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The doorbell rings and Rebekah is startled. Sean is puzzled because he isn't expecting anyone. He opens the door and sees a beautiful woman in a labcoat. "Hello, I am Isabella. I received a phone call earlier today about Rebekah. I will be her nurse, okay." Sean thinks that maybe he is losing his mind because he never called and only today contemplated calling for assistance with Rebekah. He hesitantly lets Mercy inside their home. Isabella pulls out paperwork and Rebekah weakly walks down the stairs quietly. Mercy asks Sean if Rebekah experiences paranoia, nightmares, or is ever disoriented; as Isabella continued to ask questions, Rebekah walks straight up to Mercy. She points at Isabella and says, "You are the woman from my dreams who I thought was Jill, but the more I have the dream Jill doesn't look like Jill and Rachel is nowhere to be found, so once again it can't be Jill! Why are you always under that tree and why can't I come over to sit with you?" Sean is a little embarassed because he would never want anyone to think Rebekah is insane, she just had a traumatic experience. His concern subsides because he is also amazed that Rebekah is talking this much and that Isabella doesn't flinch or freak out once; she simply answers Rebekah's questions the best that she can. "What else do you see in your dreams? Who else do you see? Where are you in your dreams?" Sean steps out of the room into the kitchen, his niche, and feels happy for the first time in a long time. Wilton runs out of his art studio to answer the phone. He is confused but jots down a message for Isabella. It turns out Mercy didn't get the home health position. Wilton wonders why she would even need that position because she already has a great job that she loves. Isabella never told him what took place at work, because she had a plan in mind. Wilton darts back to his artwork confused and irritated because he doesn't know what's going on, but must finish this project! Sean prepares tea and lunch for Isabella and Rebekah. He is excited too because he gave up a lot to help Rebekah, but thankfully his gourmet pralines, beignets, and desserts, can be shipped from home, but admits he misses catering events. Sean feels guilty for having so much happiness and passion to do what he loves, but he realizes this is best for both of them! Wilton finishes up his work and is curious about what is going on! Mercy's phone vibrates and she sees it is Wilton and ignores his call and smiles and nods back at Rebekah who happily shares everything about this fantastical labyrinth. Mercy knows Rebekah has no clue this is a real place, and jots down everything Rebekah says! "Please tell me about the engraved writing on the intricate gate again. You said the latch on the lock just opened for you, fascinating!"
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Sean wakes to screams and runs up the stairs to Rebekah's room. She weeps in his arms and stutters what she saw! She excitedly shares with Sean about a towering, radiant gate that encircled a breathtaking, garden-like maze that has intricate writing that leaves her enthralled. As she approaches the gate, the latch on the lock immediately opens. Rebekah slowly walks inside this place that leaves her speechless because its beauty is beyond words, and she sees Jill reclining under a tree which bears different fruit each month. Rebekah stands puzzled as she watches the tree change before her very eyes. It seems to shine so brightly it looks like a burning bush! It is next to a glassy stream that stretches throughout the entire labyrinth, and gives life to everything inside these gates. Rebekah tries to run up to Jill every time she has this dream, but it is like an invisble wall stops her. She wonders where Rachel is but gets so mesmerized by the stream. She steps over and kneels down to drink but then sees the reflection of the man who rammed Jill's car off the bridge standing behind her and she gets chills! Rebekah has this dream often, but is able to see more of the labyrinth each time she has this dream and enters deeper into this garden. Sean is frustrated because Rebekah seems to quickly recover until she has these night terrors. He wonders, intrigued; how can a dream be so lovely yet horrifying? Every time Rebekah shares these nightmares they become more and more in depth and she looks happy again, until she shares the one constant in her dreams, Luca! Sean received a phone number for a private home healthcare facility from a friend a few months back, but Rebekah was recovering so well he didn't want to ruin her progress. Rebekah falls asleep again in Sean's arms, but he admits to himself he is being a bit selfish because she isn't getting better; he desperately wanted to be the one to help Rebekah get well, because he feels paralyzed, guilty he was not there for her when the accident happened!
