Chapter 20: Dreams, Nightmares and Dates

Dreams. Strange dreams have been haunting me ever since I've been exposed to the supernatural world. I stood the middle of a busy highway, with cars darting back and forth and I wore a crème trench coat late at night as a full moon swelled in the sky .Cars passed by as headlights glared and honks blared loudly but no one seemed to take notice of my presence. The moon seemed to be the only source of light in the eerie darkness.

Suddenly, a familiar car rolled up as if in slow motion. My family, Damon at the backseat and behind Damon was all our luggage's clustered. My dad at shotgun and my mom frantically driving the car. I gasped to realise that they were leaving without me. A gasped left my lips but it wasn't audible. Damon's head was on the window, his lips in a deep frown.

"What about Heather? Damon asked, removing his head from the window. Mom sighed heavily, looked at Damon with a sad look in her eyes.

"We can't just leave her. "My father demanded, his voice raised as he stared at my mom. Then she snapped her head, eyes locked to me and velvety as I suppressed a shudder. "She made her choice. "She spat. It felt as if I was a ghost, alone and distant and she glared directly at me." Moms please. We just can't leave her. "Damon pleaded with his eyes wide and tears stung. His voice cracked but mom-demon looked unaffected."No, she made her choice. "She replied firmly, her voice with vim and higher." Honey," My father screamed, he shook her as she repeated more and pronounced on each word .My father eyes wide, lip trembling as I could hear his heart hammering. She recoiled her hands.

Damon and dad exchanged worried looks. Then the scene changed. I was now at the cliff, the forest and the bay were everything happened. No, I teleported. I breathed heavily and panted. Then tires squealed on the curved road as the car arrived and I saw mom her eyes swirling with emotions: guilt and anger. Mom gripped the wheels her knuckles turning darker. She paused and exhaled through her nostrils, shot a look at me with glazed eyes. My blood ran cold as I looked at her, returning her gaze. She returned my gaze and waited. My father was scared.

Then she pressed on the accelerator and increased in speed. I cocked my head, rose a brow and bolted passed the signboard and boy, was I in for a surprise of my life. I froze and collided with something; I shook my head and looked at the parked car with my mother laughing hysterically. I sprinted then I ricochet so fast that wind whistled in my ears as I plopped haphazardly on the side of the deserted asphalt. I groaned and winced in pain as I stood up with shaky legs. I ran again, breathing hard and left only to bounce back. I got up with wobbly legs, my heart hammered in my chest then I ran again. I slammed my head then splayed my fingers and pounded.

***

"Heather."

A familiar voice echoed in my ears. It was distant and cold like a memory. I felt as if I was shaking. "Heather." It yelled again, louder and cracking. "Wake up, "It yelled, yelling harder and shaking more. My eyes felt heavy then it fluttered. Everything was blurry and a wavering. I squinted harder and saw a familiar silhouette.It hit me the voice was female, Sadie. It jeered into my memory.

"Sadie. "I croaked.

"Heather. "She screamed louder as I jolted upwards. Then looked at myself. I was cold, shivering and drenched in sweat, I stared at room, the Sadie and myself and noticed even my blanket clung to me and twisted underneath my legs. I panted and stared at a horrified Sadie. "You were screaming, loud, "She started rambling, "You had a nightmare. You were shaking, panicking and screaming as if you were being killed. "She mattered as she held me my hands.

"What happened? "She asked her voice soft and firm. I but my lip and nodded. I told her everything.

We met at the study hall on our favourite round table and luckily, it was empty. A collected gasp was shared from everyone. Nova looked at me and blinked. "No when did this turn into a horror movie. "Nova muttered. My shoulders sagged. Noah slapped his palms on the surface as it rattled. "Ok, ok. Guys I have a suggestion. To Heather it might be dreams right, or wrong. I think you should go and experiment just to be safe. "He added as he shot glances at me .I sighed heavily, ran my hands on my face. All I was worried was how I'm tied to all this. My relationship with Zale and how much I don't want this or to be with him. "Well, in my dream. My parents left me but they are still here. I'm conflicted if it means my family is planning on leaving me."I said, my voice low and croaked. Noah placed a hand on my shoulder as I tensed and shot him a small smile.

"I'm scared. But hell, let's do this. "I smiled as Noah grinned. It was forced as I tried to be giddy and enthusiastic.

***

I gasped, stood flabbergasted and checked out a white van rolling in. The door opened as a familiar ginger dropped gracefully on the gravel and winked.

"You drive. "I said.

He looked at me, crossed his arms on his chest and laughed." Yeah." He said in a matter of face tone. I sighed. "You forgot. "I nodded, laughed and placed my hands out in surrender," Yeah."He said, rubbed his chin. There was a long but comfortable silence as we passed through. He looked over the rare-view mirror and stared at my bothered gaze.

