“Did ya?” he screamed at her face.
She nodded. Eyes closed. Tear’s streaming.
He then ripped the hood off the other victim.
Tyler. His face was bruised and bloody.
What the hell is going on?
I heard rustling in the front room and Buck quickly disappeared. I heard him yelling, and then he ran back into the room.
“I told her I’d kill ya if she did anything stupid!” he yelled. He pointed the gun at Emily. His thumb cocked back the hammer.
“NO--!” I screamed, reaching for her. But I was frozen in place and my voice wasn’t heard.
I saw terror in Emily’s eyes. She went hysterical, closing her eyes; tears streamed down her face.
“Get up!” I yelled to myself. This isn’t right! This whole thing is not right!
I squeezed my eyes shut. I was not about to witness Emily’s murder.
Wake up! Wake up! Wake up!
The gun went off.
I jolted from my sleep in my hospital bed. My heart was pounding a hundred miles an hour. I grabbed my cell phone and checked the time. It had been three hours since Tyler and Emily left me. I grabbed my phone and dialed her. It went straight to voicemail.
This is not happening!
It was déjà vu all over again.
“Emily – answer your phone!” I said frustratingly between gritted teeth.
I tried again. Voicemail
I decided to text her, but it took longer than I wanted. My fingers were trembling.
Em…call me asap… need 2 know ur ok. Liz
I waited.
Thirty seconds ticked by. I hoped the dream, vision, or whatever it was, hadn’t already happened.
“God, please let them be okay,” I said out loud.
A few seconds later my phone chimed. It was a text.
Hey Liz… just got hm. I’m fine… U ok?
“Thank you!” I whispered out loud.
I called her again. My fingers were too shaky to be texting.
I pressed 5 - talk. Her call tone was “Fly Me to the Moon” by Frank Sinatra. Don’t ask me why.
“Hello?” she answered in a quaint voice.
“Em! Thank God you’re alright! Is Tyler with you?”
“No, he just left. Why… what’s up?”
“I just had the most horrible nightmare!”
“Bout what?”
“You and Tyler.”
“Is it about the relationship? Just tell me Liz, cause if it is… I won’t pursue him any further.”
“No, Em! It’s not about that! I dreamt that you were taken by the killer!”
“Oh,” she hesitated. “Well… I’m home and I’m safe. Tyler had a police car follow him home. Don’t worry Lizzy. It was probably just a bad dream. We’re fine.”
“But what if it wasn’t a dream? What if it was a vision? Things have been happening to me; things I can’t explain; things that I’ve dreamt have actually come true, or have already happened.”
“See Lizzy! I told you that if you opened up you’d experience the paranormal.”
“Em! I’m not kidding! This is serious! Please, just stay away from Tyler for a couple of days, or until they catch that guy. I can’t risk anything happening to you. Promise me, Em!”
“Oh, all right,” she whined. “But he was supposed to pick me up in the morning and take me to breakfast. What am I supposed to tell him?”
“Just tell him that you aren’t feeling well. Now promise me, Em!” I said in a stern tone.
“I promise,” she returned in a pouty voice.
“Okay, call me when you get up.”
“Will do. Night Lizzy,” she said hanging up the phone.
I wasn’t sure if she understood the severity of what I was trying to tell her. I was the one who had the dream and witnessed the horrifying events that might happen to her. Why couldn’t these dreams be given directly to Emily? That way she’d know how important it was. I didn’t want this burden.
At least I had some peace knowing that Emily was safe at home. Maybe I could manage to get some sleep. I sighed in relief, hoping that this time I would dream a happy dream of Michael.
“Please Michael, I need to see you,” I whispered before closing my eyes. I desperately needed him.
It wasn’t long before I was back in dreamland. This time I found myself walking through a field of brilliant white snow. Majestic snow covered mountains surrounded me. The sky was painted in pale lavender, and all the spruce and pine trees were flocked in white. It was breathtakingly beautiful. I was dressed warmly this time. I had on a white beanie, white snow pants, white boots, a thick white jacket and gloves. I looked like I was ready for a skiing trip.