TO BE CONTINUED... Green leaves lash in the licorice painted night as Mercy Isabella drives home. Lightning flashes across the auburn brushed sky. Red mud splashes into a yellow painted door. Muddy footsteps are left on a dark wooden floor. Green blades of grass fall off of wet, brown shoes. Burgundy wax slides down a cinnamom scented candle. Mercy stopped to pick up flowers to brighten up the room and her mood. Radiant, red roses drop into an antique, bronze vase. Isabella eats a chocolate dipped strawberry off an ivory, vintage plate. Mercy tiptoes, brown stilettos in hand, through the room so she doesn't track mud through her home. Red mud and hot water quickly swirl down a silver drain. Green leaves and rain lash against the bathroom's windowpane. Chocolate colored silk glides over a glistening body of olive hue. Burgundy painted toes tiptoe into a dimly lit, secluded gray room. Yellow and violet paint violently rush across a high and wide linen canvas. Tomatoes and olives slide off an an artist's abandoned Italian sandwich. Wilton is so engrossed in his work, he never heard Isabella enter. Her body of olive hue presses firmly against Wilton's tall, arched, mahogany. Violet paint violently rushes over olive and mahogany arms and legs. Wax glides down the candle onto woven lace and chocolate dipped strawberries slide off of a falling ivory plate. Radiant, crimson roses wildly cascade as the bronze vase crashes into the floor like a tidal wave. Melted chocolate and burgundy wax drip down violet painted faces!
TO BE CONTINUED... Mercy knows she cannot work with so many restrictions! She does not know how to detach herself and she rebels against the idea. She is severely reprimanded for her behavior the night before, and is told she must drastically cut back her hours; she is only allowed to work two to three days a week on the second floor. Mercy understands her behavior wasn't appropriate, but still feels what she did was right. Worried, she thinks of what she can do so Wilton doesn't have to feel the brunt of her mistake. They have struggled financially several times because of his career, but he has always made sure Mercy Isabella didn't have to worry, even though she gave him a hard time about it; it was deeply engrained in her as a child that being an artist, painter is a hobby not a career, and it would cause many heated, hurtful arguments. Isabella and Wilton are both passionate and intense, always wanting to connect with others, that is what attracted them to each other in the first place. Mercy realizes she must tell him but the thought of it embarasses her. Isabella's pride and stubbornness always get her in trouble, so she decides she will be honest with Wilton, instead of her inclination to hide what happened at work. They have worked hard to be able to understand each other and communicate much better than their first few years together. They truly love each other even though their differences have clashed often. Wilton's Art Gallery thrives now and people from around the world come to be taught by Wilton! His art sessions during the week are very difficult to get into! Isabella gets bittersweet excitement because she remembers she has always wanted to work as a home health nurse, but didn't because she could not imagine leaving her patients, but now with everything going on at work, the transition seems easy. After the haunting dream and evening Isabella had, she didn't even dare awaken the sirens hibernating deep within her, because Mercy Isabella praised herself for doing such a great job burying the truth regarding how she and Annabelle truly parallel!
TO BE CONTINUED! Tyne's eyes widen as jagged debris falls off walls and cities, but he still isn't used to this new body, so Aiden frantically stumbles back down to the ground several times! Petrefied, Tyne covers his face because shards of glass and brick wildly fly towards him, but then suddenly disappear! The phenomena that shocks Aiden-Tyne most is the visceral pain is gone! Luca blinks incessantly because of disbelief. Tyne weeps uncontrollably because he would live a hundred years paralyzed, deaf, and blind rather than live five seconds with that pain ever again! Aiden still has every memory from his past, but all guilt, fear, shame, and self-loathing is gone! Luca knows he's been given mercy, because it took the place of the pain... "He who is forgiven much, loves much and shows mercy!" Luca leaps and weeps wildly in front of the gate and doesn't care he is losing his balance! He is a new man, a liberated man with a new body and a new mind; Tyne knows this because he has never felt peace until this moment! The gate to the labyrinth creaks and begins to unlock! A sobering secret sweeps over Luca. Clever men, rich men, wise men, wicked men, holy men have all tried to break the seal and unlock the mystery of the labyrinth, when the truth is, it must be revealed and given to them! No one can solve, strive, earn, labor, or will their way in, for it must be opened to them, then willingly received! Aiden-Tyne marvels but quickly realizes, in order for him to live, one must die, so he chooses to forget the former things and not dwell in the past. Tyne feels a new name is fitting, so he chooses to go by Luca indefinitely! He slowly enters the gate, confidently yet humbly!
