Coma (Paranormal Romance)

by Lilly Mance

  “How do I get back in there?” I felt strange asking that, as if it were a box, not my body.

  “You need to stay here for at least half an hour for grounding frequencies to do their work. Then I'll send a signal to the patch, and you'll get snapped back,” he scooped my hair up, and then playfully let it fall down by back.

  “What are we gonna do in that time?” I asked, moving my gaze from my body onto him.

  A mischievous smile tugged his lips upward, “Oh, I have a couple of ideas,” he said, grinning wide, and running fingers through his hair.

  I blushed, “You mean––”

  He chuckled, biting his lip, “As much as I would like to, that’s not what I meant.”

  I triple-blushed, blinking away embarrassment.

  “Let’s go to Sophie’s,” he suggested. “She made it, as well.”

  “She did? Awesome,” I said, “But that will take us more than half an hour.”

  “Not exactly. Remember when I said it’s different than when I was in a coma?”

  “Yes,” I said, making it sound like a question.

  “Let’s just say we don’t have to take the bus anymore,” he winked, and flashed a smug grin.

  “What do we take? A hovercraft?” I chuckled.

  “Come. I’ll show you,” chuckling, he outstretched his arm, calling me into his embrace. Before I could ask, he typed something into his bracelet, and a sudden nausea hit my stomach. I gripped onto him as the room spun, fighting the urge to throw up.

  A few seconds later, we scared the crap out of Sophie. She screamed, and jumped on Ethan like a cat on a tree, digging her nails into his back.

  “As much as I’m into hard and heavy, would you mind removing your nails from my vertebrae?” Perfectly calm, Ethan addressed the small body coiled around his torso. She looked up at him, distraught, not moving an inch. “Um, you’re kind of violating my personal space,” his left cheek tugged up, forming a half smile.

  Sophie detached from Ethan's tall figure, and smoothed her clothes down, then said to us, “What the heck? You could have let us know you were coming!”

  “They did,” Ethan covered his mouth, preventing a chuckle, but his hazel eyes revealed everything. I wondered when did we let him know. I certainly didn’t.

  Sophie darted a glare toward him, then growled, and threw herself on him, knocking him down on her bed. She straddled him, banging violently on his chest. Ethan just laughed, voicing an ouch here or there, but mostly enjoying his position. “You done?” He asked, unable to stop laughing.

  “Not even close,” she huffed, rage gushing out of her nostrils.

  Ethan and Zack exchanged a significant glance, then both typed something into their bracelets. Feeling nausea again, I knew we were leaving, but Sophie didn’t. Nausea made her clasp her mouth shut, and goggle her eyes, but rage was stronger, so she was ready to have another go at Ethan. A moment later, we were at the beach. Not our beach, though.

  “Where are we?” I said, glancing around, feeling warm air hitting my face. Definitely not the winter weather we had at home. We were surrounded by palm trees, ocean as far as eyes could see, and sand under our feet. An empty beach.

  “Hawaii,” Ethan answered, gazing softly at Sophie still on top of him. She wasn’t aware of it because her eyes were on the ocean. In a blink of an eye, she jumped up, stripped down in her underwear, and disappeared under the waves. “Don't know about you, but I'm going in,” Ethan said to us, stripping down as well.

  “We've got other plans,” Zack said, gazing at me, his eyes shining incredibly bright. “Meet you back here in twenty minutes,” he said to Ethan, and laced his fingers through mine.

  I searched his eyes for answers, but he just smiled, so I asked, “What other plans?”

  Zack's lashes dropped, fanning his cheeks, and a beautiful smile covered his face. His eyes snapped back open, latching onto mine. “Let's go over there,” he pointed out a spot further down the beach, a giant rock shaded by big palm trees. Holding hands, we strolled through the sand. All the way to the rock he kept smiling quizzically, holding his gaze on the sand. When we reached the spot, he leaned his back against the rock, spreading his legs just enough for me to fit in, then pulled me closer. I stared into his eyes, admiring shades of dark green and gray. He tucked my hair behind my ears, and traced my cheekbones with both hands, then leaned in, placing a gentle kiss on my lips.

