Hellbound Hearts

22. Understanding You

Moisture. Cold. Darkness. I can feel everything deep inside my bones. My body doesn't respond to any signal from my brain. I can't even lift a finger. The glass shards beneath me dig deeper, slicing through skin, tearing at the layers. My wounds bleed profusely, spreading a warm, sticky sensation. I'm not sure what just happened. I tremble uncontrollably, each spasm bringing excruciating pain. I wish for it to finally stop. Raindrops shoot down from black clouds, soaking through my bloody clothes, plastering my hair to my burning face. Each drop feels like needles. Lightning flashes, illuminating the darkness, and thunder rumbles through the steady sound of rain. I lie on the cold pavement, vulnerable and exposed. I'm getting weaker, and my consciousness begins to slip away. I can feel myself letting go, not sure I even want to resist it. My eyes close, but I hear a new sound—a different one. Someone's approaching, but I can't turn my head. I only see the blurred, overcast sky. The footsteps come closer, stopping nearby. I feel someone's gaze fixed on me.

Bright flash.

Deafening thunder.

Footsteps on the wet asphalt.

A deep sigh.

My heavy breathing echoes in my ears. My chest tightens with an icy fear, though deep down, I know there's no real danger here. Yet the dread lingers.

It sends strange, tingling impulses through my entire body, like an electric shock, causing me to twitch uncontrollably. But strong arms hold me tightly. Gradually, clarity returns, and I realize I'm half-lying on the floor of the bookstore basement.

Arthur's holding me, while Kaja and Eleonora crouch nearby, their faces etched with concern. A bit farther away, Cody stands with a mix of worry and indecision on his face. He looks like he wants to come closer but hesitates.

As sanity reasserts itself, I start to calm down. My thrashing ceases, though my breathing remains heavy. The terror begins to fade, replaced by a sense of safety in the presence of my friends.

"Nate, what the hell?" Eleonora sighs, placing a hand on my shoulder. "What's going on?"

Memories of the moments before I lost consciousness flood back, and a delayed realization hits me.

"I did it," I lift my head, looking her in the eyes. "I summoned my fire. It obeyed me."

Arthur releases me from his embrace. "How? Why now?" he asks, his voice filled with anxious excitement.

"I don't know," I reply honestly. "I just did it."

"Nate, that's great! I'm so happy for you," Kaja smiles.

"We're all happy, but I'm a bit worried," Elle says, cutting in. "This doesn't seem very safe."

I sigh, choosing not to respond. I'm unsure myself, so there's no point in sharing my uncertainties with them.

"But everything's okay, right?" Cody finally speaks up, drawing everyone's attention.

"I'm fine," I reply calmly, using support to stand. "Really."

I don't intend to be questioned further, so I slowly head toward the stairs. My injured palm has stopped bleeding, though the wound still feels tight. I ignore it, knowing it will heal soon and the pain will fade.

Right now, physical sensations are the least of my concerns. I'm beginning to believe these nightmares aren't just tricks of the mind. Each time I dream, the same scene replays, becoming clearer and more detailed. But what truly matters isn't what I see—it's the unmistakable feeling that I've lived through it before.

*

I'm alone in the room. While Cody showers, I savor the moment of silence. Detached from my emotions, I focus on analyzing the facts. I close my eyes, taking a deep breath.

I replay the scene countless times, but my memory remains blocked. The images are vivid, yet there's nothing significant in them. Getting nowhere, I silently curse.

"What's up with the frown?" Cody's voice startles me. "You look like you're struggling on the toilet."

I lift my gaze. He's standing in the doorway, towel-drying his wet, tangled hair. The moisture darkens his hair, contrasting with his fair skin and the flush on his cheeks from the hot shower.

"That's pretty much how I feel," I sigh. "But I can't get anything out."

Cody raises an eyebrow, confused.

"Never mind," I smile weakly. "It doesn't matter."

"I think right now everything matters," Cody says after a pause. "Especially if it's related to uncanny stuff."

"How do you know what I'm thinking?" I snort.

"Understanding you isn't that difficult," he shrugs.

"Is that so?" I ask, intrigued.

He chuckles, coming to sit beside me on the bed. Unexpectedly, he leans a bit closer, smiling playfully.

"You're more expressive than you think. You don't need words to be understood."

"Either you're mistaken or most people are terrible at reading cues," I sigh.

"I can't speak for others, but understanding you seems pretty easy to me," he replies, tossing the towel over his shoulder.

"Bold claim," I smirk slyly. "So, what am I thinking now?"

Cody holds my gaze for a long moment, his intensity making me feel slightly unsettled.

"I'm no mind reader, but I can tell something's weighing on you. Something unrelated to recent hunts. And even if you won't tell me, don't say I didn't make a good guess."

I hold my breath. My mouth opens, but no words come out. I don't know what buttons Cody's been pushing lately, but he's doing it well. He's reaching deep into my soul, and I'm not sure I can stop him.