Oblivion

Chapter 17 part 2

         What are you doing, Addieca?

         Where am I? I checked my surroundings, I wasn't in the bathroom on the Overseer instead I was sitting in a grimy, claw foot bathtub filled with disgusting green water. It looked familiar, like I've seen this bathroom before. This is the place I met Allister. I pushed myself out of the tub, the green water stuck to my body like slime. I was completely naked; I wiped away the slime from my arms, legs and body.

        I roamed out of the bathroom and into the main room. The room looked them same as how it did when we left it; still in shambles, dirt everywhere and every piece of furniture was broken and thrown everywhere.

     Why am I here? I asked myself.
To my horror, I got an answer back. You're here because you wanted to be here, Addieca.
The voice sounded so loud and close that I spun around expecting to find someone lurking behind me; nothing but old walls made out of wood.

          Go outside Addieca. See what the world was like before those monsters came and sent a fire down to destroy it. The voice said to me, it sounded like static and metallic, it was a voice that sent shivers down my spine.

     I moved towards the door and flung it open. I was greeted by an unexpected sight. All around me, instead of the harsh sun and sun-bleached sand, was grass, trees, and storm clouds.

           This can't be right. Before I was on the second floor, how am I on the ground floor? Turning back to the two-story building, I was shocked to find in its place was just a one-story house, complete with a white fence and newly trimmed hedges.

          Where am I? Is this still Hallowdrive?
No answer from the other voice came to me. I was alone in this unknown world. A breeze blew through the trees, chilling me to the bone. I heard a twig snap and I reeled around to where the sound came from.

       Time seemed to stand still.
Standing on the sidewalk was Aris. He didn't look like how he did on the Overseer; he looked well rested, clean shaven, and peaceful. His wardrobe had changed too, it had gone from the overly white pants, shirt, and shoes, too a flannel and a pair of jeans. He looked relaxed. He looked handsome.
He gave me the once over before saying, "You look pretty, Addie." I quickly went to cover myself when my hands brushed over a smooth material that cover my body. I was wearing a simple blue cotton that stepped just before my knees.

         "Where are we and why are you here?" I called to him, I didn't dare take a step closer to him.
He shrugged, "I don't know this is your dream. Why am I here, Addie?"
I thought for a moment, "I don't know. I don't know why you're here and I don't know where I am. I mean I knew where I was a second ago, but I don't recognize this place at all."
     Aris thought for a moment before looking down at the grass. He stepped over the line that divided the pavement from the grass; the moment his shoe touched the ground, the grass around it ignited into flames, scorching a black foot print into the ground. We both looked surprised and confused at the blackened shoe print.

      Something cold and smooth brushed up against my arms and I stiffened when something sharp gripped my arms. Glancing down, I sucked in a deep breath at the sight of black glass hands cutting into the skin on my arms.

      Look at him Addieca. Really look at him. The creature pointed towards Aris.

A black creature stood behind him, their claw-like hands wrapped around his neck, cutting into his flesh.

        His kind did this to your planet Addieca. It was his kind that caused everything to burn.
Blood started to seep through the shallow slices on his neck and Aris struggled uncomfortably against the creature.

            What do you want to do with him, Addieca? Did you want him to hurt? We can make him hurt, we can make him dead, all you need to do is say the word and we will.

The creature holding Aris, squeezed tighter, cutting deeper into his throat, Aris struggled harder, trying to beat away their hands.

        "No!" I cried. My hands pounded hard against my chest; the creature stopped and let Aris go, he held his throat, but it didn't seem as bad as I thought it would be.

        No? Why not? Didn't you want him hurt?

         "I wanted them to hurt but I didn't want him to die!" I told the creature, my eyes never leaving Aris's.
The creature moved around in front of me to study me.

         And why don't you want him to die? If he was to die all your problems would be over, you would be able to escape and find your way home. Why is Aristotle so special?

         "He's not special!" the thought was ludicrous.

        If he is not special to you than why is he here, in your dream?

         "I don't know, that doesn't mean he's special to me!" I told the creature, who stayed silent for a moment before nodding to his partner.

Both of the creatures disappeared as if they were never there to begin with.
Aris stood still as stone, his eyes held nothing but gratitude.

         "Thank you." He said, his hand was still pressed to his neck, blood was seeping through his fingers.

        "You're welcome." I answered quietly.
The earth started to dip around my feet, creating a hole where I stood. I fell right through; Aris called after me.