Peripheral Vision: A Supernatural Thriller(27)

“You think Elizabeth is communicating with you?” He looked confused.

Sarah nodded yes, knowing what it must’ve sounded like. She tried on a smile to smooth things out and make everything normal again. It didn’t work.

“I don’t know if I’m following exactly Sarah…” but then Nick spotted the prescription bottle on the night stand. He picked up the bottle and jiggled the pills inside. “What’s this?”

“I have trouble sleeping. That’s a lie. I can’t sleep, Nick. Remember the first night we met and I told you about my parents? I still can’t believe how much I told you…how my parents were killed in a car accident?”

“I remember.”

“Well, there’s more to it.” Sarah hesitated for a moment. “I was in the car when it happened. I was five. We were driving…here, to this house… to see my aunt. We never made it.” Sarah looked down.

Nick grabbed her hand, encouraging her to keep going.

“I’ve always been a little... sensitive to things, Nick. My feelings- the feeling. It’s not easy to put into words. I don’t expect you to understand this. I don’t even really…but this is what I mean about my aunt trying to tell me something.”

“I’m not sure I understand,” Nick said.

“How do I explain this?” Sarah’s eyes were beginning to water. The tears were coming now, there was no stopping them.

“Just try...” Nick pushed a piece of hair out of Sarah’s face, once again encouraging her to keep talking.

“These dreams… these dreams that I’ve told you about?”

Nick nodded.

“God, please don’t think I’m crazy. These dreams... they’re nothing new. I’ve been having dreams like this since I was a little girl. But they really aren’t dreams at all, they’re-”

“Nightmares.” Nick interrupted.

Sarah shook her head no. “Visions.”

“Visions?”

“Yes.” She looked at Nick waiting to see if she should go on. Searching for that look-that look telling her that he did in fact think that she was insane. She’d seen it before, that look. Like the time in the 6th grade when she’d told Miss Rathmusin shortly after 4rth period music class. Or the time her sophomore year of high school when she thought she should open up to Charlie Wells, the first boy she ever slept with. But there was no such look on Nick’s face. Not at all, in fact, Nick nodded for her to continue.

“The visions aren’t always good,” Sarah continued. Some nights, dark things hide in the corners of my dreams. These pills get me through the night.”

“What can I do to help, Sarah?”

“Seriously?”

“Yes.” Nick replied firmly.

“Ok.” Sarah smiled with relief. “You can help me get to the bottom of this. Help me figure out what she’s trying to show me.” She stopped-again searching his face for any sort of judgement. “Be honest. Do you think I’m crazy?”

“No. I don’t. I believe you. You’ve been through a lot-too much. But I’m here now, and I’m going to protect you.”

Nick looked deep into Sarah’s eyes. It took her breath away. She caressed his face. This moment was far from the awkward moments earlier that night and the time for waiting was over. Sarah’s breathing hitched as she leaned in slowly and softly kissed Nick. He returned the kiss. It was sweet and gentle, and although it only lasted for a few moments, it was powerful. When their lips parted they both smiled.

“I’ve been waiting to do that all night”, Sarah whispered.

“Me too.” Nick whispered back. Sarah thought things might progress, but instead, Nick crawled into bed next to her and leaned back against the headboard. “Come here. You need to get some sleep, but we are going to do a lot more of that, Sarah” He pulled her to him. She rested her head on his chest and he wrapped his arms around her.

“Thank you, Nick.”

“No thanks necessary.” He kissed the top of her head. She closed her eyes and drifted off into the most peaceful sleep she had had in years. Nick remained awake, his eyes lost in thought, as he held a sleeping Sarah in his arms.





Chapter 9




Lines of Grey



The next morning the sun was shining through the upstairs bedroom window. It was a new day and Sarah was still sleeping peacefully. She gradually opened her eyes and turned over to where Nick had been the night before. He wasn’t there, but in his place was a yellow flower and a note. Sarah first picked up the flower. She shook her head, smiling, as she recognized it from the small flower garden to the left of the gravel driveway out in front of the house. There was actually a small amount of fresh dirt on the bed sheet. She laughed at that and then picked up the note. Sarah read it.

Good morning. Didn’t want to wake you. Had to work today, I’ll be back tonight. You still owe me breakfast. -Nick.

She smelled the flower and a smile stretched across her face. Sarah rolled back to her pillow and laid on her back, re-reading the note and daydreaming of Nick. A moment later, she sat up with a start, but she was not afraid, no that wasn’t it-she was resolved. She swung her legs over the edge of the rickety queen guest bed and stretched her neck. It was time to get going.