Chapter 12
Oregon was often rainy, but today I experienced my first severe thunderstorm here. Let me tell you, since we were on the coast, it was severe. Bring it on though! Storms were relaxing and made everything cozy because you just wanted to stay inside. It made traveling a bitch, but thankfully, it struck just after I got to work.
Another bonus to the storm: it was making for an easy shift so far. Not many people wanted to be out in this mess. Aside from three people sitting up at the bar, the whole place was empty. Mindlessly playing with my necklace, I wandered through the empty dining room over to some of windows next to the booths. Under the dark gray sky, the violent wind and rain swirled the tops of trees.
Zack was with me today, so it wasn't boring at least. Looking over the hazy parking lot outside, he came up next to me. "I'll give you twenty bucks to run outside and roll around."
I snorted. "20 bucks? I'm a classy escort, not a filthy street hoe. I would need like 40."
"25 is the highest I would go."
"Then I guess I am staying inside," I smiled.
I took bets and dares seriously. I didn't consider myself to be obnoxious, but I loved being goofy and having fun. So I'll happily embarrass myself or wow the crowd, but either way, you better make it worth it for me. The people here were slowly learning that about me. Last week, I earned 10 bucks for drinking a full cup of disgusting mushroom juice. Yes, I was very classy and cool.
The patter of the downpour added to the quiet music playing through the speakers. Other than that, there was nothing but soft chatter when we walked back up to the bar. By now, I knew a few of the regulars. Some were pigs, some weren't, but thankfully Bryce wasn't.
We've already had a few nice conversations since I've started working here. He was maybe a few years older than me and was Zack's friend. He was apparently quite the host of some epic parties too. He was telling us about one he was planning on having next week.
"I already warned the neighbors – and made sure to invite them so they won't call in any noise complaints this time. I figure if you bring pizza, I'll provide the beer," he said to Zack from where he was sitting at the bar. "I just bought a new stereo too. You have that night off, right?"
"Yeah, I made sure of it," Zack said before looking over to me. "What about you?"
"What about me?"
"You have next Saturday night off, right? You're welcome to come if you want. I know you mentioned you liked to party."
"I don't know..." I chuckled, looking between them. "I won't really know anyone there."
"You'll know us. You'll know plenty of people by the time you leave too."
"My girlfriend makes the best queso dip," Bryce added, sipping his beer.
That's really all it took to convince me – not the queso dip (though that sounds great) but their willingness to invite me. I was ready to let loose after my rocky start here. Plus, meeting new people sounded exciting! Moving here was my chance to be the person I always wanted to be and that meant putting myself first. And yes, putting myself first meant downing some shots, maybe throwing up, and not worrying about anyone else. Sounds like the life to me!
"Well awesome," I said with excitement. "Sure then, that sounds fun!"
Bryce nodded. "It will be good way for you to get to know people too since you just moved here."
It was uplifting to have something to look forward to for once. That is... until what happened not an hour later.
With no orders to take, I stayed behind the bar with Zack. We chattered while he served a few more drinks. Our boss Vince even came out from his office and showed his face a few times before going back to do his paperwork. Yes, the storm killed business that much tonight. Not like I minded. I bust my ass every shift so having a break was nice.
Bryce was in the middle of a story when the front door opened behind him on the other side of the dining room. From a quick glance, I saw the gentleman was alone. I figured he was here to drink at the bar like the other few customers, but he sat down in one of the booths away from everyone along the right wall instead.
I made a graceful escape from the conversation, rounded the bar, and grabbed a menu.
Walking towards him, I looked down and pulled out the pad and paper from the apron on my waist. Two booths away from reaching him, I glanced up... and my chest fluttered.
He was sitting and facing the direction I was coming from. His eyes found mine from where he rested against the seat. All I could think was that he looked familiar. Did I know him? Where have I seen him? No, I was positive I haven't seen him before. I would have remembered someone this attractive. I kept a blank face, but the whole time... it didn't stop bothering me. Why was this guy so familiar? I must have just seen him in here before.
