Even though I know the words that are spoken, they slam into me as if I’m hearing them for the first time.
Human.
Magic.
My heart races.
More words are spoken between the two men, but I already know I won’t be able to make out what they are saying. Instead, I turn in my seat and study Darius. He really is handsome, with dark brown hair that’s longer on top and shorter on the sides. Just like the night we met, he’s wearing a nice pair of jeans and a tight tee, only instead of green, today it’s red.
Human.
Magic.
If this version of Darius is real, and I haven’t completely lost my mind, does that mean he actually has magic? Is he not human? Horrible quotes from Twilight come to mind, and I try not to laugh.
Zero’s muffled voice comes from the car speakers, and Darius replies. Usually, this would be about the time my vision fades.
I wonder if I’m in bed dreaming, or if this vision occurred while I was awake. Thank goodness I’ve never actually had a vision while doing something dangerous. At least my brain is aware enough to keep me alive. Although there was one time when I spaced out in front of a little old granny at the grocery store, which was super embarrassing.
To my shock, rather than the vision fading away, it continues. I sit up straight in the car as Darius merges his car into thenext lane. The vision has never lasted this long before. Excited, I glance around eagerly, trying to pick up any clues.
Other than the raindrops, I still can’t make out anything outside the car. Something new catches my eye: a half-folded piece of paper. I reach for it. Luckily, this vision lets me pick it up. It’s a sketch. The image looks vaguely familiar, but I don’t know why. Then, I spot my name at the top of the page. My eyes scan the image again. I swallow hard.
Is this supposed to be me? Right under my name are my date of birth and age. What the fuck? The drawing doesn’t entirely look like me, but more like an older brother. I want to ask Darius to explain, but I know it’s useless. He can’t hear me.
I stare at the image for a little while longer, wondering when the vision will finally fade. I don’t think I’ve ever had a vision last this long before. Then something else catches my eye. A tiny, barely there scar above my lip. I gasp.
Someone either had to study me long enough to decipher its exact shape and size, or the information must have come from someone who knew me.
Jerking my head to the left, I scream, “Who drew this?” knowing I won’t get any answers.
Except…suddenly, Darius shouts, startled, his hand jerking the wheel in shock. My heart rate kicks up before he straightens thecar again. But rather than focusing on the road, Darius stares right at me, jaw falling open. “Kaleb?”
I gasp. “You can see me?”
Darius pulls the car off to the side of the road and parks. Startled, I open the passenger door and get out of the car. So does Darius. He shouldn’t be able to see me! Suddenly, Darius takes a step back, all while studying me with wide eyes, as if I’m a ghost, or as if he’s trying to make sure I’m real. He really does see me.
I notice the large green sign up ahead and read the exit. I gasp. Walnut Road. I know exactly where this is.
With a wide grin, I turn back to look at Darius, but it’s too late. Neither of us spots the car speeding toward him.
I scream right as darkness consumes me.
Chapter five
Kaleb
A sharp pain in my chest startles me from sleep. I bolt upright in bed, gasping for air. The sheet falls to my waist, and Cleo jolts next to me, startled. I jerk my gaze toward the clock on my nightstand and sigh with relief. 8:05 AM.I’m not too late.While I’ve had the same recurring vision in my dreams for the past week, this is the first time the vision has shown me such a grim ending.
For years, I’ve contemplated whether these visions are real. Am I actually seeing the future before it happens, or is it a coincidence? Am I somehow involved in shaping the future, or am I just losing my mind?
Gods, what I’d do for answers.
But that image of the handsome man with the beautiful tattoos getting hurt? I shiver. There’s no way I can let that happen. Cleo takes her tiny paw and bats my shoulder as if she agrees.
I scoop her up and cuddle her to my chest. “I have to find him, Cleo.” I don’t know why, but the need to search for him has been present since that moment I left the club. Of course I want to save him. I can’t let the vision of him come true. If I have the ability to stop that premonition before it happens, I need to. But there’s something more to it. Something more to the connection we shared.
Something deep down is telling me he’s important, that he’s someone meant to be in my life, for whatever reason. And I want to find out why. Call me crazy, but I always trust my gut whenever a need like this pushes me forward.
