The Kiss Of Midnight

Chapter Nine;

I am standing in a vast black mist. My vision is obscured by the dark scenery. My eyes try to scan over the area I am in, but fail to locate anything. I moce my feet slightly and I hear the squishing of water beneath me, the liquid seeps into my shoes as I feel it rising to my ankles. My hands search out in front of me, but fall short as all I feel is the air and the water rising to my knees. I try to step but the water is too quick as it reaches my stomach, then to my neck.

My head moves back as the water reaches my chin, the fear setting in now as my feet come off the ground. I try to stay afloat as the water continues to rise, my arms and legs move to keep me above the surface. Water splashes over my face as I feel a tug on my ankle. I kick and try to swim away but a grip is now on my foot. It pulls me under just as I take a breath.

The water is black as I am pulled under, the force on my ankle is tight as I try to kick. It doesn't let go, the unseen mass tightening its hold on me. The air in my lungs begin to leave my throat as I try to scream, only for air bubbles to escape. I feel myself sinking further from the surface as water enters my mouth, swallowing it as I attempt to take a breath. My throat instantly begins to burn and I trash about, my arms and legs having a mind of their own as I try to breath. The force from my ankle now gone but replaced to my arms, as if it wanted to look at me before it killed me. I close my eyes as I allow myself to succumb to my demise

"Leksa!" My name is yelled, causing me to jolt up, my eyes opening. My chest is heaving as my breath is quick and ragged, my hand coming to rest on my throat as it continues to burn. I see Theo beside me, his hands on my arms as he looks me over. "What the hell? Are you okay?" I do not answer him as I swallow, my throat and stomach now both aflame, or so it felt as I move Theo away and climb out of the bed.

I make my way to my bathroom and barely make it to my toilet when I hurl clear liquid. Resting my hand on the back of the toilet seat as I puke again, the water stings my throat as it leaves my body.

"Hey, hey." I hear from behind me as Theo's hands pull my hair back. "It's okay." He says softly to me as I puke again. My eyes land on the clear liquid in the toilet water and a shiver goes down my spine.

"Fuck." I let out a heavy sigh. My throat burning still as my stomach turns.

"What is it?" Theo ask as he kneels beside me, his blue eyes look over my face as I wipe my lip with some toilet paper.

"It doesn't make sense.. I-" I try to make the words come out without going to fast or somewhat explainable.

"Leksa, breath." Theo says to me, and I do. I breath in and out slowly, allowing the air to enter my lungs. It stings at first, but as I breath again it begins to fade.

"It happened again.." I say as I put the toilet seat down. I see Theo trying to contemplate what I'm saying. His silence making me uneasy, so I stand. "I'm sorry. I shouldn't involve you." Turning on the water to my sink I grab a rag and wet it, resting it on my face to clean away anything left.

"You don't have to ask me to be involved. I did that myself." Theo speaks as I turn off the water and flush the toilet, leaning against the counter top right after. He looks to me then at the floor. "The first night I was here and that happened, I honestly didn't know what to do or say. I just know I wanted to be there for you." He stops and steps over to me. "I do believe you felt what happened to you."

Theo takes my hand, intertwining our fingers. I keep my gaze on our hands as he looks down at me.

"If you want to talk about it we can. If not, then we can go lay back down." His thumb rubs over mine gently and I take in a breath. I exhale before looking up to him, our eyes meeting.