He wore a black vest and had white sleeves from the dress shirt he wore under it. From that and his frame, I could tell he was rather lean. He had brown hair, short at the sides and longer on top. It matched his sculpted facial hair that was peppered along his cheeks and more dominant around his chin. He was in his 30s if I had to guess. Shadowed by his long eyelashes, the man had deep brown eyes. Round eyes – very round and lively eyes that made him look more youthful. None of it helped me realize who this was though yet.
"Welcome to Sullivan's," I smiled, placing the menu down. "My name is Josephine and I'll be taking care of you. Can I start you off with something to drink?" Before he could answer, I noticed the hanging light above his table dimmed. It didn't flicker. It just slowly dimmed. Huh. Weird. It was also the only light that did that when I glanced behind me to the rest of the dining room. "Hmm. Must be the storm," I scoffed, nodding to the light.
With a half-smile, the man's enticing eyes reached mine. "Must be. I'll have a gin and tonic. Tanqueray if you have it."
I tucked my pad and pen away. "Yeah, we have that. May I see your ID first?"
His relaxed smile stayed on his lips. He pulled out his wallet and handed me his ID. When I took his license, my gaze caught his name. Famine Lewis. Huh. Famine.... That word – that word being used as a strange first name – was definitely familiar to me too. But why? Maybe I just heard it recently somewhere? I didn't know, but it stuck out to me. I couldn't help but just stare at the name for a long moment.
"Everything alright?" he asked lightly with a smile.
"Oh uh, yes, I'm sorry," I blushed, handing it back to him. "Your name is just interesting."
He chuckled. "Not many people are named after such a terrible word."
"The word might mean something terrible, but that doesn't mean it's a terrible name. I like it actually. It's just different." Different and so familiar. "I will be right back with your drink."
After I rounded the bar, I walked up to where Zack was chatting with Bryce. "I'll need a Tanqueray and tonic."
"You got it," he said, grabbing a glass and turning to the shelf of liquor.
Watching him pour it, I leaned in close to him. "Hey, have you seen that guy before? That one in the booth?" I whispered.
He nonchalantly glanced over to his shoulder. "I don't think so."
"I feel like I've met him before or something."
"That's weird," he said, handing me the glass with a lime. "It's a small town, so you could have ran into him before."
I almost wanted to laugh. Imagine if he was also stalking me (if he was, at least he was being discrete). Or maybe him being one the most attractive men I've ever seen was just making me imagine things. Still, nothing could really explain why so many details were pulling at my attention. Like not just his name, but also the boots he was wearing.
When I neared the booth with his drink, I noticed his medieval-style knee-high boots shadowed under the table. They laced up to the top and were made of a gray faded leather. I would have recalled seeing such uncommon footwear, but... it was still ringing a familiar bell in my head.
"Here you are," I said, setting his drink down. "Is there anything else I can get for you?"
"I'm alright for now."
"Just let me know if you need anything at all," I smiled, turning to leave.
"Of course," he said, taking a dip of his drink. "Thanks doll."
I froze just as I began to walk away. My breath caught and my eyes grew. Doll. He called me doll.
The word combusted in my head. His alluring appearance, his name, those boots, and now that pet-name: doll. I've heard it before. I've heard that nickname leave his haunting voice before. The dots disturbingly snapped together and connected. I knew why he was familiar – and it was fucking weird and out of this world.
Standing there, I slowly turned back and faced him. "You called me doll," I whispered.
Did he know he was the star of my nightmares? Did he seek me out? Or was this some clueless random guy that I was having visions or premonitions of? I should have known better by now though. Like Peter said (and later denied): coincidences don't exist. Because when my eyes caught his... it was obvious. He was already looking up to me with attentive and playful eyes. This man knew exactly why I was shocked.
Then, his lips curved into a satisfactory smile. "I was curious what it was going to take for it to click." After taking another smooth sip, he spoke again. This time, his voice was lower... and it held that haunting tone I've only ever heard in my dreams. "I told you I would find you, Josephine."
