“Oh it’s not dead…that’s the mythical tree of Neveah. Look towards the top, do you see it?” Sam was pointing towards the tree’s peak. Renee’s eyes followed his guide as she attempted to focus.
“I don’t see anything special….” Renee was confused.
“Come on let’s get closer.” Sam bounded off towards the tree, seemingly without any effort at all. Renee, being a bit thicker, struggled to keep up with him. Finally they were only ten feet from the thing and Renee saw it. Resting near the very top of the tree was one lone green bud. It looked as though it was just ready to bloom, almost frozen there mid-process.
“How is that possible? I thought trees only bloomed in the spring…” Renee pushed her hair out of her face now, hoping for a better view without the stringy blockage.
“Like I said….it’s mythical….you see, this tree is the only one of its kind. Miria explained to me that it never changes throughout all the seasons. Forever, its other branches remain bare but the one bud remains. She said it’s a symbol of hope for passing travelers….to show them that even in the darkest, coldest of winters, spring is always just around the corner.” Sam smiled proudly as he finished the inspirational speech.
“Wow….that’s lovely….” She suspected Sam enjoyed mocking it more than anything. To Renee, though, it was incredible. She often struggled to keep hope in life, constantly feeling as though defeat was immanent before even starting things.
“So you ready?” Sam smiled eagerly. His previously wet clothes were almost completely dry now. Renee almost forgot their reason for climbing up here. Oh yea….duh…the freaking waterslide….
“Last one there is a cry baby…” Renee sprinted off as she said the words with a considerable head start. She barely made it to the shore’s edge before Sam.
“That so wasn’t fair…you had a head start…” Sam was smiling despite the slight aggravation. “Well here goes nothing…” Without missing a beat, he stepped out into the current and was immediately pulled down the flowing slide. “Woo!” His head popped up out of the water as he screamed and slid down like it was nothing.
It was far higher up than Renee first thought; multiple stories up in fact. She suddenly felt dizzy as she looked down the massive thing, doubting her decision to climb up here.
Sam safely made it to the bottom and stepped to the side, making way for her. “What’s the hold up? Come on, it’s fun!” He yelled the words loudly over the rushing water.
Crap….I don’t know if this is such a good idea…Renee stepped away from the edge, turning back toward the path. Screw this…I’ll just walk back down…At that moment, she realized she was once again facing the mysterious tree. She stared at it for some time, contemplating Sam’s words. It’s a symbol of hope…its meant to push travelers onward when they feel like there is no way they can continue….aw crap…She knew, in that second, she had to do it. Without allowing another thought to pass through her mind, Renee spun towards the water and ran. She leaped in like a gazelle, utter terror filling her at the last second. It was too late, she was committed now. Water rushed over her head. As she rose back up, sheer adrenaline rushed through her. She screamed as her body was pulled down the massive slide. Excitement filled her. As she reached the bottom, an incredible sense of accomplishment swept over her.
“Oh yea! Nicely done.” Sam was waiting at the bottom, clearly proud she went through with it. “You would’ve never done something like that back home….” He smiled vividly.
It reminded Renee of a time they went swimming back in their small town. She climbed to the edge of a cliff where their friends were jumping. Fear overtook her that time and she slowly made her way back down. They all waited for her tedious, embarrassing climb of shame. Not this time though. I did it! Renee felt proud of the accomplishment. This was truly an incredible place.
“Back to the rope swing?” Sam grinned wildly. He rushed toward the edge and was splashing her before Renee could even move. Bringing her out of her trance, she immediately flung water back at him. The two giggled wildly as the water battle ensued.
The joy and laughter of the evening seemed to last forever. Renee had not had this much fun with her friend, or any friend for that matter, in years. Finally, the sun was just starting to disappear over the hills and the voice of Miria rang out. “Perhaps it is time to get dried off now.” She was standing along the water’s edge, lifting two extremely fluffy towels. Oh, that’s where she went…
It was just now Renee considered the fact Miria did not join them in the water. As she and Sam approached closer to the shore, she brought this matter to attention. “Why didn’t you get in the water too?” As she asked this, Renee still bore the massive smile etched across her face. Miria’s face bore a different expression on it. Her features still aglow, her expression was far more serious and reserved. “What’s wrong?” Renee’s curiosity never ceased. With her inquiry voiced, she then drew her attention to the fresh towel in her hands. She scanned over its fluffy surface several times to ensure it contained no unwanted pests.
