CHAPTER 10

AVA CLARKE

"Wait here, I'll get the first aid kit, Ava.", he says, quickly leaving and leaving me alone in the living room. I sit on the sofa of the imposing Fell mansion, observing the surroundings while awaiting Lucius's return.

The cold touch of the leather sofa contrasts with the tension that settled in the air since I had that unexpected fall. My thoughts continue to revolve around Damien and Elara's peculiar behavior, reacting strangely to the sight of blood flowing from my wound.

The cold atmosphere of the Fell mansion seems insufficient to dissipate the mysterious atmosphere that hangs over me. I wonder what could be causing so much disturbance for Damien and Elara. Is it just the shock of seeing blood, or something deeper and more sinister? I hear footsteps, interrupting my reverie. Lucius returns, carrying a first aid kit.

However, his eyes are the only ones not reflecting the strangeness that hangs in this place. He approaches with serenity, as if he were immune to the disturbances affecting the others.

"Now we need to clean these wounds.", he says, sitting beside me. I see Lucius start to open the kit, preparing to treat my wounds.

His movements are precise and careful, as if he is accustomed to dealing with similar situations.

I notice the immediate difference and feel a subtle relief by his side.

"I can do this myself, Lucius.", I say, but he shakes his head.

"Taking care of wounds makes me feel more human. I haven't done this in a long time. Before everything, I had the desire to be a doctor and take care of people who needed it.", he says sincerely, and I smile at him.

"I'm sure you would have been a great doctor.", Lucius's gaze finds the cut on my hand. With skill, he begins to clean the wound, while I watch the concentrated expression on his face.

A question escapes my curious lips, breaking the tense silence that permeates the atmosphere.

"Damien and Elara distanced themselves from me; do they not like seeing blood?", I ask, trying to understand the mystery that surrounds this unusual reaction. Lucius pauses for a moment before answering, revealing a glimpse of regret in his eyes.

"They have a certain fear of blood because of what happened to my wife; they never managed to overcome it."

My expression changes as I understand the origin of the tension that hangs over the mansion. I find myself involved in a complex and painful story that I don't fully know.

Lucius's care continues, and I feel the gentleness of his hands as he tends to the wound on my hand.

I let out a low groan when he passed a piece of cotton soaked in liquid over my wound, causing me to look at his face.

"Are you okay?", he asks in a whisper, and I nod my head, looking at his lips. His lips seem very soft, and I wonder what it would be like to kiss him. I shake my head discreetly, trying to push such inappropriate thoughts from my mind. He is my boss, and I can't be attracted to him.

But there's something strange about him; I feel a kind of connection, as if I'm somehow connected to Lucius in a way I still can't understand. My boss's eyes meet mine, and time seems to freeze around us.

I really want to kiss him at this moment, but I can't do that. I look back at my hand before I do something I shouldn't. Lucius continues to clean and care for the cut on my skin.

It's not just a matter of technical skill; there's compassion in his gestures. The cut doesn't need stitches, and Lucius asks me to lift my pants and show the wound on my knee.

I obey, revealing the injury. Lucius examines it carefully, taking the necessary steps to treat the injury. As he works, I think about the complexity of relationships in this mansion and the importance of understanding the scars that each person carries.

The silence persists for a moment, but it's a different silence now, permeated by mutual understanding. I realize that, despite the strangeness and secrets surrounding Damien and Elara, Lucius remains the point of stability in this house. And as he takes care of my wounds, I feel a sense of trust settling in, as if, for a moment, the shadows of the past dissipate.

"Done, it's much better now.", he says, and I smile, closing my hand and seeing that the pain is minimal now.

"Thank you, Lucius. Is Elara in her room? I'll take a quick shower, and then I'll come to be with her.", I say, and he nods his head.

Furthermore, I climb the stairs of the imposing Fell mansion, feeling each step under my feet as if each one were a contemplation of recent events.

The atmosphere in the house still carries the tension of previous events, but I try to push away the dark thoughts as I make my way to the comfort of my room.

When I reach the top of the stairs, I walk toward the room, my mind immersed in reflections about Lucius.

The possibility of a kiss lingers in my thoughts, a subtle desire that blends with the uncertainties that surround the mansion.

My heart quickens with anticipation as I cross the threshold of the room and close the door behind me, sighing deeply. The intimate atmosphere of the room provides a sense of temporary refuge.

Still immersed in my thoughts, I begin to prepare for a quick bath. I carefully remove my clothes, remembering the injured knee that requires special attention. As I enter the bathroom without clothing, the feeling of vulnerability mixes with the persistent thought of a possible kiss with Lucius.

However, what should be a moment of relaxation turns into an unexpected nightmare.

I turn on the shower, but instead of feeling the comforting water, I am surprised by something horrible.

A sharp scream escapes my lips when I come face to face with a repulsive insect invasion throughout the bathroom. The shower water not only falls, but also brings with it an unwanted infestation that quickly becomes the focus of my horror.

I feel the uncomfortable presence of insects on my skin as a worm-like or snake-like creature slides over my shoulder, intensifying my scream of terror.

"Oh my god! Ahhhh!"

Amidst the chaos, I have no choice but to leave the bathroom as quickly as possible. I grab a towel quickly, trying to contain the mixture of shock and fear reflected in my dilated eyes.

What should be a moment of relief turns into an unimaginable nightmare. However, the scare is far from over.

When I leave the bathroom, I widen my eyes upon realizing the unexpected presence of Damien, Lucius, and Elara inside my room.

The shock of finding them in the privacy of my personal space competes with the shame of being enveloped only in a towel. The door to my room is open, indicating that they entered because they heard my screams and thought I needed help.