Tales from the Wasteland | The No Leaf Clover

Chapter 14

                                                    AS ALENA SEARCHES FOR ROD.

"Why do you love me?"

"Does it matter why?"

"Of course it matters."

The warm light of the sun washes away the darkness from his inner consciousness. A beautiful woman stares into Rod's eyes. He knows this woman, but not from where, or even when. She's familiar but lacks any features to define her. A blurry haze paints across the canvas before him. A cozy room with clean furniture. The sun's rays piercing through two wide windows. An aura of warmth and love fills the room, but the haze keeps him from truly feeling it. The woman places her hands on her hips.

"So?" Still waiting for an answer.

Rod chuckles and replies with a loving laugh, "Well, because of the way you look at me."

The mysterious yet familiar woman giggles along with him for a moment, then leisurely moves to him. He fights with all of his might to see her. His head throbs.

"Well, I guess that will have to do." She closes in for a kiss, whispering, "I love you too, 'til the stars no longer shine in heaven."

The beautiful painting melts before him. A picture etched in time that he will never be able to fully cherish, except in his dreams. Darkness, like black oil, smears all light. That old familiar voice echoes through his mind and soul again.

Time to wake up. I need you.

"Why me?"

You're very important to me.

The Dark One continues: There's a plan for you, for us both. I need you awake. A darkness far blacker than anything we've known is coming. It descends upon this realm like a tsunami. Stop dwelling on a life you can never have.

"I can't. A part of me is missing, and I can't figure out why. I try to remember but all I see is blackness, and all I feel is pain."

The pain will keep you alive. It will harden you for the trials ahead. I promise you, once this is all over, you will have the eternal rest you long for. Now WAKE UP!

The cold dark veil of the dream is traded for the darkness of reality. Rod does a quick body check, wiggling all fingers and toes. All limbs seem to be in working order. An aching pain from the fall reverberates throughout his body. The weary hunter lays motionless at first, waiting for his eyes to adjust to the darkness. Only the cold night air was the blanket for his slumber.

A new sensation touches his left hand. Small shivering fingers rub his. Neurons fire off through the synapse of his brain. The little girl. He tries to talk slowly and quietly, in hopes not to arouse anything in the vicinity.

"Are you alright?"

The tiny hands squeeze him as tears fall from her hidden face. Her voice quivers as she speaks, "Yes. I thought you were dead."

"I'm okay. I think."

Another quality check as he moves his right arm over to the girl. He searches for her face through the veil, unhurriedly as not to hit her. Eventually finding what he seeks, Rod rubs the girl's hair and wipes the tears from her eye with his thumb.

"We're alive, and that's all that matters."

The dark voice whispers again to the hunter.

We're not through this yet. Time to get your wits about you. Something is coming.