Miria looked up and managed a weak smile. “I am sorry, my dear, if I do not seem myself. There are simply some very serious matters I must discuss with our leader.”
Sam rushed up behind Renee. His curiosity was also noticeably sparked. “You mean with The Protector?” He smiled as he stated the unique title.
“Yes. Would you mind showing Renee the lines and taking her to April for some dry clothes?” Sam’s response was less than enthusiastic as he rolled his eyes. Miria continued, “After, you may introduce her to Ellhion if you so prefer.” She smiled brightly at this and Sam’s face was immediately reignited.
“Who’s Ellhion?” Renee felt completely lost again. It seemed Sam and Miria spent quite some time together and she was starting to feel like the odd one out.
“Oh, you’ll see.” Sam stated as he smiled brightly. Once they both dried off as much as possible, Sam rushed off. He started running toward the beams that supported Neveah’s dock and was directly underneath them in no time. He then rounded the corner, assumedly headed toward the unfamiliar section of the woods.
“Hey, wait up.” Renee hurried to follow him. Looking back at Miria, she noticed her very somber, serious expression once more. Hmm…what is worrying her so much?....The thought must wait; Sam was leaving her in the dust. Rushing forward, she finally caught up to him. “Shesh Sam…you run…like a…freaking cheetah.” Her words were broken up between heavy breaths as they continued to run deeper into the woods.
“Or like a tiger.” Sam laughed loudly. Huh?....tigers are slower than cheetahs, aren’t they?....oh well, whatever…His pace slowed as they approached a wide opening in the trees. The field here was not unlike the one by the water slide. Only here line after line stretched across it’s opening, each one running at least fifty feet across from one tree on the edge to another. Several of the lines grasped dangling clothes tossing about in the wind. “Think you can wear boy’s clothes?” Sam asked as he hurried over to a specific area amongst the lines. He unclipped the clothes pins holding the pants and shirt in place.
“Um I guess…weren’t we supposed to go see someone about getting me dry clothes?” Renee needed clarification here.
“Oh, April? Yea, well I really want you to meet Ellhion; so this will save us on time. Plus I have three sets of clothes total, and two of them have been here overnight. One dry set for you, one dry set for me and then we can both hang up our wet clothes.”
“So we’re just bypassing seeing this April person and getting me girl’s clothes to save on time?” Renee was irritated. Despite her recent decision to run away from home, she generally liked following directions. Then again, you are in this strange place after dragging him into running away….it’s kinda your own fault….oh shut up brain…
As Renee was having her mental battle, Sam handed her a dry set of clothes. “You can go over there to change.” He pointed to a grouping of trees some ways off.
“You want me to ch
ange in the middle of the woods?!” Renee certainly did not like that idea.
“Whoa, where’s your sense of adventure?” Sam grabbed his own set and scrambled off in another direction. Turning his head back towards her as he rushed off, he added, “Trust me, when you meet Ellhion, you’ll know it’s all worth it.” Sam smiled vividly before redirecting his focus toward the trees ahead of him.
Renee hesitantly made her way to the other side of the woods. Looking around, the trees that appeared so lovely before now seemed daunting in their existence. Renee cautiously removed her wet skirt and replaced it with the oddly sized pants. They hung down far too low in the center, with loose cloth dangling in the crotch area, yet squeezed too tightly on her rounded stomach. “Ugh.” Renee could not contain her irritation. As she changed her shirt, she pleasantly found it was a better fit, but the pants were bothering her already.
Walking back into the clearing, she pulled down on the clothing around her thighs then lifted the waist up higher again. No matter what she tried, she could not get comfortable. Sam was already changed and back in place by the clothes line, hanging up his drenched apparel.
