Episode 21: The World That Shouldn’t Exist
677 Words
The Morning That Feels Too Real
Claire woke up slowly.
Her body felt heavy.
The air was warm, familiar.
She knew this bed.
This scent.
This world.
Her chest tightened.
Because she wasn’t supposed to be here.
She had left.
She had chosen to wake up.
Hadn’t she?
But the moment she turned—
The moment she saw him…
She knew.
Ethan was lying beside her.
Watching her.
Waiting.
Like he had never let her go.
Like he never would.
Ethan’s Victory—And Claire’s Growing Doubt
Claire sat up fast.
Her heart racing.
She shoved the blanket away.
No.
No, this wasn’t real.
This was just another trick.
She had woken up.
She had been with Ryan.
Ethan propped himself up on one elbow, calm as ever.
"Morning, sweetheart."
Claire’s breath shook.
"This isn’t real."
Ethan’s lips curled.
"But it feels real, doesn’t it?"
Her stomach twisted.
Because it did.
The warmth of the sheets.
The way Ethan’s hand trailed up her arm.
The way her body still responded to him.
Her pulse betrayed her.
And Ethan?
He felt it.
He always felt it.
Ryan’s Desperation—And His Last Hope
Ryan stood over Claire’s real body.
Her motionless form.
Still lying in the hospital bed.
Her fingers barely twitching.
His jaw tightened.
Ethan had taken her again.
But Ryan wasn’t giving up.
He wasn’t going to let Ethan win.
He grabbed Claire’s hand.
His voice low, urgent.
"Claire, come back to me."
The machines beeped softly.
Her body didn’t move.
Ryan’s fists clenched.
Ethan was too strong.
His hold on Claire was too deep.
And if Ryan didn’t pull her out soon…
She might never wake up again.
The War for Claire’s Mind
Claire’s breathing was uneven.
She pressed her hands to her skull.
Trying to push away the confusion.
Trying to remember.
Ethan sat up, watching her.
Waiting.
Because he knew.
He knew exactly what was happening.
She was fighting it.
Fighting him.
Fighting this world.
But she wouldn’t win.
Not this time.
"Shhh," Ethan murmured, his fingers tracing her wrist.
"You don’t have to think so hard."
Claire flinched.
Because the worst part?
She didn’t know if she wanted to think at all.
Because thinking meant remembering Ryan.
Remembering the truth.
And the truth hurt.
Ethan’s lips brushed against her ear.
"Stay with me," he whispered.
Claire’s breath hitched.
Because didn’t she want that?
Didn’t she crave him still?
Her body knew him.
Her heart ached for him.
And if this was all a dream…
Why did she still want to stay?
Ryan Breaks Through—And the World Cracks
A flash of pain.
A tear in the illusion.
Claire gasped.
Because suddenly—
Everything around her glitched.
The walls.
The bed.
Even Ethan.
Her lungs tightened.
And then—
Ryan’s voice.
"Claire!"
Her vision spun.
She was in the hospital again.
Ryan was right there.
Holding her hand.
Begging her to wake up.
She could see him.
She could hear him.
And for a second—
Just a second—
She knew.
This was real.
Not Ethan.
Not the dream.
Ryan.
Reality.
She had to leave.
She had to wake up.
Her lips parted.
"Ryan, I—"
Then—
Pain ripped through her chest.
Like something was being ripped away.
And suddenly—
She was back in Ethan’s arms.
Ethan’s Last Warning—And Claire’s Ultimate Fear
Her entire body shook.
The hospital was gone.
Ryan was gone.
She was back in Ethan’s world.
Back in his bed.
Back in his arms.
Her breath hitched.
Ethan’s fingers traced her lips.
His voice soft, but dangerous.
"Don’t fight it, sweetheart."
Claire’s heart pounded.
"This isn’t real," she whispered.
Ethan smiled.
"But you want it to be."
Claire trembled.
Because wasn’t that true?
Didn’t some part of her still want this?
Still want him?
Ethan kissed her slowly.
Deep.
Consuming.
And Claire?
Claire let him.
Because what if she wasn’t meant to escape?
What if she was meant to be his forever?
What if she didn’t want to wake up?
(To Be Continued…)
- Writer
