Distract and Sedate | Hemlock Grove |

Chapter 15 | Really Don't Like U |

- HG -

Roman's mind had been blank for so long that he had forgotten what dreaming felt like. He felt lost in a world that had once become a second home to him. During his coma, he had wandered into places he never thought he would return to. On bad days he wishes he could experience it once more.

The dream he has that cold night is nothing like the bright one he had in his coma. There were no bright gardens outside of the mansion, no golden rooftops with Peter, and no unfamiliar embodiments of his sister. It's nothing of the sorts.

He dreams of a dark night, a white mask, a snake, and a doll. They appear to him like strobe lights, never coming to their full existence. The story is never completed but he still wakes up covered in cool sweat. A hand reaches out to check on him, but he pushes it away and grabs his coat.

The car practically steers itself. Roman doesn't know where he's going, but his gut tells him to keep on the gas peddle until he gets there. He turns down a street he's never been on before and only slows down at the sight of a decaying neon sign.

gone sis

He pulls onto the gravel road lined with mobile homes. His headlights illuminate Peter Rumancek. Somehow, Roman's not shocked. It's almost as if it was a given. Of course, Peter was involved. "Mother fucker," he swears under his breath.

"What are you doing here?" Peter asks as Roman gets out of the car.

"I could ask you the same thing."

"You know why I'm here," Peter snips.

"I don't know why I came," Roman admits. "I had a dream and now I'm here. That's all."

"It's not that simple, Roman," Peter argues and walks closer. "There's a reason we're both here right now. We're supposed to be doing something."

"Yeah? Well, whatever it is we're supposed to be doing, I'd rather do it alone." Roman turns and walks back to the door of his car. Peter runs after him as he drives off, but gives up quickly. Roman was stubborn, and in his own time would come around. Peter just hopes that time comes before it's too late.

Roman passes the flashing blue lights before Peter does. He's about 10 minutes away from gone sis when they fly by but he knows where they're headed. He knows that goddamn gypsy was on to something. He calls the only other person he has to warn. At almost 300 miles away he's sure she has nothing to worry about. But it's a subconscious peace gesture.

- Philly -

Roman's warning crackles away in the back of her mind like a dying fire. It sparks up for a moment, creating a bit of panic that doesn't last. She does, however, double-check the lock on her dorm room that night. He had probably been drunk or high or both and trying to scare her. She doesn't trust him and he doesn't scare her either.

She sleeps in late and pouts when she realizes she'd missed breakfast at the dining hall. All she wants is a plate full of scrambled eggs and toast, but she settles for a cold cut sandwich instead. She has the mother of all hangovers and a dull pain in her right nostril and sinuses. Those rich kids really go hard.

When Jules gets back that afternoon, she turns the overhead lights on without warning. The intrusion of light makes Emma bite back bile in her throat. Her head pounds and she can only squint her eyes open. "It smells like vomit in here," Jules notes.

"There is vomit in here."

"Gross," she mumbles. "Take that shit out."

"Mmmm," Emma groans. She slowly rises from her bed and searches for her slippers. "Okay, okay."