We managed to put several miles of traveling time in that day before calling it quits and stopping at another motel. Using some of the money he’d given me, he got a room for us for two nights so I knew he meant business about me catching up on sleep.
As soon as we walked into the room, I claimed the bathroom and got ready for bed not caring about the time of day. Luke didn’t comment when I crawled under the covers other than to assure me he would be there keeping an eye on me. Not really what I needed, but I’d take it.
Pain radiated from my legs. My muscles spasmed. Chained to a wall, I couldn’t move much to relieve any of the aches. Tears streamed down my face. A tongue licked them away and a low rumble of laughter followed.
I blinked my eyes. Faint shadows danced around me.
“She’s nearly useless,” a man commented quietly from very close by. The soft sound echoed off the walls.
Damp cool air had me shivering occasionally.
A hand stroked my face.
“Nearly, but not completely,” another stated from further away. “Do not touch her. Let her walk once an hour. Whatever ill befalls her, befalls you.”
The sound of fading footsteps let me know I was alone with the man who’d touched me. I caught sight of a shadow moving. It was the outline of a person. I turned toward it, trying to focus.
“Stop moving your eyes like you can see. Close them if you want to keep them,” he warned with a growl. I closed my eyes while still turned toward the shadow. I knew the threat wasn’t idle. However, closing my eyes didn’t change what I saw. Even with the lids closed, I watched the shadow approach.
The feeling of a hand on my nonexistent breast distracted me. “You’ve never lived long enough to Claim,” the man whispered.
My stomach flipped in an unpleasant way, and I started to sweat.
His fingers pinched my tender skin, and new tears fell. “This is going to be pleasant.”
I sobbed knowing what he intended.
The dream lifted slightly as I was jostled to the side.
“Enough of that,” Luke whispered before settling beside me and kissing my forehead.
I wanted to open my eyes, but another dream pulled me under.
The funeral pyre lit the night sky. My friend’s mother stood beside me sobbing.
My dream-self looked around at the somber faces of neighbors and family, illuminated by the flickering flames, while my real self grew angry as one woman’s face stood out.
Why would this dream repeat?
The Taupe Lady looked at my friend’s mother with compassion as she made her way around the circle of people. A chord of familiarity struck my dream-self.
I wanted to yell at her from across the fire. I willed myself to move but stayed locked in place by my dream-self.
Luke shifted next to me. His movement pulled me from the dream a bit, but not enough that I opened my eyes. I felt him move away for a moment as the dream continued to play out. Then he pulled me back to his side. As soon as my head rested on his warm bare shoulder, the dream faded; and I sank into real sleep.
The pressing need to use the bathroom woke me. Warm and relaxed, I didn’t immediately move. I wished the urge would go away because I hadn’t slept so well in longer than I could remember.
Snuggling in, I realized why. My head lay cushioned on Luke’s chest. Bare chest. My left arm lay slung over his waist. Yep, that was bare too. And my leg...I cringed not wanting to think about it. Wait. If I was draped all over him, it meant his neck was only inches away. My insides somersaulted. I opened my eyes and darted forward.
His palm blocked me, slightly mashing my nose, and I groaned in frustration.
“Fine,” I grumbled before scooting off the bed and closing myself in the bathroom. His laughter drifted through the door.
After taking care of business and washing up, I stared at the mirror and tried to see myself through his eyes. I looked a little less waifish but not very healthy. I’d lost a bunch of weight and still had circles under my eyes. Definitely not attractive. I splashed water on my face, trying to wash away my insecurities.
He wanted to stay here for two days. I felt as if I’d slept a long time, but I doubted I’d used all of the time he’d dedicated for me to get the rest he felt I needed. I had time to try to wear him down and convince him of my affection. I dried my face, and I gave my reflection a stern get-to-it look.
Opening the bathroom door, I found the bed made and Luke sitting in the room’s one chair.
“Get dressed. We’ll grab something to eat and walk around a bit if you’re up for it.”