Destined

Chapter Four

Wednesday morning, I woke up feeling good for the first time since Sunday, when I had that haunting vision. Each night, it proved harder to fall asleep without Erik here. The bed felt empty and cold, but this morning excitement filled me. It was Erik and mine's first official date tonight. I wasn't sure where we were going or what the plan was, but it involved Erik, so I was thrilled. I let myself sleep in since school was out, and my date with Erik wasn't until six o'clock.

I kept replaying Chad and Karen's wedding over and over in my head. From the way Dara and Erik explained it, I just fell to the floor. It appeared as if I just fainted -- that's how Zack put it. My mom didn't want to talk about it, just asking me what I saw. She, like everyone else I told, had no idea what to make of the vision. No one else could pinpoint who it could be or when it happened. The only thing I was sure of was that the dark figure hated a lot. I couldn't help but feel the hatred aimed at me.

It didn't make sense to me why someone I didn't know would hate me that much. My first instinct would be someone Supernatural, but in Salem, that didn't limit the number of possibilities. The only thing I could tell my friends and family was that it wasn't Elise. I was sure it was a male I had seen in the woods. The dark figures mind didn't feel like I knew them. I hadn't been able to hear their thoughts or see their face, but I did feel their hatred. I would recognize that if I knew them. Yet, somehow they knew me, well enough that they almost felt familiar.

It didn't make any sense. No matter how long I thought about it or the details I scrutinized. None of it was helping me piece together the forty-five-second madness I had witnessed. It was barely a vision -- more of a feeling and a glimpse of a moment. Not even a full scene, I hadn't seen if the dark figure succeeded in its mission. Whoever or whatever it was, wanted to kill me. It wasn't enough to just have me die, but they tried to kill me themselves. It felt like I was a reward for something more than I could comprehend.

Despite my good mood, I still felt tired. I rubbed my eyes as I wandered to the bathroom to take a shower. There were purple shadows under my eyes. I was exhausted. The nightmares each night keeping me from getting decent rest. Last night, I had even tried to make Gran's Good-Rest sleeping potion. It put me to sleep quickly, but then the nightmares crept up and exhausted all of my energy. Each nightmare was the same: it started where the vision had left off. I ran, always running, kicking my legs as hard as I could. I push through the woods as tree branches scratch my face. I keep running.

Then, of course, I fall. Some nights, I trip over a branch, and other nights I trip over dead bodies. Their faces change every night, but it's always someone I love who's passed away. Tears slide down my cheek as the hot water soothes my skin. My mind raced as I recalled the worst parts of the nightmares. My heart beats so loudly. I can hear my blonde in my ears. It's unsettling. I shut off the water and exit the shower, trying to keep myself from thinking.

I filled the next few hours with gardening, then prepping for dinner. I wouldn't be eating it but didn't want to leave my family high and dry. I sauteed some mushrooms and spinach as the risotto boiled in another pot. As that cooked, I started chopping lettuce, tomatoes, radish, and carrots for the salad. It kept my hands busy, and my mind subsequently. I was just grateful to be away from the ominous dark figure and the hatred that oozed from him. It was going to be a great evening, with Erik and out of the house.

Once everything was finished, I went back upstairs to get ready. I wasn't sure where we were going, but it was summertime. I found a black summer dress with white skulls throughout the pattern. It flared at the waist in soft chiffon. The material was soft against my skin. I put on some black wedges that wrapped around my ankle. I kept my hair down, straightening it down my back. My make-up was dark: I did black smokey eyes and added red lipstick. The outfit was flirty enough but also comfortable for various events.