I knew this was all Michael’s doing. He knew how much I loved it when everything was covered in white - a winter wonderland. My stomach twisted happily with butterflies, anticipating his appearance.
“Michael! I know you’re here! Where are you?” I called out loudly. He was nowhere to be seen, but I also knew this was a dream and he could just appear out of nowhere.
Sparkling glitters of snow fell from the sky. I closed my eyes and felt the cold flakes melt on my face.
Smack! A snowball disintegrated after whacking me on the back. I opened my eyes and turned around. Michael was laughing, shaping another snowball to throw at me.
“Hey! Not fair! You can’t just show up unannounced and do whatever you like to me!” I yelled, bending down to arm myself with a handful of snow.
“You know you can’t throw that far!” he jested.
“You’re so rude Michael Young! You bring me here and pummel me with snowballs without even saying “hello”? Not even a hug or kiss?” I huffed. “Fine,” I said walking away.
“Awe, come on Liz. You know I’m just playing.” I heard his footsteps quickly pounding behind, trying to catch up. When they got close enough I turned and flung my snowball at him, hitting him in the arm.
He stood there speechless, his mouth gaping wide opened, arms outstretched, with sad puppy dog eyes staring at me. I ran to him and jumped in his arms wrapping my arms around him. We fell back into the soft snow.
“Sorry!” I said giggling, “You know I had too.”
“Sure, you’re sorry!” He hugged me tightly.
“I’m so glad that you’re here,” I breathed. “I really needed you.”
“I’m here, Liz,” he said caressing my face, kissing me, taking my breath away.
“I missed you so much!”
“I missed you too,” he chuckled, sending a current of warmth and electricity through me. He was definitely the best part of me.
“Michael, I had a horrible dream about Tyler and Emily; that they were kidnapped by Buck. Is it going to come true?”
“You had a vision, a glimpse into the future. But on very rare occasions, it can be altered. You did the right thing by telling Emily. It’s in her hands now.”
“Knowing Emily... I’m not too optimistic.”
“Hey, don’t worry about her. She’s a big girl.”
I sighed.
“I know that you’ve been through hell and back, but there is something that I have to tell you,” he said with that look in his eyes.
“Okay. Just give it to me straight up. There’s nothing that can surprise me now.”
“Because of me, you’ve been chosen, Liz. You’ve been given a rare gift that very few possess, a gift of sight. You will be able to aid others, like myself, who are trapped, and help them cross over.”
“Wait – wait – wait! What if I don’t want this gift?” I said shaking my head. But I remembered what Lucy had told when she left me…that I had the gift. “I can’t do it Michael. I can’t put other’s souls in my hands.”
“I’m so sorry. It’s not a choice.”
“Am I gonna be like that Ghost Whisperer chick? Because that show freaks me out. I won’t be able to handle scary, evil spirits.”
“No. It won’t be much different than what you’r
e experiencing with me. Different spirits have different ways of making contact, and those that come to you won’t be scary. They’ll most likely be the ones that are scared. You’ll be a beacon of light to those lost in the darkness. What Lucy was to me,” he explained.
This was way too much to comprehend. I was already carrying too much burden on my weakened shoulders. How would I be able to take on a gift like this? I was barely holding myself together with the dreams I was having.
“Don’t worry about that right now. Right now… you’re mine and mine alone,” he said wrapping me in his arms.
I sighed, looking into his beautiful brown eyes. A flash of his last moments played through my mind.
“Why so sad?” he asked, lifting my chin, kissing me gently.
“I’m sorry Michael. There was nothing I could do to save you. I wish I was there with you. I wish there was something I could have done to comfort you.” I broke down, remembering his last moments and the helplessness I felt.
