Us on 50

23 | Hertz

\ ˈhərts , ˈherts \

: a unit of frequency equal to one cycle per second; understanding stress distribution, deformation, and potential wear or failure points

"The best thing to hold onto in life is each other."

- Audrey Hepburn

Iris

The rush of adrenaline coursed through my veins, drowning out the cold fear that had settled in my chest. The thud of my footsteps against the pavement seemed too loud, too frantic. I could hear the distant echo of footsteps behind me, a grim unknown closing in on me, as if the shadows themselves were chasing me. The darkened stretch of US 50 and its deafening silence only made my heart pound more.

Each breath came in ragged gasps, my mind racing faster than my feet could carry me. The threat lurking in the darkness seems real to me and not just my mere imagination, and the stakes were higher than ever.

In the midst of the panic, a surge of something different—something fierce—swept over me. What gnawed at me more than the fear of the unknown was the thought of Brad.

Every glance I stole at him, every reassuring smile he gave me, felt like a dagger twisting in my heart. His love for me pierced through my fear. His unwavering presence is to me a beacon in the dark. The thought of him, always there, gave me a glimmer of hope amidst the chaos.

His silent strength was both a balm and a burden. Why was I dragging him into this mess? Why couldn't I protect him as fiercely as he protected me?

The anger I felt towards the faceless enemy that haunted our every step was only eclipsed by my fear of losing him. The thought of him getting hurt because of me was unbearable. My anger turned inward, a seething tempest of frustration and guilt. My emotions were a tumultuous storm—fear, anger, love, and guilt swirling together in a maelstrom.

A gentle touch on my shoulder brought me back to reality. I was just dreaming.

The warmth and the aroma of the herbs inside the foot spa lulled me into a deep, unsettling sleep. I floated in a realm where reality and nightmares intertwined, feeling the water's gentle caress on my feet.

I opened my eyes to find Brad's concerned face above me. Relief flooded through me, mingling with the remnants of my dream-induced tears. A tear slipped down my cheek as I gazed up at him, overwhelmed with happiness. Seeing him there, so real and so present, is a solace to my frayed nerves.

"Brad," I whispered, my voice catching with emotion. I wanted to cry, not from fear but from the sheer joy of his presence, his love, and the safety I felt with him beside me.

Brad smiled, his eyes soft and reassuring. "You were dreaming, Iris. It's okay."

I reached out to him, the weight of the dream lifting off my shoulders. As I embraced him, the warmth of the foot spa seemed to blend with the warmth of his touch, making me feel secure and loved.

After Brad paid for the foot spa, we strolled through the mall. The soft background hum of chatter and the distant smell of food filled the air, making me feel light on my feet. I couldn't help but smile, savoring the moment.

"That foot spa was heavenly," I said, feeling a sense of relief wash over me. "My feet feel like they're floating."

Brad looked at me, his eyes reflecting a quiet satisfaction. "I'm glad you enjoyed it. We both needed a little pampering."