Before I Met You

Chapter 3

Rain poured down drenching every inch of me as I ran barefoot through the empty streets of town. My long hair and thin clothes clung to my trembling body as the icy wind blew right through me. The only light that illuminated my path was from the full moon and the occasional street lamp.

My chest ached panting as I sprinted through the empty and eerily silent town. "Help!" I cried out but I knew it was no use. "Help! Somebody please!" I begged out into the vastness. Ignoring the pain in my feet from stepping on rocks and broken glass.

I didn't know who I was desperately running from but all I knew was that I was convinced someone was coming for me. I turned my head seeing a black silhouette chasing after me.

I called out, screaming for help and someone's name I didn't recognize but there seemingly wasn't anyone for miles. Overcome with fear and a sense of helplessness.

It finally eventually caught up to me and snatched me. The creature grabbed my arm, twisting it behind my back keeping me in place. I couldn't see the creatures face as it towered over me. I could feel its breath against my face as the light shined and reflected against its teeth.

"I know your secrets. I do believe in all I hear about you." Their voice echoed in my ears. "You're the key. There are things you cannot unlock. Things centuries in the making." The creature growled as my heart pounded against my chest. "You've ruined everything!"

"That's where you're mistaken." I boldly retorted, holding my head up high. "You claim to be all knowing. But you only know what others have told you. And he will never forgive you." I hissed, staring up at the poorly lit creature, my chest pressed against his.

Suddenly without warning he leaned closer, sinking his teeth into the side of my neck.

Waking up in a cold sweat trying to tame my rapid breathing. Bringing my trembling hand to my neck still feeling the lingering pain from my dream.

Noticing it was still nighttime and my clock read four in the morning. Staring out my window overlooking the sky eerily similar to the one in my vivid dream.

Unable to sleep a wink after my nightmare as I reluctantly got up to get ready and get an earlier start on the day. My grandmother was hosting this week's book club this afternoon so I knew I had to keep myself busy to stay away while they gossiped and loosely discussed the books they happened to be reading together.

Each of them were all outwardly kind and sweet towards me but their own personal thoughts expressed otherwise. Like everyone I've ever encountered.

"Good morning, sweetheart." My grandmother chirped as I walked down the stairs as she made breakfast. "You hungry?" She asked as I grabbed my coat hanging over a chair. "No, thank you. I'm going to open up the bookstore."

"A bit early innit?" She turned to me as I rushed towards the front door. "There's a few shipments coming and I want to make sure everything goes smoothly." I lied.

"Sometimes I wish she would stop working so hard. She's unable to sit still. Pretty soon she's going to look back and regret not having a life and settling down with a nice man." My grandmother thought to herself, making me sigh.

All her thoughts about me reviled around the same thing: My inability to make friends and relationships with anyone. My inability to be the woman she wants me to be and to be like every other girl in this town.

But that's never going to be me. No matter how desperately I wish to be.

I could never explain to her why I can't be the person she wants me to be because I have this dreadful curse to read people's minds.