"There are many runners but few winners."

-Kiswahili Proverbs

■NATASHA■

Torrin is out cold.

Been like that for the past few hours. He's freezing, like something that just came out of the Atlantic. His body shivers, his lips are blue and bloodless like a dying hospital patient.

Keeping my hands on the steering wheel of the car, I glance at the road a final time before reaching in the back and grabbing a blanket. The powdery white blanket would surely keep him warm. Torrin is sitting in the passenger seat because I need to keep a closer eye on him. Just in case his body starts to reject my blood. A person's body rejecting my blood is pretty rare. It's only happened twice and sadly both times resulted in someone dying.

My eyes trained back on the road, making sure to absolutely focus myself. It's been a while since I've driven a car, so I'm pretty paranoid. Long ago, when cars were first invented I learned how to drive. One afternoon when me and Yiska were driving around, something bad happened.

-

It was a late summer evening. The summer sun beads down upon my skin relentlessly. Beads of sweat stream down my forehead, the heat making my body uncomfortable. Flowers were sprouting on trees, lighting the scenery with pastel shades of all sorts of color. Everything was mixing well with the vibrant emerald shades of the grass.

I sigh and wipe the sweat from my forehead. "You know I hate the sun," I tell Yiska for the sixth time, in one day.

Yiska chuckles, showing off his perfectly aligned white teeth. "Oh come on you big baby, the sun is good for you." He tells me, placing his long arms on my shoulders. His body was wet from just coming out of the lake. The water slides off his nice six pack, causing his big honey brown eyes to glisten.

My mouth watered at the sight. "Can you put a shirt on?" I ask although it was a command. Yiska was basically a walking sex beast, meaning he was very, very, sexy. "Hurry up, we gotta get back to the castle, Odessa is waiting on us."

Yiska huffs, before rolling his eyes. "Do we really have to go back so soon? I was just about to go for another lap in the lake." He slips on his shirt, before adjusting his small short. "I swear Odessa always needs us for something. It's like we're dogs and she's our owner, always tugging on our collar."

I shake my head. "That's not true Yiska," I say, opening the car door and getting in. "She gives us freedom and all she asks in return is for us to come back in one piece."

Yiska scoffs, putting a towel down on the seat before sitting. "Oh please Natasha, the only reason why you see it like that is because she's like a mom to you. Once you get to fully know her and her ways, you'll see what I'm talking about. She'll annoy you to death, better yet she'll do it while she's tugging on your collar."

Chucking at him, I start the car and drive away. "Why don't you tell her that to her face?"

Yiska eyes widen and he shakes his head. "Because I don't have a death wish Natasha." He answers. "Odessa may not be my mother, but she is my mother. If you know what I mean. She brought me into this world and if I ever disrespect her, I know she won't hesitate to take me out."

I burst out laughing, turning onto the road that would get me to the castle quicker. "Exactly, therefore keep your thoughts about Odessa to yourself." Taking my eyes off the road, I look down at my arm. It was a reddish/pink color from the amount of training I was doing. I look back up at the road. "I saw Medusa hooking up with some guy last night. She'll probably be in a great mood today."

"Hopefully." Yiska chuckles. "I'm getting tired of her shit. She's always mad about the stupidest things, but I can't blame her. She's been through a lot." He clears his throat. "So how exactly do you know she got some, where you watching or something?"

Shrugging my shoulders, I glance at Yiska. "I mean it wasn't like she shut the door or anything. It's almost like she wanted me to watch. Plus, I've never seen anyone being intimate in that way."

Yiska's lips purse upwards. "You know if you want, I can help with stuff like that... It doesn't matter to me."

"Thanks, Yiska but I'm still trying to figure out where I stand when it comes down to liking someone," I tell him. "Gender wise I mean." An awkward silence falls into the car.

Clearing his throat, Yiska breaks the silence. "That's okay Natasha. And whenever you figure out what you like, I'll be here. Waiting." He looks outside. "Why'd you take this road, too many animals are here."

"It's a shortcut," I responded. "Hey, can you pass me the cream thing that Raine made for me."

