Fated

Chapter 17

The Underground Railroad Museum was absolutely amazing. It was a kid-friendly situation that educated the group on the history of Niagara Falls, focusing highly on Cataract House and their endeavors to send former slaves to Canada.

The space was incredibly interactive and kept the kids involved. Chase, liking history and an ability to push buttons, enjoyed it immensely as well.

After they finished picking out their souvenirs, they headed back to the hotel.

Alashia kept rubbing her forehead, and when Asher asked, she said “I’m just not feeling well. I think the kids and I will turn in for the night.”

Asher, understanding she wanted to be alone, turned to Chase, “Would you like to go swimming in the pool, hang out a bit?”

“Yea, let me help get the kids situated, and I will meet you there. I want booze too though!” Chase laughed as they separated.

*****

A while later, Chase and Asher were lounging in the hot tub, both men preferring to sit and be a bit pampered. They each had a glass, one with straight whiskey, and the other a whiskey and coke.

“So you are honestly telling me that Alashia, Alashia, snuck you into her basement and you hid in the bathroom for an hour?” Asher just could not imagine it. She seemed so sure of herself and confident, more a go-by-the-rules kind of person.

“That isn’t even the worst story I have!” Chase just started laughing so hard it turned into coughing fits.

“Alashia sneaks me in, we hang out, it’s starting to get light out, right? She’s like, you gotta get outta here now before my stepfather comes down. So we tiptoe upstairs, her righting everything along the way, and we get to the screen door, I kiss her and go to take a step, and I f*****g fall!” Chase was dying of laughter and had to wipe tears from his eyes before continuing, “she was like ‘Chase, Chase?’ in this whisper yell because I fell just under her parent's bedroom window and she can’t risk waking them, and I jump up like ‘I’m good’ before limping out. Whenever we talk about this she points out that I was there, then just poof gone, and popped right back up.”

They were both laughing and finishing their drinks.

As they got up and dried off, Asher felt his heart rate accelerating. It was not a sensation he was used to, and he couldn’t fathom why it would be occurring.

They headed towards Chase and his family’s room when they heard screaming. It was Alashia.

Chase hurriedly went to open the door.

*****

It was so dark and damp that Alashia felt herself shiver. She was cold, and in the faint candlelight saw her breath as she exhaled.

Gathering the worn wool blanket on the floor. She was in a tattered, once elegant dress when she heard some faint clicking in the distance, followed by footsteps approaching.

She listened intently, waiting for the man to come into view. There was a blur, and then the same man from the first dream was in front of her, smiling wickedly.

“What do you want from me?” Alashia demanded. Why did she, again, not have control of her body? Was this another dream? The man was in a pristine suit, he was dressed like he was a 1920’s gangster this time.

“For you to die, but first, I want to enjoy you,” He lunged at her then, grabbing her by the neck and sinking his teeth into her throat. Her struggles faded as he fed on her. What was he?

Sensing her body was no longer fighting, he shoved himself between her legs, ripped off the remainder of her clothing, forcing his c**k into her. She cried out until all the fight was gone.

He had taken her life, her virginity, and her soul. Grunting, he released inside her and then walked away, leaving her to die.

She glanced at the ceiling, and heard a voice, “Alashia?”

She looked around the room, and saw him there, “Asher, please help me,” she cried.

He ran up to her, cradling her in his arms. “This is just a dream, my pet. Wake up.”

Tears kept streaming down her face. It didn’t feel like a dream, it feels real. She could feel the pain in her neck, the blood dripping down her thighs.

“My beautiful pet,” Asher whispered, pulling her face to his, looking into her eyes, “You must wake up.”

“I don’t know that I can,” she whispered “Kiss me, I don’t want to die feeling this way.”

Unable to stop himself, he gave into his Queen’s command. He pushed her fair from her face, the shocks sending spasms of hope through her body. He slowly brought his lips to hers, and he kissed her, with his whole soul. The shocks made her feel whole again, and helped her know this was a dream.

Alashia bolted up in bed, her body covered in sweat. Asher and Chase were both there, Asher holding her hand. Her free hand went to her neck, feeling the smooth unbroken skin there, then it flew to her lips, still feeling the shocks from his kiss.

Her eyes flew to Chase, “It was just a dream?” she asked.

“Night terror, I would think. The kids and I couldn’t wake you. You didn’t quiet until Asher held your hand.” Chase looked at her strangely.

“I’m okay, I’m so sorry for upsetting everyone,” she whispered, fresh tears in her eyes. She looked at her petrified children and motioned for them to come closer to her.

They all cuddled their mom in bed.

“If you guys are okay, I’m going to head to my room now,” Asher murmured. The kids were already dozing back off, feeling secure in their mother’s embrace.

Chase nodded.

“Thank you, Asher. If I had doubts about this before, I don’t now.” Chase said, walking Asher the short distance to the door.

Asher smiled and glanced at Alashia, “I’ll see you in the morning,” she nodded and he left.

After he was safely in his room again, he glanced at Lucas. “We’ve got trouble.”