I instinctively backed up until I knocked into a table diagonal to him. This had to be another dream, another vivid. But it was as clear as day, clearer than any of those dreams. The horror sure felt the same, the confusion, but it was worse. This wasn't a realistic dream. This was fucking real reality! My heart was pounding. An uneasy ball was rolling around in my chest. His eyes weren't just deep anymore, but now just dangerous thanks to having some context. Dazed, flustered, scared out of my mind, I spun and quickly walked away back towards the bar.
How?! How?! Oh my god, what if he was just like Freddy Krueger, just better looking?! My heart-rate was thrown into panic mode. Dear fucking lord, how was this possible? He didn't seem as scary as he did in my dreams. Shadows didn't surround him. But those last words... laced with seriousness and intent... revealed his true self. I felt like prey and followed my gut-instinct to get the fuck out of there.
By the time my fast stride retreated down the hall and out of sight, I couldn't contain my panic. I just snagged my purse, bolted past the back office, and flung the back door open. A wall of rain and windy rushed me, but I didn't stop or pause. I ran out into the slushy gravel side lot for employees.
Under the black stormy sky, violent gusts of wind threw my hair into the pelting rain. My car parked between four other ones seemed so far away, but I ran as fast as I could, getting fully drenched. I dug out my keys, unlocked it, ran until I reached my car. I gripped the handle and—
"Ahhhh!" I shrieked into the loud rain and howling wind.
I felt his grip! No, no, no, no! He grabbed my shoulders, shoved my back against the neighboring truck, and pinned me there. I screamed again – but it was cut off by his effortless hand. I struggled and fought without any success. I resisted, pushed, tried using the truck as leverage. He was only an inch or two taller than me, but it didn't take away from his strength when he pressed against me and better held me in place with his weight. His steal hands and body killed my effort. Oh god no! This couldn't be happening! What did he fucking want?!
Breathing hard against his hand, I took him in through the sharp rain. His large brown eyes were no longer innocent. They were seductive, dangerous, and sinister. "Calm down. I wish you wouldn't jump to such dire conclusions." His thumb stroked my wet cheek from where he cupped my mouth. "What? You've never met someone from your dreams?" he asked with a humorous hint in his husky voice.
I closed my eyes for a long moment. The situation was impossible, it was scary, and he himself was scary. He gave off such a strong vibe. It wasn't good or bad (or at least I couldn't tell), but it was a downright dangerous and intimidating vibe. It was almost like he was aware of it too.
"Don't be afraid." Despite my hard breathing and the loud storm, he was close enough to hear every curve of his velvet words. "Listen to me closely. Like I've said before, I'm the solution. I'm the answer. I'm here to help you, and if I was going to hurt you, I would have by now. So I'm going to remove my hand and ask that you do not scream. Okay?"
I didn't know if he was lying, but I didn't have much of a choice. Sighing, I rested the back of my soaked head against the glass passenger truck window. Nobody was around, and even if they were, the storm would drown out any cry for help. Cooperation was the only route. After calming my lungs, I gave a short nod.
He dropped his hand from my mouth to my shoulder, but he still kept me pinned with his body. Though there weren't any mysterious shadows that swarmed him, he was just as intimating. There was something about the soaked contact, his hands, his face that was two inches from mine. Rain slid through his facial hair and his smooth lips. Being so close to such an overwhelming presence... it suffocated my senses with anxiety.
"What do you want from me?" I shuddered.
"I'm here because you are a bright star in a void and black sky. It's as I've said before... you've caused a conundrum for me."
"That's right. I forgot about all your annoying non-answers," I breathed, trying to ignore my fear. "How are you real? Am... Am I going crazy?" I asked, voice breaking. It was a fair question; this topped everything! I was literally staring into the eyes of my reoccurring nightmare!
