Pulse (On Hold)

Chapter Fourteen

Chapter Fourteen

I can’t breathe. My lungs are begging for air but aren’t receiving any. My mind is searching for answers but can’t find them. And my heart is beating so fast in my ears it might shatter. This is all because my best friend is gone.

Worry washes over me so deep I think I might drown in it. Something horrible could be happening to Renee right now, but this time she might not overcome it. A person can only endure so much abuse and trauma. Every time I blink I see different images of her flash behind my eyelids and they’re all devastating.

Renee all alone in a dark room… Chained to a wall… Curled up in a corner crying… Waiting, wishing, praying for someone to rescue he.

I force myself to move away from the kitchen towards the hallway. I have to get into bed and regain my energy. I’m drained from the stress of it all. My brain can’t comprehend the drastic turn my life has taken in the last month and I’m not too sure I know the world I life in anymore.

An unsettling, eerie feeling takes over me as I pass through the hallway. The walls on either side of me seem to be caving in, swallowing me, and as I keep walking, the floorboard creaks and groans.

I steady myself on the stair railings, feeling the floor shift under me like I’m on a rocky boat. I practically have to drag myself up the stairs and flop into my awaiting bed.

It feels like every molecule in my body is tired, but I know I can’t sleep even though it’s the middle of the night. I guess I miss Jared’s soft snores and the sense that I wasn’t alone. Whenever I was sad or needing comfort he would always be there for me. He would cradle me in his strong arms and sing me a soft lullaby to sleep.

Would he come over now if I asked him to? I pull out my iPhone  before I can stop myself and type a message. I really don’t trust myself to speak if I was to call him instead.

Me: I know it’s late and we haven’t spoken in ages, but I need u Jared. Could you please come over?

It only takes him a minute to respond, which makes me sigh deeply. He mustn’t be sleeping soundly lately.

Jared: Of course. I’ll be over in ten :)

I can almost see the huge smile that must be on his lips. I know he has missed me, that much was obvious the last time we spoke at school. I feel selfish for asking this of him, but I know he loves when I call on him for help. It makes him feel needed. Besides, I think it’s time we make up. I’ve missed him like crazy too.

Me: Thank u, Jared.

Jared: U know I’d do anything for u right?

Me: Yes I know.

After twelve minutes of waiting restlessly for Jared I hear heavy footsteps coming up the stairs. I gave him a key to the house around a year ago, so I’m not surprised he let himself in. I’m just glad that he still feels comfortable enough to do so.

Jared hesitates when he comes into view and lingers anxiously in the doorway. He offers me a shy, closed-mouthed smile and I pat the space beside me. He slowly walks over and lies next to me on the bed. Our legs entangle under the covers and I rest my head on his broad shoulder. As I stare into his bright blue eyes, I wonder how I ever lived without him.

“Hi-” I begin, but my larynx contorts the word into a squeak.  I clear my throat and somehow find my voice again. “Hi Jared,” I say sheepishly.

“I’ve missed you so much Emerald. There’s not a moment that goes by where I don’t think of you,” Jared replies automatically, his large hand stroking my hair soothingly.