EMBER

KARIM II

"Don't fight it" That woman's words ring once more in my head as the nauseating pain subsides once more.

The room is dark and am drenched in cold sweat. The tiny source that is providing some lumination is from a single candle across the room from the table.

The clothes are sticking to my skin but I can't bring myself to peel them off. Am in exhausted pain.

The bed ripples a bit as Emmeline shifts to be more comfortable. We have been at this for hours and we are both exhausted but this is just painful for her to watch.

"She won't leave." His voice rings clear in my ears as he chuckles a bit bemused. I have come to accept the fact that I am crazy.

After all this happening around me I guess I finally broke when I decided to go back home. I thought if I left I would stop seeing the apparition. But obviously am being haunted by myself and I can't outrun that. He is relentless.

"Once again, it is insulting when you call me a ghost." His voice flattens out a bit in mock anger. I don't know what's more frustrating, him looking so much like me or always knowing what am thinking like he is a mind reader.

I turn my head ever so slightly as my neck muscles protest to look at my mirror image lying besides me on the huge bed. I scowl at him.

It started with that archway, that is when I first saw him. As the white flames engulfed me. Then when we were with the fae, in my dreams. I could have lived with that but once the orb of blue disappeared into me, that broke me. I can't be calm. I can't ignore the fact I see him....well the Goddess did too the moment we arrived.

The constant dreams have plagued me of a life I had never lived that somehow I had lived.
Seeing him around me constantly talking to me. I hid it from everyone that I see the apparition of Ahmad for a while now but that woman just had to make it apparent to Emmeline. How tiring.

I remember the vast desire I had to wrap myself around Emmeline the first time I saw her stepping out of that jeep. How I longed to hold her in my arms and breathe her in. I thought I was nuts but she was the most beautiful woman I had ever laid my eyes on it was overwhelming.

My staggering desire to always be near her, protect her, be her companion, be everything she'll ever need just kept growing strongly and steadily ever since.

And when I held her it felt right even if somehow I knew those compelled actions were not mine but I still knew I needed to be by her side. It was always Ahmad. This wretched.....thing besides me.

"Now that's just rude man"
He sounds hurt but I don't care. I want him gone.

"Go away" I shout at him more but he just smiles as always. His happiness must have been infectious. His dark eyes beam with joy.

"let me in" He insists once more.

"No" My head splits pounding like my brain wants to crack through my skull. I can't help the pained groan that escapes me as I perspire heavily.

"Karim" Emmeline's gentle voice rings out her small yet beautiful hands place a cold cloth on my forehead. I welcome the temporary relief. Supernatural fevers are something I'd never wish on the devil himself.

"Just breathe Karim. You'll be alright." Her hands gently massage my forehead. Something warm splatters on my face. And another. Her tears. She is being a real trooper. But I find myself at a loss. My heart is breaking for her.

"You love her. I love her. So much" He doesn't need to rub in my feelings more. I don't even know when it started. But it grew more everytime we spent time together. The world is beautiful with her view in it.