Chapter 2
She was running, running on her heels. She didn't know what was chasing her. She was in an abyss of darkness. Everything was dark, with no ray of light. She tried to pry her eyes open, but it was like a force was keeping her down.
The same dark voices continue to loom in her head, making her mind spin like a well-woven web. The gruff voice always haunts her every time. She wanted to move or wake up, but her body was stuck.
She knew she was in another world or space, she could feel everything like it was real, but she knew the voice was toying with her sanity.
Her hands and legs were bound, and she was shackled down. She was unable to move. She thrashed around before giving up.
“What do you want from me?” she sobbed, tired from thrashing as her chest rose and fell heavily.
No response, just a heavy breathing sound could be heard. She couldn't see anything; even her shadow left her and rhymed with the darkness at a crucial moment she needed comfort.
“I'm you,” it said in an eerily voice, making her shrink in fear.
She was shocked because there was a response, which made her head jumble in confusion and fear of the unknown.
“No,” she responded, “you are not!” she shook her head in denial, trying to wake up from the nightmare.
“I'm you,” it stated again firmly, “give me time,” it said.
“I reckon you are hallucinating."
“I'm you, and you are me,” It repeated.
She felt a light touch on her arm, and she screamed at the top of her lungs, "No!"
**
Adira woke up abruptly, gasping for air as she scrambled off the bed. Her petite body was coated with sweat, and as her heart was pounding vigorously, she dropped the blanket from her body and went to the nightstand barefooted to take her drug. The red ink on the upper part of her back burned like it was on fire as she muffled her scream—the same nightmare and routine.
Her head was splitting. Feeling massive migraines, she popped two pills in her mouth and gulped them down with water before her eyes caught the time.
Shit! she internally yelled, quickly putting her feet in her flip flop as she padded her way to check her back. She saw it bright red and was somehow glowing before she shook her head at the absurdity.
She was late on her first day at work, and that was because of the chat she had with her friend.
Fantastic, so good, she thought, entering the bathroom.
She stood under the shower as the water cascaded down her hair to her face and body. She felt her margarine reduced while she sighed in relief.
She went out of the shower, wrapping a white towel on her petite body firmly as she used another towel to dry her wet hair. She padded her way to the drawer, and she stared at her hallow face.
She had a different dress in mind a day earlier. She wanted to dress to kill on her first day, but it could no longer be possible as she wore the first clothes her hand came in contact with from her closet.
Baggy dirty jeans and a black turtle neck as she beamed widely, staring at herself, posing in the mirror.
She brushed her long brown hair after drying it with the drier, curled it to the right side, and applied little to no makeup on her face to hide her hallowed face. She took her slung bag on her bed and left her room messy, having it in mind to arrange it when she returned from work.
“Dear,” her mother called when she got downstairs, holding a tray of waffles.
“Mom, good morning.” she beamed, pecking her mom’s cheeks as she sat in the dining room to devour her breakfast.
“Sweetheart,” her dad entered the dining, pecked both her and her mom before sitting beside her. “Are you still having migraines?” her father asked, staring at her concern.
“Not that much,” she responded, not wanting to trouble them.
“That's good dear," her father's eyes twinkled.
She stood up with a mouthful, “I'm off to work,” she said, “bye."
“Don't forget to use your medicine, and don't stress yourself," her mother reminded her.
“Okay mom.” she smiled, waving her hand.
“Kick any boy's ass,” her father cheered, which earned him a smack from his wife. She grinned widely at her parents.
"Shit!" she cursed when she got down from the car at her new company 5 minutes later. She was damn late. On her first day, she was late, and she hoped she wouldn't be fired because she thought that the boss fired people as a hobby.
She crossed the opposite road to buy a cup of coffee. She couldn't do without coffee, she was addicted, and that was the only thing not to make her a cranky old lady. She bought two cups for herself and to give to anyone who would be interested.
Adira inhaled slowly before exhaling loudly, she wetted her lips, sniffing a little as she put on a small smile, but her smile vanished when she was met with the person who interviewed her.
The stout man in a suit tapped his feet on the tiled floor like a nasty scowled residue on his face like a parasite.
"You are just coming now!" the man boomed, making her cringe, gulping loudly.
"I'm sorry, sir..."
The man looked at her from head to toe before groaning out, "What's it that you are wearing?" the man asked disgustingly while she felt small. Her outfit was one of her favourites. She felt like crying, and she hated being shouted at and the centre of attention.
"You can't work here looking like a…" the man's voice died down immediately as heavy steps could be heard. The man was tense. Everyone cleared and bowed their heads. She was surprised and whipped her head to know what caused the reaction but only collided with a a strong and firm wall.
The wall wasn't there earlier, she thought as her hand suddenly flew up, making them pour on her and the wall. She heard gasps all around her and glanced up only to face an Adonic human.
Adira's mouth opened momentarily only to mutter, "Woah, you are beautiful," she smiled, looking at the man. His brown hair was nicely styled to the front, and his long eyelashes contrasted his thick brows. Her eyes dropped from his perfect sculpture nose to his plump pink lips.
Woah, she whispered to herself before looking at his chest but saw it was stained with coffee, "oops," her eyes widened in mortification. She immediately raised her hand and wiped his chest as she could feel it vibrating under her palm.
"Stop," the voice - the beautiful, alluring voice of the man sounded deep and hoarse, making her hands stop what they were doing.
As she wanted to remove her hands from the man's chest, a deep rumble sound could be heard. The man held her hand.
She whipped her head up to the man's eyes as his brown orbs swirled with unfathomable emotions at once.
"Mate."