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“What did she show me?” I ask Raven, needing to know the full truth. Raven doesn’t answer for a few moments as she turned around and whispers something to the space next to her.
“It’s a game she was forced to play but I think her power is fading, I can’t make anything else out that she’s saying,” Raven sighs. “I feel like I can't win here. She pops in and out way too quickly.”
“Actually, this time it makes sense for her to fade. That dream was insane and vivid.” I recount everything for them in detail. Leaving even a small thing out could lead to us missing something. By the time I’m done, they all look as equally horrified as I feel.
“That's in line with what we found out there,” Lucien explains, diving into the horrors they found in that cave and the police involvement.
“Lord, how long was I out?” I ask in shock, grabbing my phone off the side table and looking at it, astonished at the realization that I've slept for a solid five hours while this played out.
Raven comes over and sits next to me, her hand squeezing mine in reassurance at my reaction. “Sorry, we didn't text you because I didn't know how long you needed to sleep. Now I feel bad knowing you were suffering from this crazy nightmare.”
“I’m fine,” I lie to her. It’s a kindness, she doesn’t need more stress on her plate.
“What we all need is a fucking break,” Raven says as she rubs at her temples. “Look. The ghosts are going to have to wait. Everyone go pack an overnight bag and get ready, we leave in an hour and I’m not the only one covered in mud.”
The fact that no one questions where we are going or what she has in mind is telling of how exhausted and ready for a break we all are. Lucien follows her out but Eli hangs behind, still looking at me with concern. He can joke all he wants but we all know he’s a softie.
“Jayce, are you actually okay?”
“I'm alright,” I promise him. It feels like a lie on my tongue but I can't say anything else. Are any of us really all right at this point?
Eli sees right through me, chuckling and shaking his head.
“I get it, dude. Pack up and let's go, we deserve this,” he tells me as he starts to walk away.
“We deserve a shot or two,” I deadpan.
Usually, I was the type that wanted to keep pushing, keep working, getting to my goal no matter what. But I was mentally and spiritually exhausted after all we've been through and I have a feeling that we have a lot more coming our way.
We’re too close to it right now. Raven more than the rest of us. And even a practical man can see the need for space.
We have to take this time to step away and I don't have any doubt that we’ll rehash everything we learned so far, but doing it away from all of this is the only way we'll be able to piece it together and make sure we aren't missing anything.
True to her word, Raven lets out a shrill whistle an hour later. I'd barely managed to get out of the shower and pack my bag at this point. Hurriedly shoving my feet in my shoes and grabbing everything I need, including snagging a phone charger last minute, I’m finally rushing out of my room.
Of course, so is Eli. Raven and Lucien watch us scramble with amusement on their faces.
Raven smiling is the last thing I need to shove away the lingering stress from the nightmare. Excitement is already building on her face and it’s making us eager to leave.
“I already made us a reservation,” she sings out as she snags the keys off the hook by the door. “And I’m driving. Let’s go, boys!”
We follow diligently behind her, loading our bags into the car as she still gives nothing away. She stops at the gas station for us to fill up on both fuel and snacks before she’s hitting the highway and cranking up the music.
Maybe it’s the fact that she has a nineties punk playing over the radio or the way everyone lost a little tension in their bodies, but I’m already feeling better.
In truth, it’s likely the distance from our shop, the farm, and the apartment. This new life has been one insane event after another.
This break is well deserved.
Raven
Hearing Jayce's strained voice tell us about the dream, voice shaking as he tells the tale, is enough for me to realize just how far in over our heads we are.
It feels like the world is crumbling around us and the only thing I can do to fix it is to give us a night away from it all.
Even our relationship seems to be suffering from the chaos and I refuse to let that happen.
I booked a room in Clinton, the closest city to us. And right down the street from our fancy hotel is an adult arcade and bar. We can have drinks, enjoy our night, and walk right back to our room when we’re done.
