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Aria
My head is pounding, a relentless throb that drowns out any coherent thought. Every sound is muffled, distant, as if underwater. Where am I?
I crack my eyes open, my vision swimming in and out of focus. Everything is hazy. It takes me a moment to realize I’m not indoors.
It’s not light out, but it’s not fully dark either—everything is bathed in an eerie glow.
I try to move, but a sharp pain stabs through me. Every muscle, every bone, every fiber of my being protests. My body feels heavy and sluggish, like I’m moving through thick, sticky mud.
I grit my teeth, a groan escaping my lips.
I close my eyes again, just for a moment, trying to gather my strength.
Cold sweat slicks my skin, and I shiver uncontrollably. Nausea rolls through me in waves, threatening to spill over at any moment. My mouth is dry, but the thought of drinking anything turns my stomach. Each breath is a conscious effort, as if I have to remind myself to keep breathing.
Fear grips me, a tight, unyielding band around my chest. My heart hammers wildly, and I’m terrified it might just stop. I can’t think straight, can’t grasp onto any sense of normalcy or control.
I lie down, curling into myself, hoping to find a position that offers a hint of comfort. I can no longer hold on to any single worry; it all slips away into the darkness that envelops me.
Dion
I head to my garage, chest tightening as I slide into the driver’s seat of one of my cars.
I speed out of my driveway, not caring about the loud screeching sounds I leave in my wake.
My heart races as I tear through the street, every passing second feeling like an eternity. I can still see Aria’s face, the worry etched into her features as I left her just hours ago. I told myself she’d be safe at home, but now doubt claws at my mind.
What if I’m too late? What if something’s happened to her? The mere thought sends a surge of panic through me, driving me to push my limits even further.
The city lights streak by, but all I can focus on is Aria.
When I finally arrive at my destination, I jump out of the car and make a beeline for the forest behind Aria’s family estate.
As I was racking my brain, trying to figure out where she could be, a brief snippet of a conversation we had many months ago popped into my head.
Aria told me she would find comfort in these woods as a young girl.
That whenever things got too overwhelming, she’d escape into the forest, exploring every nook and cranny until she felt calm again. I remember the nostalgic smile on her face, the way her fingers traced patterns on her knee as she spoke.
I can’t imagine her being anywhere else but these woods if she didn’t leave through the estate gates. It’s so obvious now, yet I feel like an idiot for not seeing it immediately. My chest constricts with guilt. I left her alone when she was in that state—fragile, on the edge.
I knew she was a ticking time bomb, and I let her slip out of my sight. My throat is dry and my heart pounds harder. I should’ve taken her to my place, should have watched over her better.
I push that thought away and plunge into the dense forest.
The last time I was here, I told Aria that I wouldn’t let her marry Andrew, and I still haven’t been able to make good on my promise. What a fucking joke.
It’s still quite dark, but a hint of light pokes through the expansive trees. The sun will make its appearance soon.
The further in I go, the darker it becomes under the thick trees, and the more difficult it is to see past my arms. There’s a heavy cloud of fog floating in the air, but I push through it.
“Aria!” I shout.
Not hearing anything except my footsteps on the mossy floor and the twigs breaking underneath my shoes, I call again. “Aria.”
My breath comes in ragged gasps as I dart between trunks, eyes darting frantically side to side, searching for any sign of her.
“Aria!” I yell for the third time, my voice breaking. The only response is the echo of my own desperate plea, mocking me in the stillness of the forest.