TO BE CONTINUED! Doctors and nurses rush into the cocoon's room because he suffers from sudden cardiac arrest! "Clear!" They urgently try to resuscitate a body that is already lifeless. "His kidneys are failing! He will need dialysis!" The body flatlines, but Mercy can't give up hope! Aiden approaches the sealed gate of the labyrinth and is overwhelmingly discouraged. The maze perplexes him as it is, and now there is no way for him to enter! "Damn!" The lock is extremely intricate; suddenly Tyne gets an eerie, sobering feeling as he looks more closely. The entire gate is engraved with ancient writing! Luca walks around the side of the gate, rubbing his fingers across this ancient wall, like a blind man reading braille. He is humbled by this haunting discovery. Tyne is more and more aware that no one should ever be allowed in this labyrinth! He slowly bends down, deeply intrigued because he realizes the inscription is a combination of Hebrew and Latin; he is both fascinated and fearful, and knows he must find a different approach! Mercy prays under her breath and weeps uncontrollably and the doctors and nurses give her puzzled, irritated looks. "Clear!" A nurse quickly takes Mercy out of the room and into the hall! "Mercy, what is going on with you? You've been in a daze the past few days. Get it together! You have to be detached so you can focus in order to save lives! Your tears won't do the patient any good!" The nurse runs back into the room. Tyne begins to shake wildly! He looks down at his body, because he becomes younger and stronger, painfully stronger. His muscles become sinewy before his eyes! He falls to the ground because he doesn't quite know how to stand, let alone walk in this new body! It feels as if lightning runs through his veins! As he lies in front of the gate, the mud like poisonous vines wraps around his entire body like a cocoon. He violently gasps for breath like a newborn! Tyne looks up at the sky horrified, because he sees cities within cities falling like rain; he watches kingdoms plummeting like hail and towering walls crumbling above him! Aiden-Tyne's heart beats louder and faster! Mercy sits down in a chair outside of the room and remembers thunderstorms and lightning were above his bed in her dream. She knows it may be far-fetched, but she whispers anyway, "Peace. Peace. Be still..."
TO BE CONTINUED! The door flew open! Feet rushed through scattered leaves. Excited bodies jumped. Leaves fell... ...fell in line like a platoon that stands at parade rest until the wind commands it back to attention! Neighbors frantically run to knock down Annabelle's father! The men wrestled and fought which bought Annabelle enough time to look back and keep running! Look, the long shaded path is hauntingly serene and surreal. It's as if the trees bow, curtsy, and reach out to shake hands with one another; they make the sun seem like a hidden chandelier. Red sap and tears painted streaks down Annabelle's rosy, windburned cheeks. She stopped to catch her breath and jumped onto a rickety swing with rusty hanging chains. Annabelle rocked back and forth as red sap dripped down her legs. In the distance she could hear sirens, but to her it sounded like a circus or a parade. The swing moved and creaked in time, like the ticking of a grandfather clock. Mascara filled tears paint streaks down Annabelle's rosy cheeks. She distantly stares into white walls of confinement, and can't utter a word, as her memories unearth in her mind's recesses; they all cry out like trapped children from deep within the catacombs of her soul!