  “I have something for you,” he said, reaching into his pocket. Before taking that something out, he drew a breath, and bit his lip, staring intensely into my eyes. Anticipation was killing me. He took my hand in his, then placed a crimson coral ring on my finger. I gasped, and looked at him with eyes wide open, not knowing what to say, or what that meant. Zack smiled, and smoothed his palm over my cheek, gazing softly into my eyes. As if he had heard my internal dialogue, he explained, “That's a symbol of my commitment to you.” He flipped my palm soft side up, then said, “In your hands, you hold my heart, my soul, my happiness.” He drew three circles on my palm. “It’s all yours to do as you wish. Crush it or cherish it, I'm at your mercy,” his gaze left my palm, and connected to my eyes. I felt weakness shake my knees.

  His eyes mirrored his words, they radiated love and vulnerability, and with it all, he forever captured my heart, and sealed our faith. A fine shiver rushed through my body. I put my arms around his neck, and said, “I love you, Zack, and I'll follow you no matter where this path takes us.”

  He smiled wide, and locked his arms behind my back, “Forever?” He asked, I nodded with a smile, and he sealed our promises with a kiss––so tender, and loving, and yet intense. His hands pressed me against him as if he wanted my body to merge with his, tugging me tighter with each breath.

  A couple of minutes later, he broke away, placing a kiss on my forehead, then turned me around in his embrace, locking his arms around my belly. Resting against his body, I leaned my head on his shoulder, and we watched the sun dip into the ocean, and disappear behind the horizon.

  ~*~

  Back at our rendezvous point, Sophie and Ethan weren't sharing our mood. She was pissed about something, pacing back and forth, and he was comfortably sitting down, playing with the sand, and not giving a damn about her rage display.

  “The creep felt me up,” Sophie said to us when we came near, and our heads darted toward Ethan. He was grinning, looking more proud of himself, than guilty.

  “You were drowning,” Ethan said, slightly chuckling.

  “No, I wasn't! Something stung me in the foot, and I had it under control,” she hissed, kicking some sand toward him with her foot.

  He cleaned the sand off of him, then said, “Then why did your lungs gurgle when I pulled you out?” Ethan winked at Zack.

  Her head snapped back at him, “Is that why I was kicking the crap out of you while you were carrying me out?”

  “I thought you were fighting the waves,” a smug grin washed over Ethan's face.

  “You're unbelievable!” She yelled, throwing her arms in the air.

  “That I am,” Ethan chuckled, stirring her rage even more.

  “Was my ass drowning as well?!” She stormed over to him, dropped down on her knees, and swooshed straight into his face, breathing like a raging bull.

  “Probably,” Ethan chuckled, then grabbed her, and forced a kiss.

  She slapped him, and wiped her mouth, saying, “Jerk!”

  Although she fought off Ethan's assertions, it was more than obvious there was some kind of weird chemistry going on between them, so Zack and I exchanged glances, and decided to let them handle it. Zack typed into his bracelet, and we were back in my room in no time.

  Exactly like we left it, my body was peacefully resting on my bed. If it weren't for my parents, I wouldn't have wanted to go back in there. Subconsciously, I touched the coral ring on my finger.

  “It can't go with you,” Zack said, putting his hand over my ring. With a curved finger, he moved my chin up to face him. I blinked away moisture
in my eyes. “I can give it to you when you get back in your body, or you can have it on your finger every time you exit your body. Your choice.”

  “Leave it on. When do I get a bracelet like you?” I changed the subject, swallowing thick saliva build-up in my mouth.

  With his head bowed, and cheeks rounded by a smile, he said, “When you're able to ground yourself in this realm, and can travel to my century.”

  “But, we've just been to Hawaii. Wasn't that time travel?”

  “No,” he smiled, “That was still inside your chronological time. Linear travel, but faster than the bus,” he chuckled.

  I pursed my lips, grimacing, “How will I know when I'm grounded?”

  Zack took my wrist, “See this barely visible red dot?”

  I brought my wrist closer to my eyes, “Oh, yeah! I see it now.”

