I looked at my hands once more, just as the loud voice declared the same words.
"You think you can run away from me, boy?"
My senses faded everything else out as I observed my hands and watched the bright symbols and particularly clock symbols that had the clock turning swiftly.
"W-What?"
"Time is of the essence, Zephyr."
My eyes lifted to see the little boy - his short silver hair and onyx eyes a reflection of mine. He wore a black outfit and a cape upon his shoulders.
"You..." I whispered at the striking image of me.
This...is me as a child. How is this possible?
"Time is ticking. Be wary. Only you remain, Connor. Find what is destined to be yours before it's too late," he declared with confidence. "Or else you'll lose your Goddess of Time."
He outstretched his hands then, sending me flying back.
* * *
My body surged into a sitting position, my rushing breath and the beads of sweat running down my face the first recognition I needed to confirm I was awake. My eyes quickly scanned the dark room, and I stilled at the two other individuals snuggled up in the king-size bed.
Immediately staring at Brianne, I looked to see her peaceful face as she was still fast asleep. Her front side faced me as she slept on her right side, while Jax's arm was hooked around her as he was pressed right against her back while a good chunk of his face was covered in Brianne's orange locks.
At least I could see enough to confirm he was breathing away, his slow inhales and exhales proving that he, too, was alive and deep in slumber.
Lifting my hands, I observed their rapid trembling before running my hands through my wet locks. I was still dripping in sweat, my chest rising and falling swiftly enough that I needed to do something to calm down.
I should shower.
After making sure I got out of the bed slowly enough to not disturb the others, I grabbed a new pair of boxers and headed to the bathroom.
Once the door was closed, I took a moment to look in the mirror to see just how panicked I looked. My eyes were wild with fear and threads of panic, and I was still struggling to keep my breathing even.
Shaking my head and swallowing the lump in my throat, I returned my eyes to my hands, inspecting them for the symbols that were etched into my skin. No matter how long I stared, nothing changed.
"Fuck. That was a crazy nightmare."
I took a long inhale then let it out as I decided to test if the shower was working. Before our blowing flowers session, Sebastian had arrived to check on us before Finnick asked if he was good at fixing stuff.
He apparently was nifty with tools, and after five seconds of examining the hot tub, he determined what had to be fixed. Within a total of ten minutes, it was fixed and he mentioned that the hot water should be working again.
Turning the knob, the stream of water pushed out of the tiny holes of the showerhead, the water the perfect temperature between hot and cold. I needed to just get rid of the sweat on my body first before enjoying the hot beads of rejuvenation such showers delivered to me.
I pondered what could have triggered the nightmare this morning. My dad was potentially going to get the death penalty, and if he didn't, he'd spend the rest of his life in prison. No way would he get close to Brianne - as if I'd dare let him.
My hands curled into fists at the mere thought, and I placed them against the marble wall before me as I let the stream of water hit me. I'd have to figure out what that was all about.
If it happens again, I'll ask Professor Phoenix. Surely, she'd be able to give me some sort of advice.
I wouldn't tell the others about it. There was no need to worry them over a nightmare I'd had once. Opening my eyes, I went back to washing up before I finished and dried myself off. Slipping into my boxers and ruffling my hair with the towel, I stretched and quietly left the washroom.
Emerging from the steamy oasis into the cool room gave me a refreshing feeling as I walked over to the little wine cart and quietly poured myself a drink. Since Dubai, I was beginning to get into whisky. Maybe because I enjoyed the fact that you drank less but got the same easing effect alcohol brought.
I wasn't going to get addicted or anything. It was just to keep my worries at bay during this vacation. Heading to the balcony, I enjoyed the chilled breeze and finest fresh air, all while the mountain sight with the mist further out on the horizon made this entire scene seem like an advertisement for this country.
That was one of the joys of travel. You got to see the best in the world and it was an experience, versus something you merely witnessed on a screen. I tried not to be anxious when I walked on the solid surface, reminding myself that what I'd experienced was nothing but a dream.
You're awake now, Connor. That was nothing but a dream.
Taking a few sips of the alcoholic beverage, I got lost in the view, to the point that I didn't sense Jax until he was leaning his back against the balcony ledge.
"The fact you didn't sense me early tells me you're not okay," Jax pointed out.
I gave him a slight grin as I lifted my drink as though we were about to cheers.
"Got one?"
Jax smirked and lifted his hand up to show his glass of whisky. "Balcony talks are only nice with alcohol."
That made me chuckle as he turned and stared at the view with me. We were quiet for a long while, just enjoying our drinks while being lost in our thoughts.
"What are you afraid of?"
I noticed the slight change in his tone, feeling the emotional flow of control, confidence, and hints of uncertainty. With a slight glance, I noticed those black eyes that were staring at me like I was the most boring person in the universe, but I also had a hunch he was just tired.
"Stop stalling and tell me. My ass is tired and I wanna go back to dreaming of Marianna."
"As if I were stopping you," I muttered, but returned my attention forward as I decided to answer his question. "I had a dumb nightmare, that's all."
"About?"
"Telling you isn't going to change the fact it's insignificant."
"Valid. But if you're wasting my damn time, you better spill the fucking deets."
"You swear a lot."
"Fuck you, too," Jaxsin huffed. "Now spill."
"It felt like I was running from something. I was out of breath, sweaty, trying not to suffocate. My father's voice was booming above, basically taunting me that this wasn't over. I then fell, like the floor had caved in, just like the rest of the dark world. When I landed on some surface, it was a balcony like this. Brianne was in the distance, with a spotlight on her. She turned around to look at me, and suddenly a bullet went through her head."
I paused as I tried not to get consumed by the sudden spike of anger and worry that leaked off of Jaxsin in waves. My pause must have made him realize what his emotions were doing because he quickly reeled them in while feigning innocence as he drank a gulp of the whisky.
"Continue," he urged.
"She fell to the floor while the world was crumbling again. I screamed and tried to reach her, but something was holding me back. Like chains. Suddenly my hands began to glow as the floor caved once more and Brianne began to fall to her doom. Then everything began to go in reverse until I was back at the beginning."