Page 113 of Unravel

“What?”Irub my eyes. “Iwas sleeping.Ithought you were too until you woke me.”

Hesits back on his heels, still gripping his neck.Itwill take a moment for him to shake the dream, butIcan see when he realizes it was a dream.

“I’msorry.Mydream felt…it felt so real,” he says with wonder.

“Areyou alright?”

Hegives me a sad smile. “Youkeep asking me that.”

Ishrug. “BecauseIknow so much is troubling you.”

Helooks down his body then around him, finally grabbing his shirt and pulling it over his head.

“Maybeit’s time to go back to your room,”Itell him.

Henods and starts to slide off the bed but stops. “Wasall of that real?Theway you made me feel?”

“Yes, butIdidn’t make you feel.Itook away the emotions that kept you from fully feeling the good emotions.”Thelight of day is deceiving.Ireach out and touch his elbow, sifting through his emotions.

Hiseyes fall closed, and he hums. “Idon’t understand what you are.”

“NeitherdoI.It’sa gift or a curse, or both.Definitelysomeone who isn’t even close to fitting in that damn box of yours.”Ismirk.

Hiseyes dance. “Agift,Evander.Theway you can take away every bad feeling so thatIfeel…”Hedoesn’t finish his thought, probably at a loss for words.

“I’mjust relieved you let me help you.”

“Whatnow?” he asks.

“Wego on with our lives.Whatmore is there?”

Hedigs in the pocket of his shorts. “WhatifIneed you again?”

“Itdoesn’t work that way.”

Hisphone lights up when he touches its face.Hegives me a pleading look.

“IfIwalk out of this room and have no way to at least contact you, thenI’mgoing to believe this was all some bizarre dream.AsItold you last night,Idon’t want to forget.”

Fuckinghell!Ishould admit thatI’ma reaper of death, not just feelings.Ishould tell him howIhave manipulated and taken whatIneed just as much as given what he needed from me.Thenhe wouldn’t want to keep in touch with me.

“It’snot a good idea…”

Buthe holds out his phone. “I’mnot asking to be best friends.Someday, whenIremember this night, and how it felt to feel free,Ineed to be able to reach out and have you verify it was real.”

“Evan…I’mnot someone people keep in their contacts.”

“Idon’t care.Please!Ihave to hold onto this somehow.”

Hemust bring his lovers to their knees.

Reluctantly,Igrab the phone and add my name and number, only my first name.Ineed to remain anonymous as much as possible.WhenIhand the phone to him,Igrasp his wrist as he reads.Theminute my last name flashes into his mind,Isteal it away.Itwas my mistake to share so much with a stranger.

“Go,”Itell him. “Ineed to sleep beforeIget back on my bike.Takingyour emotions has drained me.”

Thelook of contrition on his face is heartbreaking. “I’msorry.Ididn’t know.”

Iwave him toward the door. “Ididn’t want you to know, butI’mfeeling more tired than polite.”

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