"No, doll. This is real. Every dream you've had of me was a visit and real conversation. You're not crazy. You have been unfairly played, but not by me," he said, leaning even closer, his face inches away. "Your mind has been toyed with, so let me spare you this at least: you were dragged down in the ocean, you did break your leg, and you cannot trust the two leaches that were around for each of those incidences."
How did he know those things? I had no idea, but I had a feeling of who he was referring to. "Two leaches?" I asked, blinking from the pelting rain.
"Peter and Jamie Ellison."
"So you know them?"
"Unfortunately," he laughed, finally loosening his grip on me and stepping back. "They are manipulative monsters and I suggest you stay away from them."
"I-I can do that. Already gladly am staying away from them. How about I stay away from all fucking three of you?"
"You don't wish for answers?"
"No, no, I-I don't care anymore, I just want to be okay, live my life, and go home. I don't want anything, any trouble," I said, forcing myself to hold it together, eyeing where he stood in front of my car door. "Will you please let me leave?"
I was surprised his eyes flashed with sympathy. "I'm not holding you prisoner. I apologize for scaring you. I might be able to enter dreams, but I'm not a monster," he said, shifting aside to open my driver's side door for me. As if he was a fucking gentleman. "I showed you last night where you can go if you change your mind."
"What are you talking about?"
"The parking lot in the city, the abandoned building from your dream. Find it if you change your mind about wanting answers. After you calm down – and once you realize I don't mean you any harm – I think it would interest you to know what's been going on. Like why Jamie Ellison nearly beat someone to death before running home sobbing like a baby the other night."
My fear was keeping me alert. But those words... what he revealed caught my attention for sure. My eyes widened. He knew about my dream of the parking lot. He caused that dream. More disturbing was what he said about Jamie. None of that mattered right now though. I couldn't think about anything aside my safety. I wanted to be safe, I wanted out of here, I wanted away from him.
Blinking through the pelting rain, I watched him skeptically. He simply stood there, holding open my car door. Was this a trap? Was he really going to let me leave and go home? I didn't trust him. I was scared out of my mind. After a few cautious steps forward, after then sitting down in my car... I didn't hesitate. I slammed the door, started the car, reversed it, then fucking floored it out of muddy gravel side lot.
Hands tight on the wheel, my soaked body heaved from my panicked heart. It was hard seeing through the storm and my teary vision didn't help. My fear made it difficult, but after I was far enough away, I forced myself not to speed recklessly. Thankfully, my trusty Subaru wipers helped guide me too (if I give enough shout-outs about my car, maybe Subaru will pay me as an unofficial sponsor. A girl can hope).
Being farther away from him didn't make me feel better. How could it? He could enter my dreams, so did that mean he was he always in my head? Did that mean I was never safe from him? Did he know where I lived?! I was scared out of my mind and wasn't sure what to do. Fuck getting answers. Fuck everything! Answers didn't matter! Stalking me, the unexplained things, that was one thing. This was a Nightmare on Fucking Elm Street (which was now officially ruined if I ever watch it again). Should I just pack up and move back to Illinois? I was seriously considering it at this point!
Liz left a note that she was visiting David next door when I got home. Thank god too because I wasn't sure how I would have explained my panicked state. I ran inside, closed all curtains, locked all the doors, went to my room, and sat on a towel on the floor. Tangled wet locks hung around my vision while I took deep breaths. I was so freaked out and disturbed and felt just mentally violated! Like he invaded my life! Was anything safe? Were my thoughts safe? I just... had to calm down and process everything. Or at least try. I could not wrap my head around it being possible.
I jolted in surprise when my phone next to me rang. It was Zack. Guess that was understandable. I only just fucking ran out of work without explanation. Making sure my voice and breath was composed and controlled, I answered. "Hey, I'm sorry I just ran out like that. I... I got a really upsetting message and needed to get home right away," I said instantly.
"Oh. Is everything okay?"
My mind scrambled for an excuse. "Yeah, my house flooded from the storm. Everything is soaked on the first floor, there are a few inches of water, but we're saving what stuff we can."
