The ship made it back to the dock at around three o’clock on Saturday. Even though it wasn’t a long trip, it was great being able to spend time with Melayla in such a romantic atmosphere. I planned on us taking a longer trip later in the year. This trip only makes me want to hold to that promise even more. I would love to have more time alone with her.
Phillip should be done with practice by now. I’d expect them to be back at home when we arrive. We are only about twenty minutes away.
“What do you want for dinner tonight?” Melayla asked.
She knows I never have an answer to that question. It really makes me no difference what we eat as long as we eat. She must want to engage in a conversation because surely after all these years, she knows my response. Nevertheless, it is better to just entertain her in the best way possible.
“I don’t have any preference, Sweetie. Whatever you cook, is fine with me?” I glanced at her and smiled. She returned the smile.
I looked in to my rearview mirror. Missy? How did she get in the back seat? I can’t say for certain because her head is down and it’s hard to know from her rearview mirror reflection. Since I am driving, I’ll turn my head quickly and glance over my shoulder for a better view. She’s gone. I looked back in the mirror…she is back. Now her face is visible. It is Missy.
Her face is bubbling just like in my vision of Melayla in the kitchen a few days ago. Her eyes staring at me as if they are trying to slice me open. As her deep, black pupils dilate, they pull at my soul. I can feel the darkness fall upon me. Her face is stern and angry, but she hasn’t said a word. She is sending a message of the purest of evil, as she illuminates the power and depth of darkness. The demons are getting stronger. Soon they will be ready. There is no fear on her face only intimidation and warning.
Even though, they know they will lose, they carry such confidence and boldness. Yet we are given the victory and we cower at the sight or touch of them. I did not cower in my response. I looked deep into her pitiless eyes and sent a message of my own. “You have already been defeated Satan. You cannot have my family. Victory is ours.” I told the demon.
Melayla, unaware of the spirit, responded. “What honey?”
, Missy parted her lips to a full smile. There were worms crawling in her mouth. All of a sudden, she opened her mouth and a swarm of flies came out like projectile vomit. I swerved the car and lost control. We crossed the medium and went into the oncoming traffic lanes. The car turned just perfectly in the direction of the oncoming traffic. We got hit head on by an eighteen wheeler. The hits ricocheted back several cars into a massive pile up leaving our car in what I would imagine resembled a crushed coke can, judging from the way the inside is smashed up.
I was pinned between the dashboard and the trunk. I tried to move my legs, but felt nothing. There was so much pain happening at once. I guess it all cancelled out and left me in a numb state. Truthfully, I didn’t even feel like I was in my body, but floating above telling myself to move. My arms were smashed inside the metal as well.
I turned my head to look at Melayla. I couldn’t hear her. Is she ok? Did she survive? All I can see is her face pinned between the airbag and the trunk. Several pieces of windshield glass were jabbed in her body. She isn’t moving. Her eyes are open, but they are not the same questioning eyes that dance into your heart; instead, they are dense, cold, and lifeless.
“Melayla!” I screamed. “Melayla!” Each time I screamed her name, it felt like a knife pierced deeper into my heart.
Tears began to crawl down my face as if they were uncertain as to why they were there so soon. Our life wasn’t supposed to end like this. We still have more years to go.
“Melayla!”
This time the pressure crushed into my chest so hard I couldn’t breathe. My body pounded in unison with my failing heart. I closed my eyes because I didn’t want my last image of my wife to be of such pain and agony.
I want to remember love. I want to remember the day we first met. She pretended not to notice my eyes as they tried to engage hers. I want to remember the day she agreed to be my wife. Her face glowed with several shades of happiness. I want to remember our wedding day. I was so nervous I thought I would pass out. My heart pounded louder than the music. I feared I wouldn’t be able to live up to the commitment. With her I felt like a mere human, while she was a supernatural being. The beauty she encompasses can’t be natural. She had to be an angel on earth. I was unworthy of such a prize. Yet she smiled at me as her eyes swelled with tears of joy. She reveled in her decision to make me hers’ forever. She was proud and honored to bear my name. I want to remember those eyes.
I started gasping for air. Breathe…I can’t…Breathe! I told myself again. I closed my eyes.
I opened my eyes while gasping for air. As I looked to my left, Melayla was driving and saying something to me. I felt her hand on my leg.
“Mikey! Are you okay?” She sounded like she had asked the question before.
It was a dream or better yet a nightmare. I haven’t had a nightmare since I was a little boy. I grabbed my bottle of water and took a drink.
“I’m okay. It was a nightmare.” I said while trying not to look at her because I know how foolish it sounds.
“You had me worried. It happened so fast. Of course, we are in bumper to bumper traffic so I couldn’t get to the shoulder. You were sound asleep, and then you couldn’t breathe. You started kicking and shaking. I was trying to get through the traffic to stop the car. I was so scared. I didn’t know what to do. I prayed…Are you sure you are okay?”
I took a few more slow breaths. What is happening? Why is this happening?
“Yeah I’m sure. I’m okay. Keep going. We don’t have to stop. I’m fine. It was just a dream…a weird dream.”
She didn’t look like she believed me, but I didn’t believe me either so it didn’t matter. Thankfully, she kept driving. I don’t want to dwell on it any longer. It was the worst feeling in my life. Half an hour later, we pulled into the drive way. I am anxious to see how the kids faired, but I am even more anxious to talk to Missy. I can’t help but think we are running out of time.
CHAPTER 14--MISSY