The Art of Death Vol I

Chapter 27

....The next day...

I woke up to find Naomi still sleeping. I checked the watch on my wrist and it said it was 6 AM. It was too early for her to be up, or even me being up. But I couldn't go back to sleep because of that thing we saw yesterday. I didn't know what it was, or how it was even made, but I didn't want to find out. Literally, I feel like we both barely escaped with our lives yesterday. I had no clue how on Earth it didn't see either of us. I did try sleeping, but I just kept waking up to nightmares... I had no clue if that thing would come for us again. I did keep the note of the person warning us to not go any further. He referred to it as a "Stalker", and I had no clue where these things came from. I couldn't easily find out either.

It was atrocious. I woke up at least half a dozen times, including now. The same thing happened each time... I was in the dream, and that Stalker would grab Naomi... And kill her... I don't want to say how it did it... But I'll go with that. I woke up every time crying with Naomi still sleeping peacefully across from me. As far as I knew, she wasn't riddled with nightmares about yesterday as I was. I knew, from this point on, I would be riddled with fear and nightmares from now on.

Beasts simply didn't scare me. I faced so many of them they never fucking got to me anymore. Sure, there were a few life or death situations I was in, but I got used to it. And, of course, the same life or death scenarios were still waiting for me. This "Stalker" thing yesterday, was on a whole new level, and reminded me to have some fear of this fucked up world. I wasn't sure what was at the end of this tunnel called "life", but I knew as long as Naomi was alive and safe, I would be too. I know I haven't known her that long or anything... But within the few days, she's grown on me. Especially in this fucked up world, she was my rock right now. Not even Elias could do that; as he never sympathized with me. No one did in my entire life except her... I knew, for real, what this feeling was, and I never felt it before. It was called "love." I never knew anyone in my life "fall in love", but I was always told stories on what it is... and why it happens. Before, I doubted its existence because of this world... Now, being by her side, I knew what it was. I didn't know if she felt the same way, but that would be okay; as long as I still could feel something for her, I would be happy. If that was taken away... This euphoric like feeling I didn't know what I would do. I don't think I could go back living the same life I was before... Waking up would be the same, exploring would be the same, sleeping would be the same. Everything would be the same. And, worst of all, I would be alone again. Alone...

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

An hour later...

Naomi finally woke up. She looked so amazing with those eyes and her cheery smile. I don't know how anyone could be happy in this world... But she did it, and she made me do it too. I didn't know what we were doing today. I was hoping today's the day we plan for the attack on the cannibals and save Elias... But something still feels off. Like I forgot to accomplish something.

"Morning," She expressed while still being half awake and half asleep. God she looked so beautiful. Like a diamond among dirt.

"Good morning," I replied back, smiling for one of the first times in forever.

"You don't look good today," She looked at me concerned. She was right. I didn't. Those nightmares were crippling me but what was I supposed to do about it? Talk? I knew I should. But I was in good spirits as soon as I saw her awake.

"I'm fine, just bad dreams. I don't want to bother you with it. Maybe some other time. I feel like for now we need to focus on Elias." I did wonder... Why was she so interested in helping me? I continued my thought right before she spoke up, "Why are you wanting to help me?"