Following the River

Chapter 21

Chapter 21

The fireplace crackled and sparked with life. A figure was lying on the couch, her whole body covered with a red blanket, except for her head. Her eyes fluttered open and she sat up. Zora was watching from the kitchen, her expression concerned.

Hailey felt her heartbeat thud against her chest as she realized that it hadn't been a nightmare. She rubbed her eyes and gazed down, her heart aching.

“Hailey, are you okay?” Aira asked as she strolled into the room carefully. Hailey gazed up, her expression blank.

“O-of course.” Hailey said to her as normally as she could. Zora finally got up from the kitchen table and came up behind Hailey.

“Yes, of course you're fine. We just happen to find you lost in the forest. The good thing was that you were very close to the cabin...” Zora told her. Hailey was surprised that Zora's voice wasn't as harsh as it would have been.

Hailey gazed at the sword that sat near the kitchen counter. She then gazed back at Aira and Zora.

“D-did you see Dakota?” Zora questioned with a gentle voice. She fixed her sight out the window as she spoke.

Hailey suddenly wasn't sure what to say. She quickly thought of something. “I'm not sure if it was him, but they were walking around in the forest...and that's as far as I got.”

Zora nodded slowly. “Oh, I see...” Hailey began to shut her eyes again, her head throbbing. She wanted to sleep just for a while...just to clear her mind...

“Hailey!” Hailey sat up rapidly, her heart racing in her chest. Zora was looking at her with round eyes.

While rubbing her eyes, Hailey slurred out the words, “What is it?”

Zora gazed at her feet and shuffled them around. “Well, you see...could you just...check on him for me?”

Hailey's heart was beating so hard that she thought her body would shake along with it. “W-why?”

“Um, nevermind.” Zora rose to her feet. “It was stupid to possibly put you in danger again, right?”

Hailey leaned backwards to rest her head. She looked at Zora with a warmth in her eyes. “I will when I wake.”

The moment Hailey's eyelids fell, she melted into a dark dream. The streetlights barely even helped with the darkness.

Hailey's violet eyes flicked from side to side while snow dotted her eyelashes. She began to walk forward, the fog swallowing her with every step.

“Hailey.” As she swiftly turned, Hailey felt hands grab her shoulders. She struggled free, but it was no use. She screamed out as their fingernails digging into her skin.

She finally broke free and immediately she turned to see who had grabbed her. It was Constantine, her crooked half-moon smile glowing.

“Hailey, you can't escape me! I will always be here, watching...waiting...” Constantine murmured, her eyes emotionless.

“Just give up, Constantine. You were supposed to stay out of this. Can't you see how much you have hurt your sister? She's broken!” Hailey shouted while ignoring the fear that clouded her mind.

“You're scared. You can't do this on your own. And I know...” Constantine crept forward to speak softly. Hailey felt as though her feet were nailed to the ground. “you can't even swing a sword.”

Hailey suddenly threw her fist at Constantine's face. Constantine made a sound of surprise and stumbled back a few steps. Within that hesitation, Hailey went streaking through the nightmare.