The Heir

Take a Month

Sophie

"Can I trust you?" I asked Noah. Tears filled my eyes and I fought to keep them at bay. I didn't want to cry in front of the man I had a huge crush on.

"Absolutely." Noah answered. He sat down on the bed next to me, taking my hand in his. I looked up and our eyes met. My heart skipped a beat as butterflies filled my stomach. This man was so handsome.

"I walked into the room and the orb caught my attention. I don't know why, but I couldn't look away." I began. Noah leaned in, soaking up my every word. "It was like I heard you talking, but I couldn't understand a single word you said. I couldn't bring myself to break the hold the orb had on me. It begged me to touch it. So I did." I smiled weakly at my joke, trying to lighten the mood.

"I noticed that." Noah chuckled.

"I was blinded by a bright white light. It surrounded me. I couldn't see anything. But then I heard a voice. It sounded like Dale, but I couldn't understand what he was mumbling. It was like an incantation of some sort, a chant. I'm really not sure. Then I saw a figure of a woman. She was completely black against the light, so I couldn't see features or anything. I heard Dale talk again, he was yelling at me to run. He kept telling me that she is coming for me. Then, I woke up." I looked up at Noah, ready to accept the fact that he would think I'm crazy. He sat in silence for a moment, before speaking.

"I'm not sure what happened exactly. I saw you walk up to the orb, I saw it shock you, and I saw the light when we touched and I pulled you away. It had to have just been an electrical short. You had the dream while you were being shocked. I'm glad you're okay."

"Sorry to interrupt, but visiting hours are over. I'm going to have to ask you to leave." The nurse looked sorrowfully at Noah.

"Oh…"

"Eight AM." She quickly said.

"What?" Noah co.cked his head, giving her an odd look.

"You can come back at eight tomorrow morning." She smiled before turning on her heels, exiting the doorway.

"Okay, I guess I'll be back for you tomorrow morning." Noah got up off the bed, gathering his things.

"You don't have to." The corners of my mouth downturned at my words. I wanted him to come back tomorrow. I enjoyed his company, and wanted more of him.

"You'll need a ride back home." He smiled at me.

"Oh…yeah." I fiddled with my fingers in my lap.

"Sophie, I'm so glad you're okay." Noah leaned down, kissing my forehead gently. My stomach exploded in nerves, but my face beamed with excitement. I couldn't contain the grin that stretched across my face. My heart fluttered and I knew I wanted more of this man.

"See you tomorrow." I said as I watched him leave the room. My eyes locked onto his gorgeous butt. He stopped at the doorway and smiled at me.

"I'll see you tomorrow."

I tossed and turned all night. I couldn't seem to get comfortable. Hospital beds were the absolute worst. I tried watching TV to tire myself out, but it was of no use. I couldn't get the dream out of my head. I couldn't shake the omnibus feeling of Dale's warning. But who was coming for me, and why?

Noah showed up at eight on the dot. He brought me breakfast from his favorite restaurant, assuring me that it was loads better than hospital food. The doctor did more tests, finally releasing me around noon. Noah took me straight home and stayed until late that night. He made me a delicious dinner. After dinner we put on a movie and ate popcorn, until he finally slipped out. I returned to work Tuesday morning. I found it hard to focus on my classes though. Every time I closed my eyes I saw the womanly figure and heard Dale's voice. I hadn't been back to the house since that night. I had plans of returning Saturday morning. I was going to get rid of the rest of the junk in the house, including the orb. My dreams were haunted ever since I touched that orb. I couldn't close my eyes without seeing the figure, hearing Dale's voice. Getting rid of the orb could help me to take back my dreams.

"How are you feeling?" Mrs. Munley sat down in the chair across from my desk.

"Fine." I sighed, packing my things up into my large leather bag.

"How are you, really?" She prodded. I looked up at her, concern written all over her face.

"I don't mean this the wrong way, but you look awful, honey. You've bags under your eyes and your hair isn't as neatly done as usual. Are you really okay?"

"I'm fine. It's just been a long week."

