ALERT BEFORE READING: THIS WRITING HAS NOT BEEN EDITED. JUST FREE WRITING WHEN INSPIRED.

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This story is writing from a dream I had.

Jessica’s perfectly manicured fingers spread across her white dress as she pulled it over her knees. Her eyes stayed on the setting sun above the pond, but her mind was miles away. Despite her advancements beyond human comprehension, she still felt useless. With all the gifts she possessed, none would help her achieve the one thing she desired most.

She had accepted her fate long ago, even if it broke her heart to admit the truth. But what else could she do? This world they once called a haven was now a prison, one they had created out of selfishness and greed. She swallowed hard, longing for a rest that would never come.

“What a beautiful sight this is,” a warm, deep voice said beside her. “More beautiful than when the sun meets the moon.”

Jessica shifted uncomfortably, but part of her craved his presence. He sat beside her, so close that their legs touched. Goosebumps traveled down her spine as a voice inside told her to turn to him and fall into his embrace. Another part of her flashed cruel memories and pain that would never be forgotten.

She clutched her dress as darkness began to crawl through the light of the sun, another atrocious creation of theirs. As the salty wind blew through her hair, she wondered what life would have been like if she had not run away from home so long ago.

“You need to help me free them,” she said quietly. “Help me get them back home.”

He chuckled as he leaned forward, arms on his knees, face turned to hers. She could see his enchanting ocean blue eyes without even looking his way. The porcelain skin on his sharp, chiseled face. Every part of him she loved and hated.

“You know I can’t do that,” he replied, his words sweet as sugar.

His hand lay on her thigh, and she trembled. Her eyes stayed fixed on the pond and the turtles lounging on a floating log. Did they know they were trapped there too?

“But you can,” she started. Her throat tight, her mind muddled with sadness. “Together, we can help them.”

His fingers danced on her thigh before squeezing gently. It took everything in her not to beg for more of his touch.

“Love, you know that’s impossible,” he told her, his voice soft and gentle. If she didn’t know him, she would never guess what a monster he truly was. “It’s the one thing I can’t give you.”

Her anger grew inside, and she wanted to scream. The thought of more people drowning in the endless abyss they created sickened her more than anything. Why couldn’t he just listen? Just help her and stop the madness around them?

“You can give this to me,” she snapped. She betrayed herself and looked at him. Her gut knotted, and she wanted to cry. She missed him so much but had to force herself to forget that she did. “We can do anything. Why won’t you help me save them?”

A mischievous smile played on his lush lips as he raised a hand and placed it on her cheek. His hands were soft and caressed her skin. It felt good to have the touch of another. It had been so long, and she wanted more of it.

“If you want me to save them, then give them to me.”

She sneered and pushed his hand away. Disgust washed over her, and she wanted to slap him. But he kept grinning, as if what he had asked was okay.

“I will not let you make them mindless wild men,” she snarled.

“It’s the only freedom they will get, Jessica. You know this, we both do. If you give them to me, they can become wild with ignorance. They won’t care where they came from or that they can’t get it back. Nothing that was important before will matter. I can give them that,” his words were as gentle as a breeze through a meadow. “That is the only way I can save them.”

She felt her cheeks burning, and again she wanted to cry. Why was it so hard to save anyone? They had been scientists, the world’s greatest. Why was this simple thing so difficult? It made her feel such rage and worthlessness.

“No, Elric. I won’t let them be trapped here. I can’t.”

His hand went back to her cheek, and a finger brushed her lips. She trembled as he spoke, “It wouldn’t be a prison. They wouldn’t even realize it. You know that if I could give you what you want, I would. But it’s just not that simple anymore. I know you haven’t accepted it, and I hope someday you do. Then maybe you wouldn’t fight me on this. It always ends the same.”

A tear rolled down her cheek as she closed her eyes. How many times had she played this little game? Trying to be a hero? She was nothing close to a hero. Her heart ached as she thought of October 22nd. This was their fault, all of it. They were the wicked ones. She had accepted their fate but it was hard to admit it.

“Please, Elric, please just help this once,” she whispered.

His fingers fell from her cheek and touched her neck. When her dark eyes opened, he was close to her face now. She missed him so much and wanted to agree with him, to let him have his way and just stop fighting. But then she remembered the screaming, the crying, the innocent voices begging for help. She couldn’t stop the battle.

“Oh, my love. If only,” he leaned in, and she let him kiss her. It was passionate and full of longing.

She knew he could pull her into more, but instead, he moved away from her and then smiled. Standing, his gaze moved over the pond and the now starlit sky. He seemed pleased with himself. Then when he looked back at her, she had to avert her eyes.

He chuckled and said, “Besides, he is back. I couldn’t help even if I wanted to.”

Her heart dropped in her chest, and she snapped her attention back to him. But he was gone. There was nothing but emptiness in front of her. Her stomach twisted in knots, and she swore she was going to throw up. How had he come back? It was impossible. But Elric did not lie, and she knew that. When she looked back at the pond and saw it hidden in shadow, she felt nothing but despair and loss.

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Written by – Coushatta LaRue.

Image created by me with prompts in nightcafe.