Day light was slowly dying out as the sun took it's sluggish decent into disappearance, she had no time to appreciate the orange glow of the sky that cloaked the earth, however, she did appreciate the warmth that still hung onto her person through the rushing wind that was adamant on ridding its existence. She was yet to stop as she rode down the asphalt that seemed endless. It has been two days since she last saw Marvin and Nana, and she knew sooner or later she would have to stop at a gas station, to fill up the beast of machinery that always seemed adamant to make her realise it wasn't invisible as the fine steel it was made of, yet again, if the low hanging red arrow, signalling the depletion of gas, was anything to show for it.
She could feel eyes on her as she rode past the expanse of woods, and wondered why the wolf was adamant with keeping up with her speed, as trees blurred passed. Sooner than later however, she came upon a small town, and found herself glad that there was a gas station right at the beginning of it. She pulled up near one of the gas tanks, she got off with ease for someone functioning on a low bar of energy and rest, she saw a guy she summed up to be one of the employees, walk toward her as he let out a whistle of admiration
"That's a nice ride you got there" he complimented as he made work to fill the bike's tank. She only shot him a tight lipped smile before she headed for the inside of the store. It only had a few people as a few cars were driving by outside. She walked through the isles trying to decide on what she would like to eat, only for a yellow pack filled with sour gummy bears caught her attention. She was a goner minute she figured out what they were, she then grabbed a bag of chips and headed for the refrigerator only to pull out three water bottles.
As she lay her contents on the counter, the girl behind the counter barely even offered her a glance as she rung up her items, Amoura unbothered, she looked toward the till only for her eyes to fall upon a stand with sunglasses on it, she looked at them from where she stood, deciding on which to take, only to be snapped out of her thought by a clearing of a throat. She looked up to see the cashier girl looking at her expectantly, grabbing black shades at random she threw them on the counter and made to take out the cash from her back pack.
Before the girl can shove her things in a plastic bag, Amoura threw them in her bag, save for a packet of gummy bears she made work to open as she walked out, caring little for the change the girl was about to hand over to her. She found herself unconsciously picking out the orange ones first, as if a habit she had had for ages, the minute the citrus taste of the orange burst in flavour upon the pallet of her tongue, it seemed like some trigger when haziness clouded her vision, only to thrust her into a glimpse of the past she had forgotten.
The trip was quick as a minute before she gasped in surprise, looking at the yellow packet in her hand, she knew she had just had a memory for there was no way she could have imagined that all on her own, what surprised her most was the fact that the man from her dreams was in it, as Maximus had found it rather ridiculous that she had always seemed adamant to eat the orange flavoured gummy bears first, only to leave the apple ones last, and chalked it up to wanting to leave the best for last. It seemed that both orange and apple were and had been her favourite flavours, for as she chewed on the gummy delight, she couldn't argue with memory.
she couldn't help but find comfort in that her dream Maximus wasn't a mere object of her imagination, that he was real and they had known each other before, and judging by the emotions she felt through the memory, she could tell they had been close, she figured she could understand why Maximus had avoided answering her question of whether they had known each other before, but if that was the case, could that mean her dream wasn't entirely a dream per se, could it be linked to reality somehow, that every time she dreamt of him so did he for that would mean they met for real despite it being a dream. But then how was that possible, she questioned in her mind
Her head was just about to burst with the attempt to try and understand just what was going on. It barely made sense to her mind, none of it made sense. Throwing the questions to the back of her mind, she walked toward the bike and hoped that where she was headed, Maximus would at least be there. With that thought in mind, she couldn't help the smile that slipped onto her face at the notion of meeting the man that had grown to be her love, she may have felt the emotions in the dream but it seemed they extended into her reality.
As she launched out of the gas station and onto the road again, she missed to see the guy that had filled her tank make a phone call at her departure. Amoura decided that a rest couldn't hurt for she hadn't slept in three nights, with the thought in mind, she kept a look out through her shades as she drove through the slowly being abandoned town as people either drove home or walked home with the fast approaching night, for any sign of a motel. It wasn't long after her arrival in the quaint town, that she came upon a flashing sign at the corner of a sidewalk that spelled out Le Motel.
Riding toward the almost vacant parking lot save for a few cars, she almost felt worried about having to park the treasured bike in such an open space, for a second, she contemplated settling for a hotel instead, however, she really didn't want to be confined in a high building with confining elevators, she almost felt claustrophobic at the notion of the tiny steel lifts. With those very thoughts, she walked toward what she thought to be the reception room. She was a light sleeper; sure she would hear any signs that it was being stolen.
A quick collection of her fake ID and payment for a night stay later, she dangled the keys between her fingers, looking for a number six, which thankfully for her, was on the bottom floor and in front of her parking space. She was also glad, upon her entry into the room, that it seemed to be a decent establishment, as everything seemed well in order and clean. She locked her door, and threw her bag onto the bed, snatching her open packet of gummy bears from the pocket of her coat, she munched on her goodies.
