Return to the Meadow

Chapter Nine: A Restless Night

After inspecting the clothes Damian had brought in, Liza had to admit it wasn’t bad. Not bad at all. There was a gorgeous cashmere sweater she’d love to try on, but suddenly Liza felt a familiar pang of hesitation. She rarely indulged in luxurious pieces like this, always prioritizing practicality over extravagance. Yet, as she held the sweater against her body, she imagined the way it would caress her skin, offering both warmth and elegance. Perhaps it was time to let go of her reservations, if only for a moment. It’s not like Damian’s ex-wife would barge through the door to claim it back, she told herself.

Eventually, she decided to save the sweater for tomorrow, and picked one of the nightgowns. They were all a bit too revealing for her taste, especially since she was in the company of a man that wasn’t her husband, so she grabbed the one that was the most suitable for the situation. It was silky and when she touched its soft fabric it felt amazing on her skin.

“I’m going to get changed,” Liza said, hoping Damian would catch on and leave. He did, reluctantly and they wished each other a good night. “If there’s anything you need, I’ll be in the room next door.”

“I’ll be fine, but thanks,” Liza held the doorknob in her hand, slowly closing the door as he passed the threshold, “and thanks for the clothes as well, I really appreciate it.” She did, and it wasn’t her intention to be rude and kick him out of the room, but she really wanted to be alone. To ensure he wouldn’t be offended, she looked him in the eye - which she knew he’d like - and said with a voice sweet like honey, “good night, Damian.”

Without waiting for his reaction, Liza closed the door. With her head resting against the door, feeling the rough wooden structure on her skin, she inhaled deeply. It had been a long day. She was tired and desperate for a good night of sleep. Her eye fell upon the cashmere sweater, and it felt as if it was calling for her. Pushing herself away from the door, Liza walked over to the bed and took the beautiful sweater in her hands. She gently rubbed its fabric against her cheek, it felt like her face was caressed by… A scent reached her and instantly a wave of comfort rushed through her entire body. Liza pushed her nose into the fabric and inhaled deeply. She didn’t recognize the scent, but it triggered something inside of her. It felt like a warm embrace, a motherly touch. The warm feeling left her body as quickly as it had entered, and Liza longed for it to return. She inhaled the scent multiple times but without any result. It was hard to admit, but she could use a hug right now. A mental image of Nate’s face popped up in her mind, the one person she’d love to be held by. If today’s events had gone differently, she’d be home right now, locked in the tight grip of his strong arms. Instinctively Liza wrapped her arms around herself, but it didn’t have the effect she hoped for. She knew that if she’d go to the room next door and ask Damian if he could hug her, he would. But it wasn’t the time nor place for such extreme requests, so instead, Liza carefully stripped down, hanging the delicate dress down the back of a chair to prevent creases. She slipped the nightgown over her head and purposely avoided her reflection in the mirror. Quickly, she crossed the room and climbed into the huge bed. The gentle embrace of the heavy covers cocooned her, offering a momentary respite from the world outside. Underneath the warmth of the blankets, Liza’s mind churned with a mix of emotions. As she closed her eyes, she allowed her imagination to whisk her away to a world of peace and calm. Tired from the events of the day, Liza dozed off within seconds, though it was not the peaceful night of sleep she had hoped for.

Instead, her restless mind was plagued by a series of haunting dreams and mysterious visions. Liza found herself trapped in the realm of dreams where the surrounding scenery shifted unpredictably. One moment, she found herself in a sunlit meadow, surrounded by an abundance of vibrant flowers, their sweet scent caressing her senses. But in a cruel twist, the idyllic scene would abruptly transform into a desolate wasteland, with nothing but withered trees and crumbling ruins stretching into the distance. Throughout the shifting she heard a distant voice calling. It wasn’t long before Liza realized the voice was calling her name. Liza's heart raced as every fiber of her being became attuned to the mysterious voice. It started as a faint whisper, barely more than the gentle gushes of wind that stroked her face.

Liza tried to focus and listened carefully to where the sound was coming from. She took several steps in one direction and was happy to learn the sound grew louder. Filled with curiosity and excitement, she took up the pace to see if she could fine whoever had been calling her, but just as quickly as joy engulfed her, a cruel twist of fate swiftly unraveled the once idyllic scene around her. Once again, the meadow's brilliance flickered, and Liza's surroundings morphed into a haunting wasteland. The vibrant flowers that had adorned the landscape with their vivid hues transformed into withered remnants, their petals crumbling into dust beneath her feet. Liza frantically scanned the desolation stretching out before her, her heart heavy with despair. The sun that had bathed the meadow in golden warmth was overshadowed by dark, ominous clouds. The air grew heavy. Liza's ears strained to catch the sound of the persisting voice that had called out to her. The voice that now seemed to echo from some distant place.

Desperate to uncover the source of the calling, Liza pressed forward with determination. It was getting harder to breathe. The thick air filled her lungs and as she was gasping for air, Liza felt her body succumb to the pressure. She fell to her knees, but somehow Liza managed to position her body upright, her hands desperately trying to get hold of the invisible rope that had wrapped itself around her throat. The distant voice grew nearer, giving Liza a glimmer of hope. Frantically scanning her surroundings, hoping to find the source of the calling, Liza was temporarily distracted from her battle and her invisible opponent seized the opportunity to bring her down.