Jessica sat on the edge of the bed, her fingers absentmindedly running through Ashley's snowy white hair. The room was quiet, save for the soft sound of Ashley's slow, steady breathing, his chest rising and falling in rhythm. The heavy sedative they had given him earlier had taken its toll, pulling him into a deep sleep again, leaving Jessica alone with her thoughts.
The events of the past day replayed in her mind like a broken record, each moment etched into her memory with painful clarity. The worry had consumed Jessica, her night filled with restless anticipation and her day spent at his bedside, hoping to ease any sign of distress.
As she continued to comb her fingers through Ashley's hair, the soft buzz of her phone on the nightstand snapped her out of her thoughts. She glanced down to see an unfamiliar number flashing on the screen. Curiosity piqued, she picked up the phone, unsure of who could be reaching out to her at this hour.
The text message was short and cryptic: "Meet me at the cafe across the street from the hospital at noon tomorrow. I have something important to discuss." No name, no indication of who the sender might be. Confusion washed over Jessica, her brows furrowing in thought. Who could possibly want to meet with her? And why?
Her first instinct was to ignore the message, to brush it off as a wrong number or a prank. But something about it nagged at her, tugging at her subconscious. There was a weight to the words, a sense of urgency she couldn't shake off. Her heart thudded in her chest, torn between curiosity and caution. Should she take the risk and meet this unknown person?
For hours, she sat by Ashley's side, her mind consumed with possibilities. Thoughts raced through her head like reckless drivers on a busy highway, each one vying for her attention. She traced the lines of worry etched on Ashley's face, his peaceful expression belying the turmoil inside her. What if this meeting had something to do with Ashley? What if it had something to do with the foreboding feeling that clung to her heart for days? The disturbing visions she's been having?
As the night wore on, Jessica found herself unable to shake off the feeling that she needed to take this chance. Ashley's unconscious form beside her only reinforced the sense of urgency. With a heavy sigh, she reached a decision. She would meet this person at the cafe, but only after taking precautions. She would inform the hospital staff and make sure they were aware of her plans.
The following morning, Jessica woke early, her mind filled with both trepidation and determination. She moved with purpose, calling the hospital to notify them about her brief absence. Lanor, though hesitant, understood her need to follow through with this mysterious meeting.
The cafe was a short walk from the hospital, and as Jessica made her way there, her nerves grew more palpable. The unknown had a way of heightening emotions, twisting reality into a tangled web of possibilities. She clutched her phone tightly, the texts from the unknown number still fresh in her memory.
Arriving at the cafe, Jessica paused outside the door, her eyes scanning the faces inside. The place was filled with the comforting aroma of freshly brewed coffee, but her attention was drawn to the figure sitting in the corner booth. A woman, her face hidden beneath a large hat, seemed to be waiting for her.
Taking a deep breath, Jessica walked towards the booth, her mind racing with questions. Who was this woman? And what could she possibly want with her? The woman looked up as Jessica approached, her eyes sharp with intelligence and a hint of sorrow.
"Jessica," she said, her voice soft but filled with authority. "Thank you for coming."
Surprised that the woman knew her name, Jessica hesitated for a moment before taking a seat across from her. "Who are you?" she asked, unable to keep the edge of suspicion from her voice.
The woman smiled sadly, a glimmer of familiarity in her eyes. "I am someone who knows the truth about Ashley." she replied, her voice barely above a whisper.
Jessica's heart skipped a beat, her senses sharpening. The truth? She had been desperate for answers to the heart wrenching dreams and visions she's been having lately, but had never expected them to come from a stranger in a cafe. Her nervousness turned to a growing determination. "Tell me," she demanded, her voice steady despite the turmoil within her.
The woman leaned forward, her eyes locked with Jessica's. "Ashley is in grave danger," she said, her tone low and serious. "The time is not yet right for what is hidden to be revealed but I can no longer wait. I don't have much time left and I need to warn you all"
A wave of shock crashed over Jessica, her mind struggling to comprehend the gravity of the woman's words. Ashley was in grave danger? How could this be? She searched the woman's face for any signs of deception, any indication that this was a cruel joke. But all she found was sincerity.
"What do you mean by that?" Jessica whispered, her voice barely audible over the hum of conversation around them.
The woman's gaze hardened, her hands clasped tightly together. "There are powerful people who want Ashley dead," she explained. "He stumbled upon something in the forest a long time ago as a child which wasn't supposed to happen until his powers awakened and it alerted evil forces of the power that lay dormant in him and they will stop at nothing to get to Ashley."
Jessica's breath caught in her throat, the weight of the revelation suffocating her. Ashley, her best friend, in danger because of his dormant powers? It was inconceivable, yet the woman's words held a terrible truth she couldn't deny.
"But why tell me?" Jessica asked, her voice trembling. "Why involve me in all of this?"
The woman reached across the table, her eyes filled with a mixture of compassion and determination. "Because you are the only one who can protect Ashley now, at least until Ethan unlocks his powers too," she said. "You have a strength within you that you have yet to discover asides from the gift of vision. This journey won't be easy, Jessica, but if you are willing, I can guide you and help keep Ashley and the others safe."
Tears welled up in Jessica's eyes, emotions swirling within her. Fear, anger, and love danced a chaotic dance beneath the surface. She looked down at her clasped hands, the weight of responsibility settling on her shoulders. Ashley's safety depended on her choices, and she would do whatever it took to keep him out of harm's way.
With a determination fueled by love and the need for the truth, Jessica looked up at the woman across from her and nodded. "I'll do whatever it takes," she said, her voice steady. "For Ashley, and for the truth."
The woman smiled, relief evident in her eyes. "Good," she whispered. "Now, let's make a plan. We have much to do. Starting with Ethan"