Fracture

Part 7

                 

A thick, smoky fog lurched from a heavily wooded forest, the rich greenery oozing an ominous scent of fear and moisture. The crisp breeze blew my hair back slightly, caressing the tip of my chin as sweat beaded down. I inhaled slightly, sighing the fresh air from the forest before I heard it. A blood curdling, heart fracturing scream echoed through the night sky, followed by flashes of light. Silver traced my vision as a large man appeared in front of me, his hands dripping in oil and dirt, a handgun secured tightly in his waist.

            "Josiah." His name rolled easily from my lips. Before me stood a tall, brooding man with distinctly dark features and a solemn face. His dark eyes furrowed slightly, matching the scowl on his thin lips. His strong jawline was accentuated by the stubble growing on his chin.

            "Sarah." I could see him reaching to me, his long fingers wrapping around my wrist tightly. I couldn't move, standing frozen with fear and curiosity as he leaned toward me, his hot breath washing over me in waves. His arm jolted tightly as he pulled me into the forest, my legs pushing against him. "Stop fucking squirming. Come with me." His words cut through my core like sharp stone, grating my heart with fear.

            I wriggled fervently, violently shaking my body in an attempt to free myself from Josiah's grasp. I twisted myself free and began to run through the forest, ignoring the branches as they whipped by, cutting my skin like paper. I ran for what seemed like hours before coming to a gorgeous, illuminated cabin, rushing inside in desperation. There, in the massive cabin sat my father on a small chair. The firelight kissed his rosy cheeks as his lips curved to a profoundly sad frown. I could hear the melody rising in my ears, yet again, as the walls and floor rolled around me. Standing from his couch, my father turned to face the fireplace as a loud screech jolted me from behind, forcing my eyes to flutter open.

            "She's awake." A familiar female voice welcomed me to consciousness as my eyes fluttered open, looking left to right.

            "I saw him. I saw Josiah. He looks just like you, James. " I looked to James and Lex, their expressions vaguely similar. I nodded my head, waiting for him to respond.

            "You saw Josiah?" Lex turned to James, both of them moving toward the door. "What the fuck do we do now?" Lex's voice turned cool and somber, concern etching over his syllables.

            "How the fuck am I supposed to know?  She was never supposed to see him. We're in uncharted territory now, brother." James turned to my mother who had wandered to her chair, clutching her hand to her chest.

            "Tell us everything." Lex looked back to me, sitting back by my legs, resting his palm on my thigh. I could see James' breath hitch, his jaw clutching tightly to maintain silence.

            "I think I can show you." I looked to Lex, his eyes inquisitively staring into me. I took his hand in mine before closing my eyes, leaning back into the bed.  I felt Lex's body go limp as I pulled him into my dreams.

            Flashes of silvery yellow leapt through my vision as Lex and I began walking to the lush, green forest. My footing stumbled as my feet padded down the beaten path of wispy grass, overgrown and wild. Lex's hand gripped mine, tightly, his arm wrapping around my hip for stability, helping me gain my footing.

            "Show me." His voice was soft and sultry, echoing through my thrumming heartbeat. He leaned closely into me, "I'm here and you're ok. Show me. I have to see." My eyes blinked closed as a sigh ripped from my lips, calming the thunder rolling in my chest.

            A loud, earth-shattering scream echoed through the forest as we sauntered towards the tree-line, causing Lex to freeze in his tracks.

            "That's you?" His eyes shot to meet my gaze and we prodded forward, Josiah coming into view. Suddenly, the flash of a short, curvy blonde flew by, catching our attention. That's new. "Holy shit, that's you." His jaw dropped as his stare followed dream me. My tattered dress trickled behind me in ragged pieces, the silvery white fabric floating in the wind. A scent of vanilla and coconut wafted into my senses as I saw dream me turn back to us, begging for help.

            "Josiah." His name slipped through my breath, yet again. An overwhelming calm washed over me as I let go of Lex's hand and walked to Josiah, his hands outstretched towards dream me, his fingers wrapping again around her wrist. I could see the fear crawling up my expression, watching like a third party as dream me fought and pulled, finally breaking free. Instinctively, I ran after her, following closely. I could hear Josiah's feet shuffling over the leaves and grass as he trailed behind us. Dodging trees and loose limbs, we followed dream Sarah through the woods, my skin winced and cried as each branch whipped through her, cutting her delicate skin.

            "Lex, follow me." I said, pulling him to the cabin. "This is where he finds me." My hand squeezed his tightly as he pulled me closely, crashing me into his chest.

            "I'm right here." He holds my hand and walks slowly with me as we watch dream Sarah run into the cabin, desperately seeking refuge.

            "My father's in there, Lex. I can feel her betrayal, here, I can hear it." I cried, tears rolling down my flushed cheeks. My chest rose and fell, anxiously breathing with my rapid heart. "It's so loud." My hands cascaded to my ears, cupping them fervently, protectively. 

            "Wake, Sarah, it's time to let go." A voice called from behind me. When I turned, I saw my mother standing gently behind me, pulling my hand from my ear. The sharp, pulsating horror of pain and regret overcame me as I was pulled from the cabin before I could show them what happened next.

            I woke with a jolt, nearly leaping from my hospital bed and looked around the room. Lex was still asleep when I came to, hunched over me and resting his head on my thigh, his hand still holding tightly to mine. I looked to James who sat quietly in the corner, frustration and annoyance growing on his face. My mother's voice interrupted his thoughts, causing his eyes to shoot straight up from the tile.

            "You were gone for hours, Sarah. Hours." James' voice was raspy and soft, almost like a whisper into my ears. He stood up, walking to me and leaned dangerously close, his face inches from mine. "I've never seen anyone take someone with them into their dreams. Your gift is much stronger than mine or your mother's." His lips grazed my cheek softly. "I always knew you were strong." A shudder ran down my spine as my heart leapt into my throat. James stood and looked down at me, squeezing my shoulder before walking out of the room. I looked down to Lex, sleeping gently on my lap, his chest rising and falling ever so softly. His facial expression was soft and solemn, accentuating the frown cradling above his beard. I smiled gently, worry filling my chest. I would have to choose between these two men. That was my fate, to decide. How does anyone decide between strangers- strangers who already know me, know my past- seen my future. My gift had only shown me one: James. My heart, however, felt like it had known Lex for an eternity. I didn't need to see him in dreams to know he was the man who made them.