Messier-17

Chapter 9

Adrian's point of view

I watch Ash as she walks away and wonder what made her hesitate. I'm constantly asking myself what goes on in her mind, what she wants, or what she does in her spare time. I wanna know if she misses the small things, like talking to her friends, going on walks, sneaking midnight snacks to her siblings, or even doing the damn dishes. I want to know if she even had siblings, or if she wanted a dog – or a cat – when she was little.

But it's more than that. I want to know her. I want to know who she is now. Not just who she used to be.

My thoughts are interrupted by Ash stumbling. I rush towards her and catch her right as her knees buckle. I put two and two together and realize that she's unconscious. I don't know how, or why, but I do know that there's an unconscious girl in my arms and I need to do something other than stare at her with large amounts of concern and confusion.

I slowly lower Ash to the ground, laying her head on a patch of moss. Once she looks comfortable enough, I take off my jacket and lay it over her body so she doesn't get cold. I notice Nicky's presence next to me and glance over at her just as she's sitting down on the ground to my left. I join her, sitting with my elbows resting on my knees and one hand gripping my wrist. "She's probably fine," Nicky breaks the silence. I look over at her to see her watching Ash with an almost puzzled expression on her face, like she's trying to figure her out. "I only just met her today, and I don't know anything about her, really, but... she seems like the type that doesn't give up without a fight." I furrow my brows at the surprisingly accurate description, wondering how Nicky could've figured that out so quick. She looks at me with a raised brow. "Am I wrong?"

I shake my head and stare at Ash. "So, are you two..." Nicky trails off, gesturing to the two of us. She rolls her eyes at my confused expression. "You know, together...dating..." My eyes go wide and I can only look at her while I try to think of a response. She just stares at me with an expectant look on her face.

"I-um-uh...well, I...wait–what?" I feel my face flush bright red and I rub the back of my neck as my mind wanders to a dangerous place I've been trying to avoid. Nicky bursts into laughter, bending over and holding her stomach.

"Oh, my God–you should've seen your face-" Nicky gets interrupted by a groan coming from Ash. My eyes immediately shoot to her and I forget about my previous embarrassment. I move towards her and tuck a stray clump of hair behind her ear. Her face is scrunched up like she's in pain. Whimper tumbles from her lips and she mumbles incoherently in her sleep.

I don't know what to do.

"No," Ash whispers, so quiet I almost didn't hear her. "Stop," She reaches forward and grips my hand. I place my free hand on the side of her face as I continue to worry over her. "No!" She suddenly shoots up and my hand falls to her shoulder. Ash looks around frantically before her eyes reach mine. She seems to be searching for something in my eyes. A minute passes and she breathes a sigh of relief, as if she found what she was looking for.

"Are you okay?" I ask, caution and worry seeping into my tone. Ash glances down at the jacket I had previously put on her and then at our joined hands. She looks confused for a moment, then stares into my eyes. She seems to break out of her daze and stands up like she's caught fire, walking off past a few trees and sitting down on a random log.

I watch as she puts her head in her hands and shakes her head, like she's trying to forget something – probably whatever it was that she was dreaming about. "I'm gonna go check on her," I say, standing up.

Ash's point of view

I hold my pounding head in my hands, unable to ignore the nightmare I just had. All I got was flashes, but the fear and intense pain was there. I felt it.

It started out with strange, seemingly random, images.

A woman in red.

A pair of silver eyes.

A German Shepard barking.

But then it began to get violent.

An explosion.

Blood oozing from an open wound.

Screaming.

Dead bodies scattered all over the ground.

And suddenly I could see Adrian, his head lying in my lap, with blood and sweat covering his face and body. He wasn't moving and I heard someone screaming. Everything felt like it was on fire and all I could see was red. Blood, fire.

I soon realized that the screaming was coming from me. I was screaming. Because Adrian was dead and I felt like my blood was boiling, scorching me from the inside out.

I can't move.

I can't breathe.

"No!" I had yelled when I woke up, looking around like I was a crazy person. But when I saw Adrian there, sitting in front of me, alive, I had never felt more relieved.

I rub my tired eyes and run a hand through my hair, taking a deep breath. I hear twigs snapping and leaves crunching and turn towards the sound. I see that it's Adrian and release the breath I hadn't realized I was holding. He takes a seat next to me and gives me a tiny smile. He looks so concerned and it's comforting to know that he's here for me. I return his smile and inhale through my nose.

"I'm okay," I sigh, my eyes dropping to my hands.

"I know," Adrian furrows his brow and drops my head to look my in the eyes. "D-do you wanna talk about it?" I find slight amusement in the innocent question, although, it is a valid one. I shake my head and look away from his searching eyes. "Okay."

We sit in silence for a few minutes, Adrian picking at his fingernails while I stare off into space. "Tell me a joke," I mumble. He seems slightly surprised, but grants my wish. After thinking for a moment, he speaks.

"Why did the chicken cross the road?"

"Why?"

"To get to the witch's house. Knock knock."

"The door's unlocked." I say without a second thought. Adrian looks at me with a look of confusion and entertainment before letting out a string of giggles. I watch him with a furrowed brow, almost insulted. "What?"

"T-that's not–" he laughs some more, "you're s-supposed to say 'who's there?'" I scrunch up my face in confusion.

"Why do I need to say that?"

"Because that's what helps to make the joke funny."

"...But how does–"

"Just say the words, love," Adrian cuts me off, still grinning. I'm too caught up in my puzzled thoughts to notice the funny feeling I get when he calls me that.

"...okay..?" Adrian looks at me expectantly, waiting for me to continue. "Who's there?"

"The chicken." It takes me a moment to understand the joke. When it finally clicks, I crack a smile and exhale through my nose as a way of laughing. Adrian gives me one of the biggest smiles I've seen on him and I can't help but give him a lopsided grin in return.

"Hey, lovebirds! It's time to go!" Our moment is interrupted by Nicky calling to us from our temporary campsite. Adrian and I stand up and I couldn't help but notice a blush creeping up his neck. The corners of my mouth twitch up and I lead the way back to Nicky.