Where These Souls Go

Chapter 6

"it's ridiculous. I've never been this weak before. I've never had a panic attack. I've never been so scared in my life,"

"what you call weak, I called vulnerable. And it's not a bad thing. It isn't. Besides, it's completely normal to be scared. This is new to you. But you'll get used to it,"

I sat up in the bed that I had woken up in just minutes before. I suppose. Depending on what minutes was considered here.

When I opened my eyes, Beck was there, a grin on his face as he was ready to mumble some ridiculous joke about me fainting in dreamland. And of course, he did.

"Good morning, sleeping beauty. You're the first to ever faint while asleep. You deserve a bloody medal for that,"

I had rolled my eyes and cross my arms, looking away because otherwise he would see my blush.

Something about Beck was different. He had the ability to make I, a tough cop, coward away. And blush... but that didn't mean a thing. Beck was just different from anyone I've ever met. And that intimidated me.

Now, sitting up in bed, I planted both my palms beside me to stable myself, as I stared hard into his eyes.

"when will I get used to it, exactly?  In months? Or maybe years? And how exactly am I going to tell when that is? there's no concept of time. Beck, that man back there thought--"

He quickly elbowed me to stop me from talking. I didn't understand why, until I looked up and saw that man. He was sitting on the other end of the room, flipping through a newspaper and making the most obnoxious, joyful facial expressions.

I raise my eyebrow at Beck, who turned to face the guy and called out to him.

"Billy, thank you for staying. I'm sure Olivia and I have it from here," he told him gently.

Billy put down his newspaper, looking at me and smiling slightly. He gave Beck a nod.

"I will be out of your hair," he told him, looking back at me again, "I am glad you are all good, Olivia. Come find me again, yeah? I have many more stories,"

And, surprisingly to myself, I smiled back, telling the joy-filled man that I would. That I would locate him in the future and that we would talk again. His smile was heartwarming, as he stood and left the room.

Beck turned back to me, biting his lip as he knew what was to come. He tried to speak.

"Ol--"

"--Save or, Beck. You didn't tell me. You didn't tell me that none of these people know what year it is. Or if they're ever going to wake up. Are any of these people ever going to wake up? Am I?" I exclaimed, gripping the sides of the bed hard.

When he didn't speak, I rolled my eyes and swung my legs over the side, rising to my feet. He stood up quickly.

"Careful! Bloody hell, you just woke up from fainting. Just wait a minute. Can you just wait a minute?" His voice sounded desperate, but I knew I wasn't about to get any answers from him by sitting pretty.

I broke eye contact with him, and started to walk out, letting him chase after me. And chase, he did. He ran to catch up to me, grabbing my shoulder and forcing me to turn around to face him. I nearly fell over.

"You think I want to chase after you? I have better things to do, stupid. A lot of things, actually,"

I slapped his hand off of me and glared.

"Really, like what? You're supposed to watch over me. Am I wrong?" I tried him.

But I got a different reaction then I had hoped. He looks like he was about to burst out laughing.

"Are you bloody serious? That is not my job. I don't have a job down here. I'm here just like you. You interrupted me taking a nice walk on that beach. It's not my fault that we had a chance encounter. I'm trying to help you here. Give me some credit, will you?"

He seemed mad now. I almost, almost, regretted what I said next.

"Credit for what? For confusing the hell out of me? For walking around and treating me like I'm some child? You played 20 questions with me, made me tell you just about everything. Meanwhile, you expect me to walk around with a complete stranger. What's your story, Beck? What are you so afraid of?"

He seemed it taken aback at first, but then, his face told a different story. I don't think I've ever seen someone angrier.

"That is it. I am not taking this. Complete stranger? I don't have to be here. I don't. I chose to be here and this is what I get? Bloody terrific. I'm out. Do not follow me!"

He stomped his feet like a child, and threw open the door, marching out. I was left alone in complete shock.

Thoughts raced through my head. He didn't have to show me around? It wasn't like one of those movies? The ones where peter pan took your hand and showed you around Neverland? I sighed and sat back down. He had the right to be angry. But so did I. I wanted to know him. I really did. But maybe I came off as more curious than caring. Maybe that was the problem.

I looked up towards the door and remembered what he said.

"Do not follow me!"

Im sorry, Beck. I'm not a very good listener. I rose to my feet and followed him out the door.

~~~

I walked out into the enormous city. I was taken aback once again. The sky had changed color now, and it was more of a deep dark purple than anything. Stars were scattered across the sky, and the moon looked bigger than it ever has been. In fact, the moon was huge. It's glow engulfed me, and made me feel vulnerable. I almost forgot my mission. And then I remembered.

Beck. Where are you?

I knew nothing about him. He could be just about anywhere in this large city and I would not have a clue where to start. But I knew I needed to find him. I made a huge mistake and I spoke before thinking. I did that often. And now? He's obviously hurt. Very hurt. That's one thing I can tell, even if he is almost unreadable. He's more hurt than angry. And that is why I needed to apologize. For all the insensitive things I've ever said since I arrived here. That list went on. Now, where to find him?

"Are you lost, miss?" a voice said from off to my left.

I turned to see a woman staring back at me, a smile plastered on her small lips. Was everybody smiling here?

"Uh, I think so," I nodded slightly, taking in the woman.

She had long, dark red hair, which was up and curled like little springs around her head. She were a long dress, almost like one of those you would see in the 1800s. My eyes widened as I saw this. Was she...?

She seem to know what I was thinking, following my gaze down to her dress with a laugh.

"I"m from this century. Don't you worry. I got hit in the head with a prop while performing. I don't recommend it," she winked, walking closer, "what are you looking for?"

I sighed with relief, smiling back at the woman now.

"Do you know a Beck Mitchell? I'm looking for him. He would have just walked out minutes before--" I bit my tongue when I said minutes.

Old habit. I have to stop doing that. I actually have no idea how time flies.

"...there are a lot of people here," she said hesitantly, "but everybody knows Beck. Follow me. I know exactly where he is"

-~~~~~~

Hi everyone! Thank you so much for reading this. It makes me happy that anyone is checking this out at all. I've decided to extend the chapters and make them a little bit longer, as you can probably tell. I hope you like this so far! Feel free to leave comments if you have any suggestions for me! Thanks!

Ps: sorry that the chapter names are so lame. I'll change them when I have a better idea.