"Understandable. Not too many people would get electrocuted then show up at work the next day." She smiled.

"It wasn't the next day. I had Monday off." I countered, smiling as Mrs. Munley frowned.

"You know what I meant." She said sternly, scolding me.

"Ina, I'm fine. Really." I sighed as I stood up. The last of my things packed away in my bag.

"Look Sophie." She stood up, blocking me from leaving my office. "You've been through a lot lately. First Dale, now this. You are an excellent professor. The students have said nothing but positive things about you. There's only a month left until the end of the semester. Why don't you take it off?"

"I can't do that, Ina." My body sunk, my shoulders hunched over in defeat. I was losing my job. They would get a replacement and I was going to go back to my aid position again.

"Yes, you can. Take a month, give yourself a break. You deserve it. I know how much of a toll Dale's death took on you, and you jumped right into his role without hesitation. It's not easy running a class, I know you haven't had time to think, let alone process everything that's happened. Take the month, please."

"Ina…I…"

"Sophie, it's non negotiable." She stated firmly.

"I suppose you've found my replacement." I looked at the ground in defeat.

"What? No." She laughed. "I'm not replacing you. You will come back rested and ready to resume your position after the summer break. Sophie, you're doing a good job. But I need you at one hundred percent, and right now, you're not there. Take the time. It's only a few weeks anyway. You have the summer off anyhow. Get some rest, relax, and come back, that strong, independent woman I am so used to seeing every day, alright?" She placed her hands on my shoulders, gently caressing them before pulling me into a hug.

"Thank you." I sighed as I returned her embrace.

"Alright Sophie! Let's do this!" I pumped myself up as I stood outside of the room containing the orb. I was determined to get this house cleaned out and move into it before the end of the week. It was a big goal, but one I knew I could obtain. Especially now that I had a month off. I looked up at the orb from across the room. I glittered and sparkled as the sun's rays shone brightly through it. Light bounced and danced off of its surface, onto the walls surrounding me.

"Sophie." I heard my name whispered as my eyes concentrated on the orb.

"Sophie." The voice called out again. I stepped closer to the orb, listening intently for the voice calling my name. I mindlessly moved towards the table holding the orb.

"Soph…" I heard my name called out again as my foot contacted an object on the floor. I gazed down to see that I had bumped into.

"Another statue." I said, just realizing that I had been moving towards the orb again. I quickly took off the cardigan I was wearing and tossed it over the orb. The light reflections disappearing, leaving the brilliantly lit room now dim and dull.

"Not again." I said in success. I wasn't about to fall victim to that orb again.

It took me all day, but I had finally finished clearing out the orb room. All that was left was the table with the orb. I made my way over to the table, reaching out for my cardigan, hesitating just before my fingers contacted the colorful cotton fabric.

"You can do it." I gave myself a pep talk before taking a deep breath, quickly pulling my cardigan off of the orb.

"Don't look at it." I fumbled with my fingers across the table as I tried to pick up the orb without looking at it. I picked it up at the base and began to walk towards the box by the doorway, holding the orb at arms length beside me.

Before I knew it the orb was rolling off the small wooden base barely containing it. I dropped the base, reaching out for the orb. It slipped through my fingers, crashing to the ground. I tightly closed my eyes, waiting for the sound of breaking glass, but it never came. Instead my ears were filled with a loud thud. I peeked through the sliver of an opening I created in one of my eyes. The orb sat in the middle of the carpet. I opened my eyes and moved towards it, examining it for cracks or chips. The orb sat mere inches from the box I had prepared for it.

"Just get it quick and put it in the box." I thought to myself.

I reached down and quickly scooped up the orb. Instantly my body was petrified and the blinding light filled the room. I tried to scream, but couldn't make my body respond to my commands. The light intensified as I felt energy flowing through my limbs. There was no pain this time though. Just a transfer of energy from me to the orb. The light finally faded out. My vision cleared, adjusting to the natural light of the room. The figure of a man stood before me. His transparent body surrounded by an iridescent glow.

"Dale?" I muttered before the strength completely drained from my body, sending it crashing to the floor.