Torn

A room to rest within

A dark brown dresser with a stack of spiritual books, a wide four-postered bed, an engraved closet in its corner, and its walls decorated with nature drawings, information about herbs, and thick burgundy curtains that block the sunlight before the stained glass windows.

'It's a bit basic, but I know you don't mind Sky.'Mark mentions as he takes a black box out of the closet. Ian glances from the box to Andrew. 'It might be better if you return later, dear.'Ian says. He kisses Andrew's forehead, a blue kiss print sinks away in Andrews's forehead a moment later. Andrew nods and closes the door behind him, Ian guides me to the attached bathroom.

'So what do you think? We stay here for a few days, we learn to know the villagers before we visit Mark's parents.'Ian says as he glides his hand over the tiled wall to the large bathtub. 'I thought we were in a hurry.'I answer with a frown.

'Hurry, yes, we were... but not to meet his parents. It would be a few days until the new moon rises. Better wait till then as they are planning a small gathering.'Ian mentions, his nerves audible in his tone. 

'Alright. That sounds good, but... would they want me there, the other guests?' I ask trying to make sense of the situation. 'They have to, they don't have much of a choice while visiting the family of the high priest.'Ian replies. 

'What about the refugee center? They think I would only be away for a weekend.'I ask as I notice Ian biting the lining of his cheek.
'Time passes on different pacing here compared with the human civilization. Just beware of the jet lack... haha.'Ian jokes, with concerned eyes.

'I see...'I reply.
'That's the reason why we normally would have taken the ferry, yet we were too late... poor Mark used a lot of strength to bring us here.' Ian explains.

I turn my head to the bedroom, Mark's back is turned to me while he fidgets with the black case. Taking objects out and rests them on the bronze plateau in front of him. His broad back obscures my sight.

'Th- The bell, it's not for time indication, yet for the days until the new moon.'Ian mentions, I glance at him and nod. 'So only four days until I meet the family?'I ask. Ian hums, his worried look turns my stomach.

'No need to be nervous as there is plenty of time to learn the etiquettes... Just joking, of course. Like dear Andrew said, as long as you can stand their jokes and remain honest.'Ian says with a smile.

'What I don't understand is... Why did we need to hurry?' I ask.Mark rests his hand on my shoulder, his light green eyes stand out in the dull lit room. 'We had our reasons...'Mark says mysteriously.'Our concerns.'Mark adds as a blue glow appears on the inside of his hand. A soft moan echoes from my lips, my head heavy.

'It's alright, darling, don't fight it.'Mark states as he picks me up. My vision fades in and out of clarity, in a flash I see a long plastic tube, a rubber band, and an old metal needle beside the bed. I growl and try to break free of Mark's arms. Mark carefully lays me onto the bed while Ian rushes to the side of the bed and helps mark to chain me onto it.

I ramble the handcuffs. Audio fades out, and my vision hazes once more. 'I'm here, Sky. We're sorry.'Ian whispers as he grabs my hand, a green hue beams off of his hand, disappearing into mine. 
'It will be better soon.'Mark adds while he distracts blood out of his arm with the needle and tube. My eyes water, my body paralysed.
He whispers enchantments, ordering his blood to flow away from his body and through the tube, Like water through a creek, calm yet determined.

Ian takes the tube, his eyes pleading an apology. A tear rolls down my cheek. 

'Enjoy your rest, Sky, we will take good care of you.' Ian says. He kisses my temple, I black out.