Sixteen

“Alizandra? Alizandra?” My heart stuttered and my muscles got heavy. No, she wasn’t leaving me again. “I forbid you to die on me, Liz! Wake up, dragă. Wake up!” But she didn’t respond at all. Listless in my arms.
Some sort of déjà vu and my world narrowed on her. I drew her closer, and her shallow breathing scared the hell out of me. But it was there. Her face was pale and skin was so cold against my body, bringing back horrible memories that it was better left forgotten. I had to do something or life was about to repeat itself, and I wouldn’t allow it this time!
I launched upstairs with her in my arms, finding a bed close to a fireplace. The whole scenario seemed suspicious, and until I found out what took place here, making a fire was out of the question. My guts told me we were not safe and there was no need to attract any more attention. I glanced around. There was a trunk in the corner with some blankets inside. Once she got warm enough, I could search around for another place.
“Draga mea, I’ll be right back. Please stay warm.”
I kissed her temples and realized how cold she was against my warm lips. I didn’t want to leave her alone, but I had to. It didn’t take too long to locate an old little shed by a small lagoon; I inspected it, and no one had used it for quite some time. It was a bit run down and messy, but it would do for the moment. My major worry now was to protect and care for her, nothing else.
Once I came back, she was the same way I left her. I bunched her up in the blanket as I got out of the cabin, heading towards the lake a few miles away as fast as I could to the human eyes. The sun was climbing fast and someone could see us.
It was mild inside, and just like the other cabin, there was a bed near a fireplace. I settled her down and built a fire; the weather was bad and impossible to be without a source of heat for her. Then, I locked all the doors and windows. The shed was a simple rustic place; across from the bed a big leather chair, and behind it, there was another door opening to another small room with a bathtub inside.
Dear Lord! I scared myself when I came face to face with a mirror hanging on the wall above what seemed to be a sink. Who was the man staring back at me? I touched the person reflecting in the mirror, and then my face. The awful amount of hair, long enough to fall near my waist, and it disgusted me not to talk about the beard. I barely saw my face. A savage was in that mirror. A bear looked better. If I startled myself, what would be her reaction? I had to do something. She couldn’t see me this way.
My skin was ashen and patchy, lacking life, my nails were long enough to be impossible to make a fist, and my clothes, maybe I shouldn’t go there. I figured I also must smell. How long have I slept this time? Things have changed for a bit. The sink resembled a better version from the one we had in the past. My fingers reached for the handle, and after quite a few minutes, water came out from the pipe, and I got hands full of that life-saving liquid, taking to my thirsty mouth.
The cold taste was refreshing on my dry tongue, and sliding down my throat worked like a balm. I’d never take water for granted in my life again. Then an idea came to my mind; I had to find a knife. Back in the room on the far side, I found some interesting things, a cabinet with a bigger wash basin attached to it and other items I didn’t care for now.
I opened the drawers. A few utensils inside, but it had what I sought for. A good-sized knife. I grabbed it and got in front of the mirror again, chopping off some of my hair and beard, throwing in a small container beside what seemed to be a flush toilet. I also trimmed my nails, getting myself more presentable.
The entire cabin warmed up with the bright and crackling fire going on. I peeked at her and observed she had moved a little, and that calmed my heart. So, I focused my attention on the wardrobe. Maybe there were some clothes among all those things inside. I tried my best to clean myself up with the water I found, then I put on the pants and shirt. They were strange looking and made of a fabric I didn’t recognize. They got loose on me, but who cared. At least I wasn’t filthy anymore.
The fire ate those nasty rags I had worn before. As soon as I heard her moan, I dropped everything and went to her. She was in pain. What had happened to her? I had so many questions in need of answers. She became restless, and I sat by her side, taking her in my arms. How long have I waited to have her with me again? How long have I dreamt of feeling her in my arms once more? Way too long! She was feverish and her skin was burning hot against mine.
“Vlad…” she whispered in agony. It appalled me for a few seconds. How did she know?
“Yes, dragă, I’m here.” Those lavenders I missed so much focused on me, radiant but glassy. She was delirious.
“Vlad… I’ve missed you so much!”
“I know, draga mea, I’ve missed you, too.”
Her fingertips touched my face absently, and I closed my eyes, losing myself in her delicate, loving touch, and when I opened again, my vision blurred and a few drops fell on her.
“Why do you cry, my love?” It was such a blessing to hear her voice, even in a whisper.
“I’m happy I found you again. It was such a harrowing wait, I didn’t dare myself to dream.”
“I’m sorry I couldn’t save you.” Tears glinted in her eyes. “Sorry!”
“You did, Liz. You did, don’t worry about it now. I’ve missed you so much!” I embraced her tighter to me, and I think it was a little too much as she whimpered in pain, but I couldn’t contain myself. “What’s wrong?” I gave her some space and furrowed my eyebrows when worry hit me.
“My body hurts… I’m so tired… Please, don’t go away...”
“I’m not going anywhere, my beautiful Liz. You need to save your energy and get better. Rest, for now, you’re safe with me.” She nodded and shut her eyes, falling into a deep restless sleep. The happiness of being with her again filled my being, and the heavyweight drowning on me lifted like magic. I didn’t want to part from her, but she was burning hot and I had to bring her fever down.
I took her coat off to make her more comfortable and also her boots. I’ve never seen a woman dressed in such a manly way… We must discuss that later. Getting some rags and drenching them in cold water, I put on her forehead, back of her neck, and wrists. With another one, I dripped on her dried lips, making her swallow a bit of the liquid.
She was in and out of nightmares, and the fever just worsened her agitated state. After an entire day of fighting off her high temperature, the fever broke, and finally, she slept in peace. I was so drained I fell beside her on the bed and slept like a log to wake up being thrown out of bed, and falling in the middle of the room in front of the fireplace. So much distinct from the first time.
“What the hell, Liz!” My voice boomed through the room, and sitting up stiff on the bed, my Alizandra looked at me horrified. Her violet eyes were wider than saucers and one, only one of her brows flew up to her hairline, and I didn’t have a clue if it was a surprise, anger, or maybe both.
“That’s my question to you, Grizzly. Who the hell are you???”