Chapter 2 - The Dream.

Paradise POV

My eyes...I attempted to open them and yet realization was dawning upon. I couldn't open my eyes.

Silence slowly settled around me as the fog circulating the empty town of silent hill. A presence known to the environment around me caused the hairs on my arms to stand and yet unknown to the eyes I was unable to open.

His presence. I could feel it was from a distance and yet I remained in the position I was forced to lay upon. My eyes remained closed as if it time was of the essence and my time was soon coming to an end.

I couldn't open them.

Panic started to rise within me as my blood ran cold. Yet, the beats within me still found a way to increase. Every muscle in my body attempted to work together to open my eyes but nothing happened.

"Open your eyes Paradise. Trust me and open your eyes." The man whose presence was a distance away was now in close range.

In command of his voice, my eyes opened.

My body obeyed his every command as if every force working against me was now working for me and with me. With a slight energy boost, I jerked upward with more awareness than before.

Green eyes stared at me with much concern and then quickly he turned and walked away.

I pushed myself off the bed of petals and followed behind him. I tried to keep up but his gracefulness was too much for my clumsiness.

I reached out to him, to slow him down.

But..

As if poison to my touch, he disappeared into black roses, blowing away in a rush.

When did he..? We..? Me..?

The realization hit the middle of my stomach as the peak of understanding started settling in a pit of blackness. When did I get outside and where did he go?

Just one touch and he turned into petals and blew away. What does this mean?

"Remember what I told you, child." Mr. Jackson reached out and tried to touch me.

I backed away.

"Your dreams." He smiled while nodding with understanding. I was far from being able to comprehend what was happening before me? Was I even to remember this when I was to awake?

"Do not ignore your dreams. Pay attention to them." He nodded, smiled, and then he disappeared.

How did Mr.Jackson get here? Confused. Am I still dreaming?

I started tugging on my hair.

"Girl they are just dreams." Angie tilted her head back and started laughing.

"Do not let them control you." She stated as she started shaking her head, We talked about this remember." Angie placed her hands on her hips and stared at me.

How did Angie get here? I was not understanding.

"Remember?" Angie reached for me with a concerned looked on her face and then she disappeared.

I backed away again, more confusion.

I stepped forward reaching for my friend. Angie? I tried to reach for her.

"What is your name my dear ?" I turned around to meet green eyes.

I froze. I stopped breathing

I forgot how to.

Emrick's here too? I couldn't move. The eyes of the man who has haunted me now held the face of a man I had just met.

Silence. Where was everyone?

What was that in the distance?

How did I get on this path and why was I wearing this white gown? There were so many questions I was begging to know but was unable to give myself. Dismissing my thoughts kept me sane in the product of insaneness.

Who was the little girl crying in the distance?

"I need my mommy." She cried.

"Can you help me find her?" A little girl reached out and grabbed onto my finger. Where did she come from?

I looked at my own hands "I need my mommy, can you help me find her?" She tilted her head waiting for an answer.

I reached for the little girl's hand and she disappeared.

Am I deadly? Was I now restricted to make human contact? Was just a touch enough to kill those who dared to seek me out?

The cries continued. The pleas for her mommy.

"I don't know where your mommy is." I was desperate to find her mother.

"Come out, I"ll help you find her." I grabbed my chest.

"Just tell me where you are." I followed her cries until I found her sitting under a tree.

"There you are, come here honey." I walked over to the little girl and stopped.

There was blood everywhere. Something was not right. I was stuck in place.

I tried to turn around but I couldn't move. "Look at me!" The voice of a demon replaced the voice of an angel.

Fear.

"You impeccable human !" The voice was not of human compassion but A dark soul.

"Look at me !" Standing in the place of what once was a little girl was some kind of demon. I was unable to understand.

It grabbed me by my throat and slung me against another tree. Pain succumbed to me in this deep voided dream.

"You must never find out." It lifted a sword and pierced my chest.

I must never find out.

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

"AHH !" I jumped up while holding my chest.

