CHAPTER 28 - TOBIAS
That night, I have a nightmare. But the second dream is more of a sick reminder.
"I'll never leave you Tobias. I will always be here. Forever..."
Those eleven words exploded into my mind for hours. But before that was the real torture. No number of Marcus' beatings could ever compare to what I dreamed of.
She lay on a metal table, her face covered in sweat. Her eyes were closed and her mouth was clamped shut. I reached out to touch her, but my hand simply went through her as easily as air. I watched helplessly as her neck twisted to the side and her lips parted.
She screamed. It was an earsplitting scream - too pained and forced.
"Stop!" she screams. I feel the tears fall over my face. She sobs and tears fall down her cheeks. I tried to reach out, but I still couldn't touch her. I scream in anger.
Tobias… her voice whispers in my mind.
"Please, stop! Caleb, stop! It hurts!" Beatrice screams. My ghostly form turns around and I see Caleb smiling sinisterly at his sister, then back at a computer screen. He's controlling his own sister. How? I turn around to see Beatrice scream again before her mouth is shut by her brother's control. Her eyes are wildly searching the air. For me?
She closes her eyes and breathes.
I wake up in a cold sweat. My body is shaking all over, my hands unstable. I bring my knees to my chest and tighten my arms around them, taking in deep breaths. Her screams still echoes through my mind.
0
I press the button to the doorbell and wait in the rain for a few minutes. The lights have been on all night since I returned with Beatrice's backpack and delivered to news to her parents. Her mother fell to her knees, cradling a picture of her daughter to her chest, sobbing.
"Tobias?" Natalie Prior stands at the door with a landline clutched in her hand. Her hair is still in its neat bun; a few pieces hanging loose. Like Beatrice's. "What's wrong, honey?"
Everything. My life. The love of my life.
"I had a nightmare and can't sleep. Can I come in?" I don't want to sound rude, but the rain pelting me is freezing cold. I feel awake now. Natalie steps aside so I can come in.