Page 56 of Journey to Love

"Shh, Lana, my grandparents might hear you!" I caution, placing a finger to my lips. She covers her mouth and whispers an apology.

Leading her into my room, I offer her to share the bed with me, but she kindly declines, insisting she's fine sleeping on the floor. I grab some blankets for her, and we both settle down for the night. It's as if the moment my head hits the pillow, I'm enveloped in a deep slumber, the exhaustion of the day finally catching up with me.

Chapter Twenty-Six

Anya

I’m gasping for air, my legs screaming with each step. The woods stretch on endlessly, a maze of trees and shadows. I can’t afford to stop, not even for a moment. He’s hot on my heels, closing in with each passing second.

My heart feels like it’s about to burst out of my chest as I push myself to keep running. The morning air is chilly, and the dampness clings to my skin, making me shiver. I’m covered in scratches and bruises, the rough terrain taking its toll on my body.

I have to find safety, I have to escape! “ANYA!”

Damn it, he’s closer than I realized. I push myself harder, willing my legs to move faster, but the panic threatens to overwhelm me. I can’t see where I’m going, I don’t even know if I’m heading towards civilization or deeper into the wilderness.

“How is he so close already?” The fear grips me tighter, squeezing the breath from my lungs. “ANYA!”

Oh god, I’m not going to make it out alive! I didn’t even get to tell Jacob that I love him! “ANYA!”

He's so close now, his voice booming through the forest. I need to find somewhere to hide, somewhere to wait until he's gone. “ANYA!!”

I spot a massive tree and duck behind it, silently thanking whatever powers that be for my petite frame. I hunker down, trying to make myself as small as possible. The sound of his heavy footsteps draws nearer, and I close my eyes, pressing my hand over my mouth to stifle my breath. I've seen enough horror movies to know that's how they catch you. “ANYA!” Oh god, he's right by the tree. Shit, shit, shit!!

“ANYA PARKER! I FOUND YOU! ANYA!”

I jolt upright in bed, my heart racing as if I've just sprinted a marathon. The room feels oppressively dark, shadows dancing ominously in the corners. Lana's voice breaks through the haze of fear, her hands gripping my shoulders with a desperate urgency.

“Anya, what's wrong? Are you okay?!”

I struggle to find my voice, my throat dry and constricted. “It was just a bad dream,” I manage to whisper, though the words taste bitter and false on my tongue.

Lana's eyes widen with concern, the worry etched deeply into her features. “You were screaming,” she says softly, her voice barely audible over the pounding of my heart.

I take a shaky breath, trying to steady my trembling limbs. “I know,” I reply, my voice barely above a whisper. “It was... him.”

The memory floods back with chilling clarity, the nightmare playing out in my mind's eye once more. Paul's voice, laced with venomous rage, his footsteps closing in with every passing second until...

“ANYA PARKER I FOUND YOU!!”

I shudder at the memory, the terror of the dream still lingering like a stubborn ghost. Lana's grip on my shoulders tightens, her concern palpable in the dim light of the room.

“Anya, you’re having nightmares again?” she asks, her voice tinged with urgency.

I nod weakly, feeling utterly helpless against the suffocating weight of my own fear. Closing my eyes, I try to push the memories aside, focusing instead on the comforting presence of Lana beside me. But deep down, I know that some nightmares never truly fade away.

The realization hits me like a wave crashing against the shore: this is the first time in two years that I've had a nightmare about Paul. For so long, I'd managed to convince myself that I was finally free from his torment, that his memory couldn't reach me anymore. But now, as I sit here trembling in the darkness, I can't deny the truth any longer.

Lana's concerned gaze lingers on me, her presence a reassuring anchor in the midst of my turmoil. She may not have been with me from the beginning but she has been by my side for a year and half now, offering unwavering support even when I couldn't find the strength to ask for it. And yet, despite all her efforts, the specter of Paul still haunts me, lurking in the shadows of my subconscious.

I take a deep breath, trying to push aside the memories that threaten to engulf me. This nightmare is just a temporary setback, I tell myself, a cruel trick of my mind dredging up the past when I least expect it. But deep down, I know that the scars left by Paul's abuse run far deeper than I'd care to admit.

“Do you want to talk about it?” she asks putting her hand on my back.

Lana's hand on my back offers a comforting reassurance, but I can't bring myself to delve into the nightmare that still haunts my thoughts.

"Nah, not really in the mood," I mutter, rising from the bed with a heavy sigh. "I'm gonna make some coffee. You want a cup?"

I head towards the kitchen, hoping Lana doesn't press further. The last thing I want is to discuss Paul or anything related to him. The nightmare is a stark reminder of the past I'm desperately trying to escape, especially with Marcus's recent revelation about seeing me.

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