The Nanny

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"Do not dwell in the past, do not dream of the future, concentrate the mind on the present moment." - The Buddha

Emiola lay still on her hospital bed. To everyone else she was another patient suffering at the merciless hands of her oppressor. Cancer.

Every other hour a small tear would crawl out of the corner of her eyes. Salty tears racing down her cheeks as she lay still.

They were tears of fear and sadness. She was trapped in her own mind, forced to sleep for what had appeared to be an eternity.

In her slumber she saw many things. Things she was thankful for seeing despite how they made her cry in pain and anguish. She saw him again. She watched him as he performed for her his painful death.

It was as if he was tormenting her forcing her to watch his death, hear his thoughts over and over again.

However, as she screamed at him to stop, hands reaching out and grasping at him only for anywhere she touched to turn into dust, she realised what he was trying to tell her.

Just listen.

So she listened. The moments leading up to his death and his thoughts played over and over again. He wanted her to realise something. And she did.

After what seemed like centuries her shoulders slumped in defeat as she sank to her knees as he repeated the same procedure over and over again.

He had his reasons for leaving. Not everyone is meant for this life.

For the first time since his death she listened to those words. The words he stated in his letter and repeated to her everyday. He was trying to send her a message and all she had to do was listen.

"I understand" Emiola whispered out in a moment of anagnorisis.

In that moment the world she was stuck in shifted and it was as if the haze of the saddest time in her life had lifted. The world around her dissolved.

A garden full of nature rose from the dry cracked ground and the sun suddenly rose from the horizon. Emiola watched in awe and confusion her jaw dropped in bewilderment.

Emiola squealed at a tickling sensation on her forearms. She looked down to see flowers sprouting all around her, their stems weaving patterns onto her bruised arms. She thrashed trying to release her hands from their painfully tight grip.

Her panic was interrupted by the shouts of men. She looked up slowly turning to the unfamiliar yet comforting voice. Her eyes became wide filling with tears as her mouth hung open as she watched in admiration and confusion.

She couldn't understand the connection she shared with the blacked out figures.

"we can't just let her destroy herself like this" the first voice shouted from one side of the garden.

"Who?" Emiola whispered, her lips trembling. Yet her question fell on deaf ears.

"She's been on a downwards spiral. I know that but what can we do we've done everything we possibly can. We can't bring her back" the other voice screamed back as both figures made there way to each other.

The two figures began to brawl, punches being thrown.

"Who?" She asked even louder her heart beating quick as tears ran down her face. Both figures continued to fight.

"I won't let you abandon her" one figure grunted as he fought of the other.

"WHO?" Emiola screamed the earth shuddering at her question. Yet no one had any reaction.

"Xavier i won't let you abandon Luna." The same figure repeated as he lay defeated on the floor. Arms drawn up in front of his face blocking himself from the next blow he was about to receive. Suddenly they froze.

Emiola watched in fear and horror as their bodies melted into hundreds of thousands of deathwatch beetles. She gasped attempting to lunge forward only to be held back by the constraints of the vines which had now overtaken her body.

She couldn't leave them she just couldn't. They would fall apart without her.

Emiola screamed as loud as she could mustering all her strength as she pulled at her constraints. A mother would do anything to protect her children.

Luciano watched as Emiola gasped eyes opening as wide as saucers. Her heart monitor sped up signalling her distress. Luciano's hand reached out to touch hers.

The little contact had Emi's eyes snapping to meet his

"What happened?" Luciano questioned seeing the fear in her eyes.

"A nightmare" Emi whispered removing her hand from underneath his as she turned to face away from him.

She stared at the white wall as her senses zoned in on the constant noise from the monitors.

"I'll never leave them" she whispered to herself as she closed her eyes.

This time for a nap.