I tried to smile but my face was too swollen.
I pulled myself together, trying to pry myself up from the ground, but my frozen limbs weren’t cooperating. It was near impossible to stand.
“Come on, Liz… You can do it,” he urged with a protective edge to his voice. He came close to me, his luminous face inches from mine, luring me to get up. I felt a bit of warmth run through my frozen veins. “Come on, baby. I’m here now. Let’s get up together,” he quietly coached. His hands cupped my face but I couldn’t feel a thing. I ached that I couldn’t feel him. My body yearned to feel his touch and his embrace again, even if only for a few seconds.
I pressed my back up against the tree and fought through the extreme pain and fatigue to get up. I finally stood to my feet.
“I knew you could do it,” he said with a big smile. “Now, we’ve got to get moving.”
I was lightheaded and unsteady but Michael stayed close to me. I focused on him, while he kept a step in front, lighting my path through the trees.
“Your guiding light would have been helpful a lot sooner,” I teased through my teeth. “You wouldn’t believe how many times I fell.”
“Sorry. It took some time to learn how control myself to do this. It takes a lot of energy. My grandparents said that I’m adapting very quickly.”
“Can he see you glowing like this, too?”
“Most likely, so we need to keep moving,” he said, turning back and flashing me his crooked grin. It instantly warmed my heart and gave me an extra needed push.
“How long can you stay… glowing like this?” I asked.
“I’m not sure. It will eventually fade but it will depend on how much energy I put out. Right now, I’m running on a low wattage,” he turned and winked.
I was confounded. “Please don’t burn out,” I pleaded. The thought of him leaving me alone in the dark again was horrifying.
“I think I have just enough to take you to the road. It’s not far,” he admitted. “Now stop talking and use whatever energy you have to keep your feet moving.”
I was almost breathless and couldn’t speak much anyway. My legs were on auto-pilot, methodically stepping for their own survival. I found myself instinctively reaching out to grab Michael, but my hand would pass directly through him. He’d just turn and smile but it was that smile that kept me going.
I felt like a frozen zombie, slowly fading in and out of consciousness, but Michael’s voice kept me coherent.
My legs felt hollow, and I was just about to drop, when Michael turned and looked at me with a glimmer in his eyes.
“We’re here Liz. You did it. You made it to the road.”
The blackness was thick and there were no street lights. I could barely see the black paved road. I turned back and saw the flashlight getting closer and could vaguely hear a voice yelling in the distance.
“Come on Liz, just a few more steps! Please, hurry!” he begged. Michael was fading. His light was getting dimmer and I didn’t want him to leave me alone to die alone in the freezing dark with the murderer not far behind. I knew he could see Michael because he was heading in our direction.
Why was Michael leading me to the road? I was easy prey out in the open. But it didn’t matter. I couldn’t travel any further anyway, and I wasn’t going to question him. I made the few more steps and my legs buckled under me. I fell limp to the pavement. Michael knelt by my side, leaning over me. He was quickly diminishing and so was I. From the corner of my eye, I saw a light coming toward us.
He was here. The killer had finally found us and Michael would soon be gone. But I wasn’t scared this time. I was too exhausted to be scared. I just wanted it to be over with... quickly.
“Don’t worry, Liz. You’ll be alright. I promise,” Michael’s sweet voice comforted. I wished I could touch him.
The light was coming fast.
I tried hard to focus on Michael’s face.
“I love you,” he said.
“I love you too,” I whispered.
He closed his eyes and his being lit up the whole area around us like a small atomic bomb. Then, in an instant, he was gone.
My eyes could barely stay open and were blurred but I could swear I saw an angel. A large white wolf appeared out of the darkness and stood between me and the oncoming light. Its sapphire eyes glimmered hope in the darkness. He was protecting, guarding, and shielding me from whatever was coming.
My eyes finally closed. I could no longer keep them open. The wolf howled; his cry pierced through the night air. Then there were screeching of brakes and tires as they skidded to a stop. It was a car. I faintly heard two doors open and slam shut, and then pounding footsteps running towards me.
