His Little FLOWER (Lucifer's Flower) ✓

Chapter 2

"Legend says,
When you can't sleep at night,
It's because you're awake in
Someone else's dream."

______________*

When Dad said, "Let's go and finish it," I assumed we were heading to a hospital, clinic, or another therapist. What I didn't expect was that we would be driving to an old house near the woods, at night.

"Dad, why are we here?" I asked, still feeling confused.

"Ella, I know you must be confused, but just trust me," he said gently. I nodded.

"Ella, my child! We've tried everything we could, but the results were always the same. I couldn't bear to see my only child suffering. One of my friends recommended this to me. It's a kind of home treatment. We should give it a try, Ella," Dad explained softly.

I nodded again, and we walked towards the old-looking house. Dad rang the bell. I stood beside him, unable to deny that this house creeped me out. It was beautifully surrounded by trees, with the forest visible at the back. At night, it looked both beautiful and terrifying.

I think I've read too many novels because everything seemed suspicious to me. I shook my head, trying to dismiss my paranoid thoughts. Some people just prefer to live surrounded by nature.

A lady came out. She appeared to be in her thirties but still looked youthful. She glanced at Dad and then at me, from head to toe, giving me a look that I couldn't quite decipher. She seemed a bit intimidating, and the aura around her felt dangerous and suspicious.

"How may I help you?" the lady asked in a confident voice. How I wished I had that kind of confidence when speaking to others. I always ended up stuttering.

"I'm Joseph Winters. We're here for treatment. I believe my friend Jonathan told you," Dad replied, nodding at her.

"Yes, I remember. I'm Rebecca. You must be Ella. You are so beautiful," she said, smiling at me. I smiled back awkwardly, not knowing what to say. She gave me a welcoming smile before inviting us into her house. To say it was scary would be an understatement. It was dark, with mostly red and black decor. I held Dad's hand, and he gave me a reassuring squeeze.

She led us into what looked like a chamber and stopped. The room was dark, with only a lamp and some light coming from outside.

"Sit down, Ella," her soft voice brought me out of my trance. I turned to see two large couches with a table in between. On the table, there was a bowl full of water. I didn't feel right, but I sat down in front of her.

"So, tell me, darling, what's your problem?" she asked, giving me an encouraging smile.

"Nightmares and visions," I answered quietly, which didn't seem to satisfy her.

"What type of nightmares and visions?"

"At night, I see woods and darkness, a crown and blood. The visions are similar, but I hear a voice, like someone calling me desperately," I explained. She looked into my eyes, and her expression told me this wasn't what she was expecting.

"Do you see and hear this every day?"

"At first, it was once or twice a week and only in isolation, but now it happens every day."

"Since when?"

"Nearly two weeks ago." She nodded thoughtfully.

"Ella, darling, listen very carefully to what I'm about to say," she instructed, her gaze intense. I nodded, feeling a mix of curiosity and apprehension. "Look into this water and focus on your own eyes. Whatever you see, do not close your eyes. Understand, dear?" I glanced at Dad, who reassured me with a nod. I nodded again, though this time with uncertainty.