“This Ellhion character had better be all you say he is.”
Sam laughed wildly at the comment and at her struggle with the awkward fitting pants. Renee glared at him. “Sorry….uhm….you look great….and he is all that. Trust me, you’ll see.” Sam reached out for the damp clothes in her hand. “Here, I’ll put those up for you.” His effort seemed like a genuine attempt to make amends. Renee handed them over, glad to not have to deal with the drenched clothing. She always hated dealing with laundry. Sam hung up the items efficiently, clearly on a mission. “Come on, let’s go….I hope he’s not sleeping right now…..he likes to sleep a lot....”
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21. THE LOUNGE
Emily was in shock. The lounge was one of the most beautiful places she ever witnessed. The distant wall was made entirely of glass. The carpet was pure, white shag. A giant plasma screen hung on the wall to her right above a massive fireplace. Giant frames of artwork surrounded the room.
A particularly interesting one hung above the massive leather couch. This painting portrayed a young woman lounging in darkness, an erotic expression crossing her face. She was covered only by a white scarf that ran between her thighs and wrapped over one of her breasts. The other was left exposed, as though waiting to be touched. In the upper corner, farthest from the woman’s face, was a single light bulb. Emily could almost see it flickering. The use of coloring seemed to portray it was dim, nearly going out, creating an even more erotic setting. It captured Emily’s attention for several seconds before she noticed the items on the coffee table below. There, closest to her, rested a bottle of wine amongst a sea of glassy ice. The ice was still cubed, completely solid, as though it was just set out. How is that possible?
On the other end of the table rested an odd contraption with a long glass and metal section running up the center. Two hoses stretched out from either side of it and wrapped around the thing. “What is that?”
“Oh, the hookah…”
Emily’s expression said it all. Ethan was speaking a foreign language. “You’ve never seen a hookah before?” He was flabbergasted. Emily shook her head, hoping for more of an explanation. “It is a smoking device….for enjoying flavored tobacco.” He smiled again clearly proud of the mechanism.
“Oh, I’m not a smoker.” Emily refused cigarettes on more than one occasion and found them absolutely disgusting. The stench bothered her more than anything.
“I’ll tell you what, how about you take a seat and relax. I’ll get some coals ready…”
“Coals?!” Emily felt panicked. Oh God, what is he going to do to me…
Ethan gently touched her shoulder, his expression reassuring. “They’re for the hookah, to burn the tobacco…it’s okay, I promise.” As he lightly rubbed her shoulder Emily could not help feeling she should run. This time, her apprehension was not a result of what he might to do to her. Instead it was a fear of what she wanted him to do. She knew she should get out of this situation immediately; yet she remained in place. In an unexplainable way, she enjoyed his touch more than any other man. She wanted him to touch her. She longed to have his hands all over her. Her mind drifted into dark places.
Just at that moment, he released her and headed to another part of the lounge. “Wait here, relax, I’ll be right back.” Ethan turned back for one last, long glance before disappearing around the corner.
Emily sat down on the couch and a million thoughts began running through her mind. Her eyes wandered over the metal and glass device, the hookah as he labeled it, and it suddenly distracted her. She lifted the hose and noticed a small hole on the end of it. The glass near the bottom of the thing had carvings of white flames etched into it. It was truly lovely, mythical almost. It taunted her with its beauty.
Ethan reemerged into the room, carefully carrying a red hot coal with metal prongs. His shirt was now removed and Emily wanted to ask why. Instead, her eyes became fixated upon his washboard abs. Each one was a square of ultimate perfection. She should look away. She knew it would be the right thing to do, but somehow she could not draw her eyes from him.
“Here we go.” His words broke the silence of her trance and drew her attention back to his hands and the red hot coal. He placed it on top of the device ever so delicately and then reached for the bottle of wine. “Would you like a glass?” He asked, as he removed the cork and poured one.
