It had to be a coincidence.
He had to have seen it in my contacts when he added his number. The one slightly normal thing can't be like all the rest. Like all of this craziness.
But I knew it wasn't over.
I decided to take another run after I picked up Cal and then a wave of nauseousness hit me. It was dark so nobody was really around after my section of the park closed.
I leaned on the trash can to catch my balance and saw the world spinning. Food poisoning? It was the only thing I could think of. More like the only thing I wanted it to be. I was a mile from the hotel and knew I wouldn't make it back.
I pulled out my phone to call Cal.
Anybody. But my fingers didn't move when I dialed the number. My legs gave out and I felt strong arms grip my waist.
But I couldn't move. Couldn't scream.
And then my vision left me completely and once again i was running in the woods. But this dream was shorter than usual because I woke up quickly but didn't open my eyes. I felt someone's presence near me and held my breath.
"I know you're awake." A familiar accented voice said and my eyes flew open to see the strange man from the park. Then I realized I couldn't move my limbs. I started panting, trying to move but he just put a hand on my arm. His hands were pleasantly warm and might have been nice if I could move and wasn't kidnapped.
"What did you do to me?" "I did nothing but you would have been in deep trouble if I didn't come when I did." He stepped back to give me space and crossed his arms.
"What did you eat today?" "What?" "You heard me." "Uhhh..." My head was spinning and i suqeenzed my eyes shut. "Diner food. Mozzarella sticks and chicken." I said opening my eyes again. His eyebrow went up with that.
"And a donut." He sighed like he was annoyed at me. "And let me guess. Cason gave that to you?" "How did you-" "He drugged it. Made it so that the drug would only kick in later in the day." "How do I know you didn't drug it?" "Because if I drugged it we wouldn't still be in this world." My face scrunched up with that remark and then I realized I could wiggle my fingers.
"W-What time it it?" "Around 3 in the morning." "Oh my god." "What?" His eyes widened and looked concerned. "I-I need to go." "Your not going anywhere until the drug is removed and faded off." I lifted up my arms and pushed myself up. He came closer but i moved back into the couch.
"Where am I?" "An apartment room." "Ya no crap." I looked for my purse so i could pull out my knife but it was gone. "Where is my bag?" He gestured to a small desk with his head. His brown hair shifted and glowed from the lamp on the ceiling. I snatched the bag and pulled out my phone. There was two missed calls from Cal and I cursed under my breath.
"What is it?" "None of your business." I tried to get up but the nauseousness hit me again.
I called Cal but he didn't pick up. I dug my nails into the palm of my hand and wanted to scream. "Why would he drug me?" "Because he wants to take you to Lazius." "Laz what?" "Laz-ee-us." He dragged out the syllables and I rolled my eyes.
"Is that some kind of creepy abandoned warehouse? What does he want with me?"
"Mercury, you have to listen very closely. This is not the only world. There is a- another realm called Lazius where things are very different. Your father was from there and took you away the night of Sheiour when the cracks open and people from my world can come to yours. Except we can only travel there on one time of the day. At midnight. Daz- Cason is trying to get you back there."
"Ok let's just pretend I believe you ok? Why? Why me? What does he want?" He gripped his hands into fists.
"Better question. What do you want?"
"Stay away from Cason. Quit your job. Leave far away from here." "And what if I don't?" I stood up and reached for my knife in my bag, ready to pull it out if I have to. I pushed passed him but stopped at his words.
"Once he finds out about Cal, he won't be safe either."
I turned around. "What do you know about Cal?" I was furious. The anger boiled inside of me and I knew I would kill anyone who touched him.
"Cal is like you Mercury. But Cason doesn't know that yet. The others don't know that yet." I just shook my head. "This is crazy. You are crazy and- and just leave me alone."
I walked out of the apartment room and realized that I was actually in the hotel. I ran to the sign, still dizzy, and realized i was on floor 8. My room was floor 2. This man really has been stalking me.
I got into the elevator and unlocked the door of my room. I let out a small sob of relief when i saw Cal sleeping in his bed. I shouldn't always be so worried about him but I could never forget the incident that happened a week after our father left.
Mom left to get drunk at some bar and I had to spend a few extra hours at the library so I got home late. But when I came home the house was trashed and a man held Cal who was screaming. They were looking for something else which gave me time to call the police. I took a crow bar from under the sink and slammed it on the first man's head while the other man grabbed me. I could see the smile even under his ski mask when i was kicking and screaming and I think I would have died if the cops didn't show up right on time.
Now every night I promised Cal it wouldn't happen again and I would be home but as you can tell i'm not too great with promises.
It took me a few minutes before i passed out and the same dream came. I was in leather pants this time running like hell in the green forest but this time a growl from behind scared the living crap out of me. I was used to hearing strange noises in the dreams, especially the growls of what sounds like a wolf. Some dreams would take place in a summer setting with bright green trees while others would be in a completely frozen area.
I woke up gripping the sheets and threw cold water in my face. The nauseousness wore off completely but I felt pain in my hip. The dreams have only gotten worse since we came to Cali and I bet Cal's have been worse too. He says he is always locked up in his dreams in a stone dungeon which is ironic because I'm running away from a dungeon.
At first he couldn't even sleep alone and would crawl up in my bed every night but then after a year we both got used to it. I always wondered if my mother had the dreams too but never asked. I looked at the clock and remembered what happened yesterday.
About the man's warning.
I finally decided I wasn't going to work and pulled out Cal from school for the day.