A Little Sane

Chapter 158

"Mercedes come to me. Come."

Her vision was blurry, but she could tell she was walking down a long corridor. Almost that of a medieval castle. She shut her eyes tightly for a moment when they encountered the flames of a lit torch.

"Come to me."

Her vision was still blurry, but cleared as she entered a large room. Several monk like figures watched her try to grasp her surroundings. A stone table set in middle of the floor. It was at the center of an ancient symbol. A man centered himself in front of her. His hazel eyes were piercing. His facial structure set in a perfectly serious manner. Mercedes could feel a slight pain in her head.

"What's going on..?"

"It's alright. Come. Let me heal your face child."

Mercedes stared at him confused.

"My.. my face?"

As she spoke she suddenly felt pain radiating from the corners of her mouth. Her hand slowly reached towards her pain. The man gently grabbed her wrist.

"Oh no. Don't touch it. You'll hurt yourself."

"What happened to me?"

The man guided her towards a full body mirror.

"Come. Observe."

Her face became clear in her reflection. She backed away with a heavy gasp. 

"You need stiches dear child."

A perfectly cut, fresh, and bloody smile was staring back at her. the corner of her mouth cut to almost the middle of her cheeks. 

Jerome...

Mercedes turned to the man frightened.

"How did this happen...?"

"My dear, don't you remember?"

Mercedes' eyes were cloudy again. When they cleared she was standing in their apartment. She gasped when her and Jerome came walking through the living room fighting. They were screaming at each other. Mercedes had started to cry. Jerome rolled his eyes annoyed and laughed.

"Are you really crying again?! This depressing, boring and mood killing shit?!"

"I- I just don't want to fight with you anymore.. I hate it.. It breaks my heart.."

She flashed to what she assumed to be later in the night. Everything had clamed down. She was sitting on the couch when Jerome cautiously set next to her. He slowly handed her a cup. 

"Apology hot chocolate...?"

Mercedes watched herself as she couldn't help the small smile that formed on her face. She watched herself grab the cup and she was suddenly no longer watching. She was the version of herself in the vision. Jerome gave her a weak smile, asking her to forgive him and drink the liquid chocolate. She sighed as she took a sip. The familiar delicious taste coated her throat. She smiled once the cup was empty. She turned to Jerome who was smiling and for a moment she thought his smile had malicious intent behind it. A couple of more minutes went by and she started to feel dizzy. She couldn't sit up straight. Her vision was blurry, but she could make out Jerome's wicked grin. She went to fall forward and instinctively grabbed ahold of Jerome like she would in any situation. 

"J.. baby.. I- I feel sick.."

Jerome gently pulled her to a stand. She fell towards him and he caught her as if he was really trying to help.