Chapter 42 - Painful dreams

The warm glow of the late afternoon sun, cast long shadows across a small playground.

And there a young boy, no older than nine, with fiery red hair and bright, curious eyes, ran across the sand, laughing as he chased after a girl his age.

The girl in question had striking blue hair and deep black eyes, her laughter ringing out like music as she darted around the swings and slides.

They were just two children, carefree and full of life, playing as children do after a long day at school.

"Nate! Nat!" a gentle, motherly voice called out, cutting through their laughter.

The boy turned immediately, his face lighting up as he spotted the source of the voice.

It was a woman stood at the edge of the playground, her black hair tied back neatly, her blue eyes soft and warm.

She wore a simple maid's dress, her hands clasped in front of her as she smiled at the two children.

"Liza!" the boy shouted, his voice filled with excitement. He ran toward her, his small legs carrying him as fast as they could.

When he reached her, he threw his arms around her waist, hugging her tightly.

The girl followed closely behind, her blue hair bouncing as she joined in the embrace, wrapping her arms around the woman as well.

"Did you two have fun today?" Liza asked, her voice warm and soothing as she knelt down to their level.

She then brushed a strand of hair out of the boy's face, her touch gentle and loving.

"Yes!" the boy, Nate, exclaimed, his eyes shining with excitement. "We played tag, and I won! And then Nat and I went on the swings, and we went so high!"

The girl, Nat, nodded eagerly, adding, "And at school today, we learned about the stars! The teacher said they're like little lights in the sky, but they're really, really far away!"

Liza chuckled, her laughter soft and melodic. She pulled both children into a tight hug, her arms wrapping around them protectively.

"You two are so clever," she said, her voice filled with pride. "I'm so glad you had a good day."

"Liza, can we get ice cream on the way home?" Nate asked, looking up at her with wide, hopeful eyes.

"Yeah, ice cream!" Nat chimed in, bouncing on her toes.

Liza smiled, her heart melting at their enthusiasm. "Of course," she said, standing up and taking their hands in hers. "But only if you promise to eat all your dinner afterward."

"We promise!" they both shouted in unison, their voices filled with joy.

The scene was warm, filled with the innocence and happiness of childhood. But as the three of them began to walk away towards the black car nearby, hand in hand, the image began to blur, and the colors faded into darkness.

***************

A different scene then emerged, it was no longer warm or bright. The air was heavy, the atmosphere suffocating.

Liza, lay on the cold, hard floor, her body broken and bleeding. Her maid's dress was torn, her skin marred with deep cuts and bruises.

A blade was impaled in her stomach, the wound was oozing blood as she struggled to breathe.

Her once-soft blue eyes were now clouded with pain, her hands trembling as she reached out weakly.

Standing over her was the boy, Nate, now slightly older but still so young. His red hair was disheveled, his face streaked with tears.

He then knelt beside her, as his small hands clutched hers, he begged, his voice choked with sobs.

"Liza, please! Don't leave me! I'll be a good boy, I promise! I'll do everything you say! Just don't go! Please, don't go!"

Liza's lips moved, her voice barely a whisper. "Nate... this... this isn't your fault..." she managed to say, her words faltering as blood trickled from the corner of her mouth.

She tried to say more, to comfort him, but the strength left her. Her hand went limp in his, her eyes closing as her breathing stopped.

"No! No, Liza! Wake up! Please, wake up!" Nate screamed, his voice breaking as he shook her lifeless body.

Tears streamed down his face like a fountain, and his sobs echoed in the empty room.

He collapsed on her chest, his small frame trembling as he wailed, his cries filled with despair.

Then, a hand rested on his shoulder. Nate froze, his breath hitching as he turned to see a face leaning in close.

The details were blurred, the figure was unrecognizable, but the presence spoke of cruelty and menacing.

And then the scene was consumed by darkness once more.

*******************

Nathan woke with a start, his heart pounding wildly in his chest.

His body was drenched in sweat, his breaths coming in short, ragged gasps.

He then sat up in his bed, his hands trembling as he reached up to touch his face. His fingers came away wet—tears. He had been crying.

For a moment, he just sat there, staring into the darkness of his room, the images from his dream still fresh in his mind.

Liza's face, her smile, her warmth—it all felt so real.

And then the blood, the pain, her lifeless body... it was too much.

Nathan swung his legs over the side of the bed, his movements shaky as he stood and made his way to the bathroom.

He flicked on the light, the sudden brightness making him wince.

He then leaned over the sink, and then splashed cold water on his face, trying to wash away the remnants of the dream.

But when he looked up at his reflection in the mirror, he froze.

His red hair was messy, his eyes bloodshot and filled with pain. The tears were still there, streaming down his face as he stared at himself.

His breath hitched, and before he could stop it, a sob escaped his lips. He clutched the edge of the sink, his knuckles turning white as he tried to steady himself.

"Liza..." he whispered, his voice breaking. "I'm so sorry..."

The words hung in the air, heavy with guilt and grief.

Nathan slumped against the sink, his shoulders shaking as he cried, the weight of his memories crushing him.

The boy from the dream was gone, replaced by a young man burdened by loss and regret. And in that moment, Nathan felt more alone than ever.