TO BE CONTINUED... Annabelle distantly stares into white walls of confinement, and can't utter a word, as her memories unearth in her mind's chambers. Her repressed memories are like a labyrinth she sojourns; it has tunnels and chambers that curve and bend, the deeper they take her in, the darker the path becomes. One of her memories crawls and cries out like a banshee from deep within the catacombs of her soul. Annabelle peeked through the crack of her bedroom door because there were startling sounds she couldn't ignore. The hallway was hauntingly serene and surreal. Her mother screamed and cried as her red ropey hair was yanked and pulled like tug-of-war. Annabelle saw her mother's eyes were purple, and sealed shut as if by red sap. This sap dripped down her mother's cheeks and neck, and down her father's fingers, fist, and military vest. Annabelle stared at the clock as it violently ticked on the wall. She watched as her mother's knees and feet painted red sap into the wooden floor! Annabelle grabbed her father's legs and begged him to stop, but he pushed her away! Annabelle ran over, opened the window, and screamed, and her father punched her in the stomach and knee. He lifted Annabelle up by her neck, and forcefully pushed her against the wall. Her mother pleaded but he just ignored her call. All Annabelle could see as her legs dangled in the air, was red sap drip into the crevices of the shiny metals on her dad's vest. He dropped her to the ground and Annabelle staggered to the door. The door flew open! Feet rushed through scattered leaves!
TO BE CONTINUED... Beads of sweat trickle down Mercy's brow and neck. She shivers and shakes and wakes from her daydream. Mercy quickly tucks her rosary beads into her blouse. She quietly steps into Room 208 and sees her patient lifelessly staring up at the ceiling. She grabs her beads and says a prayer under her breath, because she remembers that this was the room where lightning and thunderstorms came through the roof! She turns to her cart and pulls out a tray that contains water, half a turkey sandwich, Lorna Doone cookies, gelatin, and an orange for his lunch. She optimistically hopes he will recover soon and she gently pushes her cart out of the room. Mercy inhales to stop despair from creeping into her soul, because it is visceral; she closes her eyes then deeply exhales, then moves on to Room 211. "Annabelle", Mercy softly whispers as she opens the door, but she gets no answer and is ignored. She brings in a tray with apple juice, a banana and a pear, an oatmeal raisin cookie, and half of a turkey sandwich for her. She sits with Annabelle for a moment and quietly chants, "Kyrie Eleison, Kyrie Eleison, Christe Eleison..." Mercy stands up to go and finish her rounds, but it is as if her soul still sits down, because Mercy knows her past parallels Annabelle's, that is why Mercy dwells so intently on her story; she has a deep hope that Annabelle will be better somehow!
TO BE CONTINUED... A nurse's shoes squeak and the food cart's wheels rattle as she pushes it down the long hallway. Her rosary beads make a faint noise as they tap against the buttons on her blouse; to some patients the beads resemble the pleasant sound of an antique clock, but to others the ticking of a time bomb! She has made these rounds every day, but today was extremely peculiar to her, because things are no longer as they seem because of a dream. She stops suddenly because her thoughts distract like the wheels on the food cart; she now remembers vividly that which was vague last night. Eeriely the lights flickered on and off down the corridor and when she tried to find the exit, it took her right back to where she started. Wind violently blew through the hallway like wailing sirens and every door swung open. Each room was terrifying: a hurricane in room 202, a wild fire in another room, a volcanic eruption in 201, and a tornado in another one. She fell to her knees, wept, and tightly held her rosary beads as beads of sweat trickled down her neck. Everything went pitch black and the silence was stark! She stopped weeping, because she heard crying indistinctly. Each patient began to scream this nurse's name in different languages they didn't even know. "Mercy! Mercy! Mercy!" Mercy fearfully squinted because down the hall in Room 211 she saw a silhouette pop up in the doorway. The shadowy figure disturbingly stood still! Annabelle peeked out of her room as if it were a window, and slowly stepped out the room, but then darted towards Mercy and tried to snatch her beads. One by one each bead fell through the ground and never made a sound. Mercy looked down and both of them began to fall through the floor, and then she woke!
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“I am the most curious of all to see what will be the next thing that I will do.”
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