Where These Souls Go

Chapter 4

"Beck, I know I overstepped. I'm sorry," I wanted to say.

I even opened my mouth to speak, but nothing came out. I was so frightened that I would hurt him even further. I didn't want to say a thing.

It was a strange thing, this feeling. Not wanting to speak because I was so afraid.

Before this world, I was fearless. I spoke when I wasn't spoken to, and I overstepped boundaries quite a bit.  I didn't care what other people said or thought. That's why Jensen and I were paired together. Together, we were the dream team, I suppose. I was like a balloon, ready to float off and do my own thing, but he kept me grounded. Whenever I wanted to do something impulsive, he was the one who always slowed me down and made me think. Does that make me a bad cop? Never. But I'll admit, I was a bit impulsive before I met and was paired with Jensen Moore.

In some ways, this is still true. like with Beck. I spoke too quickly and I overstepped. While I'm not saying it's usual, because it's not, it's still rare that I step out of place with someone I just met. I usually swallow my pride and face every problem logically. But this? This doesn't make any sense. What's more, why am I cowering away? why am I so intimidated by a man who is hardly intimidating?

Beck is not intimidating. Is it that I feel sorry for the guy? Is that why I look at him sad eyes and regret ever questioning him?

But no. If that were the case, why can't I just apologize? I frowned, crossing my arms and keeping to myself. I didn't want to make him any more angrier. I didn't know him. Apologizing might be the wrong idea.

I cast my eyes to the ground, biting my lip until I heard the sound of his voice once more.

"We're here," he told me, "welcome to Emerald City,"

My eyes widened as I saw the scene. It was a huge city that seem to stretch out for miles, but also seemed small and confined it all at once. The skies were bright and green, lit up like the northern lights while the stars but sparkled but the sun still shone. The town was both welcoming and intimidating, and I found myself swept away by the oxymoron the town was in itself. I forgot all of the conflict between me and Beck, as I turned to him with a bright smile on my face.

"Emerald city?" I exclaimed, living somewhat of a dream from my childhood.

He chuckled to himself, shaking his head slightly.

"No, I was kidding. The city doesn't have a name. I stole that from Wizard of Oz," he smirked

Beck was Beck again, at least how I knew him. I felt myself relax.

"you know," I joked with him, "that's called plagiarism. It's a crime,"

He looked me up and down, as if finally seen me for the first time. He crossed his arms again.

"what did you say you did, Olivia?"

"I didn't,"

He raised an eyebrow.

"I work for the MPD," I explained.

He nodded slowly.

"Ah, so that's where you're getting all of that from," he seemed to have me figured out in his head.

"Getting what from, exactly?"

He chuckled to himself, clearly amused.

"nothing, you just have this whole demeanor to you. Like you usually lead, not follow. And like you need to have all the answers or else the world is going to end. I mean, ever since you arrived here, you've been so completely persistent," he shrugged his shoulders, "I figured you were someone that took charge,"

"I am," I studied his profile, as he overlooked the city.

He turned his head his head just then, his eyes gently meeting mine. For some reason, I had to catch my breath, as his eyes seem to sparkle when they bore into mine. He had the slightest smile on his face, and I couldn't read him for the life of me.

"Was," he corrected me, for some reason I don't understand, "not am. The world we are in now...there is no was. All that matters is what you are right now. It doesn't matter what you've done in your past, or who you say you were...none of that. All that matters is that you, Olivia, make what you can out of who you are today,"

I was taken away. Did he really just say all that? Did Beck Mitchell just give me that speech? I didn't know how to respond. I just stood there, my mouth gaping like a fish.

And wasn't he angry at me? Didn't he remember what I said to him? None of this sudden mood change makes sense....

"Are you just going to stand there, are you coming into the city?" he asked, starting to get impatient with me. 

Right. The city. I looked at it again. I felt my heart fluttering in my chest as I stared out at the horizon. As far as dreams go, this one isn't that bad.  At least my soul is somewhere, instead of trapped inside of my body. Imagine the horror! I shook this thought out of my head, and I smiled at Beck.

"i'm coming. Yeah, let's go," I nodded, smiling bright.

He rolled his eyes, but I caught a small grin on his face as he took the lead into the glittering city.