The Deadlands

Chapter 7 - In Her Dreams

Morning came too soon. Lili stared at her naked body in the mirror. With her right arm held across her chest, she turned to check the extent of her injuries. The massive bruise, that covered most of her back, was half the size it was yesterday. Every remaining bruise was yellowy-green, like week old injuries. She brushed the pad of her thumb down her arm. Small scabs from scratches and a layer of dead skin flaked away to leave soft, perfect skin beneath.

Deeper cuts remained tender. Some with new, pink skin, but many had large, dark scabs. She glided a fingertip across the two thick, circular scabs near her shoulder. A constant, deep, gnawing pain inside her shoulder limited movement and she still needed a sling. Two more circular scabs on her back matched perfectly, like two poles had pierced her body. Her brain conjured a black dragon and talons.

With her nose close to the mirror, she scowled. "Stop it. Dragons don't exist." A patch white of mist obscured her face. She lowered her head. Did Myka see how I hurt my shoulder?

As she reached for her wrist bag, her dreams replayed in her head. The never-ending black fog. Glimpses of a man-shaped shadow with Myka's bright green eyes. She tried to find him through the fog and called out but was unable to get close. It was infuriating. She woke exhausted, like she ran to Mount Doon'an and back.

She studied the vial in her hand and held it up to the sunlight that streamed through the small window. The purple liquid sparkled and shifted like it was alive. Lili still breathed, so it wasn't poison, but she hesitated to take her morning dose. Temple Guard or not, trusting someone with those markings was unwise. He witnessed her criminal activities. It would only take testimony from Myka, corroborated by the doctor, to guarantee Lili a lifetime of hard labour in the Deadlands.

She glanced at her reflection. There was no doubt about the tonic's miraculous healing qualities. Her ankles were fine, and much of her body's stiffness was gone. Only her shoulder, and the inability to use both arms, kept her from life as normal. She frowned at the vial. If she continued treatment, she could work and hunt sooner. Myka showed nothing but concern and kindness, was her distrust logical? Maybe her dreams were nothing to do with the tonic, and everything to do with her desire to unravel the mystery around the enigmatic healer. If she followed his instructions, she would heal quicker and she might get her questions answered.

She swallowed the sweet liquid. With the empty vial back in her bag, she took out Myka's note and read it through four times. Each time she lingered on the final sentence. I look forward to seeing you again, and I hope one day I will earn your trust. He sounded less intent on causing harm, and more like someone who sought a friendship. Friends with a marked one? She giggled. Oh no, this again? She grinned and embraced the elation caused by the tonic. She washed and dressed, with difficulty, but smiled and giggled between grimaces.

When she stepped into the cottage a delicious aroma filled the small space. She breathed deeply. It smelled like broth, but she detected meat. With Uncle Lex absent, she checked the simmering pot. Rabbit? Probably more than one rabbit by the amount of meat.

The front door opened. Uncle Lex entered with an armful of logs. "Good afternoon, sleepynog. I was about to check on you again." He paused. "You look well, the long sleep did you good."

Lili smiled as she sat at the table. "I feel much better today. Did you go hunting?"

"No," he said and stacked the logs by the fireplace. "It's a funny thing. When I checked on you this morning, I found two rabbits hanging from the ladder to the loft. There was a note, but I've no idea who it's from. I cooked them up in case they were delivered to the wrong house." He took a piece of paper from the mantle and handed it to Lili when he sat beside her. "We can't give back what we don't have."