[[ NOTE: I'm slowly editing through this story. In case you come across something that has change, that is why. :) Depending on the direction, the story line in previous chapters may change some, as well! ]]
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Niko and Raina trudged through the forest in silence, listening to crickets and frogs singing through the night. Niko sighed for the hundredth time, further irritating Raina. "Just say it!" She snapped finally, giving him a pointed look. Niko stared at her with wide eyes before bursting in laughter. Raina's eyes slowly widened, brows furrowed, and her mouth gaped open in disbelief. "Why are you laughing?" She asked furiously, stomping over to where he was standing. Raina stood inches away from Niko's face huffing in frustration. Raina realized how close they were from each other but neither one moved, instead the two simply stared into each other's eyes. "I've missed this," he whispered, averting his gaze to focus on something beyond. Raina felt her heart skip a beat, not really, but if did she would have probably died. Raina realized how she had been acting lately, made her feel guilty.
Raina felt guilty for putting her sister and friends through a whole lot of trouble these past couple of weeks. She knew of how worried they were the night of the incident. Then having to wait anxiously for her to wake up, must have been traumatizing. Raina's body shivered and all of the pent up emotions she has been pushing aside had bubbled up to the surface. Raina began shaking with tears falling down her cheeks, she sobbed until she began to hiccup. Niko pulled her into his chest, without saying a word and held her until she calmed down.
"Nikolas, I'm so sorry," she hiccuped softly, unburying her face from his chest to look up at him. He smiled while wiping her cheeks dry then placing a kiss on her forehead. "There's nothing to be sorry about," he assured her softly, getting lost in her eyes that was sparkling under the moonlight. Niko didn't want to fight anymore. Hidden emotions and feelings bubbled inside his chest, threatening to spill out. Niko cleared his throat, turning away to hide the embarrassment creeping up his neck. "The falls shouldn't be too far ahead," he muttered. Niko took Raina's hand and led the way, in silence. Not a moment later, Niko and Raina heard the steady stream of water and the ripples of waves coming from the waterfall.
"I was found here?" Raina's voice barely audible, as she was still finding it difficult to process everything. Honestly, she could barely remember anything before she blacked out. Raina could only recall that vivid dream. "Yes," Niko replied softly, his fist clenched tightly before releasing it with a heavy sigh. Raina squeezed Niko's hand for comfort. He looked down to see a gentle smile on her face, instantly lifting the heavy feeling that had resided in his chest.
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Raina walked the path towards the falls feeling the cool water hitting her skin, covering her whole body with goosebumps again. Niko watched her, anxiously, still feeling a bit on edge—not wanting to repeat anything. "Niko," he heard her call out. Raina looked at him with glistening eyes, a sad smile forming on her face. "I…" she looked away in hesitation. "What is it?" Niko asked her softly, walking up and standing right behind her. Raina could feel his presence and it sent a tingling sensation through her whole body. Raina wasn't sure of when it had happened, but it felt like she was suddenly very aware and conscious of Niko. Especially, when his body was merely inches away from hers. It was a nice feeling, she thought. Realizing that Niko have had this aura about him that made her feel safe but something about him also excited her—not that she would say it out loud, to anyone.
"Raina?" Niko reached out, keeping his touch light on her back. Raina's heart beat quickened, feeling hyperaware of his presence behind her. She stayed silent for a moment then turned around to face him. Raina and Niko's eyes met, locking into place. Her eyes began to glisten with tears. Before Raina could say anything, Niko pulled her into his arms again. Niko listened as she sobbed, quietly. He wrapped his arms around her waist then buried his face in her hair, waiting patiently until she was ready to speak. It could be days, weeks, or even years…Niko will always wait for her. Always…
"I don't know how to explain it," Raina pulled away from his embrace, averting her gaze. "I had a dream when I was in my coma," Niko listened intently. "But it didn't feel like a dream," hearing herself say it all out loud, sounded absolutely crazy. Niko never showed any signs of doubt, instead he encouraged her to go on. "There was a man, not from this world…he showed me a memory," Raina continued while trying to find words to explain everything. "Was it the same man from when you had called me?" Niko asked softly, swallowing the lump that had began to form in his throat. Raina nodded her head slowly, sighing heavily. Niko sat down on a boulder and patted the spot next to him. "Yes. At least I think it was him. Um," Raina stopped then rubbed the temples of her head. "The man from the dream and the man who attacked me was the same, from what I've gathered. But something felt off," she explained, her voice fading softly with doubt.
"I know it doesn't make sense," Raina said frustratedly. She took a deep breath and started again. "In the beginning the dream was enchanting and pleasant. I was living in a different woman's life, a woman not from this world," Niko continued to listen. "Slowly, it began to feel real. Very real. Even the pain given to the woman in the dream," Raina paused, looking out to the waterfall in a daze. Niko and Raina sat in silence for a moment.
"What do you think it means?" Niko asked. Raina dropped her shoulders, feeling dejected. "Whatever it may be, it has something to do with this place," she said confidently. "You know, for a moment, I began to feel like I belonged there and started to forget about my old life. Until…" Raina trailed off, realizing something. However, she wasn't sure if what she was thinking would work.
"Until what?" Niko asked, his brows raised in question. Raina pursed her lips, looking at Niko. "I heard you," she replied softly. " And everyone else, calling out my name," Niko wasn't expecting that. He began to feel confused and doubtful, but then again, Raina is not one to come up with such an elaborate story. "Do you think," Niko paused, gathering his thoughts. "We all have something to do with it? That we're connected to that world somehow?" Niko felt uncertain, waiting for her response. Raina nodded, slowly. "You found me during a full moon right?" Raina asked to which Niko replied with a nod. "I think it has something to do with a full moon," she stated, muttering to herself. "When's the next full moon?" Niko pulled out his phone and began searching. "In two days," he answered. "Saturday. That's perfect," Feeling determined, Raina pushed against the boulder to stand on her two feet. "Tomorrow, I'll tell everyone what happened. Then we shall test my theory out on Saturday," she said with a lopsided smile. Niko's heart beat quickened seeing a smile on her face. Raina gasp with surprise when Niko pulled her into his arms. "Niko…"
"Raina," Niko whispered as he buried his face in her hair. "Never do anything by yourself ever again, okay?" Raina gulped, blinking back the tears in her eyes. "Y-yes," she whispered softly, wrapping her arms around his waist. Niko wished they could stay like this, without everything that had just happened.