“Hey,” he said, kneeling in front of me. “You were with me. You were right here the whole time, comforting me,” he said resting his hand over his heart. “You were the last person I thought of, and it was your beautiful face, smiling at me, that was the last picture I saw as I closed my eyes,” he said softly. “You are my angel.” A single tear traced the line of his cheek.
“Thanks Michael,” I breathed, nestling in his arms. “I love you so much.”
He stood to his feet and pulled me up, then wiped the tears from my eyes.
“Enough with the sadness! This dream is not for cry-babies. Let’s go. I have something to show you,” he said, his face was beaming with a wide smile.
“But what about Emily and Tyler?”
“They’re fine. Sleeping soundly in their beds, just like you are,” he noted.
“Michael…were you in the room when Tyler spoke to me?” I asked.
“Yes.”
“And…?”
“And what?” he said with a crooked grin.
“What do you think about what he said?”
“I don’t blame him one bit for falling for you, but I just can’t believe he never mentioned it to me. And I’m glad that he’s decided to make some changes and move on with his life. Tell him I said thanks for watching out for you. I trust him,” he said.
“You do?” I questioned.
“Why? Shouldn’t I?” he asked. He crossed his hands over his chest, looking at me. I ran, jumped into his arms, kissing his face.
“Don’t worry. He seems to be into Emily.”
“Yeah, they’re a pretty good match.”
“He seems to likes her odd ways, and she is totally smitten by him.”
“Good,” he said abruptly. “Now, can we forget about them?” He looped his arm around me, and led me toward the foot of one of the mountains.
“Where are you taking me?”
“It’s a surprise,” he said eagerly.
I started feeling nervous.
“Are we seriously going to walk all the way up this mountain?”
“Not all the way,” he said, pulling me around a bend. Behind some pine trees sat the largest snow machine I’d ever seen.
“Are you kidding me?” I said with exaggerated excitement.
“Nope.” He whisked me up in his arms and set me gently on the back of the machine. It was black with golden wings spread from front to back. He handed me a helmet and helped me fasten it to my chin. Then he slipped on his own helmet and hopped in front of me. His helmet was black, with red and yellow flames that wrapped around the back forming a heart, with my name ‘LIZ’ inside.
He was too adorable.
“You ready?” he asked.
Wow! I could hear him loud and clear. The helmet had a built in microphone and speakers.
“Yep!” I said excitedly.
He started up the beast, and my heart began to race faster. I scooted close, hooking my arms around his waist. Behind any machine Michael had two speeds… fast and faster. His friends gave him the nickname “Kamikaze”.
He took off fast, down the mountain and across the flat land, going at least a hundred miles an hour. Everything was a white blur. I held on so tight my muscles were aching.
“Liz?” Michael asked through the helmet speaker.
“Yes?” I said, through gritted teeth.
“Could you please release your grip so I can breathe?”
“Sorry!” I loosened my grip but not much. He was going way too fast. “I can’t. I’ll fall off!”
“Not while you’re with me!”
I squeezed him closer, and noticed that we were headed straight for a steep slope. I was scared. He turned the throttle and flew effortlessly up the side. I screamed the whole way up with my eyes shut tight.
As soon as we stopped I inhaled and peeled open my lids. We were at the top of the world, overlooking a winter wonderland. Tiny flakes gently fell from the heavens creating a white billowy blanket over the ground below. Beautiful iridescent glitters sparkled over the ground, trees and mountains. Another unforgettable memory.
Michael gave me a moment and then revved his engine. I knew I was in for it.
“You ready?” he asked.
“I guess,” I answered hesitantly.
“Hold on baby!” he hollered.
In the world of reality things would have been different. But here, in my dreams, there were no holds barred, and Michael was making every effort to take advantage of that.
He’d always wanted to take me snow machining. Just the two of us. We’d always have friends with us whenever we went, so I guess this was one of his dreams fulfilled.
I took in a deep breath and exhaled slowly. I really wanted to enjoy this, and not be the kill-joy, because I didn’t know how many more dreams I’d share with him.