“What the hell, why not?” Emily was giving in. She knew it. She no longer cared. As Ethan handed her the freshly filled glass, he then poured a second for himself. He proceeded to sit by her on the couch. After taking a few sips, he lifted the hose of the hookah. “Want to try it?” He raised an eyebrow, taunting her curiosity.
“You only live once, right?” Emily did not know what was coming over her. This was unlike her, but she didn’t care, she was embracing the change. The sweet, innocent, pathetic country girl seemed to have vanished entirely. Wealth, power and temptation were ruling her mind now. Despite the currently elevated status of her mind, Emily was forced to acknowledge her ignorance on the issue at hand. “How do I smoke it?” She felt silly for asking, but it was a necessary question.
Ethan handed her one of the hoses and picked up the other. He slowly brought it up to his lips and inhaled deeply. A beautiful stream of smoke poured from his perfect mouth, filling the room. To Emily’s surprise, there was no stench as she always associated with cigarette smoke. Ethan seemed to pick up on her smelling the air. “Yes, it is unlike cigarette smoke entirely, much cleaner than that.” He smiled, clearly feeling proud of the contraption. “Now, just put it up to your lips…” He lifted the hose in her good hand as he said this. “…wrap them around….there you go….and suck in deep.” He stared as her lips wrapped around the hose.
Emily breathed in a long, deep breath and exhaled slowly, watching the twirling smoke surrounding them. It was almost magical. She simultaneously reached for her wine glass, completely forgetting about the cast still wrapped around her arm. She clumsily dropped the hose on the ground in the awkward process. Guess I’m still a klutz…“I’m so sorry.” She reached for the hose as Ethan did and their hands became entangled on it. Ethan released his, as though he had a sudden respect for her space. Without even acknowledging the awkward interaction, he jumped straight to another thought.
“That is probably healed now.” He said, as he pointed to her arm.
“What? It’s only been a day, how is that possible?” Emily could not believe him.
Ethan reached for the cast and paused just in front of it. “Trust me?”
Emily certainly did not trust him, but then again, he was the doctor here. “Okay…” She still felt hesitant. His hand moved closer as sweat formed on her brow. “Wait.” Emily picked up the glass of wine with her good arm and chugged it quickly, 'liquid courage' her friends always called it after all. Ethan giggled and then proceed
ed to unravel the bandage. Emily had never seen a cast come off so easily. She remembered a time when she was only ten years old and her childhood best friend broke his leg. She went along to his hospital visit, against her parents’ will. She watched in horror as her friend’s cast was literally sawed off his leg. The memory brought up a deep internal pain that Emily quickly shunned. No, I am not going to think about him….not right now….I deserve to enjoy something in life…Just then, Ethan removed the last section of bandage, revealing an arm in perfect condition. Emily hesitantly stretched it forward, bracing for the pain. There was none. It was completely healed.
“Wow! How is that possible?”
Ethan laughed, clearly amused by her surprise. “Did you notice how every time I touched your hand during our shopping experience you felt….a fire if you will…rush through you?”
“Yes…” Emily still did not understand.
“Well, I am no ordinary doctor. You see in Luthania, the greatest of followers are granted….special gifts. Mine is the ability to heal. Every second I touched you, I was also healing you.” Ethan’s confidence seemed to be growing even more now.
“I don’t understand….why did I not feel that in the office when you first applied the cast? It was only in the mall, I experienced that sensation.” Emily was befuddled.
“It’s voluntary. I had to be certain you were not…..well….from Neveah.” Ethan hesitated on the last word, as though it was cursed.
“Is that the town Lucy referred to? The one she originally thought I was from?” Finally, Emily was getting answers. Oddly enough, it came at a time when she truly did not care to hear them. Her arm was healed, she was wearing the loveliest of clothes in the world, drinking with an extremely handsome man, and she felt like a queen. What else could possibly matter at this point?
“Yes, it is. If you don’t mind, I’d rather not discuss it anymore. Can we just relax? You can drink and smoke hookah at the same time now if you wish.” He laughed lightly, winking as he did so.
R.E.M.: The Hidden World Page 12