In The Shadows

Chapter 18 ~Nightmares~

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I went to find the pendant later that day. I told Beck to stay behind. He kept telling me 'Be careful' or 'Its not safe'. I needed to know why it wasn't though. He looked tired. I walked him up to my apartment. Over my shoulder he was lying. I could feel his he was trying so hard to breathe. I still didn't know what happened to him. I was worried.. for the both of us. 

I remember I set him on my couch and covered him up as I went to get a rag. The wetness soaked through into the rag. My fingers were wrinkled from the moisture. I squeezed the rage letting the water fall out. Twisting it so it was just right to clean up with. I walked into the living to see Beck passed out under the blanket. I kneeled before him and looked at his reacting face. He was so peaceful. I smiled as I took the rage and wiped up the dry blood and dirt across his face. I lift his hair and for the first time I saw above his nose. Again he was perfect. Eyelashes long, nice arc eyebrows and silky hair. 

I wonder what color his eyes are?

I grinned at my thought as I  wiped more across his forehead. 

About an hour later....

After taking care of Beck I decided to go for the pendant. I wasn't too worried about it. Nobody really goes up there, unless you wanted it secret. I just wanted to spend time with Beck. I desperately wanted to know what was still going on, but I don't know why my mind wasn't settled on it. For some reason I knew I was going to be fine... WE were going to be fine.

I finally reached the tall tan tower. It was a walk that felt like forever. A breeze flowed through the air as now the sun was setting. The reflection of the sunset shined over ahead on the tower. Different colors formed behind it beautifully. Crisp air tingled my nose. My toes tingled in my flip-flops as I moved forward to the staircase. The spiral staircase looked never ended, but my legs were up for the challenged. I reached out my legs stepping on each step carefully. Holding onto the railing my eyes kept forward.

 When I stepped onto the top floor the air was lighter. I looked at the same place my where I broke down. Where I took the pendent off. I looked and looked, thinking my eyes were tricking me. But it wasn't there... it-it was...

"Gone," I disappointedly whispered under my breath. I looked down in shame. I should of trusted Beck. I should of never token off the pendent... now it was gone.

I ran again like I did before. Twirled down the steps and all the way home. I couldn't possibly tell Beck this. I just-just couldn't. I ran home with my head hanging down low.

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~PRESENT~

In the woods I arrived. I didn't know how I got here. The forest looked the way it was before. Tall healthy trees, ground covered with leaves, and just a perfect spot of light. I felt like I was floating. I was in a happy place. I could even feel the air like it was on that day with Shadow. Cold breezes touched my cheeks. My hair touch everywhere around me taking in each air bubble. I tried catching the wind, but my fingers fell through its thinness. I rested my hands back to my side and felt what I was wearing. The ruffles touched my fingertips. A red extravagant prom dress wore onto my body. My shoulders were bare as the tight corset went until my waist. The ruffles went as far as I could touch them.

Why was I wearing this?

I kept being confused in my own mind. Sounds of all kind entered my ears. One I recognized so clearly. Shadows paw movements. I smiled and ran toward it holding the dress up as my feet triggered faster in the ground. My bare feet tracked dirt.

"Shadow?" I called out to him. "I'm here, boy."

A squeal caught my attention. A petrified look arrived onto my face. I ran faster, flying on my feet. I came to a halt when I reached the light. The moonlight where I was. Where I saw Shadow. I walked slow now into that light. Shakening I was worried.

"Shadow?" My voice echoed. The trees shook at my sound.

The moonlight moved away from its place, away from me. It was moving to the side of me. I turned not letting my eyes go from that light. The light straightened out over my the descending trees. I couldn't see what it was showing me. I squinted my eyes walking closer. The vision became clear. I know who it was. I know him anywhere.

My eyes broaden. "Shadow!" My voice I shouted his, but he was far away now.

I cried as I kneeled down to his aid. The wolf was lying there. Stiff, frozen, gone. A pool of dark blood surronded his death. My wolf was forever gone. I grazed his cold fur and cried. My tears fell into the dirt as my cries blocked everything out. Shadow's eyes weren't silver anymore. They were a bitter gray. I wanted to lay there with him. I- I wanted to be with him. I can't live away from him. My Shadow. Overflowing tears dropped onto his fur. Shadow....

Everything shifted. I was running now. Why am I running?

The tears had stopped and now I was sprinting. My presences was still in the woods, but further down. Pass the river, maybe. I just kept running. My body didn't seem to listen to my mind. My legs were flexed with emotions.

"Don't stop Carolyn! Keep running!" A familiar voice called out to me. My mind couldn't process whose voice it was. I was to complexed with running and getting away. I didn't know why, but all I knew is I had to run.

I hustled through the woods. Twigs and branched scratched my arms as I moved.  All of a sudden my body cancelled the movements. Now my body refused to take a single step. I tried forcing my legs to kept running, but it was too late. Out of the shadows walked out a man. A tall, thin African American. Tan pants and a Jean jacket fit onto his body. He was closer to me now. Up near my eyes. His stubble touched his hand as he looked at me with curiosity. I looked straight up into his eyes. Bloodshed red. A fright of fear shot through me as I saw them. Red eyes...

"There you are Carolyn," His words hit me. How did he know my name?

My eyes shot onto his hand which was he holding up close to me. His fingers were ice as he touched my cheek.  Then out of now where his hand clasps onto my neck. Tighter grip each time I tried to scream. My body floated up into the air as he lifted me. He has strength. Losing air compressed my lungs. I wanted to cry. Cry for someone to help me.

"Let her go Vincent," The same voice screamed in the distance.

Help me...

My back flung into an old broken tree. My spine shattered against the force. My coughing got some air back into my body. My lungs tried filling up as much as possible. My fingers ended up around my neck, holding it steady like it might break. I saw the guy who was yelling jump onto the man. My vision blurred, but I could tell they were fighting. They were yelling, but voices were faint to me now. Their mouths were moving fast. I couldn't tell what they were saying. I griped my fingers more around onto my neck as I watched them. I noticed something strange on my neck. Two holes were inserted through my flesh. Before I could think anything of it everything went black...

~ I jolted up from my bed, panting and sweating. I choked out while grabbing my lumber body.

"What-what was that?" My thoughts were said out loud.

A hand touched my back making me plunge forward. I turned to see a worried face next to me. The comfort of his hand circled onto my back. Beck was sitting on my bed. I went and jumped into his arms. His grip around him went tighter as I cried onto his should. I buried my head into his chest.

"Beck," My holler fell.

"I know, I know. I know what happened. About the pendant and you nightmares. I know." His voice calmly comforted my ears.

I landed back and looked straight at him, "How do you know?"

"It's time." I raised an eyebrow in question.

 His hand went to his forehead. His palm lifted up his hair to show me. Show me what was really underneath.

What happened next was unbelievable. What happened next no one could explain. What happened next changed my whole life into a twist.