It made sense now; I could feel this is what had happened. It was never a dream. My dad took me, but he must have thought better of it and brought me back. I can't believe I had forgotten such an important event though. But I was so young and that is what the mind sometimes does I suppose; repressing traumatic experiences.
“Has it made you feel better, understanding what the nightmares have been about?" Zack asked, whilst rubbing my back.
It made me feel safe.
“I don't know. I feel I have more questions. What did he want that night and why did he change his mind? Has he been watching me all these years or was that the last time he laid eyes on me? I need answers. I want to know why he abandoned me, I need to hear it from him.”
“Soon you may get the chance to ask him yourself. Put the questions in a box, to be opened when you get the chance. Nothing you can do about it now. Go back to sleep. It's too early to get up." Zack said matter of factly.
“I'll sit here, by your side, if it helps?" he said, a bit more empathetically.
I nodded and tried to take his advice. It was easier said than done though, but I knew Zack was right. I resolutely put the questions to the back of my mind and starting visualising the sea, banishing all other thoughts. It must have worked as the next thing I knew Zack was shaking me gently to wake me and the sunlight was streaming into the bedroom.
It took me a while to stretch out my muscle ache from yesterday and the fitness session was hard. I felt less strong than yesterday and Zack was pushing me hard again. I actually cried doing the push ups as he was making me do them over and over again as I wasn't doing them correctly, according to him. Crying made no difference; he just kept making me carry on until I literally collapsed under my own weight. My arms were trembling and ached so much, I didn't think they would ever recover.
“Embrace the pain, Eliza. It means it's working," he kept reminding me.
If he said that one more time I'd kill him! Finally he uttered the words I did long to hear.
“Let's call it a day. You can do your cool down exercises and grab a shower. Well done. You've worked hard.”
He was working with weights himself, his muscles deliciously flexing. Must stop looking at that body!
I was ready promptly at one o'clock as requested, eager to have some lunch. Unfortunately, I had forgotten about Zack's plan to take me to the restaurant for lunch today. I could really have done without that. I wasn't mentally prepared to meet other people yet. But I don't think that would stop Zack anyway. He would see it as another great opportunity to test my limits.
“Don't forget your tuning out and shielding exercises. Just let in what you can cope with. Don't worry what other people think; they all know your story.”
I think he said that to reassure me, but I couldn't think of anything worse than face all these people, knowing everything about me, but me nothing about them. Although that wasn't quite true as Zack had told me a little bit about the people we would join for lunch. There was Ned, who was Zack's best buddy since childhood and Brody, Zack's sparring partner, always competing against each other in the gym. Then there was Sam, who I thought was a boy but turned out to be a girl, who apparently had history with Zaphire, but they were best of friends now. Zaphire would join us too of course.
They were all sat at the table when Zack and me turned up to join them. The boys and Sam whooped and got up, slapping Zack on the back telling him they'd missed seeing him. Zack had a broad smile on his face and was high fiving them and giving big hugs all around. It was nice to see him care free and happy.
Then the attention turned to me and instantly I felt the heat rise to my cheeks. It didn't help that at that moment I also noticed their scents. Pheromones were given off a plenty, prickling my senses. Zaphire's seductive half open eyes observing my every move just undid me. I was just about to turn around and run, when Zack came to my rescue. He grabbed my hand, probably to stop me from running, but it made me jolt and instantly felt more in control.
“This is, you probably guessed, as you'd be fucking stupid not to, Eliza Mankuzay.”
He motioned for me to sit down after everyone shook my hand and introduced themselves.
Sam spoke first.
“So, has Master Zack been working you hard, Eliza?”
She got an eye roll from Zack, I guess for calling him Master.
“He certainly has. I've found muscles I never knew I had!" I grimaced.
“Oh, I remember those days!!" Sam laughed sympathetically.
“No pain, no gain. Embrace the pain." mimicking Zack's gruff voice, making me giggle.
“I was trained by Zack just last year. Somehow we managed to stay friends. Wonders never cease to exist." she said jokingly whilst Zack was trying to punch her arm past my face.
The waitress came to get our orders and whilst the others were ordering Zack and me quickly decided what we were going to have.
“How are you getting on? Getting used to this crazy life yet?”
That was Ned.
He'd been quietly observing me earlier. I saw Zack throw some warning looks around the table, making sure they weren't going to bombard me with questions. But I felt fine for the moment and confidently answered Ned.
“I wouldn't say I'm used to it yet, but I'm starting
