Page 19 of One Last Wish

“Well, that’s a refreshing change,” she sighed, going back to her laptop. At least Evelyn knew not to push it any further.

I made myself some dinner, trying to forget how Darce’s hand felt over mine. That skin on skin contact had been such a simple touch, but heated the very core of my body.

“Can you keep it down in there? I know you’re angry atsomething,but don’t take it out on the knife or pan. You’re going to cut through the chopping board if you carry on,” Evelyn commented, still sitting on the sofa. I had been cutting the vegetables a little aggressively, apparently.

Putting all the vegetables in the heated pan, I grabbed the chicken from the fridge. I was only making a simple stir fry.He can’t get caught up in me...the price is too high.What did that evenmean? All I wanted wasonenight. I’d happily ignore him at work after that. If he thought I was going to get attached, he was wrong. My mind didn’t allow me to care or fall foranyone. Family, friend or lover. I’d never depended on someone because I didn’t knowhowto. A mental shield came up, and I would freak out. Panic attacks were the most common thing that happened, but on occasion, I’d had full black outs. My father and I had tried all the therapy we could when I was younger, but other than being diagnosed with a form of autism that I was sure I didn’t have, we received little help. I had to accept that I’d simply been born this way.

I took my food into my room once it was done. Evelyn didn’t say another word. When I was finished eating, I placed the plate on my bedside table, then put some angry music on my Bluetooth speakers. Closing my eyes, I let my rage fill my body.

Darce wanted me, that I could sense. Well, fuck him! I wasn’t going to make it easy for him. I’d turn up my charm and sexual prowess until his defences dropped. I was even considering using Theo to make him jealous. That thought alone made me shudder. Nope, I couldn't do that. I would just have to find arandomguy somewhere. I didn’t need someonesafe. I craved thedanger, I always had.

––––––––

IWAS NEAR A LAKE.Darkness surrounded me, the only light was that of two moons caressing the water with their moonshine. It was a barren place, but so beautiful.

“You came.” A voice called from behind me.

“You said you wouldtrainme.” This wasn’t a dream I was controlling. It was one I waswatching! “Your gold!” I spat, throwing it at his feet.

“No. I told you I would see what you had andthendecide.” I knew that voice. I knew who I would see as he stepped into the moonlight. His bewitching face looked even better in my dreams. Did he look younger? In the dim light, I couldn't tell. Darce was wearing strange, black leathers, almost resembling from the time of the Vikings. What a weird dream.

“You shouldn’t underestimate me.”

“Tackle me to the floor and I will consider it.” I crossed my arms as he began to slowly circle me. “I will make the first one easy by not counter attacking. Let’s see what you’ve got, Alora.” That same rage filled my body as I ran towards him. He dodged my first punch aimed for his stomach, spinning around and grabbing me from behind. My breathing was so erratic, it was embarrassing. “Lesson one...never let emotions get the better of you.” He pushed my back, and I stumbled a few feet away from him. Arrogant prick!

“You get under my skin! I can’t help it!”

“Focus!” He was circling me again. I held my stance, working out where to strike this time. Lunging forward, I aimed for his legs in an attempt to sweep them, but he caught me again, blocking the move as he swept my own legs and brought me to the ground. “I’ve really got my work cut out with you,” he sighed, holding his hand out to help me up. The moment our hands touched, that same familiar warmth began to spread through my core. When I looked down at my hands, they wereglowing. As in, fully flickering. “Careful,” Darce whispered just before I gasped myself awake.

––––––––

SITTING UP IN THE DARKNESSof my bedroom, I put my hands through my hair and took long, deep breaths. That was the most realistic dream I’d ever had. My mouth was really dry, but when I reached for the leftover soda on my nightstand, my breath caught. My hands ... they were ...glowing. It was a dim, candescent glow. I could feel the heat pricking my skin, warming from the inside out. Bringing my hands closer to my face, I studied them. Was I still dreaming? When I pinched myself and it hurt, I realised I wasn’t. The light seemed to filter from my fingertips and coat the whole of my hand like a forcefield. Curious, I touched my face but didn’t get a sharp, electric shock like I thought I would. The touch felt warm, almost like a caress.Holy. Fucking. Shit! I wasglowing!

Racing into Evelyn’s bedroom, I jumped onto her bed and shook her awake. “Evelyn! Wake up!” I called. She screamed, pushing me off and scrambling backwards, thinking I was an attacker. “It’s me, Alora! Calm down.”

“Alora, what the fuck are you doing? You scared theshitout of me!” I didn’t have time for all this. I needed her to look at my hands to confirm I wasn’t going crazy.

“Evelyn, my hands! Look at myhands!” The moment I looked down, my body slumped. No! The glow...it was gone.

“Why are we looking at your hands?” she asked in the darkness. Her bedroom was like mine and still had some light from the street lights outside.

“No!” I cried. “They wereglowing. I had a dream and woke up withglowinghands.”

“Alora, have you been drinking?” She snorted as she stretched to put her lamp on. She gave me a concerned look as I winced at the sudden brightness. “It was a dream.”

“No, I woke up! I saw it! I wasawake.” I didn’t care if I sounded like a mad woman. I knew it happened.

“Come on. Let’s get you back to bed. Whatever happened at work today has affected you more than you want to admit.” Evelyn coaxed me up and helped me back to my room. I couldn't make sense of anything right now. I had no idea what was going on. “You’ll feel better in the morning. If you want to talk about it then, I’m here.” She pulled the duvet over me and moved a stray piece of my hair from my face. “Get some rest,” Evelyn cooed from my bedroom door before shutting it, leaving me in darkness.

Pulling my hands back in front of my face, I studied them carefully. “Glow, you fuckers,” I urged, but I got nothing.

It wasreal, I knew it! I wasn’t going crazy!

---