January Dreams Carrigan Richards (the mitten read aloud TXT) 📖

the results of the war or anything. It’s like our private world. We don’t know if we’re going to return to his home or not. We fear leaving and being found by the Sprites.

I hear rustling behind me and smile. “Casper, it’s so beautiful here,” I say as I turn around. My smile disappears and I freeze.

A tall, lanky figure saunters toward me with dark eyes and a menacing smile. In the darkness I can’t make out the features of his face.

“Who are you?” I ask.

“You don’t belong here. You belong with us.”

“I belong with Casper,” I say.

“You mean nothing to me, but it’s my duty to bring you back. Dead or alive.” As he walks closer to me, I move backwards but he catches my arm and draws me against him. “I’ve always wondered what the clamor is with you.”

I punch his chest, trying to release myself from his tight grip. “No, please!”

“He never loved you. You’re nothing to him. He’s using you, traitor.”

Suddenly, I feel myself slipping from him. From the lake. From the moon.

My heart is beating crazily as I look around the moonlit room. My body shakes and I can’t calm down. I sit up in bed and cry. I was attacked tonight. My dreams consist of someone trying to kill me. I can’t take it anymore. Is someone after me? I don’t know why they would be. I don’t know anything except that I don’t want to be alone right now. I’m terrified.

But Adam was in the dream. Has he been in them before? Are my dreams predicting the future? I’ve felt like something bad would happen, but I never imagined this.

I grab my phone and dial Vincent’s number. I need to hear his voice. I need some comfort. He doesn’t answer and can’t help but feel disappointed. I know he’s probably in the hospital and can’t answer the phone. Or maybe he’s asleep. I wait a few minutes, but he doesn’t call back.

Slowly pushing the blankets aside, I climb out of bed, wondering if Casper is asleep. I open the door and wait outside his room, trying to debate if I should knock or not. I stand there for a few seconds feeling awkward and scared. I bring my hand up to his door and knock softly. I don’t think he’ll hear it, asleep or not. I hold myself and let the tears fall quietly. I cover my face with my hands and suddenly I feel arms around me.

“Megan,” he says.

“I was attacked in my dream. You weren’t there.”

His arms tighten around me and he takes my hand, pulling me inside his dark room. We sit on his bed until I finish crying. I feel safe with Casper and I’m not sure what that means.

He invites me under his covers, and he climbs on the other side, on top of the covers. I lean against the headboard, but it hurts my back, so I lay on my side. He moves down to my level.

“I’m sorry,” I say. “I don’t want to be alone right now.”

“Don’t apologize. It’s okay. You can stay.” He takes my hand and caresses it.

We lay like that for a long time. Casper’s fingers still rub my hand, so I know he’s still awake.

“All I kept thinking was that I have to get out of this,” I tell him, and he holds my hand tighter. “Someway. Somehow. But I couldn’t.” My chin quivers and a tear rolls over my nose and onto his pillow. “He was too strong. I’m weak. I wish I knew how to fight for myself. How to be stronger like in my dreams. I mean, even Amber can beat me up. I always thought I would know what to do if I ever found myself in that situation. I shouldn’t have gone tonight.”

“This wasn’t your fault, Megan. I’m sorry this happened to you.”

“I wouldn’t have gotten out of there if it hadn’t been for you.” I look up, but I can’t see his eyes. It’s dark, but his smooth voice calms me.

“You would have gotten out. You are strong. And no matter what, he’ll get what’s coming to him.”

“How do you know?”

“I have to believe in that.”

“I’m not sure what I believe anymore. He knew my name.”

“What?” he asks, his voice sounding alarmed.

“I feel like I’ve dreamed of Adam before. He looked familiar. Unless my mind is playing tricks.”

“How is this possible? Are we predicting life now?”

“I don’t know, but I’m scared. I don’t want to have these frightening dreams anymore.”

I feel his fingers lightly touch my cheek, then his soft, warm lips on my forehead. I exhale in relaxation, but he abruptly pulls away.

“Sorry. I-I can’t believe I did that.”

“It’s okay.” I smile, but I know he can’t see it. I shouldn’t have enjoyed that as much as I did. Cherry’s comment comes to mind. “I lied to you earlier because Cherry doesn’t like that I’m friends with you.”

“Why?”

“She thinks you’re going to hurt me.” I don’t know why I’m so honest with him. “She thinks I’m gonna cheat on Vincent.”

“You don’t deserve that.”

“I can’t talk to her about my dreams. She always tells me to ignore them, but I can’t. No one likes the fact that we’re friends. It’s like in our dreams. No one wants us to be together.”

“I’m sure you’ll clear it up with her tomorrow. I’m sure Vincent hates that we’re friends.”

“Um…he doesn’t know.”

Casper lets out a sigh. “Megan.”

“I know. It’s terrible, but he’s so unpredictable.”

“You have to tell him, or it’ll be worse.”

“I know. I don’t want to wake up feeling scared.”

I feel him move closer to me and he’s careful not to hurt my back by placing an arm around me. I bury myself in