Laila (Reborn Trilogy, Book I)

Part 2. A New Life.

VI.

Once they were out of the bustling place, both seemed to relax almost immediately; They walked hand in hand, taking advantage of every dimly lit corner to kiss and touch, but without going any further, that only increased the sexual tension between them, and yet, neither dared yet to take the next step.

—We are a bit far, but I would like to show you a place in the park, that has become especial for me. I feel some sort of... Connection with it.

—Okay.

When they reached the park, Damian guided her to the place where he came across the Bethesda terrace and the Angel of the Waters, which had become a vague yet nostalgic memory of his life, although he wasn't sure completely of it.

—The Bethesda fountain? —Laila looked at the structure.

—I know it will sound crazy, but when I first found this place, I felt a lot of emotions, it was overwhelming, for some odd reason, I feel unable to return all the affection and care that the Sherwoods have given me since they found me, and opened their home for me, but now, it's like a part of my past has fallen into place, I felt at peace for the first time, do you understand what I mean?

—Yeah, it's something similar to what happened to me, when we first met —Laila smiled at him, and caressed his face— Do you remember the necklace you found that night? The lotus that I always carry hanging from my neck?

—Of course, how could I forget? —he caressed the jewel, with his fingers.

—Well, it seems to me that this little guy, it brought us together, because the story with the person who gave it to me, has already completed its cycle.

—An ex boyfriend? —Damian asked, slightly upset.

—Yeah, but you have nothing to worry about —Laila kissed his cheek —like I said, that's all over, and you are my priority now.

—You are also mine —he hugged her gently.

The two walked a little more through the lonely park, until a light drizzle forced them to speed up and head home. That night, Damian stayed with his parents, they watched a movie together, ate pizza, and then he went to bed. At midnight, his dreams were disturbed by terrible images: what at first seemed an idyllic, beautiful place, some sort of paradise, was quickly distorted by the attack of dark beings, with fierce red eyes, black torn robes, and huge gray wings, they had the appearance of bloodthirsty demons.

Damian looked around in confusion, and saw terror grow on the faces of those he considered his family. Although one of them, with fiery red hair, stepped forward and faced them, thus initiating a bloody battle where many lives were sacrificed, among them, that of the brave warrior with hair of fire, which Damian didn't recognize, but he turned out to be Phyro, who was once part of the first offensive line of soldiers to whom he once belonged.

Seconds later, the scene changed; this time, he saw himself down on his knees, in the middle of a spacious, bright room, when trying to get up, he felt an excruciating pain in his back and when looking over his right shoulder, he found a large, open wound, bleeding profusely. Subsequently, his eyes followed the trail of blood that led him to a pair of wings laying on the floor, stained in a deep crimson.

As he reached out his arm to touch them, a sharp pain paralysed him, in that instant, the scene changed for the third time, and now, Damian could see two women around him, pulling him back and forth, while they smeared essential oils and tinctures that hurt his already very sensitive skin, which they molded it as if he were a clay statue. When they finished, Damian was aching and exhausted, and yet, the appearance of a new individual kept his body tense. At first, he couldn't understand the language the stranger was speaking, but somehow, he heard himself respond to his command, even though he didn't feel entirely confident about it.