12.1.2 Torment

You feel your stomach drop at the thought of someone seeing you in your current state. Quickly scrambling to your feet, you try to wipe the remnants of blood from your face as you hobble to the front door. Unfortunately, due to your cast, by the time you make it outside there is no sign of anyone. Shivering slightly, you can't tell if the temperature has dropped or your fever has returned. Either way you decide it's best to return inside. Even once inside you can't seem to escape the sudden chill. Glancing down at your disheveled form you wearily make your way to the bathroom. Forgoing the Doctors warnings regarding your cast, you decide a bath is in order. The small room quickly fills with the scent of lavender as the bath is drawn. Taking care not to submerge your casted leg or arm, you slowly sink into the waters warm depth. You can feel the majority of your stress and grime wash away as the soothing liquid continues to envelope you. You spend a few minutes washing the remainder of sweat and blood from your frame.

Once finished, you lean back against the tub and try to further clear your mind. You hadn't anticipated the bath providing you this much relief. Regardless, you find your breath growing deep as your eyelids become heavier. Feeling the effects of slumber coming, you attempt to rouse yourself. Despite your efforts, it's not long before your eyes slip closed. Initially, you're not aware you've fallen asleep. When your eyes reopen you see you're still partially submerged in sudsy bath water. However, upon further inspection you realize something isn't right. The tub you're in is much larger than the one in your apartment. Additionally, and more alarming, the cast from your arm and leg seem to be removed. Taking advantage of your temporarily gained free movement, you sit up further in the tub. A slight frown crosses your face as you take in the scene before you.

It certainly must be a dream as the room you're in definitely isn't your bathroom. You can hardly make out the walls around you, if there are any, as if they are obscured completely by darkness. This might not be so odd were it not for the abundance of lit candles strewn about the edge of the tub and various pieces of furniture. At first you're distracted by the candles as you try to discern why their light appears so stunted. However, as you continue glancing around your attention is quickly drawn elsewhere. After sitting up fully your eyes make contact with the large mirror stationed directly in front of the tub. It's an older style of mirror, one you might have seen over a hundred years ago. However, instead of being mounted on the wall, it stands up right on the floor. The deep, dark wood framing has a slight reddish under hue and a complex design etched all around.

You've just begun studying the design when you feel your breath catch. Though you can't see anything or anyone, you can distinctively sense a presence behind you. A deep shiver runs down your spine as you stare at the darkness's reflection. Your heart quickly skips a beat when you see something begin to emerge from the shadows. Breathing out slowly, you're unsure whether to feel alarmed or relieved when you recognize it to be the figure from your previous dream, their long, dark cloak still covers their hulking figure.

"It's you." The sound of your voice seems to echo lightly in the large space.

The figure remains silent but dips their hooded head forward in what appears to be affirmation. You continue to watch the figure's reflection warily as they keep approaching. Though your skin is crawling you dare not look back and face them fully. The figure stops when they are standing directly behind you. The water in the tub seems to grow ice cold the moment they arrive. This time the cold seems to follow as you find yourself shivering fervently.

'What do you want?" You question, hoping to quickly resolve whatever issue plagues your mind enough to conjure this scene.

The figure remains silent and still as they continue standing behind you. You try your best to ignore the increasing discomfort the cold has brought forth. Eventually, the temperature and silence is too much to stand. Despite your apprehension, you **** yourself to turn and face the figure.

"Well?" You demand desperately, using your arms to keep yourself decent.

"What do you want?"

The voice you hear in your mind is unlike that from your first dream. Instead of a cacophony of voices sounding together one clear, deep voice rings through.

"What do I want?" You repeat somewhat thoughtfully before raising your gaze to where the figure's face would be. "I want to know what is going on."

"If that is truly what you desire." The voice sounds in your head again in an even and placid tone. "I shall grant it."

Your back stiffens reflexively as the figure approaches further, their looming frame towering over your shivering form. Biting your lip, you wonder if you've made the right decision. It seems it's too late to turn back now as the figure reaches a pale hand forward. You flinch slightly when clammy fingers press against your forehead. Before you can even think to react, a sudden wave of memories rush to your mind. Some of your own, such as the details of your crash. Though the face of the figure who saved you is still obscured. Others seem strange and confusing as the majority appear to feature a plethora of blood and ****. Then as quickly as they came, the visions end. Blinking up at the figure you cock your head slightly as you gaze up at their hidden face.

"You are the person who rescued me." You breathe out softly.

The figure nods their head again before moving to pull their hand away. Without thinking, you quickly reach up to stop them. This time their fingers feel comfortably warm in your hands, reminding you just how cold you've grown. Slipping your fingers around the warm appendage, you press the palm of their hand against your cheek. You let out a deep, audible sigh as you feel instant heat spread across your face. Though you can't see an expression, you sense mild confusion and apprehension from the figure.

"Please," You're surprised to hear yourself say when you then begin to pull away again. "Don't leave."

The figure pauses for a moment as they seem to regard you thoughtfully. You can feel your heart pounding in your chest as you consider what you're doing. Your fingers are still partially interlocked with the figures as half their palm continues to rest against your cheek.

"If that is what you desire."

You hadn't anticipated feeling so relieved by their answer. Breathing out slowly you offer them a small smile.

"I never had the chance to thank you." Even if it's only a dream you feel at peace around your unknown savior.

"Thank me?" The voice repeats in your mind. "I suppose you see it as a blessing, for now."

"You saved my life." You reaffirm, tightening your grip on their hand. "It is a blessing."

"You are a naive, young one." The voice continues, letting in the first hint of emotion you've heard thus far - impatience. "Think about what I showed you again."

Frowning, you oblige and reluctantly revisit the scenes of bloodshed and carnage. As you mull over the images you begin to notice something quite alarming. None of the slaying appears to stem from the traditional type of weapon. Instead, all have been inflicted by bite or scratch. Your brow creases further as the images in your mind become more clear. Visions of persons biting and tearing into flesh flood your mind Gasping, you quickly shake yourself back to the relative present.

"I'm dreaming." You quickly state, releasing the figure's hand. "And feeling guilty for... for that day."

"Is that all it is?" The figure questions, their hand sliding down your face towards your neck.

You quickly stiffen, remembering the results of your last strange dream. The figure's hand continues down past your jugular where it stops along your collarbone.

"Yes." You breathe out softly.

You're hardly aware of the words leaving your lips as the figure's warm fingers gently slide against your cold skin. Goosebumps form across your flesh as you ache for more of their touch.

"There is something else you desire."

A deep blush quickly forms over your face as the figure appears to read your thoughts. Quickly drawing away, you place your arms more firmly over your chest as you flounder for words.

"I will grant it... soon."

Your eyes widen in surprise as the figure reaches out and grabs onto you. Unable to fight back, you're roughly **** back into the tub. Gasping, you feel water rush into your mouth as you're submerged. Flailing your arms about you struggle against the unseen ****. After nearly too long a moment, you're able to break free. **** and sputtering, you sit up quickly. Water is spat back up as you cough and gasp for breath. Still trying to regain composure, you hastily push back wet hair to find yourself returned to your bathroom, completely alone.