Lara and The Mansion in the Woods

The Fletchers

I woke up in a bed with the worse headache I ever had in my whole life. I feel normal now, except I can’t feel my face. Everything is now bright and clean.

“Here drink this. This will ease your headache”, Mr. Albert gave me a bowl of tea. I looked and smelled it first to make sure it’s not something nasty. After I drank it, the whole bright room return to its normal state. A musty old cavern like storage.

“What’s in this?”

“Trust me you don’t want to know. Feeling better? It’s because of the Amorseco I planted there and watered it with a special potion I brew. Anyone who gets pricket by its spikes will make them temporarily see the opposite of the real thing. Symptoms are headaches, nausea, dizziness and…”

“And what?”

“Delusions. Don’t worry, the tea you just drink has the antidote. It will pass in a matter of minutes”

I looked at him still trying to absorb all of these things that’s happening to me. Silence surrounded us.

“So.. All of these… Is real?”

“Look. I know this is hard to take in but it’s the truth. I won’t lie to you about that. —He looked me straight in the eye— I need you to be strong, Lara. You’re the only one who can save yourself from this place”

"I trusted them! I looked up to them even if from the start, they don't give me much attention. I held onto the hope they gave me to the changes they can bring to my life!", I felt a tear run down my cheeks. I hate this. This weakness. I hate that I easily cry over things that happen to me. Mr. Albert saw how devastated I am, he pat my back to try and comfort me. This feels like my parents died the second time. "I hate to burst your bubble, but I have to tell you these things before its too late. Eilif warned you about something and she's right". I wiped my tears off and tried to keep my composure. Nothing will happen if I stay weak and innocent about the things that's happening around me. If Mr. Albert can guide me through this, that's more than enough to give me strength. I fought my demons alone, and I'm still fighting it now. I can go through this.

"Please. Tell me what I have to know"

"But if I tell you, there's no holding back"

"I'm ready"