  “It'll turn green when you're done,” he took my wrist and moved it from my face down on his hip. I felt my gut trip over itself. Those dark green eyes held my gaze. “You have to go back now,” he said, “But before you do, give me a minute.” Absolutely hypnotized, I nodded. Slowly, he edged closer, putting his arms around me. Inhaling deeply, he hugged me tight, smoothing his hands over my back. Like a swan, I curled my neck around his, enjoying the warmth of his skin. A few moments later, he detached saying, “There. Now I can let you go.” His bracelet pressed against my wrist, and I felt that prickling sensation, then blacked out.

  My eyes snapped open, bringing the ceiling in my view. I was back in my body, feeling rather sad. Zack was next to me, gently stroking my hair.

  “How do you feel?” He asked, feeling the pulse on my neck.

  “Okay,” I said, my voice slightly hoarse.

  “Ethan asked us to meet them,” he said, touching a place where the coral ring was just moments ago. Something deep inside me responded with pain, but I forced a smile, and climbed out of bed. My legs were a bit shaky.

  ~*~

  Cold wind outside chased away the memory of warm Hawaiian air. With our noses beet red from the cold, we entered Mario's. A sweet smell of cinnamon hit our nostrils. Ethan and Sophie seemed to be back on speaking terms, sitting closely to one another, sharing a steaming cup of tea. Their backs were turned toward us, so when we crashed down across the table, they quickly separated, leaving us wondering what was really going on. Zack looked at me, slightly narrowing his eyes as if he suspected the same thing—they were up to something.

  “What's up?” I asked, casually, folding my scarf in my lap.

  “Nothing much,” Ethan answered. “Sophie's busting my balls for groping her, so now she wants to suit up as payback.”

  “Suit up?” I asked, completely not following.

  “Yes,” Sophie said, putting down her tea. “I want those cool boots and their clothes.”

  “I offered to give her mine,” Ethan smirked, “But she has issues with me being naked.”

  Sophie elbowed him, frowning. “The last thing I need is your hairy body in my face all the time!”

  I chuckled, “And she'd swim in it.” She was half his height, not to mention weight.

  “So, we're going back?” Zack asked Ethan, locking his arms behind the chair.

  “Sophie's wish is my command,” Ethan replied, eying Sophie sideways. She slightly blushed, smacking his hand that edged closer to her. “We'll need your sizes,” Ethan added, pulling his hand back.

  “Sure,” I said, “Besides looking cool, what else is up with those suits?” I knew they worked as some sort of personal air-conditioning—keeping them warm in winter, and cooling them down in summer, but that was it.

  “Everything is made out of graphene. It's the most resistant fabric there is. Strong, and it's wired with nanotech, so it's a computer, as well,” Zack explained as briefly as he could, stretching his arms over our booth.

  “And yet, you use my desktop computer,” I chuckled.

  “Would you use NASA's high tech computer to Google lasagna?” Zack snickered, bringing his arms back down.

  I narrowed my eyes, saying, “If it's a special kind of lasagna, I would.”

  “Hey, are you guys talking about sex?” Ethan interjected, looking at us suspiciously, a sly grin breaking free on his face.

  “NO!” Both Zack and I yelled at the same time, grimacing.

  “You really should get some,” Sophie said to Ethan, “To stop obsessing so much,” she giggled.

  “Are you offering?” Ethan grinned wide.

  “Get him out of my face,” Sophie turned to Zack, “Or he won't live another day!”

  “Be back soon,” Zack said, playfully. Instantly getting up, Ethan followed. “You two go back to your room,” Zack said to me, “You'll have to try it on when we get back.” He lowered a kiss on top of my head, and they were gone.

  “Cool,” Sophie breathed. “Can't wait to do what they can.”

  “Me too,” I replied. “Tell me... What's up with you and Ethan?”

  Sophie blushed to her roots, chewing on her lip, then said, “He gets me so worked up that I want to rip his soul out, or his clothes,” she giggled. “Mostly his clothes, though.”

  I chuckled, “Why don't you? He obviously feels the same.”

  She sighed, closing her eyes, “I don't want to ruin what we have.”

  “Bickering?”

  She darted a glare, “No. I'm afraid if we cross that line, things could get weird. Or change to something I won't like.”

  “That's always a possibility. I mean, are there ever guarantees when relationships are in question?” I snorted.

