She’s still breathing.
Will she wake up?
Reena Reeeeena Reeeeennnnna Reeeeennnnnaaaaa.
Wake up, Reena.
We can’t see without you.
We need you.
A soft warmth holds her with the scent of honey and lemon nearby. A gentle wave of a welcoming feeling of comfort.
It is all unfamiliar. It’s not the safety of her castle of loneliness under the broken tree at the algid mountain’s peak.
Hush.
Where is she?
Let her rest.
Can she hear us? Heh, heh.
Reena…?
Useless.
No evidence of soil or cold left. Any traces of frostbite treated, and abrasions that were numb from the searing cold are wrapped. The linen that holds her is warm, and the curtains of her eyes rise like the sun to reveal her nearly void eyes with the space beyond the world seeming to color them as they always have.
She’s awake.
Where are we?
What is she doing?
Why is she just laying there?
Reena, get up.
Are you ok?
Slowly she began to lift her arm, flinching with familiar pain, but it was duller than normal. She managed to bring her hand to her forehead, and she breathed out a gentle sigh, happy it was not as much as a struggle as it had been.
Do you hear it? Footsteps in the hall, and a tap.
Tap step step, tap step step, tap step step.
Is it a hall? Or another room.
Maybe you’ll become a toy.
At least you wouldn’t be useless then.
Panic rose in her chest, making her head throb as a faint persistent ringing announced its presence. Her widening eyes flew to the door as its handle turned.
Are you scared?
You should be! Hehe!
It’s going to open.
Run! Hahahaha! So sad.
Where’s his sword, Reena?
Her eyes darted around the room. It was scarce with a small nightstand sat beside the head of the bed with a simple wooden chair to keep it company, and caddied in the far corner was an old wardrobe.
Is it in there?
Run for it.
She doesn’t have enough time.
She won’t make it.
She can’t.
Useless.
She tried to sit up, but was only met with fatigue and pain.
“Now, now.” a voice crooned as the door opened, and her eyes darted to him. He was an old man with a cane in one hand that he used in a hunched fashion, heavily relying on it, causing him to sway like a lizard as he shuffled towards her. In his other hand was a cup of tea, and upon his face was a gentle smile framed by the smooth beard that softened his gaunt cheeks. “Calm yourself, child. You were in a bad way, and looked like you could use some tea.” he added while lifting his bushy eyebrows - which held more hairs than his bald dome - to look upon her for a moment before softly gesturing with the teacup he held.
Watch yourself, Reena.
Be wary.
He’s going to kill you when he figures out what you are.
Run away.
Breathe.
He’s going to take advantage of you.
“Oh my…” he sighed while looking into her fear frozen eyes, and he placed the tea on the nightstand before sitting down. “Let me start with introductions. I doubt you remember me introducing myself the first time when I brought you into my shop.” he hummed as her eyes widened.
Jasmine tea… A spoonful of lemon and two of honey.
First time?
Second introductions.
I don’t remember.
I can’t recall.
Shop? What is this shop?
“I am Ikko.” he happily introduced himself with a wrinkled smile, “And this is the second floor of my tea shop; Teas of Omnia.”
Teas of Omnia?
Teas of Everything.
He’s different.
You’re different.
He’ll turn on you when he finds out.
Just like everyone else.
He gently placed a hand on her forehead while closing his eyes for a moment with contemplation settling in his face. Then after a moment, his eyes opened with a welcoming smile.
“Your fever’s gone down.” he sighed in relief. “It was real touch-n-go there for a bit, but I should have known you’d pull through. After all, you’ve never been lacking in perseverance have you?” he teased with a friendly smile.
Who is he?
How does he know?
He’s been watching youuuuu.
Waiting for you, Reena.
Plotting.
Just like they always do, and always will.
“Reena.” Ikko spoke softly.
With a gentleness that only love could bring, Ikko helped her to sit up.
With nothing left to fight with, she accepted whatever ill fate he had prepared her.
“Here is some tea, dear.” he smiled while offering her the cup with one hand, and his other on her back to aid her, but she simply stared at the cup.
Drink it.
Don’t, it’ll be just like the plant.
Which one? Hahahaha
That’s how he is going to kill you.
You need to run away.
You need to rest.
“It’s not poison or drugged.” Ikko assured her before taking a sip of it himself then offering it back to her. Her eyes flickered between the cup and him.
The sweet flowery aroma welcomed her for a taste. Its scent saturating the room that he so kindly allowed her to rest in. All his actions spoke of warmth and care.
A potent scent to hide a possible weapon. The room unfamiliar, and his true intentions unknown.
What are you doing, Reena?
So tired. So hungry.
The pain gnawing away.
Tremors that the sugar may sate.
Ask for food.
Take a leap.
Her timid, unsteady hands accepted the cup as he continued to aid her in lifting it to her lips. Slowly she drank a shallow sip, and she was able to feel every bit it traveled until reaching her stomach. The fear in her eyes faltered with the reality of the sweet drink. She took another sip, long and deep, wishing to down it before it could disappear, but then he pulled the cup away.
“Take it easy, Reena.” Ikko smiled softly, “I’ll bring you some crackers to go with it along with some warm water, but you need to take it easy. It does nothing for your recovery if you throw it up.” he snickered, but there was a gentle whisper of a scolding or warning in his soft voice.
Listen to him.
Perge with the root, or perish.
Drink and eat.
He will turn on you.
Then rest.
Fall asleep, and you’ll never wake up.
I’m so tired.
You keep trying.
Hehehehahahahaha!
Oh, Reena Reena Reena! So cute! So naive.
What is she doing?
She’s drinking the tea.
Where is he going?
Step step, tap. Step step, tap. Step step, tap.
For the crackers.
Why does a tea shop have crackers?
Eat the crackers, Reena.
Why is a tea shop housing you?
Surely he’s poisoned them. Heh heh
You’re useless.
Poisoned, you’ll die.
You need rest.
Starving, you’ll die.
Decisions, decisions, and all of them wrong.
Just breathe.
Hahahahahaha!
Hush.
Whispers.
Let her rest.
Comments (2)
See all