Chapter 2: Coincidences and fate
The last couple of days had been a little tricky for Anders. After the near-fatal accident, he'd been terribly distracted with everything. Dawn scolded him for his lack of concentration at work. He'd gone out for drinks and ignored the women that came by to 'chat with him'. He'd also visited that spot where he'd met her.
Den.
She was the reason he was distracted. He just couldn't stop thinking about her. Her smile, her eyes, her curves and even her messy hair.
He HAD known her from somewhere before. It had taken him a couple of nights to realise that the dreams he was having had her in them, but she had been there BEFORE.
Had he somehow predicted meeting her?
No...these were dreams were somehow in the past. They meant something, they just had to.
And she meant something.
As he slept, he tried to memorise what he saw. But...it was strange. He could see the dreams unfolding before him. He saw it through his own eyes and he watched them move, but he could never recall full conversations. Snippets of chatter, here and there.
But he remembered making love to her.
He held her on his lap as she rode him. He watched her hold him, kiss him and throw her head back when she reached the peak of pleasure. He could feel her hands on his skin. Her nails gently raking over his back. Her lips pressed against his cheek.
He wanted it to last. He wanted his dreams to be only this.
But it always changed and he couldn't control it.
She cried and kissed him, and he knew they were saying goodbye.
The last time he saw her, she was sitting on her horse on the top of the hill. She was so far away.
'I love you.'
The Journey. The monsters. The company.
And his death. The pain.
'Run!'
When the pain hit him, his last thoughts were always the same. Have to keep them safe. Have to make sure they get away unharmed. Protecting the ones he loved.
'Dru.'
He woke up with a start as his body tumbled in his dream and he sat up, panting and sweating.
He was alive. He was in his own bed and he hadn't been stabbed.
He felt a pressure on his back and two hands came around him, holding him.
"Hey," Michelle whispered soothingly, close to his ear, "again?"
Anders hated this part. She'd always offered him comfort, but he hated making her worry. Whilst they're physical relationship hadn't effected their personal feelings, they were still mates in a funny way.
"Yeah, sorry," he turned to her and wiped the sweat from his brow with his hand.
Her lips pressed to his shoulder and he already knew what she was going to offer.
"Don't be...want me to help you take your mind off of it?"
A year ago, Anders would have turned about and let her take control. But right now, he just needed to be alone.
"No, I just...I think I'm going for a run," he shifted about to look at her, "you stay as long as you want."
He wasn't that cold and heartless anymore that he'd kick her out.
As he clambered out of his bed and pushed off the sheets, he heard Michelle sigh behind him.
"Will you be back before I go to work?"
"I don't know," he went through his drawers and grabbed his running clothes, "don't wait for me if I'm not. Help yourself to anything you need."
Michelle let out a small laugh as she settled back down to sleep. It was only 4 am, so he couldn't blame her for wanting to get back to sleep.
"I like this new you. Bragi would have told me to fuck off as soon as his cock was soft."
Despite himself, Anders had to smile. He did like his new self, even if Bragi had left him with more questions.
He dressed in silence and bid Michelle farewell as he left his apartment.
It was still dark outside, the sun yet to rise and illuminate the sky. But that didn't deter him. He didn't listen to music when he ran and he wasn't exactly running to impress. It was just his way to relieve stress and there had been nothing better to do in the apartment.
When the dreams began, his home had become lonely and stifling, so he went for a walk. Then, realising he could actually get his workout done, he'd taken up running. No one was out and other than a few cars heading off towards some unknown destination, everything around him was still.
He liked to lose himself in his thoughts and this morning was no different. He thought of everything that had happened to him, his family, his friends, his work and the dreams somehow went to the back of his head. They'd return the next time he fell asleep, but by the time he was finished running, his thoughts were balanced out.
The sun was finally beginning to peak up behind the buildings, creating a beautiful orange glow. He looked back up at the sky and since no one was around, asked aloud, "so what's the deal today? What have you got in store for me?"
Knowing he would receive no answer, he looked in front of him and then around him.
"Shit."
He was lost. He'd been so caught up in his thoughts, his feet had carried him further than he thought possible. Without getting hit by traffic or tripping into an unknown surface, he was...someplace.
Walking onward, he hoped to see something he recognised, but this street was new to him.
He stopped and contemplated turning around and trying to retrace his steps, but as he looked at the building next to him, he suddenly stopped dead.
The light shone on the bright letters atop this simple little pub.
'The Red Field.'
He gazed up at it, trying to remember where he'd heard that name recently.
He was still looking up at it when a noise caught his attention. He looked to the side and saw a woman pouring a bucket of dirty water down a drain, her back to him.
And yet...when she straightened up, he recognised her instantly. Her red hair tied back into a loose ponytail.
She turned to go back inside but must have seen him out of the corner of her eye, because she turned to look at him.
She seemed to double-take before stopping in her tracks.
He knew she recognised him. And whilst surprised, she didn't look upset. Just expectant.
"Hello," Den offered, a little tentative.
Anders could only smile. At least she wasn't screaming or accusing him of stalking her.
"Hey."