“Oh my God! It’s Lizzy!” a frantic female voice screamed.
“Quick, clear the back seat,” a male voice demanded.
I was instantly swooped into the comfort of someone’s arms. The heat from their body sent warmth through me. I fought to open my eyes to see my rescuer.
My eyes struggled, trying to focus, and then it became clear.
It was Tyler Cross! With every ounce of energy, I pounded and kicked to be free of him.
“Don’t touch me! Put me down!” I yelled.
“Lizzy… stop! It’s alright. You’re alright,” he said gently.
“You killed him. Michael’s dead because of you!” I screamed, punching his chest, which probably seemed more like a tap. He held me tightly against his body to keep me from moving.
“I’m sorry, Lizzy. I’m so sorry,” he said apologetically. He hugged me tighter to him.
“I hate you!” I tried to yell, but my words came in a whisper.
“Lizzy, he’s here to help,” the female voice called out. It was Emily. I felt her warm hand brush across my forehead. “She needs to get to a hospital now!”
A gun shot echoed through the woods.
“Oh my God, Tyler! We gotta get her outta here! Hurry!” Emily screamed.
“Don’t worry, Lizzy. I won’t let him touch you. He won’t ever touch you again,” Tyler promised. I was suddenly placed into the backseat of the car, and felt Emily slide in next to me.
“He’s right there,” she screamed, “Get out of here Tyler! Hurry! Hurry! Hurry!” Emily pounded on the back of his seat. Tyler gassed it and the tires screeched as we sped away from the killer.
“It’s okay now, Lizzy. You’re safe. We’ve got you,” Emily said quietly, gently resting my head on her lap. “Tyler, get to the hospital, now,” she said urgently. “Oh God, there’s blood all over her.” Her words sounded muffled. I heard deep sobs coming from the front seat.
“You’re okay now, Lizzy.”
Those were the last words I heard Emily say. She threw something warm over my arms and legs, tucking it in around me.
I was quickly fading, but this time I didn’t mind. I was too weak and to the point of total exhaustion. I knew I was safe with Emily and could finally sleep. The thought of sleep and the possibility of seeing Michael again was all I wanted right now.
Chapter 8
I thought I was dreaming this time – or perhaps I was finally dead. I opened my eyes to find myself lying on my back on a bed of sand. I was in the middle of a tropical paradise with the sun beaming down on me.
White billowy clouds were scattered across a beautiful baby blue sky, and a warm, gentle breeze blew through surrounding palm and coconut trees. Little sparrows chirped, singing their beautiful songs. The crystal-clear, turquoise water glistened like diamonds in the sun, and its waves continuously rolled back and forth across the white sandy shore. Scents of salty mists wafted on the breezes. I looked around but there was no one else on this small secluded beach but me.
This had to be Heaven. I must be dead.
I walked down the shore and let the cool water wash back and forth over my feet. Little sea shells of different shapes and sizes were scattered along the shoreline. I picked one up and studied its perfect little details.
I’d always dreamed
of going to a warm tropical place like Hawaii, to lie on a secluded beach with the beautiful sunshine tanning my all white body, with the limitless ocean as my backdrop. But even with all of the beauty that surrounded me, there was still a huge ache in my heart.
Michael had been to Hawaii several times with his parents on vacations. I wished he were here to share this with me.
I noticed I had on some denim shorts and a baby blue tank top. Baby blue was Michael’s favorite color. My white arms and legs glowed in the sunlight. There were no cuts or scratches and I didn’t feel any pain.
I sat back down on the warm sand and decided I’d attempt to make a sand castle. That was something I’d always wanted to do. If I had a bucket list, that would be one of my top ten items.
I started to shape the base of my castle, but the sand kept falling apart. I quickly realized it was too dry.
“Don’t you know you have to use wet sand to make a sand castle?” a melodious voice spoke over my left shoulder.
I couldn’t help but smile from ear to ear. I turned and Michael was sitting in the sand right behind me. He pulled me back between his legs and wrapped his arms around me.
