Dream Weaver ✓

Chapter 9

The stillness was palpable in the room, as if each molecule of air had frozen in place. From her perch by the window, Olivia cast her gaze towards Emily, who stood stiffly beside Sean. His features were etched with a deep frown, and his posture was coiled tight, as though he were ready to leap into action at any moment. But Olivia couldn't help feeling that this confrontation was of Sean's own making. After all, he had been the one to turn his back on them first.

Emily's coughing shattered the stillness, revealing her growing discomfort and the need for someone to break the silence. She lifted her gaze, her eyebrows furrowed in frustration as Sean remained lost in his thoughts, staring blankly at his hands as if the sound of her cough never reached his ears. Olivia's weary sigh escaped her lips as she perched precariously on the edge of her seat, her body language showing her growing discontent.

Emily's eyes blazed with anger as she leaned forward, her voice rising in volume. "Why don't you speak up?" she challenged Sean. "You're the one who didn't help me."

But Sean stood his ground, meeting her fiery gaze with a steady look of his own. "I don't want my dreams to end," he replied in a low, measured tone. "You'll take them away."

Emily's mouth twisted in a sarcastic smirk as she let out an exasperated sigh, rolling her eyes. "It's better this way," she countered, her voice dripping with disdain. "Dream Weavers are dangerous."

"Emily has a point," Olivia interjected. "We need to make the world a better place, not just for ourselves."

But Sean's expression remained troubled, his brow furrowing in confusion. "Where's Louis?" he asked, searching their faces for answers. "He's not here. Can he keep his powers?"

Olivia let out a deep, heavy sigh, her heart heavy with frustration. It was hard for her to wrap her mind around the fact that Sean seemed to only think about the benefits of his powers as a Dream Weaver, completely ignoring the darker consequences that came with them. Her eyes implored Emily, searching for a way to make Sean understand. Even Olivia hadn't fully experienced the negative effects of wielding such abilities. But she had seen enough - felt enough - when she lost her precious ring, to know that the price of having these powers was steep.

Olivia leaned forward, emphasizing the urgency in her voice as she spoke. "We must work together if we hope to survive. Louis needs to understand that he can no longer hold his powers, either."

Emily's head tilted in agreement, a strand of hair falling across her forehead. "I couldn't agree more. But it's up to you, Sean, to make him see reason. Unfortunately, Louis only listens to you."

A cocky smirk tugged at the corner of Sean's lips. "What if I don't feel like convincing him?"

Emily's hand slammed down on the table, the sound echoed through the room. "That's enough! You're playing with fire."

Unfazed by Emily's outburst, Sean's head tilted in a casual shrug. "I never saw it as dangerous. Losing a ring seems like a small price to pay, doesn't it?"

Olivia was in a state of disbelief as she registered Sean's stubbornness, unwilling to heed caution until he faced the aftermath. But her thoughts were abruptly interrupted as Emily's form quaked, her gaze fixated upwards in a hauntingly familiar manner. Olivia sprang into action, her hand finding its way to her friend's shoulder as she whispered soothing words, hoping to bring her back from her eerie trance and spare them both from the confusing and cryptic words that often tumbled from Emily's lips during these episodes.

Sean exuded an aura of nonchalance as he lifted his shoulder in a shrug. With practiced ease, he swung open the chilled embrace of the refrigerator and plucked out a sleek bottle of water. Tilting his head back, he took a long, satisfying swig, savoring the cool trickle as it quenched his thirst. Afterward, he wiped his lips with the back of his hand, his gaze fixated on the scene before him. Emily lay there like a still-life painting, while Olivia tenderly cradled her head, positioning a pillow beneath her.

Olivia's voice boomed as she cried out, "You don't even help!" Her arms flew wide, emphasizing her frustration.

Sean's head swayed back and forth in a negative gesture. A smirk played at the corners of his lips as he quipped, "She wants attention."

Her eyes widened, her mouth agape in disbelief. She stammered, "What? You think she's doing this on purpose?"

Sean's shoulders rose in a nonchalant shrug. He replied coolly, "Obviously. She's a crazy one."

But Olivia was not backing down. She rose to her feet, determination flashing in her eyes. With a fierce gesture, she pointed at Sean's face and proclaimed, "She's our friend. Our friend."

As Sean struggled to find the words, Emily suddenly bolted upright, a dazzling smile spread across her face. Olivia cowered in fear, her eyes wide with terror. She stumbled backward, crashing into Sean's solid frame as he leaned against the fridge. Without a second thought, he deftly stepped in front of Olivia and shielded her with his towering frame, sandwiching her between himself and the cold, hard surface of the fridge.

Sean extended his arms in a sweeping motion, his fingers splayed wide as if to emphasize his point. He let out a deep sigh; the air escaping his lips in a soft hiss. "Okay," he mumbled, the word barely audible as his gaze shifted to the floor. He paused, gathering his thoughts before turning his attention back to Emily, his expression pleading. "I was just kidding," he said, his tone soft and apologetic. "Emily, come on. Please."

As Emily glided forward with a dreamy disregard, Sean sprang into action. With lightning speed, he clasped Olivia's wrist and whisked her away from harm's reach. In one fluid motion, he propelled her down the hallway and barricaded the door with a resounding slam, securing their safety with a decisive twist of the lock. Olivia's eyes fluttered open in disbelief as she registered Sean's brave act of protection. She watched Emily through the small window.

Emily stood tall and confident, her chin held high as she spoke with a voice that echoed through the spacious room. She brought her hand up to chest height, revealing a shiny coin between her thumb and forefinger. With a playful twinkle in her eye, she raised her eyebrows and tilted her head slightly, daring Olivia and Sean to take the challenge.

Her voice took on a mischievous tone as she continued, "You have two paths before you, each leading down a different road. But, once that coin is flipped, there's no going back. The choice will be made, and your fate will be sealed. So, tell me, do you dare to flip the coin and escape your destiny?"