At the witch's house

Wounds

With a mental shrug, he went into the house and a caress of warmth wrapped his numbed limbs. It was dimly illuminated, with a single bed, a sofa, a bathtub, a fire lit in its home and a desk. Worthy of mention, also plants. Lots and lots of plants. In pots or tied from the ceiling to dry. Candles, mystical tools and a small kitchen. For some reason, he got a feeling of safety and warmth.

-Get in, I prepared the bath when they told me you were coming –Ophelia pointed at the bath as she added more steaming water.

Daniel slid into the hot tub, which began to bubble until a soft shimmering foam formed on the surface. Twirls of steam shot from his arms out of the water. He stared at Ophelia, who was grinding something on her mortar. Her dark, curly hair was tied on the back of her head with an indigo blue ribbon. With a sharp movement, she took the mortar and stood next to the tub where he was, holding his gaze with an intimidating look in her dark eyes. He smiled.

-Are you dropping that on my head? –He said joking but her eyebrows unknitted and shot to the highest point on her forehead.

-No –she replied, then poured the herbs into the water. The Australian chuckled and sank deeper in the water, feeling his tight muscles relaxing. Is the tub enlarging? Yes. A new voice in his head replied. Her voice.

Right before she went back to her desk she froze, mortar on hand. Then, in two long paces, she was standing next to the tub, holding the piece out, right above his torso. Their eyes met, her eyebrow lifted and he saw her intentions. The world stopped and he saw the heavy utensil going straight to his abdomen, falling from her hand and he jumped out of the water, splashing water and scared.

The next thing he saw was Ophelia laughing on the floor, with the exact grinder she had thrown on him, next to her face, dry and intact.

Confusion, slight anger and then, laughter. This woman living in the forest, in the middle of nowhere felt deeply indecipherable for him.

She sat up, still chuckling slightly, covering her eyes and looking to the window.

The water went cold as she eyed him. Then the woman pointed at a fluffy, brown towel hanging on the side of the tub, ready to be taken.

-What brought you here? Also, I let you into my house, gave you my name and a hot bath, yet I know nothing about you -Said Ophelia, hiding her face behind her hair, trying to give him more privacy to get out of the tub.

Daniel stood up in the water, wrapping his athletic body in the towel. -One before I succumb to your interrogation. Who are They? Those you mentioned earlier? -He said, looking at her over his shoulder.

-The Superior Entities. They brought you here, we just have to figure out why... -she said, happy her hair covered her face after she gave a glance to him and his really-nice-looking derriere. -There are clothes for you on the bed. I'll be outside.

The driver stood next to the bed. It was big enough to fit three people without touching, with plush pillows and knitted covers.

As Ophelia stood out to leave, he touched the fabrics and the clothing pieces she gave him. A soft, white shirt; cotton underwear and wool trousers. He then sat on the bed, fully dressed and thousands of questions raced through his mind. Memories of the crash and his hands in fists, screams and the heels of his hands pressing on his eyes. Shivering, he could feel the gravity on his brain, his stomach revolting. He had to sit down or he would fall into nothingness.

A soft hand on his shoulder and another wrapped around his wrist grounded him back in the cottage, with the woman who picked him up in the forest and gave him some warmth. She had the darkest eyes he had ever seen. He stared at her face, lost. He took in the curls, falling over her face; her round cheeks red with blush. Her tiny mouth agape and her eyebrows and eyes clenched with worry. 

Confusion and grief washed over him, he soon realized his face was buried in her hair. Her arms around his neck, her voice soft in his hear -You're safe. I got you. Nothing can hurt you now. Don't contain your tears, it's alright to cry here.

Like something took a plug out of his eyes, he started sobbing, convulsing over the tears falling from his orbs. Fear. Sorrow. -I feel lost. Where am I? What am I doing here? -He cried in her neck. He could feel her hands in his hair, caressing him. Time passed and the rain stopped outside, but they were still linked on the bed.

It felt as they were long time lovers or the closest friends. Her fingers tenderly combing his curls, with his face hidden on her neck and his arms resting on her waist.

-Daniel, we need to take you back to your world, this can't go on for too long...

His face moved from her neck and frowned at her, their noses almost touching. She could see the dark freckles backed with golden skin and chocolate eyes. 

-Why? What would happen if I stay longer?

Their breath entwingled as she answer lingered on the air.

-You'll disappear here. You'll die where your body is.