Chapter 6

Lost in the Silk

*Sam*

I awake to the sounds of birds chirping, which is kind of weird because I usually awake to Danny crying out for his early morning milk. My eyes are still closed being how tired I am. I don't get that much sleep anymore between Danny and the pile of work on my desk. So I decide to take another minute to relax and enjoy the serenity.

The couch feels softer than I once remember. The sounds of nature fill my ears with a pleasant song. The air feels warmer, and there's a calm breeze blowing on my face. I don't think I've ever felt as safe as I did in this moment. I should probably get up before Danny does though.

I open my eyes to see myself lying on a pure white couch, wearing a dress made of silk. I move my hand down my side, feeling it's every beautiful thread. I must still be dreaming. I look across the room to see a balcony with silk curtains on each side blowing softly in the wind. I get up and walk over to look out to see a rose garden with every different colored rose known in existence.

A sudden gust of wind blows the silk curtains against my face, letting me feel its smoothness. The feeling brings me back into that safe place. My eyes start to wander, observing more of my surroundings. Within seconds my eye catches a beautiful sight. Hundreds of the soft silk curtains hanging in a maze like manner across the room. It's like this dream was made of all my happiest thoughts.

The sight of it draws me in. I walk into the wave of silk, letting it cover my whole body with its delicate touch. Every step feels even better than the one before. I keep wandering deeper and deeper into the maze until I stop to feel what I believe is the softest silk of them all. I put my face to the fabric and get lost in its touch. Every feeling in my body is at peace.

All of the sudden I feel something mess with my hair. I look back to see nothing but the silk blowing in the wind. I manage to pull myself away to look around, but all I can see is more silk. I feel my hair move again, and look back again. I don't think I'm alone.

"Hello?" I call out. There's no answer. I feel a touch on the back of my neck, so I turn around again. This time catching a quick glimpse of a shadow moving through the curtains. My one and only instinct is to follow in its direction. I start to once again move my way through the beautiful fabrics, only to stop.

Hello? I call out again. The feeling of a hand slides across my back. This time I don't move. I only stand there and close my eyes, waiting for something to happen. The feeling returns to my back. Moving up and down my spine, and then back up to my shoulders. My head rolls back letting the touch consume my body. I let out a little sigh before putting my hand to theirs. The figure leans in holding me close, and starts to speak.

"You are so beautiful" he whispers in my ear.

His words speak to me in such harmony. I need to know who. I slowly open my eyes and turn around. Within a heartbeat, that peace is gone. My happiest dream has just morphed into my worst nightmare.

"Caleb."

He looks at me adoringly, moving the hair away from my face. I an instant, my heart start to race and my brain is telling me to run, so I do. I run through the beautiful silk, this time not stopping to feel its glory. It feels as if I have been running forever. Like there is no end. I try to wake myself up but nothing is working. I'm starting to get short of breath and end up having to stop.

The room is spinning and I can start to feel my body weaken. There's nothing to do but fall to the hard unforgiving ground, hoping it will wake me from this nightmare. But as I start to collapse, I feel arms sweep beneath my body to catch me. I'm not quite unconscious but I'm not quite conscious either. I can't move but I can feel and hear everything around me. The person I presume is Caleb picks me up and carries me out of the silken maze, and lies me down on what seems like a bed of pillows. I feel his presence next to me. I'm starting to think this isn't a dream.

He strokes my head and starts to speak again.

"I told you Livvie…. I'd never let anything come between us."