Damon stood in front of the mirror, his eyes scanning the reflection that stared back at him.
His face was a mess of bruises, a testament to the intense fight he had just endured.
Although he had said he was going to shower, he found himself drawn to the mirror, his impatience getting the better of him.
He wanted to test the health elixir, to see if it would really work as promised.
As he looked at his reflection, Damon's gaze drifted to the scars that covered his body.
He slowly pulled off his shirt, the fabric sliding down his arms like a gentle caress.
He turned his back against the mirror, his eyes fixed on the scar that ran from his shoulder to his lower back.
It was a reminder of a painful past, a past that he tried to keep hidden.
Damon's mind began to wander as he stared at the scar. He remembered the day he got it, the day his father's anger had boiled over.
He was just a kid, no more than 8 years old, and he had made the mistake of making noise while his father was watching a fight.
The memory still made him tremble with fear.
He was a damn kid, no one deserved to be treated that way. His father's words still echoed in his mind, the sound of his voice like a slap in the face.
'YOU LITTLE SHIT, CAN'T YOU SEE IM BUSY, IF **** LOSES AND I LOSE MY BET I WILL KILL YOU!!'
Damon clenched his fist, his anger and frustration simmering just below the surface.
As he stood there, frozen in the past, Damon's thoughts turned to the health elixir.
He had been skeptical at first, but something about it drew him in.
Maybe it was the promise of healing, of erasing the scars that covered his body. Maybe it was the hope of finding a way to escape the pain of his past.
Whatever it was, Damon knew he had to try it. He couldn't shake the feeling that the health elixir was the key to unlocking a new chapter in his life.
His face instantly contorted, turning bright red as the liquid hit his tongue.
He wanted to spit it out, the taste was unbearable, like someone had poured a mixture of bitter herbs and sour milk down his throat.
His face shriveled up, his eyes watering from the intense aftertaste.
He felt a tingling sensation spreading through his body, like a thousand tiny needles poking at his skin.
Damon's eyes scanned his reflection in the mirror, but everything looked the same. His bruises were still there, his skin still marred by the marks of his recent fight.
He turned around, checking his back, and his scar was still visible, trailing from his shoulder to his lower back.
Damon took a deep breath, making a promise to himself.
He wouldn't check his reflection again until three days had passed.
He wouldn't look in the mirror, wouldn't obsess over the progress of the Healing elixir.
He wanted to be surprised, to wake up one morning and find that his bruises had vanished, his scar had faded.
He wanted to feel the thrill of discovery, to experience the joy of healing without constantly monitoring his progress.
With that, Damon turned off the shower he had turned on to convince his mother he was showering.
He had only wet his hair a bit, just enough to make it look like he had taken a shower.
He came out of the bathroom, the warm air of the motel room enveloping him like a gentle hug.
His mother had outdone herself, as always.
Aoife looked at Damon and smiled, her eyes sparkling with amusement. "Well, that was fast. Usually, you take longer. Can I assume that my cooking made you cheat on your shower?" she joked, her voice light and playful.
Damon chuckled, feeling a warmth spread through his chest. "Yep, it looks and smells amazing," he said, his stomach growling triggered by the smell.
The aroma of roasted chicken and steamed vegetables filled the air, making his mouth water.
Aoife laughed, pleased with herself. "I'm glad I could tempt you away from your shower," she said, serving Damon a generous portion of chicken and vegetables.