The Sunflower Keeper

The Tortured Dream

“Scarlett…” A voice whispers in my ear. I whip around to find nothing. Nobody is there. I’m alone… I think. “Scarlett…” The other ear is tickled by the warm breath of the voice.

          “We’ve come for you.” An evil laugh comes at me. I back up only to trip over bulky, black boots. They seem familiar. A pit forms in my stomach. The moon appears above me. The stars are hidden. Out of sight.

          “I want to drink from you. That sweet taste wasn’t enough. I want more.” Rustling sounds form in all the bushes. Suddenly I’m in the woods. Alone…

          “I think your bones would make an excellent chew toy.” The other voice almost sounds as if it’s growling. My heart beats faster. They step into the light.

          “I’m Brody. The Vampire of the hour.” His smile is stained with blood. His black hair is neatly combed back.

          “Easton’s the name. Trust me, my bite is worse than my bark.” He grins exposing his canines. Unlike Brody his brown hair flops all over the place.

          “Leave me alone!” I scream at them and bolt. A cold hand wraps around my arm. It stops me from getting away.

          “Don’t think you’re safe in bed with your boyfriend.” Brody’s voice plummets through my ear drum. My heart stops.

          “We know where you are. You see we’ve been watching you for a while, Faith Zara.” Easton grabs a hold of my neck. Brody releases my arm. I gasp for air. I can feel my wind pipe crushing. “I’m quite interested in which guy you will choose.” His grip tightens. I start to cough. He lifts me higher. He looks me up and down. “Maybe we should just have our way with you. Make everything even more confusing for you.” A monstrous laugh leaves both their mouths. He drops me to the ground. Dust covers my body.  “Though mixing the species could be terrible. You never know what kind of thing you’re going to get.” Air rushes back in and inflates my lungs.

          “It’s already happened once in history.” Brody steps close again. “Oh wait… That’s connected to you too. Maybe we should kill you and everyone you’re related to!” He reaches down to grab me.

          I slide back. “What do you mean?! Tell me!” I scream at them. I hold my throat.

          “Aww. She doesn’t know. How sad. You’re clueless. This will definitely add a twist to your life.” Brody looks at Easton. “I think you should change. You can show her what true power looks like.”

Easton nods and drops down to his knees. His eyes glow brighter. His arms snap in the wrong direction. Fear rises inside me. His skull bones shift. He screams. They quickly transform into a low growl. His finger retreat and become paws. He stands before me on all fours. A wolf.

He charges at me. His teeth dig in to my arm. I yell, I kick, but nothing shakes the angry wolf.

***

I jerk upright screaming. Warm arms wrap around me and pull me close.

“Faith. I’m here. It was just a bad dream. Breathe.” Damian’s voice next to my ear sends relief soaring through my body.

“They won’t leave me alone. They said that someone mixed the species and that it’s connected to me. They said they were going to kill me and everyone I love.”

“They are lying asses. Don’t listen to them.” His finger trails over my lips and he kisses me. Passion erupts in my mouth. The kiss grows faster and hotter. It becomes hard to breath. He pulls me closer. My body ends up on top of his. His hands slide down to my waste.

“Well…Well…Well...” My mouth breaks away from Damian’s. Nevaeh stands arms crossed in the door. “If you’re going to do that.” She motions her hands up and down. “Then put a sign on the door please. Besides you might want to get ready. Elijah is on his way and you know he has the hots for Faith. Let the battle begin.” She rolls her eyes. I kick my feet over the side of the bed and rub my eyes. “The testosterone will probably make all the girls in the district go nuts.”

“She will choose me!” Damian bites out from behind me.

“We shall see. Seriously though. Get ready.” She shuts the door.

Damian and I quickly change on opposite sides of the room but not a word is said. I wonder if he doubts himself. His confused face tugs at my heart.