Surprisingly, Angie did not come into my room this time, causing me to linger a little longer before deciding to take a walk. I had always loved the forest and with a little free time since all my classes were canceled, I could do just that. In confirmation, I threw on a pair of yoga pants and a big t-shirt.

I brushed my hair in a bun, threw on my shoes, and headed for the door. I didn't bother to say bye, because I figured Angie was probably gone. As I turned around from shutting the door, there in all his glory stood, Emrick.

Dressing his face in such a delightful way was the same smirk he has greeted me with before. It was almost as if he could read my thoughts. Ha. Or was it my facial expressions giving away the satisfaction he needed.

"What are you doing here?" I asked. Confusion swept across my face as I stood on the stairs to my place.

He brushed his pants off and walked towards me,

"To see you my dear, Paradise. I thought Robert told you that you were going to see me again. Didn't think it would be this soon, huh ?"

He titled his head back and let out the most beautiful laugh ever heard by mankind. I couldn't help but stare in awe. Who was this man and why was he standing here before me in all his glory?

"Where are you headed off to?" Barely coming out of my daze I answered him. Of course, he asked if he could join me.

I said yes, who would I be to say no.

We walked in silence for some time, until I decided my legs could take no more.

I decided to rest under a tree for a little while. With no complaints, he laid beside me, so close to touching me, yet, so far away. I closed my eyes and listened to the beautiful sounds of nature. Allowing the birds to sing a lullaby so alluring that my eyes could do nothing but succumb to the peaceful heaviness placed over them.

***

"Hmm, It's so peaceful out here. No loud noises or nothing, just simple peace."

I opened one eye, just to see if Emrick was still there since he didn't reply. Only to meet two pairs of greenish-blue eyes inches away from mine.

"The peacefulness you get from the birds is the peacefulness I get from your voice."

I pushed myself up and looked at him. "I know we just met, but you're one beautiful creature." He grabbed my face and continued to stare at me.

It was almost like he was looking into the depths of my soul. "I'd like to kiss you now."

I swallowed, it was the only thing I could do. My breathing picked up and my temperature started to rise as his lips started to touch mine.

***

"Hey, Paradise." I opened my eyes and glanced at the man who was just about to kiss me standing up. I could not believe I had a dream about him while I was with him.

"It's getting late, we should get you home. Classes were canceled today, but I'm pretty sure you'll have some tomorrow."

I sat there for some time. I couldn't believe I just dreamed about him kissing me, a guy I barely knew. Such a rush for simple thoughts.

"If you want me to carry you, princess, I can." I looked up to see Emrick, smirking as if he knew everything.

Being to close to him would probably lead to me attacking him, so I think I'd keep my distance. Don't want CRAZY COLLEGE STUDENT ATTACKS GLORIOUS GOD FOR A KISS on all the papers.

"Hey, can I have your number? I really like you and I think you're very beautiful. You never know we may become good friends." He looked at me and waited for a response.

I swallowed. That's all I could do. I have been doing a lot of dreaming lately so, who's to say I'm not dreaming right now.

"No, you're not dreaming." I looked up with wide eyes.

"Did I just say that out loud?" My face started to heat up.

He laughed, "Yes, you did, but it's cute." My chocolate skin burned red this time.

I gave him my number and walked into the house.

"Angie, I'm home." I walked upstairs to her room and saw a note on her door.

Late night classes, sorry love, don't wait up. Hmm since when did Angie take night classes.

She was always the one who wanted her nights free for roaming, so to speak.

A message popped up on my phone bringing me out of my thoughts.

Have lunch with me tomorrow? We could get to know each other. - E

I instantly responded. I couldn't let an opportunity like this pass me by.

My last class ends at 7:00, so dinner at 8:00 would be great.

I watched my phone send and instantly I received a reply.

Great, I'll be there at 8:00. You don't have to dress up fancy, I'll save that one for later. Goodnight beautiful.

I smiled. Tomorrow should be a very interesting day.

I replied back to Emrick and got myself ready for bed.

Haha. Funny. Goodnight.