"Damn, that's not good. Yeah, I would be freaking out too. Just make sure you tell someone before you leave. I know it was an emergency, but Vince was not happy you just up and left like that."
"Right, I will, I'm really sorry. That wasn't cool of me, so I'll understand if Vince wants to write me up. I just wasn't thinking and was freaking out."
After I got off the phone, I let out a deep sigh and got lost again in my thoughts. I couldn't help but glance to the corner of my room every few seconds. The corner he always appeared in at the beginning of my dreams. Ugh, if he would just fucking tell me what he wanted! He offered answers, as if I cared at this point, but he didn't tell me what he wanted from me. Maybe he would pop into my dreams tonight? Or was what I said enough for him to leave me alone?
Unfortunately, it wasn't.
Tonight, I decided to sleep on the couch. Liz was home and in bed by now, so I had the living room to myself. I just did not want to be around or even think about the corner in my room. I didn't even want to be in the same space where my dreams with him always took place. I wanted to forget everything, every reminder of earlier. I even took some sleeping pills. However, that only sped up the process instead of eliminating it.
Because once I fell asleep on the couch... I had that dream. Yes, the same dream with him in it. I was back in my dark room, laying under the covers in my bed. Sitting up, I focused on the corner of my room across from the bed. I focused on the man that now defined that corner. Hey, all I can say is my ass tried to avoid dreaming tonight. Ugh, I should have just pulled an all-nighter.
The light from the window to my right illuminated the wood floor and parts of the walls – but not that corner. The figure standing in that corner was even darker. Like before, I was aware I was dreaming. And like before, he appeared as a looming man veiled in shadows. They swam gently around his features.
He stepped closer to the bed. That hallow and heavy sound of boots echoed against the floor. Though I couldn't see him or his fancy-schmancy boots, I knew they were the same laced ones I saw today in person. Then, the black mist faded temporarily, revealing his deep round eyes and some scruff around his face before the shadows thickened again. Those features he allowed to be visible for only a few seconds... were the same as at the restaurant. It really truly was him. God, this was just insane.
"If this is my dream, why can't I force you out of it?" I asked, kneeling against my sheets.
"It's your dream, but I hold a few of the reins..." he said with a slow and slick voice. "I have the ability to change the surroundings in your dreams. Your room was vividly in your subconscious and a fresh memory on the day I first visited you. It made it easy for me to bring to the surface. It provided me with a few tells of how to find you too."
That just added another creepy level to all of this. The fact that he was able to just... dig in my mind somehow like that. It reminded me of my past dreams with him – of how he would look around, look at my things in my room, and at the window. As if any of that made sense to begin with.
"So I can't just end these dreams on my own?"
"You'd have to shake my influence."
"Mind telling me how to do that?"
"A lot of focus. An unexpected jarring shift of your emotions could wake you up too."
My fear was prominent, but so was my growing curiosity. He literally had a hold of my headspace right now. Like... how was that possible? How did any of this work? I didn't take my eyes of the dark figure at the end of my bed. I cautiously reached over from where I was kneeling... and flicked on my bedside lamp.
Since he was apparently in control, I almost didn't think it would work. But my bed, that dark corner, the whole room became visible in the soft light. The shadows lingered like a misting veil around him, but after a second... he made them dissolve. Now, despite his heavy presence, I was now looking at the man I encountered at work.
Famine. That was his name – the one on his license and the one he shared with me in the last dream. His brown hair was styled at the top, cut neatly at the sides and was as tidy as his prickly facial hair. His powerful, deep, and round enticing eyes... were the same. He was still in his black vest, white undershirt, and those flat high-laced boots hugging his black skinny jeans. He looked the same as he did at Sullivan's. Well, except for his height.
"Your shorter in real life," I said, noting his tall looming frame.
"No, I'm not."
