot a glare at Asher before speaking on. "Please accept our offer and stay over at our place?"

"But…" Serah started saying.

"No buts." Aria spoke over her, placing her finger on her lips. "You'll come, won't you?"

Serah stared at her, feeling conflicted, then sighed in defeat. "Okay, thank you so much for your help."

Aria grinned excitedly. "Don't mention it."

"I'll try my best to find a job so I can afford my own place soon."

"Don't worry about these things. You can stay as long as you want. Now just let me make a quick call and we can be on our way."

As soon as Aria left the room, Serah chanced a glance at Asher. He still stood in that same spot, his probing gaze making her giddy.

She opened her mouth to breach the uncomfortable silence. "Sorry about that. I promise I won't burden you guys for too long."

"It's not that you're a burden." He responded after several seconds. "I just don't trust strangers. Especially the ones who suddenly show up in suspicious ways."

"It makes sense." She nodded. "But I promise I have no ill intentions towards you or your family."

"We'll see about that." He mumbled. "Don't forget your promise to find a way to fend for yourself soon." He added before turning around and walking out of the room.

She stared at the place he disappeared through, her heart aching slightly. It almost seemed like Asher bore feelings of animosity towards her. The reason for that was beyond her. But in a way, this was good as well. She'll just need to do everything in her power to steer clear of him from now on. Anyway she didn't like the way his mere presence made her unsettled.