Zach diligently took his medication. By the second day, he could already feel his strength returning, but the worry gnawing at him refused to fade. Clair still hadn't visited, not even once, and no one seemed willing to tell him why. The uncertainty left him restless and deeply concerned for her. He would lie awake, wondering if she was safe and hoping that nothing had happened to her.
On the third day, he managed to walk, albeit slowly, relying on a temporary cane to steady himself.
In the afternoon, Per entered his room with a fresh set of clothes. "How are you feeling today?" she asked, placing the clothes in his closet.
"I feel better," he replied.
"That's great," Per said with a smile.
"Where's Clair, Per?" he asked tensely.
Per sighed, her smile fading.
"You said I could see her in a couple of days. I can walk now. Let me see her," he pleaded.
Per hesitated, uncertain how to respond.
"What's really going on, Per? These things you're keeping from me are driving me crazy. I just want to see her," he burst out.
"Please, Zach, calm down," Per implored.
"No, Per, I need answers," he insisted desperately. Then, he paused as a troubling thought crossed his mind. "Doesn't she want to see me?" he asked in a hushed tone.
Per closed her eyes and let out another heavy breath. "She's here in the house... downstairs in the basement."
"So, she's been here all this time?" Zach asked, his voice rising with frustration. He immediately started limping toward the door.
Per stepped in front of him, blocking his way. "Zach, wait. She's... she's not ready to see you."
Zach fell silent for a moment, processing her words. "I know this side of her. I can talk to her," he insisted, reaching for the door.
Per pressed herself against it, refusing to move.
"You know you can't keep me from her," Zach said firmly. "Even if you lock me in this room, I'll find another way to get to her."
Per finally agreed to let Zach go down to the basement. After handing him a candle in a small cup, he asked her to stay upstairs while he went down alone. She watched anxiously as he carefully took his first step onto the stairs before closing the door behind him.
He descended slowly, one hand against the wall for support. After a few steps, a faint voice came from below.
"Please... go back."
He immediately recognized her voice. "Why?" he asked calmly, stopping where he was.
"You're not safe with me right now. I don't know what might happen if you come any closer. I could hurt you again. Please... just go back," Clair pleaded, her voice weak and sorrowful.
"I know you're afraid, but I'm not leaving you alone down here. I just want to see you," he said gently.
He waited, but no response came. After a moment, he continued down the stairs. When he reached the bottom of the stairs, he found a small table, several empty shelves, and a few dusty boxes scattered around the room. The basement was dimly lit, with only the faint glow of a candle illuminating the darkness.
He looked toward the far end of the room and saw a figure curled up on a thick mattress on the floor. He immediately knew it was her. He let out a quiet breath and took a step forward, but stopped after another.
YOU ARE READING
Divine & Wicked: The Strayed Memories (Book2)
Fantasy(Fantasy•Romance) COMPLETED Zach awoke a few days after his surgery, his mind foggy and his heart empty, as though his life had been reset. He moved through what he believed was his normal routine, unaware that fragments of a forgotten past were slo...
