Page 25 of Presence

But… he did the same to me. After ditching the bikini and shawl after our waterfall incident, he wrapped leaves around me. I look like the first woman on earth. Or… this dreamscape.

Either way, we’re the rulers here. We can do whatever the fuck we want.

“It wouldn’t be that bad, would it?” he replies, running his fingers through my hair. I watch wide-eyed as he twirls the strands of my hair around his fingers, transforming them into wet waves. My hair, normally black, matte, and reaching my shoulders, now extends to my hips with glossy brown strands mixed in. Little white flowers start sprouting in it too.

“Yeah, not at all,” I whisper, watching the change.

“But then, who says you have to leave?” Echo’s voice is a gentle rumble, teasing yet serious.

My heart swells at the thought. If I could, I’d stay here forever. It’s been so long since I felt a spark of excitement in my life. I thought I was doomed to live a dull, unhappy life where even my own bed was an enemy. But meeting Echo has changed everything. Now, I want more than just to exist; I want to experience, to be free, and I want Echo by my side.

It’s a crazy thing to say about someone you’ve just met, but it’s true.

“No matter what, I’ll have to wake up sometime,” I say, taking a strand of my hair and twirling it around my finger. “I can’t just sleep forever.”

“No, you can’t,” he agrees, his voice softening. “But just because you wake doesn’t mean this has to end.”

I raise an eyebrow at him. My chest tightens with a good kind of tension, making my breath catch.

For so long, I’ve felt a million miles away from anyone else. Camilla was my rock, but despite our efforts, something was always missing. You can’t heal if you don’t participate in the process. Camilla could piece me together when she was with me, but once she left, I fell apart again.

I’ve always felt alone in my struggle. Now, Echo is telling me I don’t have to be anymore. But how can I believe that after spending time with him only twice?

“Right, about that…” I start. “The last time I was here, there were things… Shadows…”

“You remember that?” Echo asks softly. His eyes squint slightly at the corners.

The memory of the black, shadowy things fills my mind. They leaped at me like hungry beasts, starved for human flesh. The morning after, I didn’t remember Echo. I remembered them, though. The pain, the fear, the despair I felt when they touched me was stronger than any nightmare I’ve ever had before. It was terrible. And now, lying on soft moss, having my hair played with, I don’t want it to end. I need to know if those things will ever come back here.

“Yes, more than vividly,” I nod. “And let me tell you, I never want to feel anything like that again. What happened back then?”

He sits up straighter, letting go of my hair. The sun’s rays fall onto him, making him look like a part of a painting rather than someone I can touch.

“I don’t want you to experience that again,” he says. “Those things... They’re part of the darkness haunting you, Claire. They’re why you need me.”

I sit up too, crossing my legs to face him. The sky starts to break into rosy streaks behind the waterfall. I don’t know why bu somehow, it feels like my time here is ending for tonight.

“I don’t know exactly,” Echo continues, “I only know as much as you do. This strange power gripping you... It’s hard to figure out.”

“What do you mean?” I ask, my heart racing. “Difficult how?”

He gazes over the pond, searching the edges of this dreamscape. “It’s unlike anything I’ve ever seen,” he admits, turning back to me. “This realm, our interactions—they’re shaped by your subconscious, your desires, your fears. But those shadows were different—stronger, more malicious. They didn’t come from the usual places of fear humans have. They came from somewhere else.”

I feel a chill despite the warm air. The shadows didn’t feel normal; they felt murderous, full of anger and hatred. “So, what are you saying? That they’re not just... parts of me?” I ask.

He nods gravely. “Exactly. They were summoned by something external, something or someone with a deeper intention. You’re being targeted, Claire.”

The word ‘targeted’ hits me like a physical blow. “Targeted? By whom? Why?”

Echo takes my hand, his grip strong and reassuring. “I can’t see everything,” he says. “This entity is powerful, hiding in shadows I can’t fully penetrate. But I’ve felt its presence, a malevolence trying to embed itself in your psyche.”

I scoff despite my fear. “No way,” I say. “I don’t want to believe this.” But then again... I did see my reflection move on its own, shadows flicker in the light of Camilla’s candles and felt chills in my apartment. I couldn’t sleep until I met Echo, until I summoned him for protection. “Okay,” I say quickly, despite what I just said. “Let’s say I believe you. What do I do? How do I protect myself?”

Echo’s expression becomes solemn, but there’s a spark of determination in his eyes. “That’s why I’m here,” he reassures me. “I’m not just a figment of your dreams; I’m a guardian, shaped by your need for protection. It might not seem like it, but the things we’ve done today...” He pauses, his gaze drifting to my lips and back as he licks his own. “They help. Each time we meet, each time you remember, you become more conscious. Stronger. Strengthening our bond is key.”

I want to laugh. No way did this man just tell me that to keep the shadows at bay, we need more… waterfall incidents. Yet, he did. He means it despite the blush on his pale skin. There’s a mischievous glint in his eyes too, buried under layers of seriousness.

“You can’t expect me to just...” I start, struggling for the right words.

---