Rootless Tree

Part 4

“Please my love…I am so sorry!” He cried out to her, staggering as he tried to close the space between them.

He pushed off the wall hard to round yet another corner, his feet becoming slick from a mix of sweat and the water she was leaving in her wake. He was challenged to stay upward as he pushed himself faster and faster. The pathway he once knew now felt as if it had contorted into a maze, each turn giving way to another and another and each rounding of it she would allude him no matter the amount of acceleration he gained. The smooth stoned floor turned into a jagged edge that tore at his feet, a black serpent like mass crawled across the walls staining it with darkness, almost as if it were racing Amar. The further he went the more unreal his surroundings became. The small collection of water that seemed to follow her soon became massive amounts and water splashed up towards his knees as the murky puddles rose to his ankles. His paced slowed but he it did not deter him as he waded after her. It was up to his waist within several steps and began to weigh him down as if he were wearing lead pants that were working to drown him. Ofelia’s voice fueled his will to reach her and to have her in his arms once more.

He stood froze as he watched as a wave of water angry and fierce began to storm down the passage towards him, it growing in both height and momentum as it made its way. How could this be? He could not even begin to question these strange and unfortunate phenomenons. His body would not move; forced to watch in disbelief as the wave raged hard and slammed into him unforgivably. He managed only to raise his arms defensively; hoping they would shield him from the blunt force of the hit.

He opened his eyes reluctantly but found he was unscathed. As if the wave had lifted the shroud of delusion and washed away the facade. The hallways were gone and Amar was positioned at a familiar place. She stood like a dream against the ledge. Her silk dress danced around her in the breeze, her curls lifting off her shoulders and swaying around as if caught in a current.  She looked out over the meeting of the sea and the sandy beach stretching to the west as far as the eye could see. This was one of the many places she and Amar had shared. He reminisced on her body leaning dangerously over the railing as he pressed his frame hard into hers. Like many of their memories, this one too was filled with wandering fingers pulling at clothes and hair, lips aching to taste and be tasted. Fits of passion and a hunger pushing forth a lust that was unbridled.

“Amar?” She whispered like the breath of the passing breeze.

                He stood silent a moment absorbing the sweetest sound of his name gracing her lips, before managing to part his own and respond. “My Doll…I am here...” His heart so desperately wanted to believe this moment was true. That after the trepidation of this nightmare the night had given way to some beauty. He wanted to love her just as painfully he wanted to hate her. If he could but hold her he would beg her forgiveness, vow to never hurt her again; even if he knew it was a promise he could not keep. He would tell this lie if it meant having her in his arms once more and to erase this horrid evening.

“Amar?” She whimpered now, as if oblivious to his presence.

“I am here my Doll…I am here...” He stepped towards her, as he did he could feel water again under his feet as it continued to saturate and bleed off her gown and down her pale skin as if she were tapping an eternal source of the ocean. “I am here Ofelia...” His voice came at a louder volume, desperation lacing his tone as he wanted and needed her to know he was there.