Chapter 5 - A flash of something ...

Isabella

Asher helps me into bed a little while later. I wonder if there is something else that I could wear, but I don’t want to ask him. He might offer to help me change, and I really don’t want that. I can’t imagine a strange man helping me into clothes.

“Can I get you anything to eat or drink?” He frowns looking around the room and I shake my head. “Maybe something to read? I don’t’ know, do you prefer television?” He walks over to the dresser as though he is trying to measure something.

“I’m good, thanks. I’m actually a little tired.” I pretend to yawn, and he nods as he walks over to the door.

“As I said, I won’t be far. My office is just down the hall. If you shout, I will hear you.” His eyes dart back and forth before he nods again and disappears. I take a deep breath and lie back onto the soft pillows. My mind tries to make sense of what happened to me. While I was in the hospital, Lisa told me how Asher found me. I focus on that and try to remember why I might have been running.

My head starts to ache, and I feel tears welling up in the back of my eyes. I turn to my side out of sheer frustration as the tears start to run. Tears of frustration, anger and, strangely, tears of fear make their way out of my eyes, down my cheeks and onto the pillow.

All the questions flood my mind at once, and this time I don’t try to stop them. I don’t think about them. I just let them flow through and out of my mind without trying to find the answers. I let the tears flow, until I eventually fall asleep.

When I wake up it is dark outside and the lights in my room has been switched on. I rub my eyes but no amount of rubbing will take away the puffy feeling. As I slip my legs out from under the covers, I note something falling on the floor.

I can’t help but smile the moment I pick up the pink and very girly pajamas. I would never have imagined Asher being the kind of guy to buy that kind of thing and make up my mind that it was probably Lisa. It’s clear that Asher or Lisa was there, and for my own peace of mind, I decide that it was Lisa.

It takes a bit of balancing at first, but the moment I get in the shower it is as though I just stepped into heaven. The warm water washes down my body. It feels so good. While I was in the hospital, doctor Lisa didn’t want me getting up unnecessarily which meant I had only sponge baths the entire time.

I close my eyes before putting my head under the incredible water when a painful stab shoots through my head. At the same time, my mind is filled with an image of cold water being poured out over my head while I gasp to try and catch my breath.

I scream instinctively, and the image disappears faster than it appeared. I hear my bedroom door bash open and I don’t even have to ask who it is.

“Jane!” Asher shouts and in the blink of an eye, he is in the bathroom and grabs hold of me in the shower. He catches me just in time before my legs give way. I fling my arms around his neck as tears start to pour down my cheeks for a second time while he carries me back to my bed. Only once he places me on the mattress do I realize I’m naked! His eyes meet mine, and I’m once again astonished at how fast he turns around.

“I’m sorry! I heard you scream! You looked as though you were about to faint! Are you okay? Do you need help getting dressed?” He sounds a little panicked and I frown. He shot off so many questions at once that I almost don’t know where to start. The pajamas catch my eye and I quickly pull the top over my head.

“I felt as though I was going to faint. The strangest thing happened while I was standing under the water.” I frown while pulling on the panties. Dizziness hits while I’m standing and, on the way back down, I grab his arm, making him turn around.

“I’m sorry!” He shuts his eyes. “I didn’t realize you were still getting dressed. I felt you…”

“It’s okay. The important bits are covered.” I feel my cheeks turn bright red, but force my heart to calm down. “Will you help me please? I can’t seem to stand upright without fainting.” I sigh deeply and he opens his eyes. I hand him the pajama bottoms, and he helps me to get into them before helping me into bed.

I realize that I didn’t actually wash any part of my body! I almost fainted before I could get to that part. I wonder if he noticed, but since he doesn’t say anything about it, I don’t even mention it.

“You were saying.” He tilts his head to one side while resting his hands on his hips. “About the strange thing.”

“Oh yes, I was standing under the water when I had this strange flash. I’m not sure if it is a memory or just something really awful my mind made up, but that was when I felt as though I was going to faint.” I shrug noticing the deep frown on his brow.

“I will call my mother to come and check you out. Do you need anything else?” He looks a little like a rabbit in headlights and I shake my head. There is a jug of water and a glass beside my bed, and I’m not really hungry, and with the sudden strange awkwardness between us, I would prefer it if he leaves.

“Thank you for your help.” I smile as I watch him leave, and he turns on his heel.

“When I said shout, I didn’t mean it, you know?” It’s the first time I notice a spark of mischief in his eyes.

“Oh, I thought you meant that literally.” I smile and listen to his laughter, slowly moving away from my room. With that one small exchange, the weirdness between us instantly disappears.