After my long day with John, and leaving Michael downstairs, having asked him questions about leaving, I stood in the darkness of my bedroom, my back to the door. I was afraid of the dark. But I knew I would no longer have to be once John and I were together. He would always be there.
Nearing the side of the bed, I switched on the lamp, then looked towards the window. It was closed. That’s how it would remain. I had better thoughts about that window now after seeing John perched on that tree branch, but still ...
A flash of something startled me and I hurried to push it far from my mind. Before I’d been in love with the idea Quentin had implanted in me—the thought of drifting into his world—but now I had John, and nothing else mattered.
Soon, I would be in his arms and I would leave it all behind. I could accept the fact that I wouldn’t be a queen or a princess on a strange alien planet. I just wanted to be with John Slater. He gave me a reason to be happy, to feel alive. He gave me the warmth of a family, support and protection I had never felt before.
Then there was the conversation with Michael. I worried about him, but I knew he would be alright. In time, I would tell Michael where I was, why I had to leave.
Changing into a baby-pink top and loose pajama pants, I climbed into bed after braiding my hair.
As I laid in bed, I considered a plan, perhaps I’d get a bag ready and, when the time was right, we would leave together. John and I, and maybe Joseph. I was really hoping he would join us. He was a sweetheart who had grown on me.
It was settled. With that thought, I closed my eyes, thinking of what our adventures would be like once we left Milton.
A blue ocean spread before my eyes, a sail in the wind flapped over my head as a clear bright sunny sky shone above.
The boat rocked against the waves. On deck, I caught sight of a figure approaching. Sitting up, I looked into the distance and saw John’s clear form. His white silk shirt blew in the strong winds whipping through the sails and creating the waves below. He looked handsome in a pair of khaki shorts.
He smiled as he tightened the ropes of the sails and secured the main lines above. He came to me as I sat on a folded beach chair, wearing a pretty sunflower dress and floppy hat. I felt so relaxed.
The waves were crashing against the side of the boat. The sun was bright and beautiful; it was a perfect day.
He sat on a beach chair beside me and faced me, extending a fluted glass. “Champagne?”
I hesitated, but took it. I sipped and the bubbles tickled my throat. The feeling quickly went to my head.
John took the glass from my hand.
I gazed lovingly at him as he cupped my cheek. “I never want this day to end.”
His broad smile made me blush.
I shied away from him.
“It never has to,” he said tenderly, touching my lower lip.
Both lips began to tremble as he came close, his breath caressing my mouth.
“I want you, Miss Belle. I’ve always wanted you. From the moment I set my eyes on you, I knew you and I were connected …”
I was paralyzed by his words.
“Do you want me?” he asked, still smiling in that handsome manner.
It made the butterflies in my stomach swarm. I couldn’t move; I could only nod.
His lips touched mine, and his hands held me securely.
Closing my eyes, I felt so confused. Why was I feeling this uncertainty with John? I pulled away and opened my eyes.
Facing me now was Dr. Nicholson. I was inside the SUV with him as he sat at the other end of the car, glaring at me like a monstrous tyrant.
“Just tell him you don’t love him. You are a distraction to him … a distraction!” He reached inside his suit and pulled out a gun. “This is how I deal with distractions.”
There was a loud pop, along with a scream from my own mouth.
My eyes blinked opened, the loud sound still echoing in my ringing ears. I heard weeping before I realized I was lying on the floor.
I sat up, in one of Milton’s hallways. In the distance, there was a figure. He had his back to me, but I recognized him immediately.
“John? John, what’s wrong?” I called.
The figure lifted his hands; they were covered in blood.
Next to me, there was another figure. It was a mirror image of me!
Startled, my mouth flew open when I noticed a bullet hole in the center of the figure’s forehead. Immediately pushing away from the scene, I bumped into the figure of John and he spun around.
“John?”
He turned, but instead of finding John’s loving gaze, I found Quentin’s narrowed purple one.
“My pet, is this what you want? Is this what you want? With him, there is only death! You’re mine! Don’t you ever forget it! You’re mine! I won’t lose you! Not again!”
Quentin grabbed my hand as I tried to fight him. He pulled open my palm, pressing his index finger into the center. It was hot, and it began to burn into my skin. The scent of burning flesh filled the air around us. I screamed, but he wouldn’t let me go.
