I rubbed oil all over my skin. The white spots always itched horribly if I didn't. I fixed my cream sweater dress and slipped on some combat shoes. Today is going to be fun. Maria was free today so we agreed to have lunch. Maria the merciful, the Just, the Compassionate. She is my lifeline. Ever since my parents died she's taken care of me and mothered me. "Oh Divine One thank you for the things I have. Thank you for Maria or I would be a zduhac with not a sliver of hope" I prayed. I took a deep breathe feeling slightly better than I did before. "What time is it? Oh my lighting I'm gonna be late, where is my bag!?" I fumbled around the room. My wall clock rang, signaling it was the 12th hour. "I'm gonna be freaking late!"
I found the bag near my nightstand, checked to make sure I had everything and ran out the door. After flying at a speed that could get me in trouble, a familiar metallic gray fence caught my view. Her house is always impressive every time I see it. It was a deep purple much like all the other houses. But it was a wide one-story home with waterfalls in the yard. I don't know how she was so much access to that type of water. Her trees were large and full. She even had foliage that's neat and flourishing. This would never grow anywhere else. Her hands are magical. I quickly adjusted my clothes and hair then pushed the bell at the intercom. A few seconds later she answered. "Who is it?", I flipped my hair behind my ear. "It's me Laytonya sorry I'm super late."
"Oh hey, darling come on in". on queue the gate opened.
"My dear LaTonya I haven't seen you in a whole month come here!" she was as pretty as ever, tall and slender with a narrow face. She was pale blue like everyone else but had these big grey eyes. Her white wavy hair dragged behind her as she walked towards me. "Hi Maria it's nice to see you". I bowed as a formality. We embraced each other tightly and I felt a little at ease. "Well come to the back porch I finished cooking your favorite. my heart swelled, "You didn't have to do that", "Only the best for you dear, now I haven't cooked myself in a while so tell me if it taste alright".
We sat on the back porch table taking in her absolutely gorgeous garden. The sound of her waterfalls is hypnotic. "So Laytonya what have you been doing lately anything new". I hurriedly chewed my food before answering. "No nothing new just work and more work but I have recently been reading a few human books they sure are interesting I want to find more but of course we don't have many".
Her face twisted up in disgust. I made me cringe, it looked forgein against her soft features.
"I find humans to be utter animals you should quite those books who knows what type of grotesque ideas are in them". I put down my food and fidgeted in my chair. "You think so? maybe I will I don't know much about them". She waved her hand while sipping on her drink. "They're not that interesting trust me darling". I nodded my head nervously chewing .
I cleared my throat, "so what about you Mary how's work and things".
"Oh stressful as ever! The counsel are such idiots. I don't even know how they're still alive. Their hanging by a thread".
They're as old as the second moon. Some of them don't even have heirs.
I gave her a sympathetic smile, "I guess that means you'll be going away a lot more since your the only one capable". When Mary leaves strange things always happened to me. One time, I remember taking a walk, well I think I was taking a walk. Four or five men came up to me suddenly. I tried fighting them off but they had weapons. I was knocked out and when I woke up I was in my bed tucked in. My body would be in horrible pain. That's happened most of my life.
"oh, dear Laytonya you're still worried about that. It's just bad dreams having you been taking the medicine I gave you?" she said with annoyance. I nodded my head, not wanting to speak. She sighed, " I'm sorry for being abrasive but you're going to have to grow up and go on without me. I won't be here forever." I simply nodded again. My center force twisted in my chest.
"Well enough about that! What else have you been doing?"
I peaked up through my lashes as she ate her food. She averted her attention and gave me a sympathetic smile, "it's ok darling you can tell me".
I sighed,
I felt my words get stuck in my throat. All I could tell was that I was lonely and in pain. Instead of words a shaken breathe escaped me. Warm tears welled in my eyes. A drink was sat in front of me and her warm hand caressed my cheek. "I know dear I'm so sorry I can't do more". A tear slipped onto her cheekbones and I quickly wiped mine before they feel. "Oh Maria don't cry I'll be ok as long as I have you I'll be ok."
She ran her fingers over my tired eyes and smiled. "Well, I have more food in the oven, hold on right here. why don't you drink this ok? I'll be right back." Her hair was the last thing to exit the porch.
I collected myself and checked my hand mirror ugh I'm going to be puffy.
I need to be grateful for what I have. I'm sure good things will come to me. I mean Maria is here with me, a woman like no other. I truly will be ok as long as I have her.
I looked over the patio and admired her garden. Maybe I'll start one when I get home. I'll have to ask how she gets them to grow.
Suddenly I felt an intense headache coming on. "Ugh this is what I get for crying". I clutched my head in my heads and my ear started ringing. I chugged down the liquid thinking I'm simply dehydrated. Like a miracle the pain subsided. A quarter of it was left before I put it down.
The sliding patio door opened and Maria stepped in with a tray of food. I felt a bit lighter. Huh? What was in that drink. My attention shifted back to the food, my stomach rumbled. Well I haven't exactly been eating these past couple of day that's probably why my head was hurting. Geez I'm so stupid. "Here you go dear I put a little extra javos sauce on it just how you like it."
"Thank you."
The first bite was always the best. I closed my eyes in satisfaction. I opened my eyes and my eyes tried to focus. I blinked a couple of times but things were still a tad bit blurry. I brushed it off, eager to get to my food. I took a bite and was expecting the best second bite ever, like always. But I couldn't taste anything. I chewed hoping to get something, but nothing, nothing was there.
"Is something the matter darling"
Her voice sounded like an echo
I started to open my mouth to speak but nothing came out.
I began to panic as I dropped my food as my arms collapsed. I looked to signal for help and I noticed I could barely see.
"Ev***t**** **r***t dear"
I couldn't hear anymore and I felt myself losing consciousness the same hand caress my cheek. I blacked out-