What's This Place?

Ellen's eyes slowly fluttered open, greeted by a stream of bright light from the nearby window. Squinting against the glare, she took in the unfamiliar sight of a room. Memories of the bus accident rushed back—a sudden collision of reality and confusion.

Expecting to feel the lingering pain of impact, Ellen cautiously moved each limb, surprised by the absence of the anticipated ache. The room, illuminated by the morning sunlight, offered no clues to the aftermath of a violent accident.

A wave of disbelief and relief washed over her. "I didn't die," Ellen murmured to herself, her hand instinctively reaching to touch her own body. The absence of pain was both a reassurance and a mystery. She ran her fingers over her arms and legs, half-expecting to encounter the remnants of injury. The realization that she was intact, unharmed, prompted a profound sense of relief.

Surveying the room, she scanned the details, her bewilderment growing. Contrary to her expectations after such an incident, it wasn't a hospital room. Ellen tentatively swung her legs over the side of the bed, the cool floor beneath her feet feeling oddly expensive. As she stood, the enormity of the room stretched out before her—a luxurious haven that rivaled the size of her entire apartment.

The grandeur of the space unfolded like a dream she never dared to have. Plush carpets cradled her feet as she walked around, examining every lavish detail. A king-sized bed with intricately embroidered linens dominated the room, and the walls were adorned with fancy art, whispering tales of wealth and style.

Despite the undeniable beauty around her, Ellen couldn't shake a sense of caution. The surreal nature of her situation had her on edge. Her steps, initially hesitant, gradually gained confidence as she explored the room, but a lingering fear clung to her.

"Where am I?" Ellen muttered, her voice barely audible in the vast room. The sheer luxury around her left her in disbelief. "This can't be right. Did I somehow end up in someone else's home?"

She moved toward the window, drawn to the view beyond. The landscape outside was serene, bathed in the golden hues of early morning. Trees swayed gently in a light breeze, their leaves whispering tales of an unfamiliar place.

Panic began to grip Ellen as she pondered the possibilities. "Am I being kidnapped? But why would someone kidnap me? No one would pay any ransom, and no kidnapper would put their victim in such a nice bedroom. This doesn't make sense."

Continuing her examination, the room seemed to shift in and out of focus. The enormity of the space, coupled with the exquisite furnishings, heightened her sense of disorientation. "Is this a dream?" Ellen wondered aloud, her skepticism pushing her to reach out and pinch herself. To her surprise, a yelp of pain escaped her lips, confirming the reality of her surroundings.

Still perplexed, Ellen tentatively took a few more steps. It was at that moment the bedroom door swung open, revealing a woman with a striking appearance. Her hair flowed in waves of chestnut brown, stylishly framing her face, and her attire radiated a fashionable charm.

The woman, seemingly oblivious to Ellen's confusion, spoke with an air of casual familiarity. "Hey, Ellen, glad you're finally up! I need to borrow that green sweater of yours."

As the woman stepped into what turned out to be an impressive walk-in closet, Ellen followed in a daze. "I'm sorry, but who are you?"

The woman chuckled, seemingly entertained by Ellen's confusion. "Haha, very funny, Ellen. I know I always say I hate green, but there's this cute guy at school who loves it. I thought I'd go the extra mile to impress him. You understand, right?"

Ellen, still baffled, shook her head, her earnestness clashing with the woman's assumption that Ellen was teasing her. The woman continued to banter, playfully nudging Ellen, saying, "Come on, you're my good sister. You've got to help me out here."

Ellen's brow furrowed in confusion. A sister? She didn't have a sister. What is with this woman?

Amid the array of clothes, the woman skillfully selected the green sweater she had mentioned. She turned to Ellen, a mischievous glint in her eyes, and remarked, "This guy should be grateful that I, Colleen Winters, would go this far to impress him." With that, she sauntered out of the room, leaving Ellen standing amidst the opulence.

Pondering the unfamiliar name, Colleen Winters, her thoughts became entangled in a web of confusion. Something about that name seemed to linger in the recesses of her mind, a distant echo of recognition. Determined to unravel the mystery, Ellen's gaze drifted across the room and landed on a table adorned with numerous photo frames.

Curiosity guiding her, Ellen approached the table. As she studied the photographs, a growing sense of disbelief and bewilderment washed through her. The images captured moments that felt completely alien yet undeniably real—Ellen standing proudly in front of the Leaning Tower of Pisa, gazing at the majestic Mount Fuji. The scenes depicted a life of adventure and luxury, a stark contrast to the struggles she knew all too well.

Her scrutiny intensified as she reached for another photograph. To her astonishment, it captured a moment shared with that woman named Colleen. The very same Colleen who, moments ago, appeared in front of her as if it were the most casual thing.

As Ellen gazed at the photo, a chill ran down her spine. Colleen Winters. The name sounded familiar, and suddenly, it clicked. Colleen Winters was not just a random person—she was a character in the online novel Ellen had been reading right before the accident.

Ellen… Winters? Shit…

As the weight of the revelation settled on her shoulders, Ellen couldn't shake the growing suspicion. It sounded crazy, downright unbelievable even, but the signs were too glaring to ignore. Was she being transported into the very novel she had been reading?!