When he did finally release me, I pulled away and looked at my palm. There was a half-moon crest burned into it. Then, it vanished right before my eyes.
He can’t protect you from me forever. I will come for you, a new voice promised from down the hall. I spun my head around.
A black substance crept out of the walls of Milton. It oozed out of the cracks in the walls, seeped down from the floors and the ceiling.
You are destined for so much more … come with me. I have so much to show you.
“Run, my pet!” I heard Quentin shout from somewhere in the school halls. “Run! Run!”
A long arm extended from the darkness and grabbed me. I screamed and sat up in bed. The alarm was ringing.
I turned it off, realizing what time it was. I glanced at my palm, recalling the eerie dream and how Quentin had pressed his finger into the center of my hand. There was no mark, however. I brushed aside the silly idea that he had done something.
When I got up, I was unable to shake the thought of the nightmare. Why did it feel so real, especially the darkness creeping through the hallways?
What did it mean and what did he want?
Grabbing my clothes, I got dressed. As I unbraided my hair and began to brush it, I looked at myself in the mirror, questioning why Quentin wanted me. I felt more like myself when he wasn’t near, yet I couldn’t understand why he held so much control over me when he was close.
The phone on the table by my bed rang. I hurried over grabbed it, realizing it was John.
“Hey, beautiful,” he said before I could speak.
I smiled, visualizing him on the phone. I heard movement in the background.
“You okay?” he asked quickly.
I guessed the anxiety and uneasy feelings of the dream were still stirring inside me. He could feel them as well.
“Yeah, I just had a bad dream.” I pictured his warm smile.
“Well, it’s okay; it was just a dream.”
Taking a deep, calming breath, I felt a little more like myself. We were connecting emotionally again. It was magical.
“Feeling better?”
“Yeah.” I exhaled again.
“I’m on my way to pick you up. Have you had breakfast?”
“Not yet. I was on my way downstairs.”
“Well, don’t. I was thinking we could pick up something before we got to school.”
“Okay, Mr. Slater.”
I heard a car engine.
“I’ll be there shortly. By the way, Miss Belle, would you like to join me this evening? I’m getting fitted for my tux.”
“I thought Joseph always handled that for you?”
He laughed.
“Yeah, he does. I guess, what I meant to say is, would you like to come over to my place?”
He hadn’t stopped talking when I blurted out, “Yes!”
John laughed out loud.
“Alright then, it’s a date, Miss Belle.”
I was about to hang up when he said, “Oh, bring your swimsuit. See you in a bit.” He disconnected before I could object.
Swimsuit? Did I even own one? After looking through my dresser drawer and finding a slim bikini top and bottoms, I dashed out of the bedroom and down the stairs, looking into the kitchen and finding Michael’s note on the table. He had made me breakfast again.
“Michael,” I muttered with a sigh. “Why?”
I put the omelet in the trash and placed the plate inside the dishwasher.
The house was far too quiet. I grabbed my backpack from the table to check that I had my assignment and jammed the swimsuit inside.
A sudden pain shot across my lower abdomen and I grabbed at my stomach. That was strange. I tried to ignore it and grabbed the backpack again. Another sharp pain shot through me, this time a lot stronger than the last.
I whimpered. Another pain forced me to my knees. They were coming far more rapidly, with the intensity increasing each time. I’d never felt this before.
I tried to rise but found myself unable to. I grabbed my belly and clenched my teeth. I groaned, feeling faint and dropped onto my back. A chill raced up my arm; the pain increased. A sweat gathered on my forehead as I started to tremble.
I moaned and I thought I would black out. In a haze, I thought I saw Quentin sitting on the floor beside me. He looked concerned. He put his hand on my head comforting me. I’m here my pet … you’re running a fever.
He put a hand on my stomach; the pain seemed to ease a bit. “I can only help so much, my pet.” Quentin looked worried, his gaze focused in the distance.
His eyes indicated the shadow man was close.
“Stay awake. He will not harm you. I won’t let him.”
I tried to speak, tried to rise, but he pushed me back.
“You must remain still. The pain will only increase. You must seek medical attention.” Quentin turned back to me.
“John.” I gasped.
The name angered him, but he merely nodded and I passed out.