In the Rain: Relief Then Stress

Amidst all this chatter and the overwhelming stress that's been piling up, I can't help but acknowledge that much of the chaos around me right now is somehow connected to my actions. It's a tough reality to swallow.

But my family, well, they seem to see things differently. My brother came up with the idea that we should stick to our usual routines, and he suggested we kick things off with a morning mountain hike. 

Honestly, I wasn't too thrilled about it. The last thing I wanted was to invite more complications or risk things going awry. 

Yet, to my surprise, my mother's face lit up with excitement, and she wholeheartedly agreed to the plan.

Here we are, it's morning, and all our bags are packed. I found myself watching my family as they checked everything one last time.

My mother turned to me with a gentle smile and said, "I know this might seem a bit sudden, but before, we used to do these weekend getaways all the time..."

Before she could finish, my brother Ben chimed in, "Yeah, it was our stress relief and a way to escape from... well, you know."

My mother shot Ben a stern look but then returned her gaze to me, her smile warm and hopeful. 

She continued, "Yes, dear. But the main goal now is for this little journey to heal your heart and help you reclaim those lost memories, to ease the hidden pain within us all."

Their efforts to make things better for me weighed heavily on my heart, even if it hurt a bit. I couldn't help it but smile through the pain. "Yes, mother, I hope for that too," I replied.

I needed to pull myself together. With a fresh determination, I looked at both of them and exclaimed, "I'm ready! Let's kick start this adventure!"

Their smiles grew wider, and we each grabbed our backpacks. Inside were some basic supplies, food, water bottles, and emergency medical supplies.

We were all bundled up in warm clothes; it was already cold and winter was just around the corner. The mountain weather promised to be even colder.

We left the house and headed in the opposite direction of the city's hustle and bustle. Living in the countryside had its perks, and one of them was being close to the mountains.

Today, our goal was to explore a different side of the mountain. My family hadn't ventured there before, so they were eager to see what it had to offer.

As we briskly walked along the trail, Ben piped up, "I heard you met a friend yesterday..."

He shot me a curious glance before asking, "Who was he?"

I replied, "His name is Thomas. We used to be close friends. It's just that I can't remember much..."

He made an "umm" sound and then exhaled a warm breath into his hands to fend off the cold, creating a misty puff of air.

"Oh, I don't remember a friend of yours named Thomas," he said, followed by a chuckle.

 "Do you even have friends, to begin with? Haha."

My mother playfully pinched Ben's chin and scolded, "Don't say that!"

He pouted, clearly not appreciating the teasing. "Oh mom, he is not a kid."

I laughed and reassured them, "It's fine, mother. Thomas mentioned to me that he never visited our house, and I didn't go to his either..."

Mother's worry was palpable as she asked with a concerned tone, "Was he nice to you? Was he really a friend, dear?"

I replied, "Yes, mother, he seemed to know a lot about me and even shared memories with me."

Mother's smile of relief spoke volumes as she said, "Then that's good..."

We reached the foothill of the mountain and began our ascent, taking slow and deliberate steps. Surprisingly, the mountain didn't appear too high from this vantage point. 

However, navigating the rocky terrain and occasional thickets of small trees proved to be a challenge.

As we made our way upward, conversation dwindled, drowned out by mother's occasional warnings: "Watch your step!" "Hold onto that branch!" "Be careful!"

Our attention was focused on our footing and the surrounding landscape. Yet, my mind couldn't help but drift to something else. 

It was an odd sensation, and I couldn't shake the feeling. Perhaps Ben was right; Thomas had an aura about him that felt peculiar, almost charged with an energy I couldn't quite grasp.

When Thomas mentioned he couldn't visit me and that it was a sudden cut, I didn't inquire further at the time. 

But what did he mean by "cut"? Did it happen before I went to the dorm, or was it related to the incident? And did he even know the details about my coma in the first place? Perhaps he was merely a passing acquaintance feigning interest.

 I found myself caught in a web of confusion.

After what felt like an hour or more of walking, we finally reached our destination. 

My brother couldn't contain his excitement and yelled, "We made it!" 

He sprinted toward the edge, abruptly stopping, arms outstretched as he proclaimed, "I can see this messed-up rotten world all in one frame. If only I could obliterate it with my hidden powers, haha!"

My mother and I couldn't help but burst into laughter, and she playfully wagged her finger at Ben, saying, "Ben, take it easy, dear!"

I joined Ben at the spot where he stood, and I couldn't help but be mesmerized by the breathtaking view. 

The world stretched out beneath me like a grand texture, painted with green and grey, the clouds are filling the sky.

I had a great feeling of clarity and peace, as if the problems of the world had vanished for a little period.

