Journey Into The Past - Part 5
Part One
Part Two
Part Three
Part Four
My conversation with Christine was cut short upon Erik's arrival. He rather pointedly reminded her that she was here for her lessons, not for a social gathering. She meekly bade me farewell and scurried ahead of Erik out the door; he strayed a moment longer before following Christine his study.
I was finally left in a conscious state of mind, the entrancing ribbons of delirium untangled and forgotten. Being able to think thoughts fully, completely, with all this free time... it was marvelous. I snuggled under the heavy blankets and unfolded Dimitri's letter for the millionth time that evening, rereading it. My heart fluttered in my chest and a dreamy air overtook me, even after nearly knowing his words by heart. I lay under the covers a moment longer to compile my thoughts before I searched for the necessary objects to write him back. A touch reluctantly, I crawled out of my warm little rabbit hole in the blankets and walked across the wintry, moth eaten carpet to the desk in the corner of my room. After rummaging through all but one drawer I found what I needed: paper, ink, and a quill. Sitting and beginning to write, the only sound in the room was the familiar scratch of quill against parchment.
My dearest Dimitri,
These past few days have seemed like a lifetime to me. This illness has left me time to think and I persistently find my mind wandering back to thoughts of you. The letter you wrote made me feel higher than the stars, and now the creases from whence it was folded are beginning to tear from my countless rereadings. I love you, my darling, and I pray to regain my health and strength swiftly so I may return to your side once again.
Your loving Elizabeth
I sealed it with a kiss because a letter such as that deserved a kiss of its own. Fumbling with the drawer, I managed to find the wax to keep it sealed. The letter was left on the desk where I knew Erik or Christine would find it and deliver it to him. Taking a book with me, I settled near the crackling fire, but even sitting in the overstuffed chair caught me chilled. I gathered more blankets and Ayesha soon found her way to my side whilst my mind faded off to a slumber, book long since forgotten.
I awoke in the morning to find I had slept straight through another night, also somehow sleeping through the sounds of screaming echoing about. I found myself quite alone in the apartment and rose to find the noise's source. Every room was empty with the exception of the room Erik constantly kept locked. I tried the handle, and to my surprise, I found the room unlocked. Upon entering, shock filled my mind. Such ghastly furnishings had he acquired, along with a coffin in the middle of the room! My mind set those matters to the side and turned to Erik, who was curled on the floor, screaming in what I assumed was pain. I took to his side and attempted to make my presence known, but he seemed oblivious to my existence. I took him in my arms, trying to pull his rolled-up sleeves down. In doing such I glanced at the marks of a needle on his arm, finding the culprit lying to the side of the door. This was one of Erik's secrets I vowed to myself to ignore for the present. For then, I just rocked him in my arms until his fit finally died down.
**Thanks again goes out to masqueradestar
Part Two
Part Three
Part Four
My conversation with Christine was cut short upon Erik's arrival. He rather pointedly reminded her that she was here for her lessons, not for a social gathering. She meekly bade me farewell and scurried ahead of Erik out the door; he strayed a moment longer before following Christine his study.
I was finally left in a conscious state of mind, the entrancing ribbons of delirium untangled and forgotten. Being able to think thoughts fully, completely, with all this free time... it was marvelous. I snuggled under the heavy blankets and unfolded Dimitri's letter for the millionth time that evening, rereading it. My heart fluttered in my chest and a dreamy air overtook me, even after nearly knowing his words by heart. I lay under the covers a moment longer to compile my thoughts before I searched for the necessary objects to write him back. A touch reluctantly, I crawled out of my warm little rabbit hole in the blankets and walked across the wintry, moth eaten carpet to the desk in the corner of my room. After rummaging through all but one drawer I found what I needed: paper, ink, and a quill. Sitting and beginning to write, the only sound in the room was the familiar scratch of quill against parchment.
My dearest Dimitri,
These past few days have seemed like a lifetime to me. This illness has left me time to think and I persistently find my mind wandering back to thoughts of you. The letter you wrote made me feel higher than the stars, and now the creases from whence it was folded are beginning to tear from my countless rereadings. I love you, my darling, and I pray to regain my health and strength swiftly so I may return to your side once again.
Your loving Elizabeth
I sealed it with a kiss because a letter such as that deserved a kiss of its own. Fumbling with the drawer, I managed to find the wax to keep it sealed. The letter was left on the desk where I knew Erik or Christine would find it and deliver it to him. Taking a book with me, I settled near the crackling fire, but even sitting in the overstuffed chair caught me chilled. I gathered more blankets and Ayesha soon found her way to my side whilst my mind faded off to a slumber, book long since forgotten.
I awoke in the morning to find I had slept straight through another night, also somehow sleeping through the sounds of screaming echoing about. I found myself quite alone in the apartment and rose to find the noise's source. Every room was empty with the exception of the room Erik constantly kept locked. I tried the handle, and to my surprise, I found the room unlocked. Upon entering, shock filled my mind. Such ghastly furnishings had he acquired, along with a coffin in the middle of the room! My mind set those matters to the side and turned to Erik, who was curled on the floor, screaming in what I assumed was pain. I took to his side and attempted to make my presence known, but he seemed oblivious to my existence. I took him in my arms, trying to pull his rolled-up sleeves down. In doing such I glanced at the marks of a needle on his arm, finding the culprit lying to the side of the door. This was one of Erik's secrets I vowed to myself to ignore for the present. For then, I just rocked him in my arms until his fit finally died down.
**Thanks again goes out to masqueradestar