"You ok."He asked me.

I pursed my lip and shook my head as he slumped on his seat. We approached the familiar highway as my heart skipped a beat.

We left the van, as I was hit with cold air, warm sunshine and miles of mountains and veils of forest. I marched on as Noah flashed me thumbs up as I gave a small smile. I breathed stood by the signboard, closed my eyes tight, took a deep breath and braced for it .I collided as Noah stood transfixed on the ground. My nose poked something as I spread my fingers, looked at it with gaping mouth then I froze, my blood ran cold . I pounded my fist and screamed loudly. Noah ran to me as my knees sank on the floor I pounded harder then like a sonic boom I was pushed back as I scarped my knees in pain. I ran again as I cried.

I can't leave. I'm stuck.

Then I heard it.

You made your choice. It echoed in the depths of my brain like a broken record player. My heart hammered in my chest as I heaved a sigh and struggled.

"Stop. "Noah yelled as I thrashed and turned.

"No."I screamed, clawing the air and twisted on the dusty ground.

"Think rationally. "He snapped, His green eyes worried and confused while holding my hands and pinned me down. I screamed louder as tears steamed from my eyes. It wasn't a lie, it wasn't a dream. It was a warning. You should have left if you had the chance, darling. It mumbled in my mind like icy cold fingertips as my eyes fluttered as I calmed and sank. On the ground. I curled myself into a ball as Noah scot next to me as I placed my head on his shoulder.

"I'm sorry. "I whispered softly, buried my face in my arms. A lone pine tree stood there on the barren soil as cars rolled over. I sighed and stared at him. "You must be disappointed in me. I acted impulsive and like a mad woman. "I ranted loudly, clawing and swiping my white-grey soaked cladded thighs.

"No, Is okay. "He said, looked at his long legs and patted my head. "No is not. "I pressed as I used my elbow to wipe my face. I cried ugly and not beautiful as I grabbed a tissue and blew my nose. I cleaned my face and stared at my ripped jacket, caked in dirt, a few stray leaves and a few scrapes .I looked like death but luckily I didn't wear my glasses but I should have. He ran his fingers down my back as I tried to calm down. He sprang up to his feet from the ledge and slide open the door as he gestured me with eyes. His green eyes hopeful and filled with life. He brought out a hand and hoisted me in. We climbed the roof of the van as I tried not to get vertigo since we were so high and overlooking our potential deaths but the fence will keep us safe.

We laughed and chat as Noah desperately tried to distract me. He joked about stuff. "I think you had visions not dreams. "He said, I snapped my head and suddenly felt dizzy. "Sorry. I just thought about it since it was ...was –you know bits and pieces and conveys emotions and messages like riddles. "He muttered, avoided my gaze and let the warm sunshine on his hair and made it look like flames. "Hanging out with Nova a lot. "I suggested, picked my nails, stared at the beautiful streak of sunlight on the horizon and shoved him painfully. He placed his hands on his heart in mock horror, laughed in mock hurt, and nodded. "Yeah. She's cool. "He muttered dreamily. I swung my legs and wiggled my feet. "This wasn't my first nightmare."I muttered sadly."What?"He asked, his eyebrows furrowed and gawked. I nodded and poked his nose. I tried desperately to want to be-no be normal. Not to be in this conditions –just to be a normal high schoolgirl. Hating on school, hating on life and finding out who am I and maybe get an actual boyfriend not some stranger. You know, sometimes I wished I knew what life planned for me but it had better plans. Noah kissed me in the cheek and that took me off guard as I gawk at him. A small boyish smile played on his lips as he closed his eyes.

"Is not what you think. "He snapped, I blinked and gaped. And before I can ask more questions my phone dinged in my pocket and Zale texted me .He stared at my phone and huffed angrily before he recoiled. Yes such a platonic way to react or act.

Zale: Hey ,I have surprise for you J

Me: Wtf.

Zale: C'mon just meet be by the ridge.

I stared at Noah as he just shrugged.

***

I arrived at the ridge, the road deserted so I padded to the railing and looked over to the waves, crashing and swirling. A man leaned on it so engrossed on his phone. His tousled brown hair blowing in the wind as the cold air went into my bones as realization hit me.

"Zale. "I said, he snapped his head and removed his shades and gave a lopsided grin as he fixed his hair and jacket. I moved backward and stared at him. My eyes trailed to the pavement; he wore black vans, ratty black jeans, and a black shirt and shrugged on a demin jacket. He stared into the horizon and inhaled looking content. "You like the ocean, too? "I smiled. He nodded and shoved his hands into his pockets and blushed."Yeah," He nodded, ran his hands through his hair."Yeah, if I wasn't a werewolf I would have just been a siren, a merman or a naiads or nereids. "He was shy and reserved .An introvert like me or I'm an ambivert.I removed a stray curl and moved it around my ear.

