Return to the Meadow

Chapter Four: Refreshed

With an entertained look on his face, Damian watched his guest jump to her feet, noticing she was trying to hide the fact her legs were wobbly and unsteady like a deer on ice. Without saying a word, he reached into his pocket and took his phone out. As Damian handed Liza the phone, a peculiar expression flickered across his face. "You should freshen up before leaving," he said, his voice tinged with a note of caution. Liza blinked, momentarily confused by his peculiar remark. She looked down to see what he meant, noting the wrinkles in her clothes that had settled in after hours of lying motionless in bed. Her hair, too, had likely transformed into a tangled mess.

"Why do I need to freshen up?" Liza asked, her tone betraying her annoyance. It was her husband she was about to see, and he’d seen her in worse shape than this.

Damian hesitated for a moment before responding, his gaze drifting to the cabinet in the back of the room. It held a secret, a collection of dresses he had carefully hidden, waiting for this moment. The dresses symbolized more than he could ever explain to her. Damian yearned for Liza to wear them, to see her radiate happiness as she twirled in its delicate fabric. He had spent many hours visualizing her in one dress in particular, its soft colors enhancing her delicate features. It had required him to expand his imagination by the lack of any visuals of her, but seeing her in the flesh, he realized he hadn’t been far off.

As he pondered his response, he figured it’d be best not to mention anything - yet. Instead, he watched Liza handle his phone with trembling fingers, dialing her husband's number. It was obvious she was hoping to hear his reassuring voice on the other end. But instead, an ominous robotic voice informed her: “The number you have dialed is no longer in service.”

Which Damian knew would happen. For as long as he could remember, he had possessed a unique gift: a sense of foresight that allowed him to see glimpses of what the future held. It was an odd sensation, this knowledge of what was to come. Damian had spent countless nights pondering why he was chosen to bear such a burden. But as the years passed and the prophecies he saw in his dreams began to unravel before his eyes, he couldn't deny the excitement that coursed through his veins. He had anticipated Liza’s arrival for months, ever since he experienced a surprisingly vivid vision of a woman who’d been gifted the power of the Universe. This special woman, unbeknownst of the power she possesses, would be his secret weapon in the greatest battle known to all intergalactic species.

"I need to go home," Liza voiced, her words heavy with fear. Panic danced in her eyes and concern etched her face. Damian hated seeing her like this, pained with worry about her husband. But he knew he had to endure it, for the time being. So he offered his assistance, promising to take her to Nate.

“Liza,” he said softly, his deep voice resonating with both concern and determination, “I understand that you’re worried about your husband. But before you go, you need to clean yourself up. You’ve been unconscious for three days. It’ll make you feel better.”

Again, Liza furrowed her brow in confusion, which caused an alarming reaction in the pit of Damian’s stomach. He knew she was vulnerable, but he wasn’t made of stone either, and this beautiful, delicate young woman, whom he had been waiting for, was finally within reach. Though she’d been asleep for days, the sweet aroma of her skin had filled the room and was a pleasure for his senses. Her presence had caused a ripple effect, like a stone thrown into the water, and whilst waiting for her to regain consciousness, Damian had spent most of his time contemplating how to carefully inform her of her new reality.

“Fine, I’ll get myself cleaned up.” After what felt like hours, Liza finally accepted his stretched-out hand and allowed him to guide her to the bathroom. Damian, gentle and patient, led her to the worn-out wooden stool next to the bathtub. After showing her the essentials, he lingered near the doorway.

"I'll be waiting right outside, Liza. Just give me a shout if you need anything,” Damian spoke with a soothing tone. Liza glanced at him, her eyes brimming with tears. A flicker of gratitude touched her heart.

After he closed the door behind him, Liza let out a sigh of relief. She stood up. Her hand carefully turned the lock, the soft click echoing in the confined space. Liza peered at the lock, her heart heavy by all the emotions and confusion.

Water began to flow from the faucet. As she leaned against the tiled wall, the sound of running water started soothing her troubled mind. Each droplet seemed to carry away a piece of her thoughts, one at a time. With trembling hands, she undressed herself.

Liza sank into the steaming hot water, finding solace in the comforting embrace of the bathtub. With her body aching and her mind heavy with worries, this private moment was much needed after all. As the warm water enveloped her, Liza could feel her muscles gradually relaxing, the tension slowly melting away.

She closed her eyes, allowing her body to fully surrender to the embracing waters. A faint fragrance of lavender wafted through the steamy air, its delicate scent further heightening the sense of serenity. In this moment, Liza found herself transported to the place her heart longed to be: home.

As the water cooled around her, Liza reluctantly stepped out of the tub. Drying herself with a fluffy towel, she couldn't help but feel a sense of renewal. The hot water had not only cleansed her body but her mind as well. The feeling of the soft fabric against her skin was comforting. Sighing, Liza realized that she had to put on the same outfit that she’d been wearing for the past three days. As quickly as her healing body allowed, Liza got dressed. The clothes, once her favorite, now seemed dull and crumpled. Each time she pulled the fabric over her body, she couldn't shake the feeling that she was dragging the past few days along with her. It wasn’t a pleasant feeling.

Liza contemplated her next move. For some reason she dreaded facing Damian, who said he’d be waiting for her on the other side of the door. There was something unsettling about him. But he had offered to take her home and she intended to keep him to that promise. Determined, she unlocked the door and opened it. To her surprise, the hallway was empty. As Liza made her way down the hallway, she couldn't help but notice the thick layer of dust on the banisters. A huge and moldy tapestry hung at the top of the stairs, which gave an eery vibe. Not liking the feeling her surroundings gave her, Liza quickly made her way back to the room she’d spent the past three days vast asleep.

Initially, the room appeared to be deserted, which confused Liza because she expected Damian to be waiting for her. Suddenly her eyes fell upon a tall figure standing in the back, next to a huge wooden cabinet, partially concealed by the shadows. Her scared heart skipped a beat. Taking a deep breath to steady herself, Liza slowly approached him. Feeling his gaze fixated upon her, Liza’s expression mirrored a mix of concern and determination. He had made her a promise and now that she had gotten herself freshened up, she wanted him to follow up on it. She could sense the intensity of his eyes, as though they were searching for something deep within her soul. To hide a rush of vulnerability, Liza wrapped her arms in front of her chest. In the middle of the room she came to a halt, feeling no desire to close the space between them. Lifting her head up and meeting his gaze, Liza feigned confidence while she spoke with a strong voice. “I’d like to go home, now.”