1 The Hectic Life

"Let's go home, I don't feel well," I said.

It's the nights I feel dizzy that I know it's going to happen. Splitting headaches that no medicine could calm down, pools of sweat that had me take ice-cold showers, and screams that have others check up on me.

"But we just got here, Joshua" Sophia, my fiance said.

"I know, if you want to stay then you can," I said and walked off the best I could.

I stumbled outside and would've fallen if it wasn't for the bodyguard near the entrance.

"Bring the car around," I said weakly.

"Yes sir," he said and ran off.

I took out my phone and tried to text Sophia, but the pain came back and I couldn't fight it.

I just let it go, and the image started flowing in.

Her smile lit up the world. Her small body in my arms as I ran out of the flames. The sound of metal bars being hit. The tears on her face as she watched her mother die. I could have protected her from all that, but she wasn't even real. How could I?

__________________________________________

I heard a steady beeping sound and I opened my eyes.

"Oh, my baby!" Mom said and held me tightly.

"Mom, you might just actually kill him if you hug him like that," my brother Lucas said sniffing.

"Were you crying?" I asked teasingly.

"No, I got a lot of dust in my eye," Lucas said fanning the air around him for who knows what.

"Yeah, whatever," I said rolling my eyes," Why are you guys here?"

"What do you mean 'Why are we here?' If you get a call in the middle of the night saying your son's condition has worsened what would you do?" my Mom yelled.

"I would rush over" I mumbled.

"Exactly, but did you have to collapse today? Mom and I were watching- " Lucas began to say but Mom gave him a death glare.

"Your conditions worsened, so you have to go back to the summer house. We'll all be there," Mom said.

"By all of us do you mean-," he began.

"Yes, ALL of us," Mom said.

"Ok, but will Dad be there too?" I asked.

"He's packed your things and is already at the airport," she said.

"Oh. Ok then," I said.

"Sleep a little more," She said and so I did.

__________________________________________

By the time I woke up, it was already morning. I liked this house the best, and I knew that I would have fun. I always got better when I was here. Nobody knew why, not even our family doctor. Not like I cared though, because this was the most relaxing place.

"Mom said 'sleep a little more' not sleep until we get to the estate," Lucas said, stuffing his face.

"Good morning to you too," I said stretching.

"Cover that six-pack of yours. Making me feel like nothing," he said pouting.

I looked down and I had no shirt or pants on. Just underwear.

"What the fu-" I began but then my door flew open.

"Oh, Joshy," Sophia said, running to me.

She threw her hands around me and climbed on top of me with no hesitation. She tried to kiss me, but Lucas started to make fake throw-up sounds.

"Lucas..." I said taking Sophia off me as fast as I could.

"What?! She's always like this. All touchy-feely with you and she doesn't care who's watching. Everybody here knows you two are together. I'm surprised I don't have PTSD from all this" he said, waving his hands towards us.

"I don't see anything wrong with it," she said, wrapping her arms around me.

"Whatever. It's just...gross," he said and left the room with complete disgust.

"Well, good riddance to you too," Sophia said, scowling.

"Sophia," I said.

"What?" she asked defensively.

"Why are you here? Actually, how did you find me?" I asked because I knew that I would be able to be what you say "ok" with her around.

"Well, your mom said you weren't feeling well, and you were going on vacation. I called your doctor to see if it was about your condition, and he got all stubborn and didn't answer me, so I took that as a yes" she said as she lay on the bed letting her hair go everywhere and her shoes still on her feet.

"What if I wasn't here?" I asked as I got dressed.

"How could you not be here," she said, getting up and smiling.

I walked towards the patio, ready for breakfast.

"Babe, wait-" she began.

THUD!

I turned around and almost burst out laughing at what I saw. Food everywhere. On the floor, the bed, and on Sophia. She threw her head up and looked like she was about to explode.

"Do you think this is funny?" she asked.

"No, not at all," I said trying to be serious.

"Help me up then," she said waving her hand in the air.

"I have to get us breakfast. I think you can get up yourself," I said walking right outside. My true plan was to ditch her, and helping her up wouldn't help.

"Hey, Josh. Mom made fluffy pancakes," Lucas said smiling with syrup dripping down his face.

I walked faster and took the last few off the plate.

"Hey!" Lucas yelled.

"Fatass. Mom won't make more, and she usually makes five for the both of us," I said stuffing one in my mouth.

"Dude, I'm hungry!" he yelled.

"Here, I only needed one. I'm gonna take a hike, and don't tell Sophia where I'm going," I said.

"Whatever," he said scarfing down pancakes.

I walked up towards the trail and tried to get rid of the things in my mind. I got off the path and went towards a cave I found when I was twelve. I got lost when my parents and I went on a hike when I was six. I saw the girl from my dreams in some nearby bushes, except she was much older, and as I slowly walked towards her, I fell. I thought I was gonna die from that fall, but I was caught. I never forgot the thing she said to me as she held me close.

"You will help us in the future. Find the others, and we can save everyone," she said.

I never understood what she meant until I ran into one of the people she had told me about at a small gathering for my dad's company. Whispers filled my head, telling me who he was now and back then. He looked crazy to me. He had eye bags and a pale complexion at such a young age.

"I know you bought the property on where she is. I have to find her so that someone will see me again. I'll pay you double...no triple for that area. Please….give it to me" he breathed heavily and his eyes were filled with something I couldn't quite make out.

I looked at him as I dried my hands, and I didn't know what I could do for him. I needed that area for my health, he needed it to find something. I tried to walk past him, but he grabbed my arm.

"I need to talk to her to clear up a misunderstanding," he said looking at me desperately.

His eyes looked emptier the wider they got. Looking closely, his body had cuts and bruises all over. I pushed him off of me.

"I don't think I can help you with that. I need the land currently, so until it's no use to me please refrain from making such useless offers. ," I said, yanking my arm away.

He stumbled back, almost falling. Just when I was about to go out the door I heard "found one". I just kept walking, wanting to get away from him.