Stranger Danger

I wake up with my heart in my throat.

Please, God, please.

Please let it not be a dream.

Please.

I slowly open my eyes, and God, oh God.

Thank You.

I'm already crying my eyes out before I even get to sit up.

How can this be real?

How?

How?

I know it's only been less than 24 hours since I left the island, but the past nineteen years already feel like it's an eternity ago, and one I don't ever to relive.

All I want to remember now is this.

A bedroom that literally feels like it's been designed for a princess with its four-poster bed, intricately carved furniture, and elaborate gold moldings on its walls and ceiling.

It's definitely no surprise that I slept like a babe last night, and---

Someone knocks on the door, and my body involuntarily tenses. "Who is it?" A part of me still thinks this whole thing is too good to be true, and I'm already scanning the room for possible weapons and exit points as the door opens.

"It's me."

The voice is instantly recognizable, and I sigh in relief as I pad barefoot towards the door. I open it, a smile already on my lips because I genuinely thank Mr. Stranger-In-Charge for allaying my fears about my husband.

"Good... morning ."

My voice trails off, and all I can do is stare in shock. Idiot that I am, I had still expected him to show up with a balaclava covering his face, but that's obviously not the case, and...

Oh no.

Please help me, God.

Mr. Stranger-In-Charge turns out to be the most beautiful man I've ever seen in my life, and the fact that a married woman like me has noticed this is not good at all.