I’d never felt more happiness or more pleasure in all my life.
“Sorry, Mr. Professional-Sand-Castle-Maker. I’m from Alaska…remember?”
“I figured you were from way up north from the color of your skin. It’s almost blinding,” he jested, rubbing his hands up and down my white arms.
“Hey!” I pouted. “I may be white, but I can get a tan.”
“White? You’re nearly albino,” he laughed.
“Hey!”
“Well,” he said studying my arms. “I guess you could tan but then again… you’ll probably end up like most tourists do… burnt and red like a lobster,” he chuckled, kissing my neck.
I laughed and leaned back, resting my head on his chest.
“This is such a beautiful place. Did you do this?” I asked him.
“Yes. It’s another memory of mine. It’s called Secret Cove. It was a place my parents and I went to on our last vacation to Maui, only when we went, there were loads of people scattered across this small beach. I just thought after all that you’ve just been through, you were in desperate need of a vacation,” he said thoughtfully.
“Oh… yeah,” I breathed, flashing back to the terrifying events which seemed like a distant dream. Thank God it was behind me now. Michael was with me and nothing else mattered.
“I would have taken you to Hawaii,” he breathed gently into my ear.
“I know,” I sighed. I didn’t care about anything else, except being with him… right here, right now. “I guess this is much better than the real thing. No tourists to fight with for a good spot, right?”
He smiled, but his thoughts were elsewhere.
“I’m so proud of you, Liz,” he said affectionately.
“Thanks. I honestly didn’t think I was going to make it. Wait… did I make it, or am I really dead this time?” I wasn’t sure.
“Sorry… still not dead,” he chuckled. “You’re sleeping soundly in a hospital bed. They have you sedated so you can rest.”
“You can actually see me in the hospital?” I looked at him in total bewilderment.
“If I wanted to, but right now… I’d rather not,” he said sadly with a sigh. The corners of his mouth turned down.
“Why? Is it really that bad?” I asked, assessing his reaction. He didn’t say anything. “Michael? Please tell me if it’s that bad!”
I knew my face had been whacked and it was probably all swollen. Maybe I had frostbite, and my nose and limbs were black. Oh no! I watched those shows where people climbed K2 and came down with frostbite on their noses, fingers and toes. Some even had to be amputated.
“Oh no! Michael, please don’t tell me I look like a busted up, frostbitten, hippo… and please tell me I still have all my limbs!”
“Hippo? Well, I wouldn’t actually say hippo. I was thinking more down the lines of processed meat.” He paused for a long moment. His face had no expression, and I felt my mouth gaping open. Then, he suddenly broke into laughter. I was stunned…a bit upset at first, but Michael’s laughter was infectious and soon we were both laughing.
“I’ll tell you this…you’ve definitely had better looking days… and no, you aren’t missing any body parts.”
“Thank God! As long as everything’s intact... it’s all good!”
“Well,” he said jumping to his feet and whisking me in up into his arms, “it’s time for your swimming lesson Miss Hayes.” He took off running toward the ocean, carrying me in his arms with no effort at all. “Hold on baby!” he yelled, squeezing me tightly to his chest. He leapt up about twenty feet into the air and then about fifty yards out.
I screamed, burying my face in his chest.
“Hold your breath!” he yelled before we plunged into the water.
We went down deep and I didn’t know if I had enough air in my lungs to make it to the surface. A quick thought shot through my mind. Could I really drown in a dream? I remembered the movie the Matrix. If you died in the matrix, you died in real life. I wasn’t about to take a chance, so I held my breath as long as I could, until my lungs felt like they were going to explode.
I felt Michael’s hand grab my arm and thrust me upward towards the surface. As soon as I made it to the top I gasped for air. Michael popped up shortly after and started swimming circles around me.
I never really learned how to swim. Living in Alaska, I stayed mostly above the water, either on a raft, inner-tube, boat, or on a snow machine when the water was all frozen over. I didn’t like going into the water because it was always too cold, or there were leeches or some other freaky fish swimming around that looked like they would bite.