Suddenly, a resounding thunderclap echoed through the sky, and the heavens opened up as rain began to pour. My mother, who had been gazing at the other side of the mountain, hurried over to us with a concerned expression.

She urged, "Come on, my dears, let's make our way down before the rain gets any heavier or lightning strikes us!"

My brother groaned, "Aw, really, Mom?"

But my mother's demeanor turned firm as she insisted, "We must hurry! We'll take the path on this side of the mountain; it seems more straightforward. We can't stay here in this downpour."

I felt a bit puzzled and questioned her, "But Mom, this path doesn't lead back home."

The rain was coming down even harder now, seeking shelter became a priority.

My mother pointed downhill and said, "I see a house in that direction. We can get there faster if we take this road. Come on, let's go!"

My brother's face lit up with excitement, and he exclaimed, "Yay, no going home!"

Without hesitation, my brother dashed ahead, his passion guiding his steps. I, on the other hand, proceeded with caution. 

The ground was growing increasingly slippery, and I had to rely on the branches of trees to maintain my balance. I moved slowly while my brother eagerly led the way.

Amidst our descent, my mother's voice echoed with repeated warnings: "Ben, slow down!" "Ben, stop running! You'll slip!"

Then, suddenly, a strong loud scream pierced the air. My brother had lost his footing, careening downward until he collided with a massive tree, which halted his fall with a jarring thud.

In a panic, my mother and I screamed in unison, "Ben!!!"

We couldn't do anything but run as carefully as possible, clutching onto branches and grappling with the slippery terrain. We slipped, got up, and pushed forward until finally, we reached my fallen brother.

 My mother cradled him in her lap as he emitted painful groans, clearly in distress. Tears welled up silently in my mother's eyes as she murmured, "My dear Ben!"

I knelt beside him and quickly assessed his injuries. It was evident that he had strained his leg, and his knees were bleeding.

 Thankfully, we had the emergency bag with us, and I wasted no time in retrieving it.

My hands trembled slightly as I pulled out sterile gauze and antiseptic wipes. I knew I needed to stay calm and focused.

 With a gentle touch, I started cleaning the wounds, meticulously removing dirt and debris.

I could see the pain etched on his face with each wipe, but I offered him reassurance, promising to take care of him. 

Carefully, I applied the gauze and secured it in place with medical tape, hoping it would provide some relief and protection.

The rain was getting heavier, forcing us to move quickly. I handed my mother Ben's backpack and adjusted mine to the front. Then, I lifted Ben onto my back, determined to get us to safety.

We continued our trek, my mother nagging at my brother, who appeared to be deeply regretting his earlier recklessness. 

Eventually, we made it to the foot of the hill, and before us stood a grand and imposing structure. It was more than just a house; it resembled a castle in its sheer size and architecture.

Rain poured down on me as I stood in front of the castle-like mansion, drenching me to the bone.

 The heavy rain made it impossible to see past the falling water. But I could see the magnificent beauty of the house through the rain-soaked curtain.

The castle-like house was next to a big garden that opened up in front of my eyes. Exposed to the elements, it seemed to embrace rain, enjoying its presence. 

Under the weight of the rainfall, the leaves of the plants swirled and shimmered, as if celebrating the life-giving shower.

We approached the massive door, and my mother knocked on it with urgency, quietly murmuring a prayer for help.

The door swung open abruptly, revealing a young woman dressed in a unique black and white outfit.

She possessed an arresting beauty, with her striking green eyes and her black hair elegantly tied up with a white ribbon, resembling a flower in bloom.

She asked, clearly confused, "How can I help you?"

I met her gaze and began, "Could you please..."

Before I could finish, my mother, her voice trembling with desperation, cut in. 

"Can you help us, please? My son has broken his leg, and he can't walk. We need shelter from the rain. Could you let us in until the rain subsides and help my son with his injuries? Please!"

The desperation in my mother's voice was palpable. The tension in the air grew as Ben clung tightly to my neck, his injuries and fear silencing me.

The young woman appeared troubled as she responded, "I'm sorry, but I don't have the authority to make that decision."

I couldn't believe what I was hearing, especially from someone so striking. She glanced inside the house, then turned back to us, addressing my mother, "Could you please wait here while I consult with the young master?"

My mother nodded, her hope wavering "yes, of course!"

I couldn't help but feel pessimistic about our chances. I turned to her and suggested, "I don't think they'll let us in. Let's head back home before the rain gets worse."

My mother shot me an angry glare and remained silent. Then, the maid returned, not looking at us, and said, "Here they are..."

And then, it hit me like a bolt of lightning. It was who? The last person I ever expected to see again, especially in this troubling situation, was standing before us.

It was Thomas!