Wither (An Erik Killmonger Love Story)

Dream

Music enhances the soul, link to this chapters main song above. 😌

Dream: noun; a succession of images, thoughts, or emotions passing through the mind during sleep.

*So, little achievement announcement (like minuscule, but very happy about it), Wither is ranked #141 in #blacklove! I've never been ranked in something like that so I'm thrilled! 😁😂*

A little bit of gore and mentions of violence in this one so warning ahead of time.
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Four months after Erik was shipped off, the dreams began. I'd jolt up in a cold sweat, screaming at times in fear that my nightmares would come true. Every dream was different but with the same outcome, his death. Being shot, stabbed, drowned, blown up... his demise was imminent every night. I'd right about it in our letters and of course he played it off like it was nothing. When his letters stopped though, I needed an outlet to let out all my fears.

I had yet to tell Victor and I never would if I could help it. As much as I wanted to tell London, I couldn't put that burden on her. She was already so supportive after Erik's disappearance, I wouldn't dare add more to her already hefty plate.

My outlet was my journal. The thing that kept me sane throughout the years, through every cry session and nightmare, it was there. The thick, brown leather book had my initials embossed in small golden letters on the bottom right corner. A Christmas gift from an older coworker who told me that when I couldn't find comfort in people, to find comfort in words.

It was now worn around the edges and softer from the frequent use, but still in beautiful condition. It was my friend away from friends, so I gave it a name: Wither. I thought it was fitting.

Withered old journal = Wither

No matter what I had named it, I was forever grateful for that little book. It saved my life.

So here I was, waking up from another nightmare "speaking" with Wither. Erik was burned at a stake, a scene straight out of the Salem witch trials. My dreams had becoming more frequent over the last two months. Nights like this made me thankful for Victors rigorous work schedule. I could take my time getting every detail right. The indentation of his dimples as his skin burned, my yells of agony... the smell. Every dream was more vivid than the last making them that much more horrific.

My pen flew across the pages with ease, it felt freeing to write it all down. Every emotion I had kept bottled up from the public was unleashed onto these pages and I'd keep it hidden under a loose floorboard in the closet. My private world away from the world.

After settling Wither back into her rightful space, I slowly climbed back into my bed feeling a small bit of relief that even if I was having these dreams that they were exactly just that, dreams. Nothing could harm me in a dream and I could only pray no harm had come to Erik, even if I had moved on to Victor.

I was taken out of my thoughts by my phone vibrating on my side table.

11:33 pm
3 text messages available

One from Victor, one from my mother and one from an unknown number. I decided to answer my mother back first, confirming Fourth of July plans with the family. It would be the first time I would bring a man home and I had no fears in bringing Victor. He was a gentleman and I knew my mother would love him. I never told her all the details about Erik, just that I had been seeing a new man that made me happy. My happiness made her happy, that was just the type of mom she was.

The unknown number was next out of pure curiosity. I would normally ignore any unknown numbers, but this one... felt different.

Hey Nette

Obviously whoever it was knew that this was my number, so I responded with a simple, "Hello. Who's this?".

Victors message was a sweet reminder that his flight landed tomorrow evening and he'd be home in time to take me out to dinner. It was our tradition now that we go out after one of his business trips. A sweet reminder that we would always make time for each other at the end of the day.

My phone flashed indicating a new message from the unknown number. Reading the response made my heart skip a beat and the phone to drop out of my hand onto the hardwood floors.

Erik, come open the door

It couldn't be... I was still in my nightmare. If I opened that door he'd be on fire or something jammed through his chest, I was too scared to open the door. This nightmare was sick. Out of all the dreams, he'd never come to my home, always out in the public. This was my place of peace where Victor, Wither and I could live in our private bubble, he should not be here.

It was my first time ever feeling resentment for Erik's presence. I always wanted him close to me, but he was always just an arms reach away. Now that he was here I was frozen in my place, stuck between my thoughts and my insecurities. The hard knocks on the front door only made me anxiety go higher. I slowly made my way to the door feeling heavier with each step. Another set of heavy knocks came down on the door, making me jump slightly.

Opening the door I found myself face to face with the same dimpled smile I had fell in love with all those years ago, but this time nothing was happening. We just stood there, watching each other. No bullet wound, no fire, no poison... just him.

He took no time in grabbing my shoulders and pulling me into his chest. This was real, he was really here.

"I've missed you, Nette."

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Daddy's home!!! Now everything is about to get juicy! 😁😈

Comments and feedback are still very welcomed, so please don't be shy! Thank you for reading! 🙏🏾