The Redemption Arc: NYSSA
“I just got to the house.”
It was an announcement to Ariadne who didn’t let me be since I left her apartment. “Can you let me be now? At least you know I’m safe.” I caught up with the entrance, listenin’ to the sounds that came from inside the house.
What was that?
It was sniffles.
Like a kid who was in tears.
What was that?
I looked around me, scared to go in.
Thoughts ’bout what I had experienced before now came runnin’ into my head, and I didn’t know what to do. Do I go in or turn around and leave?
“Nyssa?”
Goddammit.
“I have to go, Ariadne,” without listenin’ to her words, I ended the call and put the phone in my purse. What else could be goin’ on inside there? I knocked on the door and there was no sound, before makin’ up my mind to go in.
Whatever happens, happens.
“Lysander?”
I was in the large space of the livin’ room, rushin’ to his side. He lay on a couch and there was little remainin’ for ‘im to fall on the floor. What was he seein’ in his sleep? Throwin’ my purse on the floor, I sat next to ‘im on the couch and put ‘im in a very comfortable spot.
“Father, please.”
Father, please?
Was he-dreamin’? I pulled ‘im closer to my embrace and he opened his eyes next, heavin’ a sigh of relief and holdin’ me tighter. “I saw ‘im. They were wicked to me when I was younger. I think I remember some details ’bout myself.”
He was rushin’.
I could barely hear ‘im.
After holdin’ ‘im some more, I let go. “I came back to see you runnin’ around on the couch. What is the matter? For a moment I was scared somethin’ bad would happen.”
He sat up, all sweaty.
“I am so sorry, Nyssa,” he heaved and started sobbin’. “My Father, and stepmother. I saw them.”
“It was just a dream,” in a bid to console ‘im, I got on my feet and walked to the kitchen where I would get a glass of water. By the time I reached the livin’ room again, he was calmer. Somethin’ I wanted to see. “Here.”
He took the glass from me.
“Thank you, Nyssa. It was a dream but not exactly a dream. These things happened to me at some point in my life. I was younger in this dream and what had happened in real life was what I saw in the realm.”
Did that even make any sense?
“My mom, she died years after my birth.”
“I’m sorry.”
He gave a nod. “And my father didn’t show care, not in the slightest way. I was like a slave in a house that should be my home. Do you know what he did next?”
What?
“Wh-what?”
“He took in another woman for himself. Another woman who did nothin’ but worsen the situation by makin’ ‘im hate me completely. She took the space of my Mother who was late, and showed me more than just hate.”
I felt nothin’ but pity for ‘im.
The poor man.
That was too much.
The way he sobbed when I walked in was somethin’ I didn’t want to see anymore.
How could they do a thing like that to ‘im? I was goin’ to join in cryin’ but held back myself from the embarrassment that would come if I did a thing like that.
“I don’t know what I looked like in my past life after this particular experience.”
His words cut short my thoughts. I looked up to meet his gaze. “But I am certain I didn’t want someone takin’ my position’ anymore, not after them takin’ the one that belonged to my mother. I knew I must have been a half man and this had to be my reason.”
Now it made all sense.
The hate from many months ago, down to the accident and the rest. How could I not have guessed? Although this wasn’t a reason to do the things he did to me. What could I say, or even do at this point?
“Are you listenin’ to me?”
I snapped out of my thoughts and looked at ‘im. “Y-yes,” I sounded. “I am listenin’ to you, Lysander. I’m just-shocked this was what led you to try to kill me the last time. But I understand you.”
“What?”
The shock on his face. “I wouldn’t try to kill you, Nyssa. You should know that. Did I do that? Then I am more than sorry for makin’ such an attempt.”
What could I say?
I wasn’t goin’ to be here with ‘im in the first place if I hadn’t let go of these things, would I? I looked at ‘im, looked away, and looked at ‘im once more.
“These are the dreams you’ll have, Lysander,” I said and got on my feet. “You’ll have more of this as time goes by. All you need is to get used to it.”
The awkward silence in the livin’ room confused me. I walked to his room to get a pillow. At least, to support his head if he wanted to sleep some more on the couch. “There you go,” noddin’ at the comfiness, I asked. “Do you want more water? It’ll help a lot.”
“No, I’m fine.”
“I had the same experience after my accident, but it took a long time for me to start havin’ them.”
He gave a nod.
“Thank you for comin’ to stay with me,” he sounded when his head rested on the couch once more. “I don’t know what I would do without you in my life, Nyssa.” And he shut his eyes, leavin’ me standin’ before ‘im.
After a while of thought, I walked away. Turnin’ back around, the purse I took out with me was picked up and I headed to my room.
This was somethin’ to talk to Ariadne ’bout, but not yet – I could always do that when I left the house again or was less busy and in the right frame of mind.
And now that my thoughts drifted, I knew it was high time I let go of the past. Meanin’ it was good timin’ and time enough to let go of the past and move on with Lysander by forgivin’ his deeds.
What would I do?
Take his deeds with me to my grave? I was more than ready to let go and this was what I did. Just then, I heard ‘im sob again. It was another dream.