"Um... yes, you are." When he pinned me against the truck, he was my height and eye-level. But whatever. Seeing that potential insecurity from someone so intimidating honestly helped me relax a little. Helped remind me too that this was a dream even if he was presently here in it. "Anyway... how are you able to do this?" I asked.
"I thought you didn't want answers."
"Well, since you're fucking here against my will, I might as well ask how."
He folded his arms behind him. "I have many... extraordinary abilities, doll."
"Are you referring to the dream-invading or the ability to creep me out?"
Despite my sass, he could see I was just trying to hide my unease. "I understand this is highly strange and unnerving to you. I'm not a threat to you though. I'm not trying to invade your life," he said in a coaxing tone. "I'm also not the one that tried killing you twice."
"Who tried killing me twice? You mean when I was dragged under water?"
"Yes. Your car accident was no accident either." Then, he slowly walked to the side of the bed. Gripping the covers around me, I measured each step with my eyes. I felt in my gut that I was his prey... yet I didn't feel in danger. He rested his hands against my bed, leaned closer, and peered into my eyes with worry. "Josephine, I can protect you. You're being targeted because your powerful, but there's plenty I still don't know. I need your help to figure it all out and you need my help to stay safe." He raised his hand between us and offered it to me. "I can show you if you take my hand."
Despite his persuasive beautiful eyes, I shook my head. "So you can lure me into your white van? No, I don't trust you."
"You've really tried my patience," he sighed, straightening up. "You don't have to trust me right now. Just don't trust your new friends. There is a reason I offer answers and they won't – and it's because it's not going to paint them in a wonderous light."
This whole vivid dream... he was revealing so much. Revealing things I didn't know how to comprehend. I didn't understand much of what he mentioned or how it was all possible. Despite being totally lost, despite being scared, despite not knowing what his words meant... those last words stuck with me. He was offering answers while Peter and Jamie refused to. And that did mean something to me.
When I said nothing else, he continued. "You'll realize I'm right, but I hope it's soon for your sake. Until then... be careful out there, doll."
Then, our conversation faded to nothing. I wished I could have stayed sleeping. Anything to have a break from this world-changing headache. Instead, I woke up – which was just as scary. Because that dream, that conversation... it truly happened. Being scared and confused didn't change that my dream was real.
It was 1:00 in the morning when I woke. I didn't go back to sleep and didn't even try. I just sat on the couch, stared at the wall, and pondered everything. How could someone enter dreams? Was he some type of witch or psychic? His eccentric clothing placed him more as a dark magician in my mind, but that sounded equally ridiculous. And what else could he do? I never thought anyone could have those kind of supernatural or mental abilities.
The man's words were just as jarring as the man himself. I didn't want to take stock in his claims, but how could I not? According to him, someone was trying to kill me. Though seemingly impossible, it did feel like someone tried to drown me. I never viewed my car crash as something planned with deadly intent, but it wasn't too far-fetched either. That woman in the road did cause me to swerve and crash. Was she behind this whole thing? Or was Peter and Jamie?
There was evidence behind someone coming after me... but the reasoning was too out-there. Dream-creep Famine claimed I was targeted because I was 'powerful.' Talk about a little dramatic, don't you think? What did that even mean? It sounded like a spoonful of bullshit to me. Maybe he was just baiting me in so I could trust him. Trust him... and take his hand.
It was a strange connection. Famine offered me his hand in every one of my past dreams with him. Both Jamie and Peter weirdly grabbed my hand in the past too – without good reason. During dinner, Jamie barged in and desperately grabbed his brother's hand. The dots connected, but didn't make a picture.
The more I thought about the details, the more confused I was. During my first dream with Famine... he even seemed confused. Not by the dream, but he seemed confused by me. He said we should know each other, but we don't. He even asked if I recognized him. Why? What would any of that have to do with protecting me or someone coming after me?
