An electric shock.
Thana felt as if electricity surged through every part of her body, coming from an unknown source as soon as she attempted to say the words.
It didn't feel like a good electricity one would feel when they touch someone they love, but the kind that would paralyze you in a place that you feel your insides burn with passion.
The pain is sharp, powerful, and quick that Thana would have chosen to die rather than survive and endure the torture she's going through.
What's worse is her hoping that Teresa and Elias would notice the pain she's going through. However, they can't seem to figure out what's happening to Thana when she's only struggling silently.
And she's frightfully frozen as if she's in shock.
"Dear, what's wrong?" Teresa worriedly asked, immediately standing up from disorder, and hastened beside the shivering Thana with a horrified expression.
Her son, Elias, bit his lip so hard that it could draw blood, seeing how careless his mother can be toward a stranger. Despite Thana showing signs that she's in trouble, he can't seem to fall for any of it. Elias should already be immune to these kinds of tricks for he had failed before; he won't make the same mistakes again.
He stood on guard, his right hand comfortable and ready on the grip of his sword. Elias would hate to wait for something terrible to happen before striking first, but he's left with no choice but to observe his mother approach Thana with sharp eyes.
Most importantly, he kept his eyes on the strange girl, who looked all the more suspicious now that she decided to snap in such an odd manner.
Silence inundated the room as the two waited for a response.
But the following words that came out of Thana's mouth took both of them by surprise as she spoke weakly with a voice croaking like a frog, "I'm alright but I wish to rest, please."
"Of course- here, let me help you," Teresa stuttered to reply to her request but did not hesitate to help Thana gently lie her head on the pillow.
Thana smiled the kind of smile that would freeze you on the spot. It is warm and gentle but it added weight to the puzzlement of the poor old lady that helped her.
"Thank you for saving me. I'm beyond grateful. And I'm sorry for my poor behavior before, I shall return you the kindness you've offered me as soon as I recover."
Teresa could only nod out of incredulity. She kept silent, accepting the sudden change in the personality and eloquence of Thana. It's as if she had become a completely different person. That scared Teresa, maybe this girl does have a problem.
A problem in the head.
But it would be cruel of her to report the poor, lost girl when she has nowhere to go. Thana reminds Teresa so much of the daughter she once had. It could be because of her longingness to bring her back to life that pushed her to save the unknown girl in the middle of the forest.
Thana took no time to fall into a deep slumber. Just a few minutes ago, she was throwing a fit about coming from an unknown place called London, and now she's lying all too peacefully. Her breaths are steady, and her eyes are shut away from all the troubles she faced.
Teresa sat in silence, staring at the girl that fell asleep within seconds. She poked Thana's right cheek in disbelief and gains no reaction.
Even Elias was left dumbfounded as he loudly whispers, "she dozed off so quickly, I don't believe she's human."
"Just let her be. She must have had it rough and she's confused," Teresa replied, looking back at Elias, "you should go or you'll be late."
"I'm not leaving you alone with her. It's dangerous"
Teresa rolled her eyes, "the girl that spoke just now did not sound dangerous at all. You're delusional."
Elias scoffs, "I'm delusional? You're the one out of your mind!" he whispered-shout which earned him a glare.
He folds his arms, "I'm not going."
"Suit yourself, Douglas will have your head if you plan on skipping your training," Teresa shrugged at her son before looking back at the girl. Her eyes fall to her hand gripping Thana's hand, gasping slightly about not realizing it before.
The feeling of Teresa touching Thana's hand sparks a different yet familiar feeling. She doesn't feel threatened or afraid to be in front of someone who suddenly appeared out of nowhere.
She is also not bothered by the fact that Thana is nothing but a stranger with no proper background. The girl seems to be coming from a strange place called London.
Teresa feels an odd sense of protectiveness toward the girl. Her memory can't thoroughly recap the entire conversation with the old man she met in the market only days ago, but the same sentences kept repeating in her head ever since then.
'You shall meet a girl with foreign memories. Protect her and show her the affection you would have shown your daughter.'
Her heart clenched at the last word that her head dropped to let a few tears out. It slipped down her cheeks so easily and she cried silently. But Elias noticed this right away and wasted no time running toward her aid.
He finds himself stunned to see his mother bawling her eyes at this moment. It has been years since he had last saw her cried. The last time she did was after the death of his beloved sister.
Teresa is a strong woman that barely lets her emotions take over, but if it does, the only reason would be because of her dead daughter. This thought makes Elias feel miserable that his stomach twisted and ached.
No matter what he does, he can never take his mother's pain away.
And so he leaned closer to her, wrapping his arms around her shaking shoulders, pulling her into a hug that he never got to give before. It's a type of affection that's long due because of his past ignorance and pride.
"I'm here, mother."
Those words were the only thing he could say to her which he felt useless for not giving more. Little did he know that it was enough for Teresa to acknowledge that she still has a son with her.
She was never alone.
Teresa lifts her hand and places it behind Elias, rubbing his back softly. They both sat in that position for some time, comforting each other in front of a sleeping stranger.