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

way home, I feel sad. I can’t imagine being in his shoes, but I want to be there for him. I want to comfort him and take his pain away. But I know I can’t.

And then there is Casper. What happened to him? Maybe someone knows something, and I’ll find out tomorrow. I can’t help wanting to be there for him as well.

Once home, I take a hot shower and it warms my body from all the cold rain. I put in my earbuds and start playing music. A soft piano song begins, and I slide under the blankets. I close my eyes and let the song lure me to sleep.

“I could listen to you play forever.” Casper smiles and walks toward me. My fingers unconsciously and blithely move from key to key on the upright piano as I perform a beautiful number. I stop playing once he sits next to me on the bench. Candles dimly light the little cottage and his face glows in the beautiful orange light.

I smile.

He leans into me and presses his soft lips against mine. His hands tangle with my long black hair as I fold into him. Warmth rushes within me. He tugs on my lower lip and I moan as I reach inside his shirt. I run my hands across his smooth chest.

The door bursts open, breaking our passionate kiss. I look toward the door at three figures, but I can’t see their faces. Covered by hoods, but somewhere deep down I know it is them. We stand. How did they find us?

“Take her,” the man in the middle demands. They come at me without hesitation, but Casper shields me with his body.

“You will never take her,” he says.

“We’ve been down this road before, Casper. She doesn’t belong to you. Yet, each time I see you with her.”

“I love her.”

The man lets out a hard laugh. “What does your kind even know about it? You vile creature. You have no feelings, no soul, no heart.”

“What are you talking about?” I ask, peeking from behind Casper. I clutch onto his hand, refusing to let go. “He has more of a heart than you will ever have. Why can’t you leave us alone? I love him.”

The man lets out a laugh. “You’ve been manipulated, my dear. But we shall fix that.”

“She doesn’t want you.”

“I will not discuss this any further. Take her,” the man says and turns for the door.

“No,” Casper yells. He pushes the guards away, protecting me, and I grasp onto Casper with everything I have.

The man turns back toward us and fires the gun. Casper cries out and collapses. The guards seize my arms and drag me away from him.

“Casper! Please, Casper!” I kick and scream and wrestle with them. My eyes lock on Casper’s brown eyes and they slowly close as the men carry me away.

Chapter Twenty-Nine

With a gasp, I bolt upright to see the morning sun has barely risen. Grabbing my phone from my table, I scroll down to Casper’s name, but stop. He’s in the hospital, I remember. What did the dream mean? Are my dreams connected to real life or vice versa? Is Casper okay? Is he dead? If I call the hospital, will they tell me his status?

I shake my head. Why should I care about Casper? I shouldn’t, but I do. Maybe I’ll sneak in the ICU later and see him to see if he’s okay.

I turn off my alarm before it sounds. I have an annoying dull ache in the back of my throat that is scratchy. Great, now I’m on the verge of getting a cold.

I jump when my phone beeps. It’s a text message from Vincent.

School can wait. Want to spend the day with me?

A smile stretches across my face. I reply yes. I know it’s bad, but I really don’t want to go to school. Vincent says he changed the number on my file so that the school will call my cell phone, instead of my mom’s. I’m glad he thought of that.

I dress in jeans and tuck them into my black boots and put on a maroon sweater. I grab my backpack, to let my parents think I’m going to school.

Driving to Vincent’s, I swear I won’t let things get out of hand. Of course, I said the same thing the night before. I ring the doorbell and he answers with a smile.

“You’re just in time,” he says.

“For?”

“I’m making breakfast.”

“Wow. Thanks.”

I follow him into the kitchen and halt in the doorway. A man in a grey suit is sitting at the table in the kitchen, sipping coffee and reading a newspaper. He looks up and flashes a smile. He has the same blue eyes as Vincent. His hair is dark like Vincent’s, but with grey mixed in. Vincent opens the refrigerator and pulls out some eggs.

“Megan, this is my dad. Dad, this is Megan.”

“Stan.” He reaches out his hand and I shake it. “So, you’re the reason for my son’s constant beaming.”

I smile and feel my cheeks redden.

“He told me about the fight yesterday. Although, I’m not exactly pleased with his suspension, I’m proud of him. I probably would’ve done the same thing for a girl I loved.”

I shift uncomfortably. What an odd thing to be proud of.

“Dad.” Vincent groans.

“Just stating the facts. Do you have time to eat? School starts soon.” He looks at me expectantly.

“I’m making her breakfast because she’s getting my homework and such. She’s got time.”

“All right. Well I have to go.” He stands and finishes his coffee. “I’ll meet you at the hospital later,” he tells Vincent in a low voice. “Megan, it was a pleasure meeting you. Maybe next time we’ll actually get to talk longer.”

“It was nice meeting you, too.”

Stan