Page 45 of Cerulean Truth
TWELVE
JAMES
Emma and I found ourselves in an unfamiliar place, our hands tightly clasped as we sprinted through a dark alley. I urged her to move faster, my voice tinged with panic as we fled an unseen threat. Inadvertently, I released her hand, turning back to check on her. She was gasping for air, already struggling.
“Hurry up, Emma, they’re right behind us!” I urged her while my own anxiety started seeping through. “We have to go faster.” She nodded, attempting to pick up her pace, but I could sense her growing weary.
“Resist it, Emma!” I shouted, desperation creeping into my voice. “Resist whatever you’re feeling and run as fast as you can!” I pulled her by the arm, trying to move her, but she remained motionless. Lifting her onto my back didn’t work either; it was as if she had become weightless, slipping through my grasp.
What the fuck is happening?
I wanted to yell more instructions, but my voice caught in my throat, and I couldn’t breathe. All I managed to whisper was, “Jump.”
In the blink of an eye, we found ourselves in a vast, open field, miles away from the menacing alley. There was nothingin our vicinity except for the two of us. Emma was breathing heavily, tears brimming in her eyes, and I wrapped my arms around her, attempting to comfort her.
“We’re alone now, you’re safe,” I murmured, an immense feeling of relief coursing through me. Relief that she was near. And safe.
She squeezed me playfully, and an exceptional, carefree, joyous laugh bubbled from my lips. I gazed at her, the sun dancing on her hair, highlighting shades I had never seen before. I brushed a few errant strands from her face, savoring the touch. A gentle breeze carried her wonderful scent to my nose, and I inhaled deeply.
I needed more. More of her.
Softly taking her chin between my thumb and finger, I turned her head so her eyes would meet mine. I sensed her closeness resonate through my entire being. It felt as though I were the center of her universe, like she was the center of mine. She made me feel alive; she was the reason I wanted to live. She was everything, and I existed for her. Nothing else mattered.
Our eyes locked, our faces drew closer, and our lips were nearly grazing in a tantalizing promise when, out of nowhere, a fleet of massive military tanks materialized, their formidable guns aimed squarely at us. Panic coursed through me.
Nemecis.
I had to get her away from the danger, I needed to get Emma to safety but before I could summon a portal to whisk us out of there?—
I woke up in my bed, drenched in sweat.
Alone. Breathing hard, as if I’d just finished running a marathon.
What the actual fuck…
I stole a glance at my alarm clock; its glowing digits nearly blinding my tired eyes. Seven in the morning. I had overslept by a whole hour. That hadn't happened to me...well, ever.
That dream, the haunting fear gripping my chest for her safety, the overwhelming surge of emotions—what the hell was that?
I took a few deep breaths and got out of bed, translating myself some coffee and a protein bar.
As I dressed, I tried to push Emma from my thoughts, focusing instead on the tasks ahead.
Matthew tried to nex me but I ignored him. My mind was still reeling with thoughts of Emma. I looked down and noticed my morning wood was not going down. Gods, a cold shower was obviously due before I could face the world.
Ever since meeting that woman, something had been fucked up in my brain. It was as if she had taken up permanent residence inside my head, infiltrating my nightly dreams, even sometimes creating daydreams and it was fucking tiresome.
I retrieved my Nexus, half-hoping to find a message from her, something to explain my subconscious fixation on her, but no such luck.
The disappointment cut deep, and not only because it meant no explanation for the dream.
Three days later.
Thud. Thud. Thud.
Every punch I landed on the heavy bag released a sliver of my anger.
After dreaming about Emma two nights in row, I had woken up that morning after revisiting the same nightmare which had haunted me since childhood.
