What They Didn't Tell Us

Chapter 12 HIM

I grab the steering wheel tighter, but I'm losing control.

I'm spinning again and again.

There are people everywhere and it feels like I am crashing into every single one of them.

There is someone yelling at me.

It keeps getting louder and louder.

I take my hands off the steering wheel to cover my ears, and suddenly there is a bright light coming towards me.

===

I open my eyes. It's dark outside.

Another nightmare.

I look at the clock to my right. Three in the morning.

I sit up and wipe the tears off my face. I'm definitely not going to be able to fall asleep again. This is the third time I've woken up.

I stand up and slowly walk to the kitchen. Might as well start the day. Early bird gets the worm, right?

I enter my modern kitchen and open the white cabinet to grab a mug. I have done a lot of unpacking since I've moved in.

I start the coffee machine and cut a piece of bread and put it in the toaster. I'm already hungry.

I pick up the blue mug with the steaming coffee and add a little sugar. I butter my toast and walk over to the window, coffee and toast in hand.

The sun is beginning to reveal it's light.

I let out a sigh. Time to get to work.

I pick up my laptop and sit comfortably on my couch.

The top of the screen reads: "The Chrysanthemum."

I look at the journal and open it. The book does not list much about the specimens it contains. Just dates, the names of the plant, and a beautifully drawn picture of each plant.

Pretty, but only semi-helpful.

I have been researching extra information about the chrysanthemum... and the Protea.

I got curious when I found out Protea's name. She is also named after a flower... That is in the journal...

I got confused the day I found the journal. And I definitely still am, but something is telling me that there is something much greater at play. Though, I have no idea what significance these plants have. Or why the journal was in a cabinet about the pandemic.

...Or why Protea was talking to that doctor...

I shake away the thought. It's none of my business.

I have found out several interesting facts about the chrysanthemum and Protea. Information about what they can be used for, their habitat, when they blossom, and if they have any medical purposes. What makes it difficult is that there are hundreds of some species of plants.

Today, though, I am beginning to research the other plants mentioned in the journal starting with the soap lily.

...

I lift my head off my desk.

Ugh. What time is it?

I look down at my watch.

'6:49 AM'

I guess I must have fallen asleep anyway. Maybe the extra hour of sleep will erase my dark circles.

I'm pretty sure Ryder knows that I haven't been sleeping since the anniversary of the accident. Though he hasn't mentioned it, if I show any signs of it... I know he'll worry.