RPOV

Rose's consciousness began to weave a familiar yet haunting tapestry in the realm of dreams. Adrian's presence manifested before her, an insistent intrusion into her slumber. Despite her efforts to fend him off, his image grew stronger, drawing her into the dream he had crafted.

The scene unfurled before her like a forgotten memory. The ski lodge, the place they had met in the past. The surroundings held an eerie familiarity, reminiscent of the day she had spent with Mason there. She half-expected to turn around and find him laden with ski gear, his laughter echoing through the hall. But the silence spoke volumes—it was just her and Adrian, alone in this dreamscape.

Adrian Ivashkov. The name conjured a mix of memories and emotions. He had been an enigma, a rich and seemingly insouciant boy who carried the weight of his own struggles. The scent of cloves and alcohol that clung to him was a testament to his coping mechanisms, a way to numb his inner turmoil.

As Rose revisited her time in that dim Spokane basement, the memories clawed at her. Days of captivity and slipping into Lissa's mind or dreams to escape the torment and pain. They had been held captive, and Eddie's blood drained to sate the insatiable thirst of their captors.

And there, amid darkness, Adrian had reached out. His compassion had seeped through the cracks in his facade, offering a glimmer of hope. But hope had faded, replaced by the stark reality of Mason's death. Adrian's voice had echoed in her dreams, a desperate attempt to glean any information that could save them.

In the present dream, Rose looked at him with searching eyes. He appeared weary as though sleep had eluded him for days. Relief was etched across his features, a sense of purpose fulfilled. His words danced in the air, both cheerful and burdened. "It's good to see you, little Dhampir. It's been quite the challenge getting you here."

Her skepticism remained unwavering. "Why bring me here? If everyone's looking for me, you won't get anything out of me."

He sighed softly, acknowledging her resistance. "I'm doing a favor, ensuring you're alive. You've caused quite the concern, Rose."

"Yeah, well, running seemed better than being a lab experiment," Rose retorted, her voice laced with defiance. "Lissa or anyone else at court will never find me."

A revelation from Adrian gave her pause. "Lissa doesn't know about this. It was Eddie who asked."

Eddie's name stirred a wellspring of emotions within Rose. Memories of their shared past bubbled to the surface, a tapestry woven with laughter, camaraderie, and the unbreakable bonds formed in the fires of their shared struggles. As her eyes moistened, she recollected the first time their paths had crossed, a memory etched in her mind like a treasured photograph.

It had started with a defiant act of rebellion, an act that, looking back, seemed almost laughable. She had been a fierce, feisty five-year-old, unwilling to bow to the whims of authority. That day, she had called her teacher a bastard for insisting she spell her full name—Rosemarie Hathaway—instead of the simpler Rose Hathaway. Who forced a kindergartner to grapple with the intricacies of such a lengthy name, anyway?

This marked the inception of her campaign to make her teachers' lives as tumultuous as her own. That single act snowballed into a series of pranks, snarky retorts, and a refusal to be tamed by anyone's expectations. And it was during these exploits that she had unwittingly set the stage for her lifelong connections.

However, life had a peculiar way of bringing unexpected companions into her orbit. As the years progressed and the dynamics shifted, she found herself separated from her mischievous kindergarten days. The academy's walls divided them into their respective classes: Dhampir and Moroi. It was there, amidst the dichotomy of their worlds, that Rose had encountered Eddie and Mason.

Eddie Castile, with his earnest eyes and unwavering loyalty, had become her partner in crime. A fellow outcast, he had joined her on the battleground of defiance and rule-breaking. United by their shared determination to challenge the confines imposed upon them, they had formed a bond that weathered even the most tumultuous storms.

And then there was Mason Ashford, the friendly face that had infused warmth into her life. His easygoing nature and infectious laughter had been a balm for her often tempestuous soul. Mason was the kind of friend who effortlessly transformed moments into cherished memories, making even the most mundane activities feel like grand adventures.

As their trio forged a steadfast friendship, the foundation of their bond became unbreakable. Eddie's quiet strength complemented Rose's fiery spirit, while Mason's lightheartedness served as a counterbalance to their trials. Their shared experiences solidified their camaraderie, transforming them from mere friends to an inseparable unit.

They had welcomed her back with open arms when life had forced her to veer off course. They had stood by her side when the weight of her responsibilities seemed insurmountable. And as she navigated the labyrinthine corridors of her destiny, they had been constants, the pillars upon which her world had stood.

But fate, ever fickle, had once again intervened. Circumstances had shifted, and she had found herself ensnared in a web of danger and intrigue. And despite the years that had passed, her connection with Eddie and Mason remained unshakable. They were the tether grounding her to the memories of simpler times, the friends who had stood with her through thick and thin.