"Sure," He says, bending down to look for it. "I don't see anything."

"I'll get it," I respond, taking my eyes off the road for a second. Bending down, I reach to grab the cream, my head hitting Yiska's knee. "Sorry."

"Natasha watch out!" Yiska yells. I quickly get up, my eyes back on the road. I move the steering wheel and the car swerves. I hear a loud thud and my eyes widen. Once the car stops moving, I get out walking to the source of the thud. My body goes numb, looking at the dead women on the ground. Her blue eyes stared into the bright sky, while her mouth hung open.

"I...I didn't see her." I stutter. A loud wailing sound pierces my eardrums, making my hands shake. Looking from across the road, a stroller is there standing still. The baby cries in distress, probably wanting its mother to pick it up.

Yiska's shaky hands tap me. "Calm down Natasha, breath." He pauses for a second. "I'll take care of this. It'll all be okay."

-

After that day, I never drove a car. Well, that is until now. To be completely honest, it felt weird operating a car after so long.

Glancing at the map that Torrin uses, I switch lanes to get on the route that the map directs me too. Torrin is now breathing steadily, his body going back to its regular color. He looks so much peaceful when he's asleep. I kinda like it when he's like this, I get a break from seeing him glare at me. But then again it's so bland in this car, I wouldn't mind him glaring at me right now.

The turning light turns red and the car comes to a complete stop. It's two fifteen in the morning and I'm sure it will be a while before I get any sleep. Turning to look at Torrin, his eyebrows are scrunched up and he's sweating like crazy.

Someone's having a bad dream.

I sigh, before deciding to check in at a hotel. My eyes can barely stay open, plus my body is still sore from the ass whooping I got from Torrin. So it's only right I check into a hotel, even though Torrin would be against it.

Smirking to myself, I shrug. He's asleep, I'll just check out before he even notices. Pulling in at a random hotel, I park the car and make sure to lock the doors. The hotel is arranged on three floors, without a lift. On the ground floor, apart from the reception, there is a comfortable lounge where you can sit and drink tea, or just read. The rooms are probably expensive, but I know for sure there won't be a problem in getting a room.

Walking into the hotel, the cold air hits me and the smell of roses waffles throughout the atmosphere. Looking around, the first thing that comes into view is the polished lobby desk that was made of cherry-wood. The cozy atmosphere was a welcome change from the car. "Hi, I'd like to check into a room here," I tell the receptionist, behind the desk.

She turns around, her bright hazel eyes staring at me. "Welcome, would you like a couple room or a buck room?"

I thought about it for a second. "Couple room." I'd just sleep on the floor.

The receptionist smiles, "Who's name should I put on the room registry?"

"Shonda Watson."

She nods. "Alrighty miss, that'll be eight hundred dollars and forty-two cents." I look at her like she has grown two heads.

I knew this place would be expensive. Looking at her in the eyes, I smile at her. "I paid you the money for the room." Her eyes dilated. "Give me the key and forget you saw my face," I say, compelling her. Compulsion is a tricky thing. If not done the right way it could be painful for both people. Mentally speaking I mean.

"Yes, ma'am." She says. That was my cue to walk away.

Walking back to the car, Torrin is still asleep. Sighing to myself, I open the passenger door and pick Torrin up bridal style. "Oh, how the roles have changed," I mumble. Carrying him up the stairs, we reach our room. "Patentibus." I chant, causing the room door to open. The room is spacious and outward. The is even bigger. Laying Torrin gently on the bed, I begin to make my bed on the floor.

Fixing my bed on the floor, everything seems to be perfect. My head finally hit the pillow and my eyes were just about to close until I hear the sound of voices. There were at least two screaming matches going on in separate rooms. Balling up my fist, I let out a frustrating cry. "Why can't I just sleep!"

