Comforting House by Vinnik Denis

Slowly, I stood up

from the rugged bed, unable to remember how I had appeared in the room. It was not my home, so where was I?

That’s when I heard two voices arguing, one of which I immediately recognized. It was the voice of the girl who I had saved from the guards before falling over and hitting my head on something.

Grabbing the first object my arm could reach, I rushed to the door, knocked it open and shouted, “Get your hands off her, you dirty scumbag!”

I was greeted by the sight of her and a man sitting at a table with rotted legs. After a moment of stunned silence, the man turned to the girl and spoke.

“That’s what happens when you bring people from the streets into our household, Natalia. Now, on top of all our troubles, we need to add fixing a broken door.”

“But Father, haven’t you been listening? I told you a hundred times that this fellow saved me right before a guard caught me!” she cried, her voice trembling. Had I frightened her by smashing the door to their dirty kitchen?

“I am horrendously sorry for my rudeness,” I said. “I will pay for the damages I’ve caused. Would you please tell me my whereabouts, dear residents of this humble abode?”

Natalia was about to speak before her father tactlessly cut her off.

“You are in the house of the Sextons, and I’m hoping you’re not planning to stay here.”

“But Father!” Natalia began.

“No 'but Father', Natalia. We are not taking in people from the streets. And this guy broke down our, no, my door to the cosiest room in this dust-filled shack!”

At that moment, I felt only absolute misery. Still, I did not hesitate to offer again.

“I must say that I meant no harm to your home. After hearing Natalia and you quarrelling and cursing, my first thought was that she was in danger. How much must I pay for your troubles?”

“Keep your money to yourself,” Sexton said. “We’ll figure it out on our own. Mind me asking why you’re paying so much attention to my only daughter?”

“I’m not sure. I can’t remember anything that happened before I met her yesterday. I promise you—I have no intentions toward your daughter.”

That’s when Natalia stepped into our conversation   

“I’m not letting him go until we cure him of his illness. If he lost his memory because of my misdeeds, then it’s the least we can do.”

“Rrgh,” her father grumbled, clenching his teeth so tightly that I could hear them crack. “All right—but you must promise to stop stealing.”

“Promise,” she said.

At that moment I noticed that she was holding her fingers crossed behind her back

“Fine, then. Now tell us—what can you remember, guest?”

My head was filled with thoughts, yet I couldn’t remember a single detail from my past. Why had I helped her if she was a thief? I felt incredible disgust towards that occupation, but I was unable to recall the reason as to why.

“Have you fallen asleep?” the father said, pulling me out of my thoughts.

“What? Oh, what can I remember? Yes... There was something I could remember. Aha! It was my name... my name. What was it? B, B... it must start with B.”

That’s when I remembered. Snapping my fingers I told them my name

-Blake. my name is Blake!