Forever and Always

Chapter 1

Everything was dark, and it was hard to see anything past my hand. I spun around, trying to find a light or some indication of a way out of the darkness. When I found none, I began to panic, the darkness closing in around me and starting to suffocate me. I couldn't stop myself from crying hysterically, still turning around trying to find anything other than the nothingness surrounding me.

I heard someone call my name and turned towards the sound. That's when I spotted a light far off in the distance. Someone was under that light. I squinted and was just able to make out Jim standing underneath it.

"Jim!" I called out.

I started running towards him, stumbling towards my light in the darkness. He started moving towards me as well. The light seemed to follow him wherever he ran, though I couldn't see its source.

I was only a few feet away, and my arms were stretched out, ready to embrace him.

But then I heard a loud bang, and Jim came to an abrupt halt. I stopped as well, startled by the sound. Then I took in the pained expression on his face. He looked down at his chest, and I followed his gaze. I gasped as I watched a red stain gradually expand on his shirt.

Jim looked up at me again before his eyes slipped shut. His body fell backwards into a hole that hadn't been there before.

I reached for him, trying to catch him before he was lost, but someone grabbed me around the waist and held me back.

"Jim!" I cried desperately as I helplessly watched him fall into an endless black abyss.

I futilely reached for him, but the person holding me back pulled me closer to them. I stared down the black hole and the small dot that was Jim continuing to fall. Tears silently poured down my face.

The person holding me grasped my chin in their hand and forced me to look up into their eyes.

My eyes widened when I met his. I would know those cold, calculating eyes anywhere.

"Alex," I breathed.

He smirked at me evilly while I stood there, frozen from shock. He leaned forward until his lips brushed my ear.

"You are mine," he whispered harshly.

I finally found my voice to scream.

I bolt upright in bed, screaming bloody murder. Tears were already pouring down my face. I looked around, momentarily confused and trying to gather my bearings. I quickly realized that I was in my bed at the BenBow Inn.

I pulled my knees up and buried my face in them, silently crying.

I heard footsteps pounding down the hall towards my room and looked up at my open door. Jim appeared in the doorway, wearing only a pair of long pajama pants. He looked frightened and ready to fight at a moment's notice. He was looking around the room for any signs of danger or an intruder.

"What happened?" he asked, looking extremely concerned.

I dropped my head back into my knees and continued to sob. I heard his footfalls on the wood floor as he approached my bed, and felt his weight shift the mattress as he sat next to me. He wrapped his arms around me and pulled me close. I reluctantly brought my head out of my knees and rested it against his warm bare chest. I took a shaky breath as I tried unsuccessfully to stop my flow of tears.

"It's okay. It was only a nightmare. It wasn't real," he whispered.

I didn't respond. I didn't trust my voice enough to speak without breaking down into more sobs.

Jim rubbed his hand up and down my upper arm, trying to soothe me. I looked at the spot on his chest where he had been shot in my dream. Even though I knew it had never happened, I tentatively brought my hand up and stroked it, making sure there was no scar.

Jim adjusted his position so that he could lean a pillow against the backboard of my bed. I adjusted my position as well so that I could lie more comfortably against his chest. I was still sobbing silently, and I tried my hardest not to close my eyes, afraid of the images I would see if I fell asleep again. But the comfort and warmth of Jim's body next to mine relaxed me, and I eventually drifted off to sleep.

When I woke up, Jim was no longer beside me. Light was slipping around the curtains of my window. I got out of bed and silently crept down the stairs. As I approached the kitchen, I could hear the voices of Jim and Mrs. Hawkins. I stopped when I heard one of them say my name. I remained just outside the door and listened to what they were saying.

"I've never heard her scream like that before. I thought for sure that someone was in there with her trying to hurt her. I felt like all the blood had drained from my body," Jim said.

"It must have been a pretty horrible nightmare," Mrs. Hawkins replied.

"Yeah. I don't know what to do anymore. She's having more and more of them all the time. And they only seem to be getting worse," Jim explained.

"You seem to be handling it well. Comforting her is the right thing to do," Sarah responded.

"I know. I just wish I could make them go away all together," Jim stated.

"Ralphie! Good morning!" B.E.N. hollered right next to me.

I yelped in surprise. B.E.N. had snuck up around a corner and shouted right next to me. Jim and Mrs. Hawkins both turned towards the door as B.E.N. strode in. I followed right behind him, a little embarrassed. But if they suspected I had been eavesdropping, they didn't show it.

"Good morning Raphaelle," Sarah said, setting down a plate of scrambled eggs and bacon at my table-place.

"Good morning," I replied, sitting down and taking a bite of my eggs. They were delicious, as usual. I hummed in appreciation.

"So, are you two excited for your friends to be coming over?" Sarah asked.

"Yeah. I can't wait for the party," I replied.

Jim and I had just graduated from the Interstellar Academy. After four years of training, Jim had graduated with high marks, high enough to earn him a place as a Captain of his own ship, if he wanted it. I had also graduated with high marks, but I did have some trouble at the beginning of my first year, seeing as how I was from a different universe and all. I had to learn a lot of things that others had learned throughout their lives. And there was also those couple of months in my third year when I lost my memory, of everything. My grades took a small dip there too. So my marks weren't as high as Jim's, but I could be recommended for as high as a First Mate position on a ship. The rest of our friends had graduated with exceptional marks as well, each one suited to a different position on a ship, but important ones nonetheless. So Jim and I had decided to host a small celebration at the BenBow Inn and had invited our friends; Gabriel, Angela, Adelaide, Iris, Jennifer, Nerita and Austin. Even though Angela, Iris and Adelaide hadn't graduated yet, they were still celebrating with us. We didn't want to leave them out just because they had a few more years to go. Everyone would be arriving that afternoon.

"Just make sure you guys don't trash the Inn," Mrs. Hawkins teased.

"Don't worry mom, we won't," Jim replied, chuckling.

After finishing my breakfast, I went upstairs to get dressed. I put on a simple blue dress and fastened my locket around my neck.

Jim and I prepared the Inn for the party and waited for our friends to arrive. We would confine the party to the fifth floor, since that was where Jim, Mrs. Hawkins and I lived. The other floors were dedicated to Sarah's business. This way we wouldn't be bothering any of the guests if we got too loud. So I made sure to bring lots of food, drinks, pillows and blankets upstairs. I doubt anyone would appreciate running up and down four flights of stairs constantly to get a snack or drink of water.

When the doorbell rang that afternoon signaling their arrival, Jim and I opened the door, and the fun began.