January 15, 2008
“NOOOO!”
Impossibly strong flannel arms bound the woman’s arms to her side. Before her a murderous looking lot crowded her fiancé. Snick! A glint of silver…
Jula Blades awoke to find herself tangled in her sheets on the floor next to her bed. The head of Jared, the fiancé in question poked over the edge of the bed. A concerned look adorned his face.
“You had the dream again didn’t you?” She just panted, trying to regain control of her breath. “Jula, that’s the third night this week! We have to figure out what’s causing this. It can’t go on. You’re turning into a wreck.”
“It’s nothing. It’s just a dream. That’s all.” She shivered slightly, her body drenched in sweat.
“It’s not nothing and you know it. I don’t know if I believe in premonitions and the like, but something is happening. I know it is.”
Jula unsteadily stood up, putting the sheets in order. She climbed back into bed and wordlessly fell into a restless approximation of sleep. This scene played itself out many times over the next several weeks. Each time Jared encouraging her to do something about it, and each time herself going back to sleep without a word.
She wasn’t afraid to seek help. She was afraid because she knew it would come to pass. Some feeling told her that it was real. It was only a matter of time. Jared was everything she ever wanted in a relationship and she refused to let it be taken away from her. Maybe, if she just stayed alert she could keep it from happening. She couldn’t let it happen. She wouldn’t let it happen.
“NOOOOO!”
A familiar scene played out in her nightmarescape. She was bound, helpless. But this time something was different. It was all too real. She watched the thugs kick her downed mate, his body a lifeless silhouette against the greasy backdrop. Snippets of memory came to her panicked mind. A restaurant, they’d been on a restaurant. He’d insisted on walking home because “it’s good for you.” Oh why did he have to walk home! She watched them beat him and spit on him and this time she knew what was coming.
“Nooo! You will never do it you bastards! I won’t let you!”
She fought the invisible hands, breaking free in an amazing display of primal determination. A flash of silver, a lightning quick movement, and it was all over. She lay bleeding beside her battered mate, a knife embedded in her chest. She had done it. she had saved him. She could finally rest in peace. A smile graced her lifeless face.
“Jula…Jula…” An ethereal voice called her from within the bright light that seemed to be from everywhere and nowhere.
“Jula…you made it. It’s morning and you didn’t wake up once. It’s the first time I’ve seen you so peaceful in months.” She lay against his chest, an arm draped around her own. His speech provided a comforting rumble as she awoke truly rested for the first time in what seemed like an eternity. She smiled and took in the moment.
“It’s over. You’ll be safe now.”