A Faltering self (Distorted Reality book 2)

Chapter 67- Falling for You

(Kalston's POV)

I'm slipping, and I gladly accept it. If it's with her, then, whatever comes, is worth it. My Love.

I find myself wondering through the woods. They are as dark as they usually are, but this time, I'm not afraid. I see the edge of the tree line, and know that I'm finally headed back home again. As I'm going, two kids run past me, laughing and playing. A boy and a girl that takes me a moment to register who they are before the little girl turns to tap me when she goes past.

"Tag, you're it!"

Iris turns back as she runs out of the forest and I run after her as I become the boy who was ahead of her, but now behind her.

I'm out of the forest and looking for her, but I don't see her anywhere.

"I! Where did you go?"

I look around the familiar yard, and spot someone at a tree closer to the house. I walk to them and things shift to a different one. My current back yard and the person becomes more clear as Madinson as she sits at the tree reading.

"Hey, you."

She looks up at me smiling as she puts the book down. There is a flying boy on the front cover.

"Goodmorning, Love." I say as I sit down beside her.

She lays her head on my shoulder as she speaks again.

"My knight has come to save me."

Her words throw me off, and when I turn to look at her, it's no longer Madison, but Iris again, and I'm back to my younger self.

"Well, of course. We save each other."

The sun begins to set and I look over to see that Iris is gone again. I'm left alone. I'm still not afraid, just hurt. I get up and notice that something feels off. There is this feeling that someone is watching me, but when I look around, I don't see anyone.

I walk to my place, but have this strong feeling to go to Madison's instead. So, I do. I peek into the kitchen through the window that is in the kitchen and notice three people laughing in the living room. This mix of frustration and longing runs through me before I'm then one of them in the living room as I laugh with Madison and Bailey. I notice someone standing in the corner of the room.

Abba?!

I want to get up and run to him, but I'm stuck sitting with the girls as we watch a movie, and Abba walks to me to whisper in my ear.

"I told you that you couldn't protect her."

His words send a sinking feeling in the pit of my stomach. I look at Madison who is now staring at my Abba with this look of concern before it turns to frustration. She begins to yell as her eyes dart to me.

"I can't do this anymore. Just go!"

Her words hurt and I'm left still as I'm not sure what to do.

Love?

I'm about to speak and try to figure out what I did, but things flash again as she lays in my lap while we are outside again. The sun is bright and I'm brushing her hair out of her face while two little girls are running around. One of them looks just like Iris.

"You, know, I could get used to this, Love" I tell Madison as she smiles up at me.

"Well, good because I think you're stuck with us." She squints up her nose and I notice a lightness in her expression that I'm not used to.

This feeling of peace is something I've not had in I'm not sure for how long. I want to stay like this, but I'm snapped out of it.

A phone is ringing.

What? That's not...

I feel Madison move before talking quietily.

"Hey, what's up?"

I open my eyes to see her on the phone, and only hear her side of the conversation.

She seems concerned for whoever it is on the phone.

"Of course, what is it?"

I think about the dream I had, or at least the part that I want to focus on the most where she was with me. Seeing her at peace makes me notice how often she seems to not be. Or, at least, not as much as she was in that moment.

"Well, you do now. Do you want me to come over today to help you pack and keep an eye on her?"

So, she's helping someone move?

"Yeah, and I'll be there in an hour or two? Do you need me to pick anything up before I'm there?"

I touch her, wanting to take in every minute of her, especially if she's going to be gone today.

"Okay, text me your order and I'll pick it up on my way. I'll bring some donuts too, and hot chocolate for Alice?"

I wonder when I'll get her back?

I can't say that the thought isn't accompanied with ones of getting tangled up with her again. Or even the want for more that I'll still have to keep a tight hold of myself from.

"Okay, see you in a moment then."

Once I have her all to myself again, I sit up and start to grab her attention fully onto me. Kissing her which she seems distant to at first before not when I'm about to pull away.

"So, I guess that means that I don't get you this morning?"

Madison's then the one kissing me.

"It does. But, I'm sure we can spare a moment."

I'll take it.

But I know that it's best to know where she's going then to keep ourselves distracted.

"What is it that you have to do today?"

I still can't fully pull away from her as I stay touching her arm.

"My cousin needs my help moving out, and to stay for the next week to help her figure things out. She has a little girl, my niece, and I promised to watch her."

Oh...

But, maybe I don't have to lose her for that long?

"So I won't get you for the next week? I could help if you need it."

She grins and there's a flash of Iris, but I know that I'm wrong for seeing that.

"I can ask. I'm sure Kay would like the help."

Really?!

I hope so because even though I know a week isn't long, it will feel like it without her.

"But, I need to get ready first. I'll come back in a moment."

Madison heads off before I grab her back for one last kiss.

"I'll miss you."

Loving her is so easy. There's no hate beneath the surface that nags at me for being pulled back to her. There's no resentment towards her for pulling me back in. It's just, everything I wanted it to be in the past.

Is this real? Do I finally get this?

I don't even let myself think about everything else that could destroy it because what I want most is this moment to cherish. This glimpse of what I've desperately wanted for so long.

"I'll miss you too."

Her smile is light and warm before she's gone.