“I’m not sure,” Stephen said. “For the first time in a long time, I am not looking for something. I feel . . . peaceful.”
“I know.” I felt it too, like there was no reason to go anywhere, or do anything. I couldn’t think of somewhere I would rather be, than in the church alone with him. I stepped close to Stephen.
“What are you doing?” Stephen asked. I didn’t answer, only slid my arms around his neck to pull him close. While his voice might have been hesitant, his body was not. He stepped into me even as he wondered why.
“Kiss me again,” I said softly. Still, he held himself back. “We did what we needed to, now I just want to be lost with you.”
“Are you sure?” Stephen asked. He let his head drop so his lips brushed my cheek as he spoke. The feeling made me shiver.
“Yes,” I said. “When I kissed you I felt like I was disappearing. Maybe that was how it was meant to be.”
He needed no more convincing. His lips found mine, pressing firmly and insistently, while his arms pulled me tightly to him. A familiar tingle rushed through me, warming my whole body. Then it seemed like I was falling and out of fear I pulled back.
I rested my head against his, both of us breathing heavily. When I opened my eyes I saw he was flickering in and out, growing fuzzy at the edges. Panic surged through me as I thought I might be left behind.
“Take me back,” I whispered, and kissed him again.
This time I gave into falling. I let his kiss pull me into oblivion, pleasure rolling through me in great wave. His lips were the only thing I felt in the darkness. Then, nothing.
11.
I woke to a constant, steady beep.
I opened my eyes, looking up at a white ceiling. Blinking, I tried to connect what I was seeing to what I had last seen. Where was the church? Where was Stephen? I was lying on a soft bed, I felt that much. When I turned my head, I saw my mom.
“Alyssa?” Mom let her book fall. She came to my side, and took my hand. I was in the hospital. I frowned.
“Mom?” my voice creaked out, like I hadn't spoken in days. “What’s going on?”
“There was an accident,” she said. Of course she couldn't have any idea what I was really asking. “Just lay still a moment. I'll call for the doctor.”
She went to the door, calling into the hallway. I lay in the bed, trying to piece things together. I vaguely remembered being at the hospital, but I remembered the feel of Stephen's hand in mine much more clearly. I remembered the smell of Crescent, and the feel of his boat rocking beneath us. Was it all really just a dream?
The doctor came in, putting me through the usual tests before announcing that I seemed to be fine. My dad arrived a few minutes after the doctor, standing back with my mom as the doctor looked me over. Both of them looked breathless as they waited for the doctor's announcement.
“Claire will be in soon,” Mom said after the doctor left. “They said she was the one we should worry about, but she woke late yesterday night.”
“Yesterday,” I said. “What day is it?”
“Tuesday,” Dad said. “You have been in a coma for five days.”
“Wow,” I said.
“Hey, Alyssa,” Claire said from a wheelchair as a nurse pushed her into the room. She smiled when I met her eyes. “Good to see you're awake.”
“You too,” I said. The nurse left her beside my bed, and Claire took my hand. “I'm sorry,” I said.
“We've been through this,” Claire said. “It's time to move on, right?”
I searched her eyes, trying to see what she meant by that. Was she talking about our talk in the church, or was it just a coincidence?
“We are so happy you girls are okay,” Dad said. He came up behind Claire and bent to kiss her head. He leaned over to kiss me on the cheek. “I don't know what I would do without the two of you.”
“Thanks, Dad,” I said.
My mom shuddered. “When we got the call, we could barely drive over here. Then to find out about the other kids as well.”
“Other kids?” I asked.
“There were a brother and sister in the other car,” Mom said. “Neither of you are at fault. The light failed, giving both of you a green light.”
“A brother and sister?” I asked. “Are they okay?”
“They are,” Claire answered. “I just saw them. Stephen’s been very worried about you.”
From the way Claire smiled, I knew it had been more than a dream.
About the author:
Writing has always been a part of Samantha's life from the short stories she wrote as a child (usually about doorways to other worlds or finding Atlantis) to the fan-fiction she wrote in college (Buffy and Faith anyone?)but it's only recently that she began writing original work. Aside from her debut book Morning Rising, her short stories have been featured in various websites and books, and she was the co-winner of the 2010 Textnovel.com online writing contest.
When not writing, she's usually found with a glass of red wine in her hand and a cat on her lap. If she's lucky, she'll find some space for a book in there too.
To learn more visit www.SamanthaBoyette.com
Also available for the Kindle:
Guardian of Morning Book 1: Morning Rising- In the ever present dusk of Inbetween, Kara Hart wakes up dirty and alone with the memory of a girl named Dylan. She remembers meeting Dylan and how her heart beat when Dylan touched her face, but nothing else. When Kara is sent to Demitar, the evil ruler of Inbetween, the truth is revealed. She is Dylan’s Guardian and neither of them are who they thought they were.
Guardian of Morning Book 2: Darkness of Morning- Coming Soon!
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