Torrin whimpers and I quickly stand up to check on him. His breathing increases rapidly and becomes gasps. Torrin swallows down hard on his spit, his head moving back and forth crazily. "Torrin, it's a nightmare. Wake up." I tell him, hoping he'd hear me. But he doesn't. "How do I wake you up?" I question myself. Torrin releases a cry, grabbing onto my hand. A sudden idea pops into my mind. "You're gonna hate me for this Scarface, but I need to do this to help you wake up." Grabbing onto his hand, I close my eyes and begin to chant. "Sit mihi maceriae ostende. Sit mihi faciem tuam somnium."

Gasping, my eyes open up. Everything is black and cold. I can't see Torrin. In fact, I can't see anything. "Torrin," I whisper, hoping he'd be able to hear me.

All of a sudden as I am paralyzed and there is light, not enough light but just enough to be able to see with. I see a petite ghostly figure walking slowly towards me. For some strange reason, it felt like I've seen her before. She walks closer and quickly approaches me. I hate to admit it, but at this point, I'm completely terrified. My powers don't even work here.

Tilting my head to the side, I see a familiar face. It's Torrin. "Torrin," I call on his name. "Torrin, look at me." He doesn't look at me, he can't hear me. The petite woman touches my face, her hands are cold, cold enough to make me feel like I'm frozen. The hair on my body stands up and I'm sure I'm going to piss myself.

"She's beautiful love." The woman says, smirking at me. Her disfigured face sends chills to my body. "I'm gonna have to kill her." Torrin shakes his head, he opens his mouth to speak but I can't hear what he's saying. "Stop begging Torrin, I need to this for you. If I don't, you'll only hurt her, as you hurt me. Remember."

The woman looks at me wickedly and I begin praying for it to be over. For fifteen seconds, the vision of the woman zooms in and out as my head and heart are pounding in sync with the movement of the apparition. "Stop!" I hear Torrin roars.

The woman looks at him shocked, before laughing. "If only you were this strong for me." Finally, just as quickly as it began, her figure fades out of existence and I regain control of my body. Everything zooms out and I'm back to reality.

I blink twice and say nothing. Me and Torrin stare at one another, the both of us breathing harshly. "You shouldn't have done that Natasha," Torrin whispers, as he tries to regain his self. "Why would you do that!?" He yells.

"I... It was the only way to wake you up." I stutter. "I... I didn't know it would be so real. You were freaking out in your sleep and, and I just wanted to wake you up."

Torrin's silver eyes glow brightly as he stares at me, hatred spilling from his look. "Why? Just why would you do that?" He stands up and starts pacing around the room. "You weren't supposed to see her and she wasn't supposed to see you!"

I stand up, approaching him. "I'm sorry Torrin," I tell him. "It was the only way to wake you up." I try touching his arm but he pushes me, causing my head to hit the wall. "Ouch." I hiss.

Torrin glares at me. "It wasn't the only way! There were so many other spells you could've done to wake me up, but you chose that one to be nosey." He tells me. "Admit it!"

"I did not!" I yell back at him. "I woke you up, why can't you just say thank you."

Torrin's hands wrap around my throat. His grip is strong as he begins to choke me. "You were supposed to let me die! Why couldn't you just let me die!?" I glare at him hard, before wrapping my hands around his throat. "You choking me only makes me want to choke you more!" He croaks out.

"Well it's called self-defense, now let go of me, Torrin." My voice is firm. "Now!" Torrin let's out a breath and slumps. His head leans against the wall for support, while his chin touches down on my shoulder. His breath hitches and I can feel him having a mental battle with himself. "Stop fighting yourself and do what you desire," I whisper.

Torrin sniffles and shakes his head. "I can't." He whispers, looking down at me. Looking up at me our eyes connect again for the fifth time tonight. For the first time, I don't see hatred in his eyes. I see that he's frightened and... and something else that I can't decipher. Whatever it is, it's eating him alive. He's still staring at me, our breathing steady now. Torrin punches the wall next to me, just inches away from my face. "I can't do this." He says, backing away.

"Torrin come back."

"No." He says, opening the room door. "I need space and room to breathe." He tells me. "Get some rest and don't stay up." And with that, Torrin walks out the door leaving me alone.

What the hell just happened?

What are your thoughts?

Any questions?

Goals🔱:

Views📛: 80

Votes☑: 75

Comments➿: 80