As she emerged from her reverie, her emotions swirled like a tempest within her. They had been there for her, and now she had left them behind. A deep pang of guilt tightened her chest as she faced the harsh truth—she had chosen to protect them by walking away. Still, in doing so, she had left them alone in a world fraught with danger and uncertainty.

"Tell him I'm safe," she implored, a mixture of longing and regret in her voice. "Tell him I'm okay."

Adrian's response held a reassuring tone. "He wants to help, Rose. We all do. We just want to know you're alright."

Tears welled in her eyes, the floodgates of her emotions breaking open. "I'm not okay, Adrian. I'm eighteen, pregnant with a child that is impossible. Its father is dead, and I'm... I'm not okay. I don't know what to do anymore." She choked on her words, her vulnerability exposed.

Adrian's arms enveloped her, a gesture of comfort amidst her storm of emotions. He hummed a lullaby, a familiar melody from her childhood that now seemed like a lifeline. In the midst of her breakdown, his presence offered a form of solace she had yearned for.

"Your aura looks brighter than before," he observed, attempting to offer a glimmer of optimism.

A bittersweet smile curved her lips. "Pregnancy side effects, I guess. Who knew they could bring a hint of positivity?"

Adrian's eyes held a mixture of concern and understanding. "It seems to be helping managing your emotions and anger."

Rose's gaze turned introspective. "Yeah, it helps not taking it all. Just fragments here and there. Blaming some of the emotions on Lissa gives me a bit of relief sometimes."

In the midst of their exchange, a sense of camaraderie rekindled. An old friend offering comfort, a connection in a world that had become increasingly tumultuous.

"Tell him I'm okay, Adrian," she repeated, her voice quieter now. "Tell Eddie I'm safe."

He nodded, his gaze steady. "He'll know. You'll see each other again someday. For now, it's time to wake up."

Panic gripped her as reality beckoned. "No, I'm not ready to wake up! Adrian, don't go, please!"

But the dream began to dissipate, and the feeling of waking overcame her. As she opened her eyes, the last phrase Adrian had uttered lingered in her mind. "Be safe, little dhampir."

Rose woke up in a world that seemed too natural to be a mere dream. Her breath was ragged, her heart racing as if trying to escape the clutches of her nightmare. The remnants of the dream lingered, like a mist that refused to dissipate.

Drawing in deep breaths, she clutched the sheets, willing herself to ground in the present. The room was dimly lit, the soft glow of the moonlight seeping through the curtains. Slowly, her racing heart began to steady, and the chaos within her mind subsided.

With every second that passed, the boundaries between reality and the dream grew clearer. Yet, the emotions the dream had stirred still held her in their grip. The memory of Mason's laughter and Eddie's steadfast presence felt too vivid, too poignant. She pressed her hand against her chest as if seeking solace from the tumultuous emotions swirling within her.

As her breathing returned to normal, Rose's attention shifted to the gentle fluttering within her belly. A tiny, reassuring kick. Her hand instinctively moved to cradle her stomach, a protective gesture she'd grown accustomed to in the past few months.

"Hey there, little one," she whispered, her voice a mixture of tenderness and emotion. "Did you feel me getting all worked up in there? I promise, Mommy's okay. We'll get through this together."

A faint smile graced her lips as she felt another movement responding to her soothing words. It was a connection she cherished, a bond that felt unbreakable. In that moment, she understood the weight of her responsibilities—the life she carried within her, the past she carried on her shoulders.

And just as she was beginning to find comfort in the serenity of the night, a sudden sensation interrupted her thoughts. It was as if her child had decided to add their own voice to the moment—through her bladder.

Rose let out a soft groan, half amusement, and half exasperation. "Really? You woke me up so you can make me pee for the twentieth time this night? Really, my bladder is not a punching bag."

As she shifted in the bed, carefully maneuvering around her growing belly, Rose couldn't help but chuckle at the situation's absurdity. Pregnancy had brought with it a host of bodily changes and unexpected moments, this being one of them. She supposed it was all part of the journey, a series of experiences that would eventually lead to the most important one of all—the arrival of her child.

Gently swinging her legs over the side of the bed, Rose stood up and made her way to the bathroom. The moonlit room seemed to glow around her, casting a soft radiance that enveloped her like a protective embrace. As she returned to the bed after tending to her bladder's demands, she settled back under the covers.

The feeling of her child's movements continued, a soothing rhythm that reminded her she was not alone. With her hand resting on her belly, she whispered, "Okay, little one. We've had our midnight chat. Now it's time for both of us to get some rest."

In the stillness of the night, Rose found solace in the knowledge that she was not alone. The past might have been fraught with pain and darkness, but the future held the promise of something better. With her child as her guiding light, Rose embraced the uncertainty, determined to forge a new path—one where love would triumph over fear and where the bonds of friendship and family would endure the test of time.