I wrapped my arms around him and squeezed. He turned and gave me a thumbs-up.
“Ready?” he called back.
“Ready as I’ll ever be!” I answered, steadying my breath. I felt my body stiffen as I prepared for the sudden thrust.
He gunned it down the long sloping mountain. I screamed. He laughed.
A large mound, perfectly shaped like a huge ramp, was dead in our tracks and he was heading straight for it. It was coming fast!
I closed my eyes as we neared the ramp; my stomach twisted and tickled inside. I opened my eyes as we were jettisoned over trees and across the open field.
“Wo-hoooo!” I screamed. This was awesome!
I then noticed the ground. It was coming quickly, so I braced for a painful landing.
I flinched and stiffened every muscle just as we touched down, but to my surprise, it was the softest landing ever. I barely felt the impact. Michael pulled the throttle back and did a 360 degree spin, then came to a stop.
I peeled my arms and legs from around him. He pulled his helmet off, and his face was beaming. I returned a wide smile, but my enthusiasm wasn’t as great as his.
Michael lifted me off, and laced his fingers in mine, leading me behind some trees. There, a small fire was burning, and a perfect log bench, with a wicker basket set in the snow. He led me over and pulled open the basket, bringing out two mugs and a thermos.
“Hot cocoa?” he asked, raising an eyebrow.
“You know I love hot cocoa.”
“Yes, and I also know you love this,” he said revealing the contents of the basket: graham crackers, marshmallows and chocolate.
“Smores! My favorite!”
We sat and roasted marshmallows, drank our cocoa, and talked, for what felt like hours; reminiscing of the years we shared, and how far we’d come; from riding on swings to driving cars.
“Hey Liz, wanna ice skate?” he asked so randomly.
“But there’s no-”
Just as I started to speak, he pointed into the distance. Multi-colored lights twinkled just beyond the trees. He grabbed my hand and led me to a perfect skating rink lined with the colorful twinkle lights. The ice rink was a perfect baby bl
ue and seemed to be self- illuminated. There was a box in the snow, just at the rim of the rink. Michael walked over to it and pulled out two pairs of ice skates, of course… our size.
“I love the gift you bought me,” he whispered softly in my ear.
“Huh?” I asked, puzzled, tying my skates on. I looked up as he did a twirl wearing the jacket I’d bought him.
“How did you-?” The last time I remembered it was still wrapped on my counter.
“Perfect fit,” he said, tucking his hands into the pockets.
I was speechless. I guess anything was possible. “You look so handsome, Michael… like always,” I smiled.
He then took a hold of my hand, and as soon as we stepped onto the ice, Christmas music began to play softly through the air.
“I didn’t get a chance to say thank you for my gift,” I said lifting my gloved finger. “I love it.”
“But, you did thank me,” he grinned.
“Huh?” I knew I didn’t bring up the ring until now.
“Remember… in your jeep after you left my parent’s house,” he noted. “For a moment, I thought you were going to leave it with them, but I’m glad they made you take it.”
“You were there?”
“Of course I was. I wanted to hold you and comfort you, and let you know that I was there. When you were sitting on my bed, I was sitting next to you. When you opened the box, I was kneeling in front of you, wishing I was there to place the ring on your finger. It killed me to watch you cry, and I couldn’t do a thing about it.”
He twisted on the ice to face me pulling me into his arms, caressing me.
“Elizabeth Hayes, you will always have my heart.” He leaned down and kissed me warmly. Tingles and heat shot through my body. He pulled back, and looked at me suspiciously. “There are a couple of people who really want to meet you,” he said softly.
“Where? Here?” I asked, craning my neck to see no one around.
“Yes, they’re actually over there.” He twirled me around and pointed. At the far end of the rink stood an older gentleman and lady, both smiling widely and waving at us. They weren’t there a few seconds ago.
I smiled and waved back. “Are they-?”
“My grandparents. They really, really wanted to meet you.”