The day went by in a blur
...Ashley tried to focus on healing the townspeople, but the piercing silver eyes of the man from her dreams kept flashing in her mind—a relentless reminder that something was about to change. She didn't know what, and she prayed it wasn't anything she could stop.
Finally the day was over. she didn't stand by her door like she normally would, all she could think of was her bed, with the excruciating headache gnawing at her skull making it difficult to put her things together properly
"Are you okay, Ash?" Leora asked, visibly concerned at how Ashley stumbled around with her hand on her head
Turning to Leora. She hadn't noticed she was sitting there this whole time watching her, "y...yeah I'm fine, just a little head ache" she replied, trying her best to tell the difference between the bay leaf and barley leaf, flinching at the strong scent she nodded dropping the leaf in the right container
Leora watched with a frown, it was obvious she was not okay and typical of her not to express weakness when there's clearly someone to hold her up "you can just leave it to me and head to bed" Leora said, worry lines already forming on her face
Ashley shook her "No it's fine, I can do it...besides I can't leave my precious herbs to you, I'll only wake up to more work" she said, flinching from the pain of moving her head side to side
Leora narrowed her eyes pursing her lips, she wasn't going to retort. Her best friend was in pain, she repeated in her mind trying to convince herself not to have say anything harsh. The anger left her mind as fast as she saw Ashley almost hitting the ground
Rushing from the stool, she quickly caught Ashley from falling "you're going to bed now—and you don't have to worry about you precious herbs" Leora said, Mimicking the way she said precious herbs
"Huh no really I'm fine" Ashley said with a futile attempt to break free from Leora's grip.
Not listening, Leora brought Ashley into her room, placing her on the bed.
Covering her up with a blanket, she sat on the floor by the bedside "isn't there a remedy for your headache, you're a healer you should be able to heal yourself" Leora asked
"Don't worry about that, I'll be fine it's just a headache...thank you for looking after me you can head home now" Ashley said, trying to keep her voice steady, she felt herself loosing consciousness. she kept her eyes open to convince Leora she was okay. Finally succumbing to the fatigue and pain she let herself fall asleep.
Leora watched her quietly, she wasn't going to argue with Ashley on why she was going to stay here and watch her to make sure she was okay— placing her hand on her head, her body temperature was normal and she seemed sound asleep.
Letting out a sigh of relief, she laid on the floor next to Ashley using her jacket to shield herself from the cold, her thoughts raced, she had to find out the meaning of the mark on her chest or figure out a way to get rid of it.
Ashley's eyes opened slowly. She was sitting by the same lake but this time with a blanket draped over her, her eyes gazed at the starry lake admiring its beauty.
For some reason she was calm— like she knew what she was doing there but she didn't. she wanted to ask questions or find the cloaked man but staring at the lake her mind slowed— calmed by the sound of the ripples.
She closed her eyes taking in the cool air and the peace that came with sitting with nature— wishing this moment could last forever.
hearing the sound of footsteps coming towards her, she slowly opened her eyes to see the cloaked man standing by her. she looked up at him standing slowly while tugging the blanket on her to protect her from the cold
"What is this place" she asked
The man didn't speak. Ashley was beginning to think he couldn't, opening her mouth to say something — "you don't belong here" he spoke. His words waking her up from the dream.
Ashley turned her gaze to the window, it was bright the sun had already come up. Her back was still on the bed, her brows drew closer in confusion recalling the dream she had, wondering what that strange man meant by she didn't belong here.
Sitting up slowly, she touched her head, the pain had completely disappeared, looking at her chest the mark was still there. she sighed slouching in disappointment, she hoped that the mark will disappear along side the deadly headache—she hoped too soon.
Turning her head to the side to see Leora fast asleep on the floor. She couldn't help but smile her heart warmed at the thought that Leora took care of her when she blacked out. placing her blanket over her, she stood up to prepare for the day putting the strange dream at the back of her mind. Nothing was going to ruin her good day.
Quickly dressing up she walked down to her shop, seeing the mess she left last night, her bed seemed so inviting— taking a deep breathe she braced herself to clean up before a customer walks in. Taking up the brush she started brushing the floor and arranging the furnitures properly. soon she was lost in her cleaning enjoying every bit of it while humming her mom's favorite song
The door opened making the bell ring. Ashley turned her head to the door to see the man from her dreams walk up to her in real life—wiping her eyes she definitely was still in Dreamland cause "what the..."