Chapter XXIX

**They say ignorance is bliss, but we refuse to turn a blind eye to the truth. Something darker than sleep has found us,**

**Unveiling the hidden secrets that plague my nights, I delve into the shadows to shed light on what truly haunts us. I brace myself for an eye-opening journey that will challenge my perception of reality.**

______(Lily POV)

I woke up to sounds of heavy footsteps.

'What happen?'

Adjusting to the dimly lit room. I quickly realized that both hands are bound, and some type of cloth soaked in a liquid was leaving a bad taste in my mouth. My eyes reached heavenward, adjusting to the evasive and quietness of the room.

My mind was clouded, just like the sky before a storm released its anguish upon the city. Questions started to fill the once vacant space, intensely straining for any memory of how I got here.

Searching frantically around the room for a clue. My eyes settle on an enormous tall figure. Stepping out of the shadow.

I gasp at the unknown person in all black blending in well with the room. The mask covered his face; while his right hand held a bloody ax hanging loosely on his side. He tosses the ax to the center of the room. I jumped at the sound of metal hitting concrete; keeping my eyes on him. He briskly walked towards me. Small beads of sweat start to form on my forehead, sliding down my face.

"All of a sudden my vision becomes blurry as I lose focus on him", I explained.

The therapist writes something down in the yellow notepad, resting in her hands. She takes a moment to ponder over something. Before gesturing me to continue.

"But I can't my mind won't let me" standing up abruptly from the comfortable couch. My eyes closed as I try to regain my composure. Gradually allowing the sound of the clock to refocus my attention, as I have done so many times before. This time it doesn't work. My eyes open and rest on Mrs. Shepard.

Who by now have sat up straight and stop writing, "I can't clear you from therapy until I know you have completely done the lessons", briefly pausing she continued, "I need to know everything, in order to help you, Lily."

I impatiently tap my feet on the floor as she spoke. Clearly, she didn't get it. "Who the hell does she think she is?" Before I knew it, my thoughts had turned to irritation. Angrily I shouted, **"I'M TRYING, DAMMIT!**"

She looked petrified. I stood glaring and pointing my fingers at her. I glanced around the room when my eyes landed on a mirror that hung on the ordinary white wall. Embarrassed I quietly sat back down before continuing, "What I meant to say was that I am trying. It is hard conjuring up memories that you have worked so hard to forget." Fidgeting with my purse. I allowed myself to only focus on the feel of the suede strap against my fingertips.

For a moment only silence was felt and the sound of the clock filling the air.

Realizing that our session was coming to an end. Ms. Shepard grabbed her tea sitting on the small round table. She walked to her desk on the other side of the room and place the tea down. Grabbing her prescription pad, "I'm going to prescribe you some Bupropion HCL XL 150 MG to help you with your moods."

"Okay", I whispered. "This will help you fight your depression. Although, if it interferes with your sleep, please let me know. I might have to prescribe a sleep medication, as well."

I grabbed my purse and walk hesitantly to her." Taking the prescription out of her hands I noticed the scars on her hand. As if following my eyes, Ms. Shepard looked down and quickly placed them behind her back. She gave me a warm smile, "See you next week, Lily. "

Smiling back, I gave a quick head nod and left her office. Relieved that I was the only one on the elevator I let out a deep breath. I didn't even know I was holding it.

My thoughts were interrupted by the sound of buzzing coming from my purse. A quick glance at the phone with 20 missed calls and several texts. I immediately answered it.

"Lily?" Yes, Uncle Monte. "Thank God! Where were you?" Rolling my eyes, I replied, "Just now leaving the therapist office."

"Okay! You had me worried I was about to track your phone." NO! Don't do that, I interrupted. I'm sorry I should have checked in. I will the next time.

"Promise me, Lily," I promise, Uncle Monte. "Good. Now, will I see you at work today?" No, I must do this thing. "What thing?" He asked. "No worries, Monte. Just something I need to do."

"Okay, well call me later. Remember we have the dinner tonight. I promise I won't tell your foster parents " Alright, see you soon, Unc. "I love you, Lily." I love you, too. Talk to you later.

The light cool breeze against my face felt good. I replaced the cell phone with my small taser gun my uncle had brought me a couple of years ago. With my keys in my other hand. I walked quickly to my car.

Parking decks freak me out that is why I always parked on the main street. Even though it came with a healthy price. One time I had the yellow thing on my car when I didn't pay the parking meter. That was when I first started therapy. It took some time for me to learn how to express myself.

Hell, I'm still learning but I am better than I was before.

I close my eyes as images of dark woods ran circles around my mind. The smell of fresh air awakens my senses.

As I remember the leaves and trees dancing side to side. It was so dark that light could be barely be seen from the torch the stranger held.

Gripping me tightly against his body as he pulled me further and further into the woods.

The cold breeze screamed in my ears. My imagination was playing with me and fear set in. I feared the dark so much because I couldn't see into it.

Opening my eyes, I had escaped back to reality and inserted my keys into the ignition. My thoughts had become my enemy.

Pulling slowly into my driveway I parked the car in the garage. Placing the gun back into my purse I entered the small residential house. Thanks to Alexander.

Lucas was in the kitchen sitting at the bar.

My safe haven. My scapegoat. I was in peace when I was at home. In my own circle. Since me and Lucas have been at the safe house for a while. I decided to add my own touches here and there. To make it feel more like home.

Placing the purse on the kitchen counter I walked into the small but spacious bedroom. I glanced at my computer which faced out the window.

I like having the sky and buildings in the background. Compliments of living in a big city. On nice days you could hear a bird or plane fly by in the distance.

To the left hangs the 42" flatscreen tv, which faithfully stays on my favorite show.

Every once in a while, I put it on the news channel. A framed poster displaying a poem of Edgar Allen Poe hangs above my king size bed. Now, that I think about it, why do I have a king size bed with no one to share it with?

I mean I have Alexander but he has been MIA in the last several weeks.

And to the far right is a black and white picture of Grand Mole't with wide beams of light gushing in through the window. The beams look like they are about to make the commuters levitate at any moment and float skyward.

Right next to that picture is my other black and white picture of butterflies that an ex girlfriend of my Unc had painted for me before she passed.

I breathe deeply as I undress and prepare for a bath or shower. As I walk into the bathroom, I see the Buddhist altar sitting above the bathtub, I need to make better use of it. I decided to take a shower, instead.

Turning on the hot water to allow time for it to warm up I look in the mirror. And everything goes black...