Doctor Sue closed the door.
He took this chance to get a proper a rest.
He felt an in coming migraine attack his mind.
He was more exhausted than that time he put up an all-nighters for a week, barely resting during the whole endeavor. Although, the fruits of his labor continued to be as desirable as ever. Admittedly, he didn't feel like moving, nor sleeping or resting after that.
I felt hollow. Looking at my the product of my research, something that I made in a whim and finished in a week. Looking back...
I should've been proud but I didn't feel a thing.
Right now, I'm feeling exactly that...
Doctor Sue reflected. I should be feeling something else entirely but I'd rather feel this bad about myself.
He stood there infront of the door of his room, his eyes flickering the light of the lamp.
His body a shade of something darker but right now, it's only, rather dim.
With quick steps, his clothes fell one by one. Hanging there, hanging here, his clothes were all over the place. Like, a snakes' skin before winter, he shed his skin.Too tired to even care, Doctor Sue's body collapsed in bed.
The bed was like a his mother's hug and
Doctor Sue snuggled in the covers to get buried in it.The cold dissipating against his warmth, an illusion of being loved.
He enjoyed the fleeting bliss.
The warmth enveloping him in its comforting embrace. He rested his head against the cold soft pillows, its magic doing its work against his ailing body. He groaned.
The dim light of the lamp eroded most of the darkness but the shadows still lurked in the realm. Who truly knows what's inside, neither you nor me. Doctor inhaled, taking in that scentless yet breathtaking feeling of silence.
As he exhaled, his eyelids grew heavy, surrendering to the weight of his exhaustion. The softness of the pillows cradled his head, easing the tension from his neck and shoulders. The warmth of the bed seeped into his bones, soothing the fatigue that had been building up all day.
His mind, once a jumble of thoughts and worries, buzzed down slowly. The events of the day replayed in his mind like a fading echo, growing fainter with each passing moment. His breathing slowed, and his body relaxed, letting go of the residual tension.
In the velvet hush, Doctor Sue felt his consciousness begin to slip away, carried off by the gentle lapping of his own exhaustion. He groaned again, this time in relief, as his body surrendered to the allure of sleep.
....
Where I do I even start?
Doctor Sue sipped his coffee under the mild, oppressive, silent awkwardness.
After a goodnights' rest, Doctor Sue couldn't help feeling refreshed. A good night' sleep really does miracles in and itself, he thought in a jolly good tone.
Now , he just have to tackle this problem.
He glanced at Liz out of the corner of his eyes and sighed. He really doesn't understand where he had gone wrong. There wasn't any reason for her to be that afraid of him. Isn't there?
Doctor Sue doubted himself. They had been getting along for almost a year now. 9 or 6 whole months, if his memory was right or not.
1 month in that forest or maybe more... 2 or 3 months , no.. we stayed at other villages and towns for a few days too... 4 or 5? Doctor Sue mulled over. In any case, I didn't do anything improper, or have I???
Well, she didn't do anything this drastic as being gone for a whole day, I mean- she used to follow me to my hip. I taught her all kinds of things, I've been like a brother to her like, yeah! A brother!
While, Doctor Sue thought hard and carefully about whether he had done something that warranted that kind of reaction. Liz had been glancing at him, in her own way. Quickly averting her eyes when he looks over there. Liz was in her own conundrum.
She didn't mean to react that way, too. Liz knew he hadn't done anything wrong at all. It's just...
I don't know, Liz groaned. Last night, after her outburst, Rosalind and her had a good talk. Mainly, Rosalind trying to calm Liz down. Rosalind cautioned her about coming home so late at night. Making her feel even more bad, Liz cried.
After that, Liz slept with Rosalind last night in Rosalind's bedroom. Liz felt so warm with someone hugging her all night last night.
She looked fresh out of crying as her eyes are still a bit puffed up.
Right now, she just doesn't know what to do.
Especially, after hearing their efforts in looking for her.
Liz herself hadn't felt this emotional since her nanny left, she doesn't remember the last time she cried but, it felt so nice to have people who care about her.
And...
Frankly, she can't stand this atmosphere the most.
Gulping down a whole glass of water as if it was beer, Liz slammed the cup slowly making a crisp sound when the glass cup hits the tables surface, calming down.
" I know, I was wrong", she started.
Doctor Sue looked at her across the table calmly, he slowly wiped his lips with the napkins placed on the table.
Then, he gazed at her , who is now seated before him in this tension.
Their eyes locked at eachother in, again, the awkward silence. 5 meters or so, that wouldn't have bothered them before.
Suddenly, the door to the dining room creaked open, Rosalind slipped inside, hoping to sneak in unnoticed. But, the both of them, who were silent the whole time had already heard the door creak. Rosalind had to walk normally to the her respective seat under their pleading eyes. She hoped this wasn't going to an awkward meal. Seeing her come in, Liz and Doctor Sue, both heaved a sigh of relief.
Both of them averted their gazes, almost at the same time. While Liz put another piece of steak in her mouth,Rosalind heard Doctor Sue say, "Ah, there you are."
Doctor Sue commented inexplicably, turning to face Rosalind.
"Thank you very much , for the food", he smiled and continued." This dish is simply divine, Rosalind. My compliments to the chef, for she has outdone herself."
Showing his upper row of white teeth coupled with his handsome face, the young man quickly made the woman's heart pounding. Doctor Sue noticed this and grinned mischievously.
The table swiftly felt comfy and homely, under the witty and skillful stir of Doctor Sue. Rosalind had a hearty laugh with him , except for Liz who was still holed up in her emotions, Rosalind and he had a wonderful morning. He might curious quil all holed up most of the time but that doesn't mean, he didn't know how to converse.
...
After, dining in the morning, It was another day for Rosalind. She took the afternoon schedule today, so she didn't leave as early as yesterday but, she still left before lunch. She gave the two a spare key but still secretly locked the main room and attic treasury.
" I'm..., Thank you for searching for me," Liz softly said.
Doctor Sue is currently washing the dishes, she tried to help but Doctor Sue didn't let it go this time.
Doctor Sue demanded, his voice firm but laced with concern. "You've been gone all day, and we've been worried sick about you."
" I met someone, I kind of knew and forgot time", Liz replied softly.
" I see"
Doctor Sue continued, " there's a festival around, kids you're age are kidnapped and sold at these times , you better be careful. Who was it that you kind of " knew"?"
Lizs' eyes fumed in rage, at his questioning tone. Still, she answered half-heartedly," Someone from the past, besides I was careful. I had something called " ice cream". Then, while, I was sitting somewhere finishing it, I saw that thief who stole our money. I chased him, got lost and met this guy, someone from the past".
Liz's eyes sparkled with mischief as she shrugged. "I just went out to explore," she said, her voice sounding remorseful. "I didn't mean to worry anyone."
Alex's eyes narrowed. But, he simply sighed, " alright, as long as your alright." His brows furrowed as he thought, Explore? All day? Without telling anyone where you were going or when you'd be back? He shook his head. Are you waiting for something to happen before behaving yourself! But, Doctor Sue, kept it to himself because he thinks that's really what's going to happen and he was right.
Liz rolled her eyes good-naturedly. "Nothing's going to happen, Dr. Sue. I just needed a day to myself, okay?" She smiled sweetly. "I'm fine. Really."
Doctor Sue's hands paused with soap bubbles but he still turned to Liz and with a softened expression that still has a touch of concern. "Okay, kiddo. But next time, please let us know where you're going, deal?" He relented and Liz grinned, hands up in HURRAH!
" So, you're not angry anymore?", she asked cheerfully.