Love, Basketball and Demons

Chapter 5: A Dream Come True

The sun cast a warm glow over the water, shimmering like liquid gold as Zack and Deb walked hand-in-hand along the edge of the University pool. In his mind, it felt more like a picturesque lakeside scene than the mundane reality of their campus. Deb's laughter filled the air, her eyes sparkling behind her glasses as she turned to face him. He couldn't help but smile back, feeling his heart swell with affection for this intelligent and curious girl who had unexpectedly come into his life.

"Zack," she whispered, leaning in close, "I've been wanting to tell you something."

He could feel the heat radiating from her body, as she pressed herself tightly against him. "What is it?" he asked, his voice barely audible.

"I... I think I'm falling in love with you."

His heart raced at her words, and he leaned in to kiss her tenderly. But just as their lips were about to meet, something shifted in the atmosphere. The once-gentle breeze grew harsh and cold, the skies darkening ominously. Panic gripped him as he realized that his powers were spiraling out of control, and before he could warn Deb, a telekinetic force erupted from him, violently hurling her through the air and into the water with a sickening crash.

"Deb!" he screamed, watching in horror as her lifeless body floated on the surface of the pool, tendrils of blood spreading out around her. Tears streamed down his face as he stared at his hands, now tipped with sharp claws, and he knew that he was the monster responsible for her death.

"Zack! Zack, wake up!" Rob's voice pulled him back to reality, and he jolted awake, drenched in sweat. His friend's concerned expression hovered above him, and he struggled to catch his breath.

"Rob... I had the worst dream," he choked out, the image of Deb's lifeless body still haunting him.

"Tell me about it, you were screaming in your sleep. What was it about?" Rob urged, sitting down next to Zack on his bed. As Zack recounted the chilling details of his nightmare, Rob listened intently, he could see that the dream really affected Zack.

"It felt so real like we were really there and she really got hurt. Can these powers give you visions?" Zack asked, hoping Rob would tell him they couldn't.

"Honestly Zack, I know as much as you do now, there isn't much about vessels online. But we can go to the pool now and prove that you don't have vision powers." Rob suggested.

Zack nodded and the pair quickly pulled on their sweatpants and hoodies before heading out into the autumn air.

"Look, dreams can be weird sometimes," Rob said as they walked together toward the pool. "I don't think this means anything. I once dreamt I was a talking bookcase that ate rubber boots."

Zack couldn't shake the feeling that there was more to the dream, he still didn't fully understand his powers and how they worked. They approached the entrance to the pool, and Rob pushed open the door with a reassuring smile.

"See? Nothing to worry about-"

His words caught in his throat as they stepped into the room, their eyes widening at the sight before them: a puddle of blood by the side of the pool. The air was thick with tension as Zack stared at the crimson stain, his heart pounding in his chest.

"Rob," he whispered, his voice trembling, "this is just like my dream."

"Okay, let's not jump to conclusions," Rob replied, trying to maintain his composure. "There has to be an explanation for this." But even as he spoke the words, he knew that something was very wrong, and Zack's powers could be darker than he imagined.

Desperate to find Deb, Zack left Rob standing at the pool and hurried through the university parking lot towards St. Jerome's campus, his eyes scanning back and forth for any sign of her. Panic gnawed at him as he began to believe that his nightmare had become a reality. He gritted his teeth, trying to keep his powers in check. The last thing he needed was a surge of uncontrollable energy.