Clearly, there was more going on beyond what he was sharing with me. Even what he shared wasn't a lot. Sure, he explained the bare bones of a few things (if what he said was even true). But for someone claiming to offer answers, all he did was cause more questions. It was suspicious. I had to wonder if that was his intent: to cause more questions and make me even more curious. It worked unfortunately, but I needed to be smart. I didn't trust him and that was the bottom line.
I sat on the couch, laid on the couch, and had a forbidden brown-sugar pop-tart on the couch. All the while, lost in thought. That was abundantly clear by the time Liz came downstairs in the morning. Sitting with a blanket over my lap, I didn't realize she was half-way down the stairs until she spoke.
"Jos, did you sleep out here last night?"
I slapped the pop-tart wrapper off the coffee table and shoved the evidence under the blanket. "Oh, um, yeah actually, I had a hard time sleeping," I said.
Reaching the bottom, she yawned and walked past me to the kitchen. Her blonde hair was disheveled, face overly plain without her make-up. Her natural skin didn't see the light of day for long though. Just long enough for her to make coffee, open the curtains and blinds, and go back upstairs to get ready.
The front bay window lit the house with an early blue glow. It was peaceful, just like the soft rain. I tried to focus on that. Everything was okay, everything was going to be okay. I had to keep telling myself that. Not 'holy fuck, I should move home, be a good noodle –and should be around other good noodles instead of freaks that stalk me, talk to me in my dreams, and try to kill me.' Yeah, not that. Everything was fucking fine and peachy.
A knock sounded against the sliding glass door. Sighing, I got up and entered the kitchen to let David inside. Thanks to his umbrella, his short hair and pressed suit didn't suffer from the rain.
"Jesus, is your sister still not ready? I swear this is the third time this week I got here before her ass was down here. Thank god you were up to let me in. I told her not to buy that new pallet because now she is obsessed with making her eyes and the colors symmetrically perfect and it tacks 30 more minutes to do." Sighing, he shucked off his shoes. "At least she's got coffee ready."
I offered a smile and turned back to the living room. How do I act normal? Hell, what am I even going to do today? Truly, I was tempted to pack up and leave town. Even if I don't move home, what if I just go on a trip somewhere? How was I supposed to work and go about life? There was no way I was going to that party now either.
"What's up with you?" David asked.
Was it that obvious? I turned back to him. "What do you mean?"
Folding his arms, he came up and critically analyzed my face. "Not even them thick sexy brows can hide how exhausted you look. They don't hide those embarrassing bags under your eyes. Boy trouble?"
"No, I just didn't sleep well at all last night."
When Liz reentered, David was quick to say, "Your little sis was up all night over some boy."
"Really?" She gave me a suggestive look. "I think he means you were up all night because of some man."
Ugh, of course she had to reference Peter. Ever since he came into the pizzeria and asked me over for dinner, Liz couldn't get over it. Ugh, I didn't want to think about him. Would rather focus on how shitty and embarrassing my eyes looked. I'd focus on anything else... but I couldn't. Did Peter know about the dreams I've been having? Famine said he knew the Ellison's. What if someone truly is trying to kill me? Was I even safe to take a fucking nap at this point? A nap sounded wonderful.
She could see I was clearly not in the mood. "Here. Sit down and try these new muffins I bought," she said more seriously, nodding to the tray on the table.
"No thanks, I'm good, really," I smiled, waving my hand. "Wait, are they banana?"
"Blueberry."
"Then no thanks, I'm good." Loved banana, but hated blueberry.
I tried keeping a happy-front, but I guess I couldn't hide it from my face. Before they left for work, Liz pulled me aside to make sure I was okay. It was nice, seeing she cared, but she couldn't help me. All I could do was wear a smiling front and reassure her I was fine and just tired.
That last part was no lie. My body and mind were drained and exhausted. Not only did I sleep like shit, but I just couldn't stop the spiraling thoughts. My overworking head finally gave in to my tired body. Just before noon, I headed up to my bedroom. It's not like I could avoid my own room forever. Then, ten minutes later, I passed out for a good remainder of the day. Thankfully, I didn't have any more intrusive dreams either.