The smell of fresh coffee was the first thing that embraced her senses. She still hasn't turned on thinking mode... as if there's some kind of switch when she wants to wake up and start her day. But she couldn't control her mind this time. It was like floating in a wide, white space and nothing was around her. There were no people, no thoughts, no objects, just an endless luminous expanse. And the scent of coffee... mixed with something familiar.
Oh yes, she slowly recognized the smell of tobacco. She tried to inhale it, but it was too weak and distant. What she would give now to be able to light a cigarette, to hear the sound of the lighter when it clicks and to feel the caress of tobacco on her tongue in a few seconds! Then she would firmly inhale and fill her lungs with that greyish smoke and her brain would also be hit with a sweet blast. The smoke would improvise a subtle dance around her following the pace of Cantabile and gently dissolve after some moments.
The feeling of floating evaporated in the same instant when she opened her sleepy eyes. The obscurity of the room contrasted with her white vision and it brought some confusion. Usually, it happens in reverse when we open our eyes. Eventually, when her sight got used to the semi-darkness she could recognize a wooden chair with a wicker back, a simple wooden table, a closed door and a small opening in the wall, which should serve as a window. The stone walls were unpainted and on the uneven stone floor, she saw a towel and a bucket. She started to feel nausea, headache, and rapid heartbeat. Where is she? Fear took hold of her, and in addition to the nausea and headache, she began to sweat. Her breath became shallower. Somehow she dragged herself to the small window and saw almost nothing. Only stones, dry vegetation and the sea in the distance.
She was in a panic. The wooden table and chair were spinning around the room and made her sit on the floor, holding her head in her hands. The voice she heard from behind the door didn't help her to calm down. It was the voice of that middle-aged but strong man, with a beard and moustache talking with someone in Italian. Her heart started to beat even faster as she clearly remembered what happened. He was carrying her in his arms climbing the steep stone stairs and although she tried to scream and defend herself she was too weak to do anything. This was the last thing she saw before she lost consciousness.
If she was kidnapped and kept in this prison, maybe her family can save her. They have to find her, wherever she is. They would do whatever is needed to liberate her, but what if they gave her to this man? It still exists, that parents give their daughters to an unknown man. She read about those pre-arranged marriages but would never imagine it could happen actually to her. Her parents were wealthy and respectable citizens although they lived as a normal, modern family on the outskirts of Sidney.
And what about her boyfriend, Michael? Why didn't he try to save her? They had a good time, she remembered all the concerts they visited together, the violin music he was composing and her performances of the same pieces at the University where she was doing her doctoral dissertation. He complained sometimes about why she works so many hours and focuses on projects that last for years. But it would not be a reason to let her down and leave this weird man to take her. He wouldn't let it happen.
If only she had her belongings with her and her cell phone, she would call him or her parents... or the police, just to find out what was happening. And a doctor as the nausea was still present, she felt again so dizzy...
...
Miss Smith, how do you feel? Are you better today? Can I come in?
First of all, we are so sorry for all the inconvenience you had to go through... and that we didn't inform you earlier about this little boat trip where you got seasick. You know how it is... this project has to remain secret. The media can't know about it, it would ruin our investigation. We hope you understand that this little Mediterranean island can't be in the media spotlight at the moment.
An island? A boat?
Yeah... Nobody knows about the existence of this place and the stone palace. If you remember we rented a small boat to get here. The manuscripts that were found in the basement - you have to see them right now, it will help you get better. Come on, the other researchers are waiting for you so we can start to investigate and prove it was Niccolò Paganini who wrote these unpublished pieces and hid them in this piece of land, surrounded just by the water. We need your knowledge, and this is your life chance to progress and launch yourself into the highest academic circles. By the way, your breakfast is waiting for you!
Oh... yes. Yes, I am coming, right now. Can you prepare my violin and my bag, please? I have my medication there... I will be down in one moment!
