The Winter Clock

CHAPTER 2 - HIS DREAM

It was a very boisterous night. The familiar person in a black hoodie appeared from the dark corner of the room. That person’s eyes glittered while looking at the woman with a grin plastered on his lips. Her warm, soft skin was tempting. Her silent cry behind the tape covering her mouth was like soft music to his ears. His grin widened. He slides his knife from her knees down to her thigh. Fresh, warm blood spilled. Devastating. The woman did not shout. She did not even fight. She was tired from everything she experienced. As she slowly lost track of her breathing, she lost her strength.

“Save… me…” was her last pleading words.

The woman’s death was pedestrian. But something was different. She was hanging upside down and her body was as white as the bark of a sycamore tree. There was no blood left. Not even a drop.

“Thorn!” Reina shouted. Ryther opened wide his eyes. The room was warm, but he was sweating cold sweats. He looked up and met Reina’s greyish blue eyes, still panting. His breathing was rapid as his heart palpitates as if it was running a race. Reina wiped the cold sweats from his forehead and brushed his hair back.

“Nightmares again?” She asked worriedly. Ryther took few more deep breaths before nodding his head. He then put his face on her stomach and hugged her waist. Reina, who is used to his hidden attitude since they were young, caressed his back gently. “It’s just a nightmare. Just a dream.”

“Yeah… but it felt so real. Like the other dreams, I saw before.” He whispered and tightened her hug. “I hope it’s not real. It was devastating.”

I hope I never had this gift.

A tear escaped from Ryther’s eye. He never dreamed nor wished to see someone else’s death. All he wants was a normal life. The same goes with Reina, who can see people’s death time at night.

Reina let him stay like that for a couple of minutes, caressing his back until Ryther’s palpitating heart normalized.

“Why are you here by the way?” Ryther asked, breaking the hug.

“Dr. Vander invited us for a Christmas dinner and a celebration for this successful night at the same time. I called you a couple of times, but you did not pick up.”

“Dinner? But we are on night shift.”

“He said he reserved four expensive rooms for us, so we better not say ‘no’.” She chuckled. “Mr. A agreed to Dr. Vander. He told me that the two of us must rest. And the hotel is near the hospital, so we are still on-call.”

“I see. I’ll just change my clothes then. See you outside.” Reina nod and took her things before walking out of the room.

“Rein. What took you so long?” Natalie asked. Reina scanned her from head to toe. Her fitted long white sleeve, pencil cut mini skirt, black stockings, and ankle boots complimented her body. She looks stunning. Her long eyelashes move every time she blinks.

“You really are beautiful, Nat.”

“Not as beautiful as you.” She chuckled. “Oh, Carter replied. He just arrived at the hotel. I’ll be riding with Dr. Vander since I did not bring my car today. You’ll hitch? I did not saw your car.” Reina gulped before faking her laugh. “Come to think of it. I asked the guards and they told me they did not saw you nor Dr. Ryther, but then you showed out of nowhere when the E.R needed you. Are you some kind of superhero?” She held her chin and tilted her head. She seemed to be serious with her last words.

“Ha-ha. What kind of nonsense is that?” She laughed nervously. Reina turned her back and aimed to knock on the door for Ryther to get out when the door opened. Reina felt her heart skip a beat when she saw Ryther’s face close to hers. She gulped. Ryther gained his composure first and covered her face with his palm, pushing it away.

“Get your face away from me, ugly.”

“What- ugly?!” Her eyes widened in disbelief. “Hey! You were warm just a while ago- mhm“ Ryther hurriedly covered her mouth in embarrassment. Wiggling his eyebrow up and down, signing her to shut her mouth. Natalie covered her mouth in disbelief.

“What, you guys – oh my goodness! You did it?!” Natalie exclaimed. Ryther shakes her head strongly in disagreement. Reina grinned slyly.

So that’s what you want.

Reina removed his hands and showed her a sly smile. “What are you being embarrassed about, Thorn?” She grinned. Ryther shot her a pleading look, but Reina did not stop. “Aren’t you the one who-“ She swallowed her tongue when Ryther closed their distance. He then kissed the tip of her nose. Reina felt heat rising from her neck through her cheeks.

“Tee-hee!” Natalie shouted. She covered her mouth and giggled loudly.

“W-why, you- disgusting! “

“Oh, shut up Silver.” Realizing what he did, Ryther took her wrist and dragged her through the lift with his ears turned red. Natalie happily followed them.

“Hey, hey, what took you so long?” The late-thirties man in a heavy overcoat greeted them.

“Sorry, Doctor. This ugly dog overslept.” Reina threw a sharp look at Ryther who was not fazed by her words at all. “Shall we?”

The restaurant was near, but heavy traffic caused them to delay their travel. It was past midnight and the cold breeze worsen. “Thorn, what’s wrong?” They all turned their heads to Ryther who froze on his spot. “Thorn,” Reina called again. He remained dumbfounded while looking at the outside of the hotel. His dream a while ago replayed in his mind. “Ryther.” He flinched when Reina called him for the third time. His eyes scanned them; each was wearing a perplexed look.

“What’s wrong?”

“I- uhm…” He gulped, trying to find the right words to say. “You guys go. I saw – I mean, I forgot to tell her something.” He grabs Reina’s wrist and squeezes it. “We’ll join you in a minute.”

Vander’s eyes fell on Reina’s wrist. He felt something unpleasing inside of him, but he quickly shifts his mind. “Are you sure you’re, okay?” Ryther nods in response. “Okay then, we’ll get going first.” Vander’s eyes shifted from Ryther to Reina for the last time and led Natalie inside.

“What is it?” Reina asked curiously. Ryther looked intently at her eyes before opening his mouth.

“A while ago, I said I had a nightmare.” Reina nodded in response. “In that dream, a woman was brutally murdered. It was so brutal I want to puke.” Ryther swallowed his saliva in disgust. Reina’s facial expression distorted. “That woman was murdered…” he hesitated. “I think she was murdered here.” Reina’s breathing stopped for a moment. Her eyes widened.

“Did you saw her face?” In her disappointment, Ryther shook his head.

“Her face was blurry. All I know was her hair was blonde.” Ryther’s eyes fell on Reina’s curly, blonde hair. “Even Natalie’s hair was blonde.” She squeezed her hand more tightly. “Must we go back to the hospital?”

“Do you think one of us is the woman in your dream?” Ryther did not respond. “Thorn, that was only a nightmare. This hotel has very tight security. No murderer can enter here. Not even that psycho finger cutter, so don’t worry.”

Ryther hesitated to agree but Reina flashed her assuring smile and squeezed his hand. “Fine. But promise me you’ll stay with me. Don’t ever get out of my sight. Natalie has Carter to protect her so don’t bother to protect her, do you understand?” Reina knew that tone. Ryther only uses that whenever he wants something so badly. Reina pouted.

“Psssh. You’re holding me as prisoner now?”

“Silver!”

“Yes, yes, I will. Tsk.” She chuckled playfully. “Let’s go now.”