Page 43 of The Sound Of Silence

Your feelings on that topic anyway. There are so many more you’re hiding away.

“Okay, thank you. And since you just flipped back to semi nice mode, I’m going to quit while I’m ahead and go back inside.”

I see the smallest hint of a smile before he hides it and nods. “Sounds like a good idea.”

We both stand, and I fold up the blanket before tucking it under my arm. “Guess you’ll be back to being grumpy by morning.”

Jesse nods again. “Like this never even happened.”

“What never even happened?”

“Exactly.”

I walk away with a grin on my face, and though I don’t see it, I have a feeling Jesse would have a similar expression if he allowed himself to feel happiness.

My heart races as I reach my room and softly close my door, leaning against it. I release a slow breath as I process our exchange, and it’s only once my body uncoils that I realize how tense I was that entire time.

Despite the warning, I don’t think it’s Alex I should be worried about. I have a feeling that if anyone’s going to cause me pain, it’s the man I just left on my porch.

My foot slips on a rung, and I scream before regaining my balance, climbing the ladder higher and higher. My heart jolts at my misstep but I keep going. Ihaveto keep going.

Looking above me, I try to locate my destination, but it’s too far out of reach. The ladder’s never-ending. As though it goes right up to the clouds. But that can’t be right. All ladders lead somewhere.

Picking up the pace, I will myself to keep going. Faster and faster. The sooner I reach the top, the sooner this will end.

The air around me changes. I must be getting close. Just a little bit more.

I push myself to go faster, and just as I get into a good groove, my foot slips again, but this time, I don’t catch myself.

The air rushes from my lungs as my heart lurches in my throat and my weightless body falls.

“Nooo!”

Suddenly, I’m not alone.Why aren’t I alone?

“Jade, no.”

I frantically reach out, trying to grab on to something, anything to stop the fall, but it’s no use. I need to accept my fate.

“Willow, you’re okay.”

What? Jade?

No. It’s a man. Familiar. Who said that?

My head thrashes from side to side, searching, but I can’t see a thing. There’s nothing. I’m falling into nothingness.

A chill runs down my cheek and I cry. “No, no, no.”

No!

Sucking in a huge breath, I open my eyes just as a vision flashes across my mind.

“Jesse?”

Slowly catching my breath, I look around the room, certain he must be here, but come up empty.Stupid nightmare.Ladders? It makes no sense.

Taking another deep breath, I squeeze my palms into my eyes and count to ten, telling myself over and over that it was just a dream.

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