Back to the Dream Page
Chapter 6
The days flew by as Juliet helped Lance prepare the funeral service for his parents. She stood by his side every step of the way, offering her support without being asked. And now that it was all over, he'd gone back home to rest. Juliet though, couldn't go back home. Not yet. There were too many questions going on in her mind and she needed to think, something she hadn't been able to do in a long time.
Juliet had made sure Lance was safe inside his home before she started to walk. She had no idea where she was walking. She just needed to clear her head.
What's happening to me? The past three weeks have been so weird. First the bus driver. Then Lance looking at me strangely Monday. Then his parents. It's as if I've been chosen for some huge thing. But chosen for what? It could be just plain, dumb luck. The bus driver incident could have been avoided easily. If only I'd trusted my instincts and not gotten on that bus. It would have been even more of a hassle to call the kids' parents and have them meet us there. They'd understand, wouldn't they? No, they wouldn't. They'd see a perfectly good bus with someone capable of driving them back to school. They wouldn't understand why I was scared.
And what about Monday? Just before I woke, I could swear someone was hovering above me. It was the same presence I felt when I lay in bed sometimes. As if someone was watching. But this time it was different. I could almost feel a hand reach down and touch me. It was a gentle touch, but it left me cold…
Juliet physically shook herself, ridding herself of the coldness that had seeped into her when the memories came back. But then there was Friday. The same coldness that I always felt from being watched came strongly there. If only I hadn't been in such a rush to find anyone, I would have paid more attention to what I was feeling.
And there it was again. So far, I've always felt… Known that something was going to happen. But how did Mrs. Bass know? Wasn't Lance scared when his parents talked the way they did? He seemed to take what they were talking about very seriously. And although I'm not certain how, I know they weren't just rambling on like lunatics. Something inside me heard those words and understood what they were getting at. And that image at the end of the bed? That wasn't made up. Not when my soul cringed at the sight and hurt so bad with his attacks. No, it's not luck. I'm linked to something, but what?
Once again, Juliet shuddered despite the warm afternoon sun. She closed her eyes and tilted her face up, letting the warm light wash across her face in hopes of calming herself down. Too late, something inside warned her to open her eyes and fight. A hand covered her mouth to keep her from screaming and her arms were pinned to her sides by the stranger's other arm. She felt a light breeze travel over her and then she was gone.
Lance woke up from yet another nightmare. He glanced at his clock and saw that it was still four-thirty in the afternoon. Groaning, he sat up, the horrible images still continued in his mind. There'd been hazy images of Juliet being in trouble but he brushed those aside for the time being. Images of how his parents were tortured in their sickness plagued him. He'd been so helpless this time. He cursed at his lack of training in the arts but it was too late now. His teachers, his parents were gone. But they'd given him a new assignment despite his short list of capabilities.
Take care of her! His father's words echoed in his mind and he groaned again. Who, father? Juliet? What in the world could the Nica want her for? And then he sighed to himself. Who wouldn't want her? She has such Energy. The very strength I thought about a couple of weeks ago is just what they need. And she's already shown how vulnerable she is when large amounts of Energy are loose. He thought back to the day of his parents' deaths and recalled how she had focused on the very being that had tormented his parents. She'd been furious, as if she'd known it was the fault of that being. But she was so new to it all… Lance remembered her soul wailing as forces outside itself beat it down. And I was unable to do anything about it.
Lance groaned again, this time in frustration against his own lack of consideration for her. He'd left her to deal on her own while he tried one last time to comfort his ailing parents. And for the past few days, she hadn't even questioned anything about that day. She'd stood by him, giving her all to help him get through this ordeal. He'd been too wrapped up in his own sorrow to even begin helping her sort through her own feelings. She'd certainly be lost after all she's been through. But she hasn't questioned. She put me ahead… If only there was a way I could show her how much I appreciate it all. If only I could help her…
And then there it was. A shriek heard in his soul and he sat up straight once again. Once it rang out though, it abruptly ended, as if silenced. He knew that scream, that crying out. He closed his eyes and sent his inner self searching for the source of that voice. Before he'd gotten very far though, he was forced back into his room. He opened his eyes and there on the wall in front of him, the scene played out. Juliet walking by herself, turning her face to look up toward the sun. The shadow figure came up behind her and held her tight as she tried to struggle. And the two vanished. The image in front of him vanished. "Where did you go?" Lance asked quietly, his voice gone ragged in anger. Vaguely, an image of the local high school came into view before it too disappeared.
Lance shook in anger. "I swear Nica, if you do anything to harm her…" He found nothing could quench his thirst for revenge. As he got up to get ready for the challenge they'd put in front of him, another thought entered his mind. It's a trap. It's you they want. He forced his doubts to be quiet, but they persisted. "So now what?" he cried out, staring up at the ceiling, pleading for his voice to be heard among his ancestors. "You told me to watch over her! How can I help her without being caught?"
No answer came for Lance. Instead, a feeling of patient waiting filled him, as if his ancestors were watching what he'd do next. Defeated, he got his keys and started down the stairs before starting the drive to the high school.