The clock read 8pm, as she sat at the feet of the bed, she discarded her boots and headed toward her bathroom for a shower, which only lasted about ten minutes before she was out. She cared little for a comfortable sleep for it all felt the same to her, hence she wore a pair of grey tights and a white turtle neck, with her boots now strapped on, she laid on the bed, facing up, a hand flatly on her stomach and another reaching into the bag of chips only to shove a mouthful into her mouth.
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She was now in Scileria, the realm of dreams, she couldn't help her glee. As she walked on the soft green well-groomed grass, it tickled the bottoms of her feet, making her realise that she was barefoot. She walked toward the figure that stood near a lake with water as calm as the clear blue skies it reflected. She couldn't help but smile as she tore into a sprint, free falling laughter tore through her lips, alerting the man that had stood gazing at the water as if he were in a depth full conversation with the wisdom it portrayed, he himself couldn't help his lips that stretched into a smile, she was finally here. She didn't care for their balance, as she leapt onto his back, the collision causing him to take startled unsteady steps forward with amused chuckles. They almost fell into the water, and she laughed at how much of a close call it was.
"Careful love, you're bound to have me break a bone one of these days" he said, his head turning to look over his shoulder at the woman that clung to his back, her legs wrapped firmly around his waist, yet her hands hung loosely over his shoulders. The sun seemed to beam in absolute joy at the two lovers below, as its golden rays caressed at their happy auras, as if to get a depth full feel of their emotions.
"Yea, I doubt it, have you ever felt just how strong these arms are" she made to squeeze his arms in indication, the muscles twitching at her touch, to which he chuckled with a shake of his head
"It's like they're made of steel, don't get me started on your hard chest, a truck could come barrelling straight for you, and it wouldn't even make a dent, at least on you, cause I'm sure it would be in shambles" her expression was animated as she now stood facing him, having placed a hard emphasis on the 'it'
"So, I doubt little me" indicating to herself "Could break a bone" her smile was that of satisfaction, as if her argument was of valid points. To which Maximus could do nothing but belt out a laugh that came from deep within his belly.
"Although, me on the other hand... " her face contemplative with her hand on her chink in thought.
"You're ridiculous" he said. She could only bathe within contentment at the manly laughter he had let loose, her smile a permanent fixture on her face as her eyes twinkled in joy, she was happy as she looked at the man she loved more than anything in the world.
"Now, can I ride on Aurelius now?" she asked, her voice held childlike hope and excitement for a twenty-year-old woman, and the puppy eyes and pouted lips look she pulled was further contradiction to her age as she added "Pwease?". She knew she had him, as she saw a look of struggle on her face. It seemed reality was long forgotten as she revelled in the notion of seeing his wolf, she figured she would ask questions later on.
"I'm starting to feel like you love him more than me" he said, his face in a mock hurt expression as his hand laid upon his heart in pretence of being wounded
"Well at least he lets me ride him, and he never complains"
"You know you can ride me any day love, just say the words and I'm yours" his words dripped with flirtation as the innuendo painted her cheeks a delicate pink, that was barely visible through her golden skin, on her cheek at what he was suggesting
"Maaax" she whined in mortification, to which he chuckles, his eyes fully amused, twinkling in laughter as he conceded
"Fine, close your eyes, unless of course" before he could finish she interrupted "I swear, if you finish that sentence, I'm gonna hurl you into the water". Either way, she closed her eyes, listening to his fading chuckles. As she heard the rustling of clothes and the painful tune of breaking bones, she for but a second felt bad about putting him through any pain, until she remembered that he said it never hurts when he changes, well, besides the first time he had had to shift.
She felt the soft nudge of his snout against her belly, and she removed her hands from her eyes as she came face to face with Aurelius. He was a beautiful beast coated with silver fur that shone with every beam of light that hit it, his fours were strong in muscle as the stood firm on the ground before her, he had unconsciously stood proud at her perusal of him as she lovingly checked him out. His eyes remained the same, one a beautiful silver that reflected her own pair, and another was an oceanic blue she had come to deem her favourite colour.
"Hey Aurelius" her words were but a whisper through her lips as she caressed his fur, smooth and soft beneath her touch she submerged her face into it, only to erupt in giggles as it tickled, made worse by the wolf nuzzling into her as well.
"Okay, okay, that's enough" she said through her giggles "Now come on" she added, and he knew what she meant and lowered down so she could climb on. Standing straight up, he faced the forest, waiting for her to be comfortable situated with a firm grip on his fur, he shot straight through for the forest at her words "Okay wolfy, onwards!"
The wind whipped through her curls, making them float in the air, her head was tilted up enjoying the warmth of the sun that peeked through the tall trees with masculine barks and towering leaved twigs. She felt free, and so did he as he manoeuvred through the trees in amazing speed, a satisfying mind game. He ran through the woods until he came upon a clearing that was now lit by fairy lights, planned by his person, he knew she loved it as they had hoped, just by the sound of her gasp.
