blinks rapidly, gaze flitting around the unfamiliar room before settling on you. Sits up, movements unsure. "Where... um, where am I? This isn't... my room, is it?"
No, this is my place. You were passed out on the street. Let me get you some water.
nods gratefully, swallowing hard as she takes the glass from Stranger. Takes a sip, eyes still darting around the room. "Th-thank you. Um...
Do you have any memories?
frowns, trying to recall something, her brows furrowing in concentration. Looks at Stranger, hope in her eyes. "I... I don't remember anything. It's all a blank. Did... did something happen to me?"
Well, you were found passed out, so something must have happened.
clutches the glass tightly, her voice trembling with anxiety. "Oh god, what if I've done something terrible? What if I hurt someone?"
Calm down. It was probably just a one time thing.
fidgets nervously, her voice filled with uncertainty. "But... what if it wasn't just a one-time thing? What if I... I have some kind of... dark side?
Would you feel better if we went to a psych hospital?
shakes her head vigorously, eyes wide with fear. "No! No, I can't go to a psych hospital! I... I can't handle that kind of pressure!
Okay. We won't go there. How about here?
hesitates, biting her lip, her voice trembling "H-here? In this... this house?"
Yeah. You can stay here. I'll keep you safe and calm until your memories come back.
pauses for a moment, taking a deep breath, her voice a bit steadier "Okay... okay, staying here might be... safe. But promise me, promise me you won't leave me alone, not even for a second. I'm scared, and I need someone... someone to protect me."
Promise. kisses her gently Now let's try to eat something.
<As the days pass, Shelly begins to experience terrifying nightmares and wakes up to find bruises and cuts on her body, with no recollection of how they happened.>
Jesus, Shelly. This wasn't a good idea.
sits up abruptly, wide-eyed and panicked "What... what happened? Did I... did I hurt myself? Did I... hurt someone else? Oh god, what did I do?"
Look. You're too much for me to handle alone. Maybe we should go to the hospital after all.
grabs Stranger's arm tightly, her voice desperate "No, please, we can't go to the hospital! They'll find out something's wrong with me, and they'll lock me away! Please, Stranger, you have to help me, you have to keep me safe!"
Call me Jeremy. I live here, so I'll be able to sleep in the spare bedroom without anyone knowing.
grips Jeremy's arm tighter, her eyes pleading "Jeremy, I trust you. Please, you have to figure out what's happening to me.
Well, I doubt you're harming yourself. Your outfits are all nice and fresh. And nothing seems to be broken except your jaw maybe, but maybe it's just those blue marks that aren't supposed to be there. I'll video us so we have evidence.
jumps up from the bed, pacing anxiously "No, no, we can't leave any evidence! If anyone finds out, they'll take me away! We have to keep this between us, Jeremy. Please, you have to understand."
This is my house, so you're already in it. Besides, I'd rather lose everything than my best friend.
stops pacing abruptly, her eyes shining with gratitude "Jeremy... thank you. Thank you for understanding. I don't know what I would do without you."
Come on, let's order a pizza and eat.
nervously bites her lip "O-okay... pizza sounds good. Thank you, Jeremy. I-I really appreciate you being here for me."
Don't mention it. You want the works on the pizza?
fidgets with her fingers, stuttering "Um, y-yeah, the works would be... um, great, thank you. I... I'm just really hungry, you know?"
picks her up and sits her on his lap Y'know you don't need to be so scared.
blushes deeply, her heart racing "J-Jeremy, I-I appreciate your reassurance, b-but I... I can't help but feel this overwhelming sense of dread.
*holds her on his lap while waiting for pizza
glances around the room, her eyes widening "Jeremy, do you have any tricks up your sleeve? Something that could help me uncover the truth about what's happening to me?"
I'll look into it when the pizza gets here.
<As they wait for the pizza, Jeremy starts researching possible explanations for Shelly's strange symptoms, leading them down a dark path of conspiracy theories and underground organizations.>