The last time I had a dream like this, I awoke in a panic, grasping desperately
at my throat to make sure it was still intact. Not this time. Instead, I slumbered in
apparent uneventful peace, although scientists insist we dream all night long. I
just couldn’t recall anything other than my horrific second conversation with
Ralu.
I awoke just before 11:00 a.m., which gave me an hour to prepare for my
noon rendezvous with Racco. Even though I bathed the night before, I decided to
linger in the shower, letting the soft jets and waterfalls pour over me. I guess I
hoped to wash away the memory of my most recent nightmare while trying to
savor the dream image of Racco’s bare muscular chest. I wondered if it was an
accurate representation, and whether or not in a few hours I would find
