The Glossy Eyes

Chapter 13: Hidden memories

For a whole week, Nathaniel's work had consumed him, leaving him with little time for anything else. Each passing day, he felt a growing emptiness within, a void that could only be filled by the presence of a certain blind woman. He had grown accustomed to seeing Alannah at the hotel, their chance encounters becoming a small source of joy amidst the chaos of his responsibilities.

But as the days turned into a week, he couldn't ignore the longing that tugged at his heart. Unable to resist any longer, he decided to visit the hotel, hoping to catch a glimpse of Alannah. As he entered the familiar lobby, his gaze scanned the area, but she was nowhere to be found.

Anxiety settled in, his mind racing with thoughts of her well-being. He approached the reception desk, his voice tinged with concern. "Lisa, have you seen Alannah today? She usually comes here around this time."

The receptionist seemed surprise, her gaze shifting towards the terrace. "Yes, sir. She's actually on the terrace today. Her shift started earlier than usual."

Nathaniel's heart skipped a beat, relief flooding through him. He wasted no time, making his way towards the terrace, his strides quickened by a mix of anticipation and worry. As he stepped onto the open space, his eyes searched for her familiar figure.

There she was, sitting at the corner of the terrace, a bottle of vodka held loosely in her hand. Her presence radiated a quiet vulnerability, and his concern deepened. He approached her cautiously, the sound of his footsteps muffled by the soft breeze that swept across the rooftop.

As Alannah sat on the terrace, her senses dulled by the numbing effects of the vodka, she heard the faint sound of footsteps approaching. In her intoxicated state, her reflexes took over, and she flung her bag in the direction of the noise, accompanied by a slurred demand to leave her alone.

To her surprise, the person remained unperturbed, calmly taking a seat beside her. Alannah's alcohol-fueled haze slowly dissipating as she focused her senses. Recognition dawned upon her, and she mustered the energy to speak, her words slightly slurred.

"Who... who are you?" she asked, her voice wavering with a mix of curiosity and confusion.

Nathaniel sat quietly beside her, his presence a calming force amidst the chaos of her drunken mind. A small smile played at the corners of his lips as he observed her.

"You know, Alannah, it's me," he said, his voice gentle and warm.

Alannah squinted her blindfolded eyes, trying to comprehend his words. Her mind, though muddled, connected the dots, and a realization washed over her. She let out a tipsy laugh, followed by a playful accusation.

"Oh, so you're the one who got hit by your own toy gun or something?" she exclaimed, a hint of mischievousness in her tone. "And disappeared from the face of earth."

Nathaniel chuckled, the sound soothing to her ears. "No, I'm unscathed, I assure you. The guns don't work on an iron body."

Alannah's eyes widened for a moment, and then she burst into laughter, her drunken state amplifying her amusement. "Well, I guess I need your ironman suit"

They sat together in comfortable silence. Alannah, despite her inebriated state, felt a sense of ease and familiarity in Nathaniel's presence. The alcohol had stripped away some of her inhibitions, allowing her to express herself more openly.

Alannah blurted out, "Am I gone deaf too? You've been so quiet!"

Nathaniel chuckled, shaking his head. "No, Alannah, you're not deaf. I've just been enjoying your company."

Alannah's drunkenness began to give way to a flood of emotions, and she couldn't help but let her vulnerability show. She turned to Nathaniel with tear-filled eyes, her blindfold getting soaked and her voice trembling as she asked a question that had been weighing on her heart.

"Why can't you leave me alone, Nathaniel? Everyone else does," she whispered, her voice laced with a mix of sadness and frustration.

Nathaniel's brow furrowed, a shadow of concern crossing his face, but he remained attentive, allowing her to express her emotions. He understood the weight of her words and the depth of her feelings.

She wiped away a tear and, in an effort to lighten the mood, and before he could speak. She decided to divert the conversation. "What's your favorite color?" she asked, her voice filled with curiosity.

Nathaniel paused for a moment, pondering the question. "Green," he replied.

Alannah scrunched her nose, feigning disapproval. "Green is not a good color, you know."

Nathaniel raised an eyebrow, genuinely curious. "Oh? And why is that?"

A mischievous smile played on Alannah's lips as she explained, "Because almost all gooey stuff is green. And also I don't like the boogeyman."

Nathaniel chuckled, finding amusement in her innocent fears. "But the boogeyman isn't real, Alannah," he reassured her.

She looked at him, with a Deadpanned expression. "He is real to me. You don't know anything."

The weight of her words hung in the air, and Nathaniel's expression softened. He reached out and gently brushed a stray strand of hair behind her ear.

"You're right, Alannah. I can't fully understand what you've been through, but I want you to know that I'll do my best to protect you," he said, his voice filled with warmth and sincerity.

A flicker of a smile graced Alannah's lips as she leaned back, finding solace in Nathaniel's words. "I wish you would've been there to save my eyes too," she whispered, her voice tinged with both longing and vulnerability.

Nathaniel's heart ached at her words, understanding the pain she carried. He reached out and gently took her hand, offering her comfort and reassurance. "I may not have been there to save your eyes, Alannah, but I promise to be here now, to help you find the strength to keep moving forward."

Nathaniel's gaze intensified as Alannah removed her blindfold, revealing the marks and scars on her delicate eyes. His heart sank at the sight, a mixture of anger and profound sympathy coursing through him. He couldn't fathom the pain she had endured and the depths of her suffering.

"What happened, Alannah?" he asked, his voice trembling with a potent blend of concern and frustration.

Alannah's tear-stained face contorted with sadness, her voice choked with sorrow as she replied, "I... I can't say, Nathaniel."

Nathaniel's hands clenched involuntarily at his sides, his anger rising like a tempest within him. He fought to rein in his emotions, knowing that his display of rage would only add to her distress. Instead, he took a deep breath and approached her with gentle resolve.

Nathaniel reached out and tenderly wiped away her tears, his touch conveying his unspoken support and understanding. He couldn't bear to see her in such pain, both physically and emotionally.

"I can see your suffering, Alannah, even if I can't fully comprehend it," he murmured softly, his voice filled with unwavering empathy. "But please know that I'm here for you, no matter what. Whenever you're ready, whenever you feel comfortable, I'll be here to listen."

Alannah's sobs gradually subsided, and she gazed at him with a mix of gratitude and vulnerability. She took a shuddering breath, summoning the courage to share her harrowing truth.

"I was... attacked," she finally whispered, her voice barely above a whisper. "They... they inserted glass into my eyes. I lost my sight, and ever since, I've been living in darkness."

Alannah put the blindfold again on her eyes, "no, lets not talk about this."

Nathaniel gazed at Alannah, his eyes filled with concern and determination. Seeing her pain and hearing her reluctance to speak about the incident only fueled his desire to protect her. He wanted to uncover the truth and bring justice to those responsible.

"Alannah," Nathaniel began, his voice steady yet gentle, "I understand that you don't want to talk about it right now. But please know that I'm here for you, and if you ever feel ready to share, I'll be ready to listen."

Alannah sighed, wiping away her tears with the back of her hand. She appreciated Nathaniel's understanding and support, but the memories were still too raw, too painful to confront at that moment.