"I'm embarrassing, aren't I? "He asked as I was taken back "Nope ,I've actually never dated. "I muttered honestly as he shifted his soles and grasped my wrist. "Let's go. Iwant to show you another spot. "He beamed proudly as we approached the familiar jeep.

"So what do you think of dolphins?"He asked then clenched his fist. "I think their cute but I heard their actually the bad guys of the sea. "I laughed and stared at the window as he cursed to himself then awkward silence, which was fine. A shy but cute werewolf. He stared at me, opened his mouth then shut it. He was nervous and agitated .We chat about life, his dad, his sis and the pack. BTW, he passionate the sea.

Embarrassing, Zale. Just embarrassing.

I froze, my body tensed as I relaxed on the seat. Shit, not again. Thoughts I can hear people's thoughts but why did I only hear Eli's wolf form. I was lost in a train of thought, as I didn't even notice we approached familiar ground.

Zale opened the door and grasped my wrist as he led me down. I shot a grin at him as he avoided my gaze. "Were we going? "I asked, as curiosity rose in me as I couldn't help but darted my head. "Is a surprise. "He whispered as I stomped my foot. I groaned in frustration then he sidestepped in front of me as I arch a brow. We in the entrance into the forest and parked in a dirt road. Damn, déjà vu .The sun warmed harder as beams danced in the sky then he brought a blindfold as I gasped.

He scratched his neck, looked around and asks me. "Have you been here? No-I meant. Do you like it? "He asked me expectantly his eyes wide with emotion and concern .I looked around and smiled."Um, yeah, I have been to the coast for a camping trip but for school. "I added as he gave me sad puppy dog eyes. He snickered loudly, grinned then covered my eyes as I was swallowed by darkness as he gripped my hands and directed me.

"Um, this is my first date since high School so I relied heavily on the internet and girls. "He replied with spitfire honesty as I tensed.

"What."

I hit something with a thud as he groaned. He snaked his arms on my waist and directed me with instructions. My legs collided with something hard as I felt we walked for hours or days till he removed the fold as I gaped then shut my mouth as his shoulders sagged.

"So how is it? "He asked.

"Is great. "I smiled.

"Is that bad,Damnmit."He snapped at himself."No, I'm not lying. "Actually, I wasn't. It was lake and hoped it was safe. There was tall trees clustered a mile away as it rushed. Then he brought his long finger and gestured with an announcement."Taaadaa,"He paused then sat on the floor with a picnic blanket and a basket filled with food. I gasped, clamped my mouth shut as I stared at it. There was a cardboard thrown haphazardly on the mat.

Icebreakers.

I laughed loudly and savored it. He crossed his legs, removed the food, placed it, and opened it as the warm food wafts into the air. "I wasn't expecting this, "I said honestly, "And I lose it." I added, laughed as he sighed in content. There was red velvet cake, sprite, coke and small tuna sandwiches. We looked at the sky and chat about life or to just stare at the river. There was plastic cups were he poured a cheery drink and me some to drink and it cool and refreshing.

"I wanted to bring wine but honestly we are both illegally. "He sputtered. I stared at him and smiled. "So you're just going to ignore that look like I just escaped a mental fatality."I said blankly as he blinked. "I didn't want to say anything. "He added, I shot him a smile. "You heard the news, "I shot. He arch a brow. "I can't leave her. I'm trapped like a bird in a cage. "I added, throwing the apple angrily and cradled my head in my arms. "What?" He asked, shocked. I nodded. "You smell like a dude. "He added, crossed his arms and croaked." Yeah, about that. I was hanging out with Noah. "I shrugged. Then he sprang up to his feet and did the unexpected and jogged to the stream right before I tackled him into a hug.

He rolled over and laughed. Then he shrugged off his jacket and tossed it on the grass as I stared wide-eyed and choked on my words."Zale, what are you doing? "I asked, blinked from the floor as he removed his shirt and rolled it over his head. I rolled over and giggled at his jokes as I tried not to squirm. He tiptoed into the water by dipping his toe in then his feet and pretended to shiver and buckled his knees as I lost it harder. Luckily, for him he was dressed in swimming trunks, as I was dirty and unprepared for my own date. He dived into the water then broke out of the surface and shook his wet hair that plastered to his normal looking flat chest. He wiped his eyes and swam towards me as I sat cross-legged and looked at him. He went in then broke again for a greedy gulp of air. "C'mon heather the water is cool and great. "He said, broke out his legs and floated like all the care in the world.