She descended from Aurelius, not minding his steps toward the back of a tree she stood her gaze firm on the tree, twigs twined with fairy lights, beneath it was a huge blanket, pillows scattered on one side, she could see on top of one sat her baby quilt that was still big enough for her now, then there was a basket of food, and glasses with two specific plates.
"Surprise" he said as he stood behind her, his hands creeped around her waist like vines as he bent down to kiss her cheek. It seemed night had been quick to fall as the purple sky littered with flirting stars, and the life cycle of the moon lay upon the sky.
"Happy birthday" he added, as he was silently dragging her toward the picnic, to which she said
"It's my birthday?" she questioned, truly surprised since she had forgotten her own birthday
"Only you little red" he chuckled again shaking his head as if in disapproval. "I mean who the heck forgets their own birthday?" his question was rhetorical, yet she retorted
"It just feels like I haven't celebrated it in years okay, so don't blame me for having forgotten" she couldn't help but pout at the teasing look Maximus wore on his face. Maximus felt like he had forgotten something important, yet couldn't seem to remember just what it was. He wasn't aware that this time, his forgetfulness of his own reality wasn't a choice for him as it always had been. He brushed off the nagging feeling and he couldn't keep himself from kissing away her pout, to which Amoura's cheeks flooded with red, it didn't matter how many times Maximus would steal a kiss from her, it always seemed to leave her flustered.
Before she could bring up what she had discovered, the memory making itself known at the forefront of her mind, she knew minute she saw it fade that she was probably waking up.
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Except it was Maximus that woke up and the effect was catastrophic as Amoura found herself thrust in a nightmare. The kind she dreamt about every time she didn't drift into Scileria.
She was back there, within four white sterilised walls that always coaxed her insanity out to play. The buzzer went off like clockwork, she couldn't tell whether it was day or night as she saw the big bulky guy in black military pants and boots, a black V-neck as well as a weaponised vest. She knew then that she wasn't being taken out just to get her usual shot, but to the fighting den. She had hoped that it would have been Elena that came to fetch her because at least then she would have asked to see Anna.
She wondered just what she would have to fight this time, would she have to kill an innocent wolf, a rogue or a rabid. She hoped it was the latter for every single time she had killed one before, she was always left with this raging hunger for more blood, rabids may have been without an essence but killing them always had that negative effect on her. She always found herself seeing nothing but red, and when the hunger became unsated, it would leave her writhing on the ground in pain.
"In you go" said the bulky man as he carelessly threw her into the room that was nothing but concrete walls that had stains of blood that could never be washed off. She became engulfed by darkness, minute the man had closed the door, but one look to the top right corner adjacent to the door, was a camera that kept track of her every move, and she knew behind the screen it relayed to, stood one man, one man she always vowed to herself that she would kill someday. It was a few minutes before the door opened again and a heavy lump was dragged in.
From its slow steady breath, she could tell that it was unconscious and most probably drugged, one sniff in the air she could tell it was a rabid, much to her dismay. Right as the door was closed, this time the lights were turned on and as if that were a trigger, the rabid wolf groggily got up on its paws. It wasn't even a second before the animal snarled in her direction minute it caught a whiff of her. Even though she didn't feel like fighting the animal, she had no choice, as always, only one was meant to leave the room alive and she wasn't prepared to die just yet. With a tiresome sigh, she got into a defending stance and she could tell that the animal got the message that it was being challenged as it lunged for her.
With the room not being that big, the speed the rabid wolf shot off with made easy for her plan to be executed, as she swerved to the side, the wolf went straight into the concrete wall, the thud resonated through the room. However, the wolf remained standing as it shook off its head as if to shake off its slight disorientation, it turned her way again, angrier this time. Thoroughly bored of having to relive the same routine again and again, she moved with intent to get the fight over with. When the wolf leapt in the air again, probably aiming for her head, she simultaneously slid to the ground beneath it, only to use her hands to slow her momentum, getting ton one knee, she wrapped her arms around its neck from her position underneath, successfully bringing the wolf to the ground.
It whimpered minute it felt her arms tighten and the sound rang out for a second before it was replaced by the sound of bones breaking, the cracking sound a clear signal that she had killed it. The head swayed loosely as the body fell to the ground with it. Right on impact she felt blood rushing through her veins only to cloud her eyes, with it she could feel a migraine approaching with her every attempt to keep the edge to kill at bay and restrict it into nothingness.
She fell onto her knees on the ground as she clutched her head in pain. She groaned to the ground as a pain that felt like venom slithered through her veins only to painfully encase her heart to the point she almost couldn't breathe, it only got worse as it spread throughout her body. As if by impulse, her body jolted her from the dream.