The Black and the White Rose

Chapter Four

        My eyes shoot open and I sit straight up on my bed. I'm sitting in the middle of the bed, where I first fell asleep. I put my hand to my heart, which is now beating again. My breathing is heavy and the feeling of ice lingers all over my body. I've broken into a cold sweat and I feel like I'm going to crumble into pieces.
        I look over at my phone on my bedside table and quickly grab it. I turn on the screen and the time is 10:57. It's only been about an hour since I fell asleep. Sweat rolls down my forehead and drips off of the tip of my nose. I shut my screen off and toss it onto my pillow, then I throw myself back down on the bed.
        Still confused as to what I dreamt about, I try to calm my breathing down. The feeling of relief floods my body as the oxygen enters my lungs and the carbon dioxide exits them. Warmth surrounds me, and I embrace it. Why in the world did I dream about Damien? And why did we kiss? I need answers and I'm expecting to get them tomorrow from Damien. I don't know what I'm more worried about: the fact that I died or the fact that Damien and I kissed. I think I'm just gonna go take a shower and go to bed.
        I sit up and hop off of the bed. I go to my closet and grab some pajamas. Then walk into the bathroom. When I turn the light on, I see my reflection in the mirror and stare. I have bags under my eyes and my cheeks are flushed. My hair is a little messed up but I don't care. I put my pajamas on the counter of the sink and turn the shower on. I turn to the door and shut it.
        While I wait for the water to warm up, I undress and toss my clothes down the laundry shoot.
        “That's the second outfit I've worn today,” I say to myself. I put on that t-shirt and sweats not too long ago, but I got sweaty so they're dirty now. I feel the water's temperature and then step into the shower. The water feels good as it washes away the dirt from the woods. I close my eyes and stand under the shower head. The bandage on my leg is starting to slip off so I just unwrap it and lay it on the shelf on the wall of the shower. The stitches are still intact, thank God.
        The water does sting a little, but I ignore the pain. I try to forget the terrible dream that I just had, and how I died... I try to forget the feeling of Damien's lips on mine, because in a logical sense, it's not right. We only just met, but I have a feeling about him, like I can trust him with my life. He makes me feel alive, more alive than I've ever felt. Stop it! You can't be with a guy you just met! Oh, but I want to... I really do...

        After I wash up, I get out of the shower and get dressed. Ringing out my hair with my towel, I watch myself in the mirror. My eyes lower to a small scar just below my collarbone. I got it when I was little, but I can't remember what it's from. I've never really asked my parents about it. Never thought there was a need to ask. It's whatever.
        I fold the towel and hang it on the rod. I pick up my hairbrush and brush the tangles out of my hair. Then I untwine a hair tie off of the handle of the brush and fasten my long brown hair into a bun.
        I go back into my bedroom and crawl into my warm bed. I pull the covers over myself, up to my shoulders. Then I lift my arm up and pull the little chain on my lamp, and the room goes dark...

        I see light start to surround me. I'm in a meadow somewhere. The sky is blue and cloudless, and the grass is green. A sweet scent fills the air. A young girl runs around in the meadow of violet flowers, laughing. Her face is blurry, so I don't recognize her. She has long dark brown hair flowing down her back, and she's wearing a pink dress. Then a young boy—he's wearing blue jeans and a black shirt—chases behind her. His hair is short and dark brown like the girl's. His face is also blurry. He catches up and tackles her playfully. They both fall to the ground and wrestle each other in the grass, laughing and smiling. Finally the girl rolls over and pins the boy down. I walk closer to them to see what's going on. It seems as if they can't see me.
        “Gotcha! Heehee!” the girl giggles. The boy grabs her arms and flips her over, pinning her down this time.
        “Now I got you,” he says boldly. Holding her wrists above her head with one hand, he uses his free hand to tickle her stomach. She laughs and kicks her legs playfully. I'm not sure how old they are, but the girl looks about 8 or 9. The boy looks about a year or two older. They seem familiar to me somehow...
        “Wait! Stop! Stop it! Hahaha!” the girl begs with joy in her tone. The boy obeys and ceases her wrists. She giggles as he gets off to help her stand up. They run down a small hill to a tree, and I follow after them. The tree is tall and the leaves are bright green.
        The girl runs to the tree's trunk and hides behind it. The boy walks toward the tree slowly, and the girl peeks around the trunk. She hides behind it completely so I can't see her. The boy runs around the trunk to chase the girl from behind it.
        When she comes out from behind the tree, she seems to have become older. Then the boy follows behind her, and he also looks older. They seem about my age.
        The girl's hair is passed her waist, like mine. She sits down against the large tree trunk, then the boy sits beside her.
        She sighs. “The wind feels so good. It's the perfect weather.”
        The boy nods. “Yes, it is.” I recognize that voice... It's Damien. His face becomes clear and I can see his bright blue eyes. Although, the girl's face remains blurry, so I don't know for sure who it is, but I have an idea. “Hey. Wanna do something fun?” Damien asks.
        The girl nods excitedly. Damien stands up and lifts the girl to her feet. Then he reaches in his pocket and pulls out a small pocket knife. The handle is green and shiny. “What are we gonna do with a knife?” the girl asks.
        “What do you think?” Damien replies with a smirk. He looks at the tree trunk and then back to the girl. I can't see her expression, but I'm assuming she knows what he's gonna do. Damien flips the blade open and begins carving something into the trunk of the tree. I can't make out what it says, though.