“Hey Liz, you look like a drowning dog,” he laughed, turning to float on his back.
“I feel like a drowning dog!” I said desperately treading water, trying hard to keep my head above it. “Some assistance, right about now, would be good,” I admitted sarcastically, gasping for air, gulping down what seemed like gallons of salty water.
He back stroked to me and anchored my arms across his chest.
“Jeeze. I drank enough water to start another ocean.”
“Then I won’t ask you if you’re thirsty,” he laughed, patting my back.
“Thanks” I rolled my eyes.
Once I calmed down, I began to relax and enjoy myself; something that’d become a rarity over the past few days, and something I thought I’d never be able to accomplish for a very long time.
We drifted smoothly over the waves and watched them crash onto the shore, which was now hundreds of feet away.
“So tell me… can you do anything in my dreams or do you have limits?” I asked, fishing for an answer.
“Well, there are some limitations, but mostly… none. Why? Did you have anything floating around in that magnificent mind of yours?” he asked slyly. I wondered what he thought I was thinking. I returned a wry smile.
“Uh oh, that looks like trouble,” he chuckled.
“Well… I was just wondering--” I paused.
“Just spit it out,” he said urging me.
“Can you… fly?”
He paused and rolled his eyes. I bet he was thinking I was going to seduce him or something like that.
“Well, why don’t we see?” His head sunk under the water and then he popped back up holding me tightly to him. I threw my arms around his neck.
“Wait!” I wailed. “I don’t want to fly; I was just asking to see if you could,” I announced, feeling a bit apprehensive. I’d never had the opportunity to get on an airplane, let alone fly without one.
“Elizabeth Ashley Hayes,” he teased. “Are you really afraid?”
I nodded. “Yes.” I was very afraid.
Usually in my dreams, the ones I vaguely remembered, when I did try to fly, I would barely make it a few feet off the ground. Emily told me that it was because I had a low
self-esteem. Whatever it was, it sucked, and was beyond frustrating. On top of that, I used to have those horrible dreams of falling, helplessly, not being able to stop because I wasn’t able to fly. I wasn’t sure if I wanted to experience that again.
“Well, there’s no fun in me trying to fly alone, especially if you’re here. Plus, it’s your first time ever flying, and my first time ever trying it like this. I want my first time to be with you, even if we crash and burn,” he said kissing me quickly on the lips.
“But I-!”
He didn’t give me a chance to respond. Like a rocket we shot out of the water. The upward momentum pushed me down and I began to lose my grip.
“Michael!” I closed my eyes and screamed. He laughed and assisted me in re-locking my arms around his neck and my legs around his torso. I held on for dear life.
“Whoo- hoo!” he shouted. He was having way too much fun. He sounded more like a kid on a roller coaster ride. I felt us twisting and turning, keeping my eyes sealed tight.
“Oh my God! Oh my God! Oh my God!” I yelled, starting to feel a bit nauseous.
“Liz… you can’t experience all of this awesomeness with your eyes shut,” he said, attempting to pry my arms from his neck.
“No. I’m fine,” I said in a shaky voice.
“Liz,” he said calmly, “please open your eyes.”
“Is it safe?”
“Would I ask you to open your eyes if it wasn’t safe?”
After a few seconds of debating with myself, I finally decided that I should at least take a peak; get a glimpse of what he was experiencing. I slowly peeled my lids back and saw his handsome face; smiling from ear to ear.
Instantly, my fears melted away. I was in his embrace and I knew he wouldn’t let anything happen to me.
“Look,” he said motioning with his head for me to look down. I twisted my neck to witness us flying effortlessly, feet above the water.
“Wow!” I whispered.
It was exhilarating. I carefully loosened my death grip on him, and with his help, twisted myself to face the water. Michael held me tightly around my waist while I skimmed my fingers over the water watching it ripple behind us. Just ahead, two dolphins jumped out of the water, as if guiding us to some unknown destination. It was the most magical moment I had ever experienced.