Willow in the Woods: Guarding the Willow

Chapter 10

Willow

*Warning*
Some parts may be triggering to some readers as there are brief depictions of domestic abuse and violence.

Willow had such an eventful night so far. Dinner had been steamed broccoli with cheese, and chicken fried steak (which she had never tried.) And homemade mashed potatoes and gravy.

Despite the heavy salt content, it was the best meal Willow had, had in years. Willow thought part of that might have been the company as well. She had never had a family gathered at a table together for dinner unless it was for the Holidays, and even then that was rare. Sylvia had even warmed dinner up for her and Dorian and had it ready for them as soon as they were all done unloading the jeep and putting it all in her new room. Her room was smaller than she was used to, but bigger than the hotel rooms she had stayed in on the way up here. And at the moment, it was rather barren, with only a rectangular antique wooden dresser pushed up to the wall by the door and the new bed that Jojo had kindly put together for her, setting on the far side of the room with no blankets or sheets on it yet.

Willow was exhausted and sore. Her head had been throbbing for hours. It had started in the back where she had fell and the pain wrapped all the way around like a headband of nails. She could use a hot bath. She was told there was actually a bathroom that was attached to her room next to the closet. Willow considered going ahead and jumping in but she really needed to get a few things done, so she wouldn't have to worry about it between hot bath and bedtime. She had been so cold for so long, she was almost starting to get accustomed to the aches and pains and pins and needles. But she knew once she let her sore bones and muscles warm up, that it would take her little to no time to fall fast asleep. And Willow desperately needed a good night's rest. Willow unwound her braided hair and a sharp pain raced through her head again as she fluffed it out. It was like being shot in the back of the head and tearing straight through. Her vision became blurred for only a moment. Once she could see again she decided to take a couple Midol, then check out the bathroom before starting on making her bed up.

Willow grabbed the bags full of towels and bathroom supplies and headed to the bathroom door. She found out that the door on the left was a small stand in closet. It was a good thing she hadn't brought or bought much clothes. And the door on the right was the bathroom. She was afraid it would be quite small as well, but to a happy surprise it was actually spacious.

As she stepped in and found the light switch on the wall closest to her, she looked around. Much like the rest of the house, most everything was made out of either a dark wood or another type of wood that Sylvia had told her was called a knotty pine. It was lighter in color and had many grooves. It also had a more natural quality to it. The sink to her right had a light tan marble counter top and a dark brass faucet that gave it that rustic appeal that Willow was growing quite fond of. There was plenty of cabinet space and even a floor to ceiling cabinet she could store things in. It all looked super clean to the point it almost looked brand new. It even had that fresh wood smell to it.

To Willow's left was a toilet with a divider wall next to the bathtub. There was a small frosted double window over the tub that looked outside, but through the frosted glass, Willow was certain no one could see in any more in than she could see out.

The tub itself was massive. They could have fit three of her in there! Willow couldn't wait for the opportunity to soak in the nice hot pool of water. Tonight she would be adding bubbles. Lots and lots of bubbles. And Fizzy Bombs! She loved those things and had quickly snatched up 2 packages of vanilla and coconut that were on sale at the store. She had paired it with honey and vanilla bath soap, shampoo and conditioner.