ELECTRIFY ME• aaron warner

4|SWEET DREAMS

The world is nothing like it once was. I used to take life for granted. I never thought much of the birds gliding through the bright blue skies and the beautifulness of children walking to school.

When I was in school, I hated it. I dreaded every second, and I wish I didn't. My life was hard since I had to hide my powers, but I'd give anything to have my old life back.

The Reestablishment wants to reshape our future and 'save' the world. They want to take everything we have and redo it from scratch.

They're willing to kill and erase human uniqueness. They say it's pointless to resist, because everyone will end up in order in the end.

Carven Himes and I always thought different. He used to be my classmate in school, and now he's my partner in crime.

We're completely against the Reestablishment's ideas, and we're slowly taking steps to form a revolution against them.

At first, Carven had no idea about my powers. He just thought I was someone with the same idea as him.

We grew close. Really close.

No, Carven and I never officially dated. But we've shared moments that could convince outsiders otherwise. I don't know what we are.

But I know that I really care about him.

I remember the day he found out about  my my powers. I was doing something for our rebellion, and a solider patrolling the streets was trying to attack me.

I had dragged him out of the public eye and towards an abandoned shed. The door had shut, and I was doing my best to get the upper hand in our fight.

I knew what I had to do. I electrocuted him until he fell unconscious. No, he wasn't dead. He likely wouldn't remember anything when he woke up though.

It was self-defense. I would be executed if I didn't electrocute him. I thought no one saw me, but I was wrong.

Carven stood tall in the door frame, his dark curls slightly messy. His eyes were shifting from the soldier and then to me.

"Emilia..?" I was silent. "What did you just do?"

I had to get him far away from the solider's body and explain everything. I explained that I have had these powers since forever, but the Reestablishment can't know because they'll either lock me up or kill me.

Carven seemed understanding, but ever since that day he was off. He kept asking questions about my powers, and asked continuously for me to show him how they work.

It's the middle of the night, and I just can't stop thinking about him. I also realize that I like Warner's mattress better, because mine is not nearly as comfortable.

My room is cold too.

It just still haunts me that my best friend has been working for the Reestablishment all along. I always thought our beliefs were the same, and that one day we would save the world together.

That was a silly dream.

People aren't who you expect them to be, I guess. I should have never let my guard down or trusted him enough to explain the details of my powers.

My naiveness got me into this situation. I've been kidnapped by the Reestablishment and now I've found that Warner is obsessed with using me as his personal weapon.

Adam says he's going to help me escape, and I trust that. But how do I know we'll succeed? What if I die here by the hands of Warner?

I can't kill another person. I hate the Reestablishment with all of my guts, and I can't become monsters like they are.

I hear a squeaking sound, and the door is slowly opening. My heart rate rapidly increases when I realize that someone is entering my room in the middle of the night.

The light is off, and it's dark. I can see a figure.

"There's no need to be frightened, love."

It's him. Why would Warner be in my room this late? I want him out.

He gently closes the door walks over towards my bed. I'm wrapped in the thick blanket, and now sitting up.

"What are you doing in here?" I ask.

I haven't seen Warner in casual clothes until now, and he pulls it off rather well.

"You can't sleep," he notes.

"No, you just woke me up," I lie.

"That's not true. You've been shaking and unable to fall asleep for the past three hours."

Warner is completely right, but I'm trying to figure out how he would know. He hasn't been in my room. I feel like I'm being babysat, and I hate it.

The feeling of being watched from earlier may not have been reality. "How would you know?" I retort.

Warner hesitates and says, "I have my ways."

It's suddenly clicking. He always knows my every move. "Are there cameras in my room?" I ask slowly.

"Maybe," he mutters.

My face grows red, knowing that Warner has seen my every move. He's clearly watching constantly, because how else would he know I was awake? Why does he even care so much about his captive?

I feel so embarrassed and invaded of my privacy. "Remove them. Now."

He chuckles, not the slightest bit intimidated. Even in the darkness, his perfect face is illuminated. I hate that he is beautiful on the outside, but not the inside.

"I don't do what you tell me to, love. I'd rather keep them."

"Creep."

"I'll consider removing them if you agree to willingly test your powers with me," Warner offered

I think about it. Warner should remove them either way, but I guess testing out my powers with him won't hurt. I won't show him too much, or he'll become entranced with the idea of using them.

"Fine. Can you leave now? And stop watching me on your cameras."

Warner's dimples are showing again. "Lie down," he orders.

I don't know why he's ordering me around, or why he's still here. I sleepily follow his request though. His hand reaches for the blanket, as he pulls it further above my chest.

Warner momentarily sits down on the bed beside me. "Sweet dreams, love," he whispers.

My eyes are already closing as he's creeping out of my room.