Under The Wildflowers | ONC 2024

Chapter 9.

With a knot of nerves tightening in his stomach, Dominic raced towards the freeway, his hands trembling while he dialed the police.

His urgency was tangible as he relayed every detail of the unfolding horror and the destination he was headed, his voice weighted with gravity.

He struggled to maintain his composure as he pleaded with them to act quickly, emphasizing the possibility of another potential victim and ignoring their warnings for him to stay clear of the danger.

As he sped along the freeway, dread gnawed at him. The final entry in Joel's murderous diary bore Crystal's name and picture, but there was a glimmer of hope— there were no harrowing details of her murder which meant she might still be alive. Yet, uncertainty loomed, driving Dominic forward in desperation and fear.

With the revelations discovered in Joel's attic and Key's letter, Dominic's world finally began to align, offering him a glimpse of clarity.

The nightmares that had haunted him, the visions that had plagued his mind—they weren't his memories at all but shared echoes of Key and Celia's torment.

Regret gnawed at Dominic as he reflected on his silence about the nightmares. Perhaps if he had confided in Key, the truth of their shared experiences would have come to light. Maybe Key would have divulged that he remembered Celia, bridging the gap between past and present. And perhaps Celia, if given the chance, would have revealed the chilling reality of her fate—that she was, in fact, no longer alive.

Dominic's heart raced as he pulled over swiftly, stopping at the exact spot where Key had abruptly left the car. With a quick zip of his hoodie for protection from the underbrush, he dashed towards the woods once more.

The sense of familiarity served as his compass as it guided him deeper into the dense foliage. Though he couldn't discern his destination, an instinctual pull urged him forward. He was convinced that this place held the elusive answers he sought—especially since his worst dizzy spell had occurred here.

Dominic's mind churned with worry, the weight of his fears pressing down on him like a leaden cloak. With each step through the woods, his anxiety mounted, fueled by the nagging thought that he might not reach her in time.

He tore through the woods, sensing a change in the landscape. The trees had begun to thin and their imposing forms had given way to a clearing.

Breaking through the final barrier of trees, Dominic was suddenly struck by a wave of shock, awe, and horror, his senses overwhelmed by the sight that greeted him.

In the clearing, a riot of wildflowers splashed vibrant hues across the landscape, creating a mesmerizing tapestry of colors that defied the late autumn air.

The wildflowers, more vivid and beautiful than any he had seen in Maybourne or Celia's mother's greenhouse, danced in the gentle breeze, their petals glistening with dewdrops like jewels in the fading light. Despite their breathtaking beauty, a sense of unease settled over Dominic. It was almost fall, and yet here, in the midst of the season, this vast land of wildflowers flourished in defiance of the season's norms.

Amid the colorful flowers, a small, ominous wooden shack stood in the center of the clearing, its weathered exterior casting a shadow over the vibrant scene. The shack appeared out of place amidst the natural beauty of the clearing, its dilapidated structure and darkened windows contrasting sharply with the lively blooms that surrounded it.

Dominic sprinted toward it, the wildflowers brushing against the back of his legs. Up close, he could see that the small building was weather-beaten, with peeling paint revealing the natural wood beneath and patches of moss clinging to its surface.