Part: 10

It opened its mouth and to my horror, it was just a gaping black hole. No teeth, no tongue, just an endless pit of darkness. It’s ghastly lips mouthed something but no sound came out. It’s long pale fingers, with blackened nails as long and sharp as a swords, extended towards me. Even though it was inaudible, I could tell it was calling me, beckoning me to come closer and no matter how much I fought against it, I couldn’t deny its call. A strange sense of peacefulness overtook me… no… an emptiness. My soul was drawn towards it like a moth to a flame, my mind went blank and my muscles went limp, the fight to stay away no longer plagued me as I welcomed its call. Reaching out, I…

Slamming back down to reality, I blinked. Something delicious was in my mouth and it didn’t bother me. Still in a haze, I chewed at it hungrily and opened my mouth, allowing my husband to stuff another piece of meat into it.

“Do you feel better now?” He looked at me worriedly.

Nodding my head, but unable to respond as hunger overcame me. Without thinking, I reached out and grabbed the fork from his hands and plummeted into my plate. When I was finished, I burped in satisfaction. A sense of clarity washed over me, like a giant fan had blown away the fog within my mind. Suddenly aware that this dish was made by him, I couldn’t help but turn towards him and smile mischievously. “Was this especially made for Mua?”

He smirked. “Who else?”

“You cooked it yourself?”

“Why are you so shocked?” He chuckled. “ I cook…” I raised an eyebrow. “…sometimes…” I raised my other eyebrow. He laughed and shook his head “Alright… Alright.” He put up his hands in the air defensively, begging me to take it easy on him.

I chuckled “I’m just glad you aren’t the burn-the-house-down types.”

“Is that a compliment? Are you calling me a chief?” He said cheekily in mock surprise.

I hit his shoulder playfully and rubbed my belly. “Not trying to kill the mood.” I said. “D~Did I have another episode?” He froze for a brief second, then nodded. “H~how long?” He opened his mouth and averted his gaze. “Please be honest with me.” I said, knowing he was about to give me some excuse or lie.

He sighed and held my hand. “I told you I would come back the next day, but they stopped me and put you under, you had a pretty bad melt down…” He looked at me with eyes filled with tears, but a determination that screamed he’d do whatever it took to protect me, no matter the consequences. “…That was almost three weeks ago.”