Page 97 of Us Defiant Few

A sanctuary of peace that only ever existed in fiction.

The smile lighting up her face slowly dissipated, reality clawing its way back with a monstrous swipe.

That future, however beautiful, was nowhere in sight.

“Just forget it. You probably think it’s stupid,” she muttered.

“No,” he answered, staring at the ceiling like he was imagining it too. “It sounds…nice.”

It does, doesn’t it?

They sat in comfortable silence, envisioning all the ways their lives might’ve been different if luck was ever on their side.

“Kanes.”

“Yeah?”

“I’m sorry for being an asshole to you before. I just want to—” Takeshi’s words got stuck in his throat, and he shook his head. “I know it doesn’t mean much, but I’m sorry.”

“It does mean something to me,” Khalani whispered. Her heart pumped faster, not expecting this type of vulnerability from him. “But I understand. I know it hasn’t been easy for you.”

His brows knitted, like he was far more comfortable with her lashing out than responding with kindness.

“Is it okay if I ask you something?” She took a deep breath, gathering her bravery before the moon fell and swept this moment away.

“What is it, Kanes?”

“Are you starting to remember…even a little bit?”

Takeshi’s heated gaze captured her. But he held himself ever so still. Like he was afraid to move and shatter this fragile peace.

“Yesterday, when they shot you,” he said, voice low, “I saw something.”

“What?” She shifted forward, the blankets sliding down her body.

“I had a vision of me running through Braderhelm. I felt such dread. Dread I hadn’t felt since my mother—” Takeshi paused, rage and fear simmering beneath his eyes as he fought for control.

“Hey.” Khalani’s voice rose, beckoning him to return to her. When he refused to look at her, she climbed off the bed and sat next to him, placing her back against the door. She warily reached out and touched his leg.

“You’re not stuck in a dream. You’re right here. With me.”

Takeshi sucked in a harsh breath, and she withdrew her palm. But he glanced down at her fingers, lips pressing into a thin line as if he didn’t want her to pull away.

“I saw someone on the floor,” he continued, staring ahead as he spoke. “As I get closer, the vision becomes hazier. I’m lying in a bed with someone right beside me, fast asleep. I’m not able to turn my head and see who. All I can sense is their finger touching mine. And I don’t feel so much anger anymore. I feel…whole.”

Takeshi turned in her direction, his face only a couple inches from hers.

“Have you ever felt something like that before?”

“I have,” she whispered, no longer breathing..

“Was it me?”

“It’s always ever been you.”

Takeshi swallowed, his throat bobbing, but he suddenly pulled back, shaking his head.

“I can’t fucking do this.”