TWENTY-FIVE

Lyra slowly opened her eyes, her head throbbing and her vision slightly blurry. She tried to move but felt a sharp pain in her ribs and winced in pain. She lay still for a moment, trying to remember what had happened. She remembered crossing the road, and then a sudden impact that sent her flying into the air.

As she tried to sit up, she noticed the bandages on her head and other parts of her body. She felt confused and disoriented, struggling to make sense of where she was. She looked around and saw that she was in a spacious and luxurious room with elegant furniture and expensive decor.

Lyra felt a sense of unease and wondered where she was and who had brought her here. She slowly got up from the bed, wincing in pain as she did so. She looked around for her belongings but saw none of them, only her clothes, which had been replaced with a fresh set of clothes.

She felt a wave of dizziness hit her. Her head spun and she had to steady herself on the bed frame to avoid falling. She closed her eyes for a moment and took a deep breath, hoping the dizziness would pass. When she opened her eyes again, she felt a little better, but still a bit unsteady on her feet.

She took a few more deep breaths and tried to focus on her surroundings, hoping to get her bearings. The dizziness slowly subsided, but she still felt a bit disoriented as she looked around the unfamiliar room.

She struggled to walk, and her legs felt weak and shaky. She leaned against the wall for support and tried to gather her thoughts. She remembered being hit by a car and wondered if she was in a hospital.

Lyra slowly limped through the hallway, feeling the weight of her body as she moved. The hallway was long and narrow, with high ceilings and elegant chandeliers that gave off a soft light. The walls were painted in a neutral shade, and there were large paintings hung on the walls. It felt like she was in a museum or a grand hotel.

As she walked, she couldn't help but notice how silent the house was. There was no sound of footsteps or voices, no music or TV in the background, nothing but the soft hum of the air conditioning. It felt eerie, almost as if the house was empty, but she knew she wasn't alone. She tried to recall how she got here, but her memory was foggy, and she couldn't remember anything beyond getting hit by a car.

She reached the end of the hallway and found herself in front of a large wooden door. She hesitated for a moment before pushing it open, revealing a grand room with floor-to-ceiling windows that overlooked a beautiful garden. The room was furnished with plush sofas, armchairs, and a coffee table, and there were bookshelves filled with books lining the walls.

Lyra walked around the room, her eyes scanning every inch of the place. It felt like a palace, and she wondered who lived here.

While she was still standing in the empty room the first sound of a man's voice suddenly filter to her ears and she walked out of the room in the direction of the voice

Lyra's curiosity was piqued as she approached the door that was slightly ajar. She peered inside and caught a glimpse of the man in the mirror, adjusting his hair with his phone pressed to his ear. He was dressed in a neatly pressed white shirt that was tucked into his pants, which were a shade of navy blue. The man looked refined and sophisticated, with an air of wealth that Lyra couldn't help but notice.

She took a step closer, trying to get a better view of the man's face. He seemed to be in his mid-thirties, with a strong jawline and chiseled features. His hair was dark and perfectly styled, and he wore a hint of cologne that filled the room with a subtle fragrance. Lyra felt a sudden pang of envy as she looked at him, realizing that she could never afford such luxuries.

Lyra's eyes wandered around the room, taking in her surroundings. The room was spacious and tastefully decorated, with a large king-sized bed against one wall and a desk and chair by the window. There was a large wardrobe next to the door, and a few pieces of art hung on the walls, giving the room a cozy yet elegant feel. A black jacket lay on the bed, which Lyra assumed was the man's, and she wondered if he was in a hurry to leave.

Lyra stood there quietly, eavesdropping on the man's conversation as he talked on the phone. He seemed to be in a heated discussion with someone, and Lyra couldn't help but feel intrigued. She recognized the name Triony, the company she worked for, and it was clear that the man on the phone was not a fan.

Lyra heard the man say, "I don't know how you do it, get us back on that list," and she could hear the frustration in his voice.

The man continued, "Do you expect me to sit back and watch Triony take what's ours? Those fucking werewolves. We must get that contract."

Lyra's ears perked up at the mention of the contract. She remembered working on a proposal for Triony to make costumes for a festival, and she wondered if this man was a competitor trying to win the same contract. She couldn't help but feel excited at the possibility of being in the same house as a rival to Triony.

As Lyra stood there listening, she suddenly jumped in brief shock at a girl's voice behind her.

“You're up.

She immediately felt guilty for eavesdropping on the man in the room.

She quickly turned to face the girl, trying to hide the fact that she had just been spying. The girl was wearing a high school uniform and a jean jacket over it. She looked about fifteen or sixteen years old, with long brown hair and bright blue eyes.