Whirl | book one

15: reaction

Song: Dangerous by Glades

Chapter 15:
~reaction~

I could feel warmth suddenly surround me.

"Remy!" His voice was so clear. "Open your eyes!" He grabbed me and suddenly the waves stopped pulling me—the water stilled like glass. "Open your eyes." He whispered, his breath brushing over my face.

I shouldn't be able to feel breath. I was falling in water. I was drowning. There was no air in drowning.

"Open your eyes." He reached down into the abyss, pulling me out of it with one last tug on my consciousness through my subconscious.

My eyes opened.

Midnight blue eyes held mine sternly, "Now breathe." His muscles were tense as he held my arms in his strong grip. "Breathe, Rosemary." He ordered with a growl in his throat I couldn't disobey.

The rush of oxygen slammed into my lungs as I doubled over onto the couch, spilling out the water that had filled my lungs—the water spreading along the floor like fingers grasping at something to hold onto. My own fingers grasped onto his thigh desperately as everything spun for a never ending second before collapsing onto his lap.

"It was a dream, baby." He pulled his fingers through my sweaty hair, stilling my trembling world. "You're safe." He whispered, leaning down to touch his soft lips to my temple. "I'm here. I won't let anything happen to you."

My living room stood in perfect condition. No inky darkness as I watched my reality become just that again—real. Except the puddle on the floor whispered maybe it was all real.

"I called my mom." Someone said before I saw him walk into the room. His light grey eyes locked onto mine with sickening concern. "She's sending someone over as soon as she can. Shit, Remy, you scared me." Nathan breathed, sinking down onto the chair across from Taeo and I, his hands in a prayer pose as he held them over his lips.

"Sorry." I croaked while swallowing loudly, keeping my head on Taeo's lap as my hands held onto his jeans like I would fall back into the abyss if I didn't. "I scared myself." I laughed humourlessly, feeling like I wanted to break down and cry.

What was happening?

"Nathan, give us a moment." Taeo spoke, his voice like one of authority.

I could feel him sense what I was feeling—he wanted to give me some privacy. I just...knew.

Nathan thought about arguing, his face contorting into tough stubbornness until he caught my eyes pleading at him. He gave a sigh, standing up, "Alright. I'll wait outside for them." He excused himself.

I turned around, facing Taeo as I searched his handsome face for answers. "What's wrong with me, Taeo?" With a pitiful whisper, I closed my eyes tightly.

Taeo pulled me upright, his hand cupping my cheek, waiting for me to look at him again. His midnight eyes speared into mine as my eyelids fluttered open; trying to hide the worry and guilt in his eyes redundantly.

I didn't need to see it in his face. I could feel it. Like it was another part of me. His guilt was consuming.

"What's happening to me?" My throat bobbed thickly as I tried to swallow through the scratchy dryness. "I know it happened." I grabbed his arms as his hands held my face securely. "I know I didn't dream it." With a whisper I felt my heart drop to my stomach with a sickening splash. "Except I did."