Chapter Two - Mate

~ Melissa’s POV ~

“Nooo,” I jumped out of bed screaming, breathing heavily. I had the same dream again—the one that had been haunting me for as long as I could remember. A woman screaming, those unknown beings with red eyes chasing after her, and then that endless drop into nothingness.

My whole body trembled, drenched in sweat. The familiar nightmare always left me feeling like I was the one being chased. The red eyes, the fear, the darkness—they were all too real, even though I couldn’t see any of it. Not in the way others did. My mind was racing in my ribcage, I had so many questions, but no answers. Why did I have these dreams? What did they mean? And why did they always end with me falling off that cliff?

I pressed my hand against my chest, feeling my heartbeat. It was still racing, still caught up in the terror of the dream. I wanted to forget it, to push it aside and focus on the here and now, but it wouldn’t let me. It never did. I wiped my tears, feeling the dampness on my cheeks before pushing myself out of bed to freshen up and get ready for school.

My feet found the soft rug on the floor, a familiar texture underfoot. I reached for the dresser, fingers brushing against the floral-patterned dress I had picked out last night. It has a band at the waist and a hem that touched my knees—just how I liked it. I quickly freshened up, complimenting the floral patterned dress with a flat shoe.

I shrugged on the dress, smoothing it out before slinging my backpack over one shoulder.

“Lisa,” my mom’s voice floated up the stairs, urgency and alarm clear in her tone. I was late for class.

I smiled, picturing her standing in the kitchen, probably with her arms crossed like she always did when she was waiting for me. I hurried down the stairs, one hand gliding along the railing.

“Don’t trip and be careful,” my mom called out just as I reached the bottom step.

“I won’t. And why are you glaring at me? Did I do something wrong?” I teased, a grin spreading across my face. I could practically see her shaking her head aiming to spank my buttocks.

“You dodged my smack, didn’t you? You’re in for it now!” she playfully threatened, her voice closer. I ducked, laughing as I envisioned her reaching for me, just like I’d seen in my mind’s eye.

“You didn’t sleep well, it’s the dream, isn’t it?” she asked softly, her hand stroking my hair. I nodded again. I didn’t have the heart to tell her how much it scared me, how real it all felt, trying to push the lingering images of the dream out of my mind, but they clung to me, refusing to let go.

The woman in the dream—was she real? Did she have something to do with me? I didn’t know. But every time I had that dream, it felt like I was connected to her somehow. I didn’t know who she was, but I could feel her pain, her fear, and her desperation. And those red eyes… they terrified me.

“It’s just a dream, sweetie. You’re safe here,” she whispered, her voice soothing.

I smiled weakly, squeezing her hand. “It’s okay, Mom. I’m used to them by now.” That was a lie. I wasn’t used to them, and I didn’t think I ever would be.

Mom sighed, leaning down to kiss my forehead. I could hear her steps moving away from me towards the kitchen.

“Mom, you know how much I hate cucumbers,” I called out, envisioning her filling my lunchbox with slices of bagel with cream cheese and egg muffins.

“Okay, I heard you. I’m not adding the cucumber slices.Your vision is getting better—it’s almost like you can totally see,” her voice beamed from the kitchen. My face darkened at her words, chest writhing in pain.

I’ve never seen the world the way others do. My world is dark, full of sounds, smells, and textures, but no light. I’ve always been like this—blind, they say—but I have my own way of seeing things. I can sense the way things are going to happen just before they do. It’s like a movie playing out in my head, giving me a glimpse of what’s coming. Mom calls it a gift, but I’m not so sure.

“Honey, I was just saying…” my mom voiced from the kitchen. I turned back, smiling at her.

“It’s fine, Mom. I’m only partially blind since I can use my foresight to see and rely on my senses,” I shrugged, using the words I told myself to believe I could see better than normal people. I held out my hands, and she handed me the lunchbox. I headed towards the entrance, but her voice stopped me.

“You forgot your walking stick.”

“I don’t need that, Mom. I’ll be fine,” I groaned, assuring her, but she insisted I take it with me..gf

At school, I peeked into my class to check if the lecturer was there. I heaved a sigh of relief, humming in excitement when I saw he wasn’t. My best friend Tracy Williams waved at me from the crowd, and I made my way to the vacant seat beside her.

Her eyes bulged in shock, her mouth agape. “What?” I squealed, beaming excitedly.

“You should be used to this by now,” she nodded in response, grinning from ear to ear.

A wave of heat and pain flashed in my mind’s eye, and I jolted up in fear. They must not hurt him. I need to save him. These thoughts echoed in my head, my hands trembling, my heartbeat racing.

“What is it, Lisa? What did you see?” Tracy asked, concern lacing her voice as she stood up with me. But I couldn’t utter a word, shaking my head frantically, trying to see more with my foresight.

“Come with me, please. He might die in the next few minutes,” I dashed out, my heart beating erratically in my chest.

“Who?” She asked and I found myself repeating the question.

“I don’t know him but I must get to him right now”, I panicked in a brittle voice, my hands trembling as I ran out of the class.

“Stop, Lisa. Who’s going to die? Stop already! You know they wouldn’t listen to you no matter how much you try to warn them,” Tracy yelled, panting as she grasped my shoulder, snapping me out of my trance.

“Please, Tracy. This is different. I need to get to him,” I stated firmly, pondering why I felt it was my responsibility to stop them before he got hurt.

I clutched my chest, whimpering. “Why does it feel like I’ll break down if something happens to him? “I don’t even know him” What is this feeling?” These thoughts lingered, my knees wobbling as I staggered making my way into the crowd with tears brimming in my eyes.

“There he is,” My heart raced seeing him dripping with blood, trickling down his face. He was surrounded, cornered, and I could hear the swift punches in the air. He tried to fight back, but they wouldn’t give him the chance.

“STOP!” I panicked, entering the circle, my eyes brimming with tears.

“Leave him alone,” I stood in front of him, my voice shaky.

“Is she crazy?”

“Does she have a death wish?” the crowd muttered. I turned, and they all gasped in shock, realizing I was blind.

“She’s freaking blind.” They whispered among themselves.

I clenched my fists gritting my teeth, I hates it when they call me blind, I was just filled with darkness. People deemed it as a curse and always points fingers at me, I scoffed, little did they know I could see far better than them.

“What the hell does she want? They wouldn’t hesitate to kill her,” the crowd yelled, and my best friend tried to grip my arm, but I kept jerking her hands off.

“Uh-hum, what do you want? Don’t meddle in this and be on your way. You’re fucking blind, or is that liability not enough for you? Do you want more?” A tall, broad-shouldered guy towered over me, a faint scar running from his left eyebrow down to the corner of his lip in a sinister grin. His piercing cold gray eyes glared daggers at me as he spat out. I shuddered, my breath hitching.

“Get lost while I’m being nice,” he muttered.

“Leave him alone,” my shaky voice echoed.

“And if we don’t?” he questioned, leaning in closer to touch my face. Sensing his movements, I stepped back, and he widened his eyes in shock.

“I have no choice then,” I advanced towards him, grabbing his arm and sending him flying to the floor, groaning in pain. I used it as a distraction while everyone stared, their jaws hanging. I grabbed the guy’s arm, pulling him as we ran off.

We ran to the back of the cafeteria, and I looked at our hands intertwined, tingles spreading across my body. I saw his eyes flashed in my mind’s eye. “Those red eyes,” my heart hammered in my chest.

“Mine,” his eyes glowed, turning into those red eyes from my nightmares.