The Outcasts

Chapter 5

“Rough night?” I heard Jem from behind me as I fixed a pot of coffee and some toast for breakfast.

“You can say that.” I grumbled lightly. My hair was a mess, probably from me tossing and turning all night from my dream. The voice whispering evil things. I just wanted all this to stop but I knew that wasn't happening any time soon.

“What happened?” Jem asked. As he came over to look at me in the face. He poked my cheek like he did when he was invisible and I was unable to see him. “What is a nightmare that you had last night?”

I nodded and said, “It seemed like it was more than that though.” The coffee had finished brewing and I turned to the cupboard to grab a random mug then returned to the pot to pour me a cup. I had lost my appetite for toast and just went with the coffee. “The dream felt real like I was actually there,” I continued softly. I pulled a chair out from beneath the table and sat in it slowly. “There was someone else there too.” I finished speaking to take a drink of the hot liquid and enjoyed the feeling as it slid down my throat. 

Jem raised an eyebrow as if trying to understand what I was trying to say. “There was someone there with you?” I could only nod as barely heard a sound out of him as he took the chair opposite of me. “Do you know who might be?” His hair, which I never took the time to notice, looked messy and tousled as though he too just happened to roll out of bed but I didn’t bother to ask.

“No,” I said glumly. “But he sounds like he isn’t alone when I enter my dream state.” At that Jem looked even more puzzled at the bizarre things that I was talking about but it wasn’t like he could purposely do anything about it. I mean just days ago I was living a quiet and peaceful life before things ended up here and now I am practically stuck trying to figure out what is happening to me. Even then, I haven't taken the steps toward doing so. Where would I even start to look? Best of all, How do I handle whoever this person is that is tormenting me in my dreams?

Jem swallowed. “Don’t worry too much about what is going on right now,” he said in a reassuring manner. “We need a heading first and until we do, try to relax.”

“How can I?” I asked him. “Everything is so jumbled lately that it’s really hard to relax.”

“Relax.” Jem said, giving me a grin before ruffling my hair and poking my cheek before he disappeared.

I was alone in the quiet expanse of my apartment. The aroma of coffee still fresh in the air and the silence that always came with being on your own. It was Sunday and I had very little interest in going anywhere but my thoughts were still jumbled from last night. I had to find a way to overcome my fear and find a way to get some help to find out what my dreams mean. I hated being in the dark when there were so many things going on in my life that it seems as though I have no control over it. I Mean yes, it is my life to live but some things are hard to control.  A knock came from my apartment door, causing me to jump, interrupting me from my thoughts. My hand went to my throat as if in defense and calmly clearing my throat I glided to the door and listened before peeking out the peephole to see a guy, dressed in a red checkered plaid and jeans. His hair was a darker color than mine and I wondered what he wanted. “Who are you?” I asked through the door. The man looked around in confusion then looked at the tiny hole that I was peering through. 

“Cyrus.” He said. My heart nearly jumped out of my chest. How did he find me? I took a shaky breath and tried to comprehend what was going on. Had I revealed my location on accident? Or did this Cyrus guy bypass my mind block without me noticing? “I’m not going to do anything,” He said as if trying to reassure me in some way but my own mind was too chaotic to think rationally. “If I can come in I can explain everything.” The last part caught my attention and I slowly went to unlatch my locks when I hesitated.

“How can I trust that what you're saying is true?” The question slipped out of my mouth before I had a notion to stop it. “You showed up out of nowhere and you expect me to trust you?”  There was a silence but I knew what Cyrus must have been thinking. He needed answers as much as I did but did he know something that I clearly didn’t? 

“This isn’t a trick,” He answered. “I’ve been searching for answers since I found out about what I can do only to turn up with nothing.” He sighed as he ran a hand through his dark hair and looked tired more so than I did. My hand was resting on the door just below the latch and something inside of me wanted to allow him entry but the other part of me was hesitant because I still thought about what could happen. Then he shocked me about what he said next. “It all started with nightmares of a dark shadow and a voice like he wanted us dead.” 

“Me too,” I said. “Mine began not that long ago.” I unlatched the door and opened it slowly. “I hope that your saying is true.” 

“I will explain everything that I have found out so far.” Cyrus said as he stood in the doorway for a moment before he shoved his hands into his pockets.

“Come in.” I waved a hand in either direction to indicate that he could enter.