My body felt death’s pressure coming at all sides. The thick night air suffocated my lungs and the burgundy blood was surrounding and drenching me. My body barely moved against the ice cold broken glass that was digging into my bare skin. With eyes barely open, I looked up to the outline of the man’s jawline, outline of his ears, and the outline of his hair. I found something new again. The man’s dark silhouette had a dark tint of olive. I found the man leaning into the car.

            “They’re all dead………. Good.”

            Soon after, I felt the crushed glass running against mine as I felt my body being dragged out of the horror scenario. Fear and hope filled me but slowly the world became even darker as life escaped.

            I woke up with Jay shaking me once again. Instead of shrieking in fear, I was just trembling uncontrollably.

            “It’s okay,” Jay whispered into my ear again, holding me close.

            “He tried to kill me,” I spoke, as shudders ran throughout my entire body. “I was supposed to die…”

            “No,” Jay said firmly, though not fully understanding what I was blabbering about. “You are supposed to live. Never forget that, you hear me? You are supposed to live.”

            I felt like the life had been out of me. I couldn’t shake the feeling out. Jay then draped a blanket around me.

            “Here,” Jay handed me a cup of tea. “Thankfully I can’t up something like this.”

            I finally managed a smile, “Thanks.”

            “So… want to tell me what’s going on?”

            I hesitated but with a deep sigh I decided to tell him, “I had the dream again.”

            Jay nodded as it was probably the only logical answer.

            “I found something new again,” I continued. “… The man said… They’re all dead… and he said that it was good that we were all dead...”

            Jay stared at me, “Seriously?”

            I nodded. I could feel by the slight vibration from the couch that Jay had shuddered a bit.

            “But…,” Jay managed to say. “You never know. This dream may just be your brain playing a sick joke on you.”

            “No,” I shook my head. “This felt too real. I KNOW it’s real.”

            Jay and I couldn’t continue to speak. We were just lost of words. Jay sighed through his nose and put his hand against my ear and brought me to his lap. He caressed my hair gently. I snuggled close and we stayed like that for an hour. No matter what happened in the world, I could always find comfort within Jay.

_____________________________________

            I felt awkward as I was walking along the streets of the middle of the city with Brian. With coffees in both of our hands, we spoke a little more about ourselves. With that foundation, Brian asked me about my past.

            “So where are you from?”

            “What do you mean?”
            “I mean, were you born in another state or country?”

            “Um,” I tried to think of a logical answer. “No. I think I was born here.”

            “You think?”

            “I mean… I’m not sure where I am from.”

            As I continued my repetitive tale, I could see from Brian’s face that he tried hard to act normal. When I finished, Brian just nodded his head and made me follow him to his car. The strange vibe I felt from him made me very cautious. We left the hustle and bustle of the city and went into a quieter part of town. I stepped out of the car slowly, like a deer trying to sense danger before it crushed them.

            Brian held his hand out next to me, “Shall we?”

            “Um...,” I looked around. “Where are we?”

            “You’ll see when we get inside.”

            I looked up and down at him and around my surr