FELICITY

III

TIMOTHY

What the hell just happened? I stand in front of the house the girl just crawled back into through a window. I'm so confused about what just happened, I'll surely come back to get more answered out of her. I've been coming to this quiet neighbourhood for about a year, and I've never noticed this girl before. She didn't even tell me her name!

She must have just moved here. Yes! That has to be why I've never noticed someone so striking. But there is a sweet nurse who seems to live here and I saw her come out of this house two days ago, surely she still lives here. Perhaps the nurse is a relative and she has come to live with her.  Still, it's odd that she crawled out a window—sneaking off to a party perhaps? No, no, no, she does not seem like the partying kind, she strikes me as a girl that lives for art and poetry, not parties!

I cannot get Mystery Girl's beautiful sapphire eyes out of my mind. I need to see her again—to know her. She has a sweet innocence. I remember the way she blushed when I called her one of the finer things in life. Even with all the scars on her face, I am still drawn to her despite having only just met her. She said she plays sports—she must have rather rough brothers or cousins that she plays with. It takes a special kind of girl to be so rough and tumble. She is far too precious to be getting hurt!

I wait in the garden to see if she'll come back out but she doesn't, and so I give up for the night. It's really quite late, and I better return home. Maybe I'll come back tomorrow to draw and see if I can catch a glimpse of Mystery Girl.

That look in her eye when she saw me—she seemed almost afraid of me, or maybe like she didn't believe I was there? She was very distant and her eyes were never still, as if she were soaking in every detail of her environment.

I wonder what her name is. What name could match such a face? I can't get her out of my head, and her eyes—those eyes—I want to stare into them all day. I want to kiss the bruises off her lips and caress her face.

I walk back to where I left my sketch pad and pencil, how foolish of me to live them exposed when its raining. I look at her house one more time to see if I can catch one more glimpse, but there is so sign of her, so I shake off the water from my sketch pad and walk to my war.  

I'll be back tomorrow. 

FELICITY

I can hardly move because of the excruciating pain that is burning through my body. I look over to my small table and see my tray of food. I did not even notice Madam coming in to leave today's meal. I crawl to the table and pick up a bottle of water. I take a huge gulp and it tastes sour in my mouth.

She feeds me quite well I must admit. A bottle of water every day, and two meals. This has to count as a good meal right? She must still love me if she feeds me so generously. I see two pills on the tray and I immediately throw them into my mouth with a gulp of water.

Something smells. Oh... it's me. My blood and tears have dried, and it has produced an unpleasant smell.

I scuff my bare feet to my bathroom and try to take off my dress, but my dried blood has caused the fabric to stick to my wounds and it hurts when I try to take it off. I decide to leave it for now, I will take care of it after I have had my breakfast. Today, like yesterday, I am having two slices of toast with scrambled eggs. I pick up a slice of bread and shakily guide it into my mouth. I chew very slowly, I continue until I have eaten all the contents of my plate. Madam does not like it when I waste food.

I return to my bathroom now that I have gathered some strength. I peel off my dress and wash my body with a damp cloth before changing into some clean clothes. It still smells bad in here, it makes me miss all the scents from being outside, I need some fresh air to make me feel alive again. 

I rest for a bit—that last bit of exertion was so painful that I need a minute. After a few minutes of resting I walk to my window and look out the little space in the window and see that it is bright out— I have got ample time before Madam gets back. I prop my body up the window sill, using the bench for ease, I observe my environment and once I am sure there is no one outside I take off the window bar and slide open the window. I crawl out, enduring the excruciating pain because the view of the beautiful tall trees and colourful flowers is worth the suffering.  As soon as I step out fresh breeze sweeps past me as the sun hits my pale skin with its glorious rays. 

Heaven! This must be what heaven feels like.

I notice a big beautiful tree not too far from my house, and I am tempted to go over. I remember watching this tree through the window when I was younger. I cannot believe it is still there! I must go to it—it is a part of my childhood. I make my way to the tree, and gently slide my fingers up and down its rough surface. I slowly slide down and although I am in pain I rest my back on it, it feels like a friend because I have known it since I was a little girl. I can lean on it. It is very relaxing out here, so quiet, so peaceful. I close my eyes and enjoy as the breeze gently caresses my cheeks.

I smile. I am content.

My eyes fly open when I hear something snap near me. I didn't eve realize that I nodded off. How careless of me!

"Hello love," a voice says beside me.

Timothy.