"No, "I snapped, "You didn't tell me to bring a swimsuit or hell, we didn't even plan this beforehand. "I added then I listed all my reasons as he playfully ignored me and rolled his eyes. Zale wiggled his eyebrows suggestly as I shook my finger, he arch a brow and pointed to the basket. I went there, removed and found some extra clothes .Aqua phobia hit me as I slowly stripped –behind a tree and hopefully I don't get sick or-contact parasites. I was in my black underwear as I splashed him, floated and dived deeper. I even chased Zale as we got engrossed in a chat and I laughed harder. We completely lost track of time for hours.

He got up and shivered."Shit, what time is it ?"Zale gasped and looked at the sky then his wrist. He grabbed my arm and pulled me up as my teeth shuddered. Zale paused, gripped my wrist as giggles and rustling could be heard from the wilting leaves. Two shadows slowly appeared as Zale relaxed and laughed .My shoulders relaxed as Eli and Zale did kissy faces from a branch and wow, they were high above camouflaged.

"I didn't smell you, guys."Zale said, they shrugged. We argued and changed back as we chat. Zale grabbed the basket as they narrated about their plan and observed our 'geek flirt' and Zale didn't take notice. Sharp movement and skittering from as the bushes flapped with strong wind. We froze, exchanged tensed looks. In a blink, they were on all fours, growling and snarling as they perked their ears and bore their teeth I whirled, dropped to my leg and unslung a pistol as I inhaled through my nostrils."Who's there?"I shouted and pointed my gun and made sure it was loaded with silver bullets to protect myself from wolves-others. Ares' ideas not mine. Took a while to train, injury of others and wolves. Respect."Answer me."I demanded my voice louder and slowly as the bush shook as the wolves barked louder. a man crawled out and surrender their hands and tousled red hair. I gasped as I lowered my gun. He narrowed his green eyes and gasped. "Heather."He said flabbergasted as the wolves dispersed before Zale nuzzled my leg."Why you holding a gun?"He asked, furrowed his eyebrows and squinted as I faked and planned a lie."Um,I'm a woman and I must be prepared."I said effortless and arch a brow, "Are you stalking me because why are you in a bush?"I shot back as he darted his eyes. You creepy ass. He looked unimpressed and scoffed, "This is one of the most peaceful and safest places. Nice try BTW."He added with a smile.Damn,I wanted to punch him. He smirked."But also wild animals."I retorted ,my voice raised as I heard yipping from the bushes."Well, since I'm here. Let me show you something. "He gestured me as we hiked and he dropped to a crouch.

The shadows were longer and bigger and the trees more dense as I tried to suppress a shudder but not from the cold. There was rotten log with moss on it and was discarded away as I gasped. He smiled. There was a wooden trapdoor and weeds and grass grew around it."Ok ,I promise not t tell your friends that-that you know how to shot a gun for fun."

"If-"
"So there's a catch."

"Yeah. So cares for exploration."He suggested, He pulled the lever as it opened. There was rusted and corroded ladder that lead to total darkness. It was mouldy and damp as water dripped. I stared at the bushes, heaved a sigh and went down. I stared at the endless underground bunker. As we ploughed there was a gust of strong wind and the trapdoor snapped shut. We gasped as the ladder thudded onto the floor as we screamed and he panicked. We were swallowed by darkness and water.

"How did you find this place?"I screamed in anger, my voice raised."I explore for fun."He said."So is that why you always leave for odd reasons and stare at the fence like some weirdo."I said, leaned to him and crossed my arms on my chest as he looked around and tried to lie. I knew everyone kept secrets and so do I? Ever since that incident I was suspicious but I agreed to save the wolves from him.We trekked and tripped over and some odd reason he could see.More suspicions dawned to me or is his eyesight that good.I was in big denial as i gasped.A cell with corroded metal bars and mould and damp cells as it stunk. Vines crawled the facade as we smiled.

"Light."

"An opening."

I stared at the hole in the wall.

"This might be an old dungeon but why hidden underground and is not that old in my eyes."He tapped his chain and looked around as realization hit me as I grabbed his shoulder then I recoiled.

"Is there like settlement around here?"I asked him as he shrugged."Yeah, a cult or some cabins but why in a group or secluded. Is there were your werewolf lives?"He said his voiced laced with annoyance and disgust."Um,yeah."
"Shit, it belongs to them."I exclaimed."But its abandoned."I added as he slowly nodded.

He shuddered and groans."ANIMALS."He yelled as I glared at him. Then rope was dropped as I as pulled from the roof. Barking and blue eyes stared at me as we crawled out. The wolves barked and howled, long and long as Noah clenched his jaw.