  “I know, but this is great now. He's open about his intentions, I fight him off––”

  “––are you afraid he'll grow out of it if you stop fighting?”

  Sophie lowered her glance, folding her hands in her lap, then said, “Kind of.”

  I reached across the table, smoothing my hands in front of her, tapping to get her glance back up, “Look. I'm not gonna lie to you. He might be into chase and stuff, but he might be the real deal, as well.”

  Sad look in her eyes disapproved, “I'm not willing to take that risk,” she said.

  “Oh, c'mon! I was the one scared to take risks. Not you!” I protested, banging my hands on the table to shake her up.

  “Our roles have reversed,” she smiled, faintly.

  “Even now, I'm not risking as much as you are. This life we chose is a lonely path, and you're walking down all by yourself, while I have Zack to lean on,” I took her hands in mine, and stared in her eyes. She was the brave one, not me, I just had to make her remember that.

  “You don't get it,” she snatched her hands back. “I've been locked up in a hospital for the most of my teen life. Alone, I can do just fine. I'm used to it, goddammit!”

  “Okay, I get it,” I said, understanding her position, but reluctant to let her give in.

  “Highly debatable,” she snorted, “Being alone is my safe haven. I really like Ethan, and––” her voice broke.

  “––and you can't afford to lose him,” I finished her sentence.

  She looked at me surprised that I did understand. A faint “No,” was all she said.

  For her sake, I hopped that Ethan was the real deal. I would hate to see her overcome her fear of abandonment, and then get hurt by a random jackass, so I said, “I'm sorry, Soph. I won't push you where you don't want to go. But if you decide to play the Ethan card, I'm here for you.” I wanted to say that I'd personally bust Ethan's balls if he ended up hurting her, but that would be a sour consolation.

  “Thanks,” she smiled. “I'll wait on that one for a while.”

  ~*~

  Chapter #18

  “It is the mark of an educated mind to be able to entertain a thought without accepting it.”

  –– Aristotle

  On a Sunday morning in May, a week before my nineteenth birthday, the red speck on my wrist turned green. My gut clenched. It was done. My frequencies were grounded in that other realm. I gulped down a knot that forme
d in the back of my throat. That meant it was time to execute the plan Antarctica, and to say goodbye to my parents forever. Absently, I rubbed my thumb over the wrist.

  Suddenly, what used to be a distant plan, was now an imminent reality. I felt weak in my whole body. My palms became clammy, and buzzing in my ears dominated over the surrounding noise. My breathing became erratic as if I were coming down with a panic attack.

  With toothbrush still stuck in my mouth, I slid down on the bathroom floor, and scooped my legs closer to my chest, hugging them. A faint knock on the door winced me.

  “Lyra,” I heard Zack say, “Are you okay in there?”

  “Yes,” I squeezed out, wondering if that was even true.

  “You’re in there for quite long,” he said, suspicion coloring his voice. “May I come in?”

  I didn’t answer. My mind was decomposing, I couldn’t decide whether to say yes or no. Slowly, the door opened, and Zack carefully peered in. Seeing me crippled on the floor, he rushed over, crashing down next to me.

  “What’s wrong?” Fear widened his glance. Still unable to speak, I raised my wrist to his eye level. His face relaxed, and he let out a sigh of relief. “Let’s get you out of here,” he said, taking the toothbrush out of my mouth, then scooping me off the floor. I burrowed my head in the whole of his neck. With me still in his arms, he lowered us on the bed.

  “It’s gonna be okay,” he said, idly circling down my arm. “What they don’t know, won’t hurt them.” He picked up my chin. Those dark green eyes searched mine, teal specks deepening the shade, reaching down into the abyss where my heart had sunk, and bringing me back to the surface. He smoothed his thumb over my chin, and smiled, “We won’t go through with it until you’re sure.”

  As if sedated, I nodded, closing my eyes. I knew I had reached that splitting point on my palm, the lifeline that had always been there, telling me that one day I would have to make that decision. I would have to make it, not Zack. No one could do it for me, and I'd have to live with my actions. A part of me was ready, the part that anticipated it my whole life, and craved for adventure. But that other part that was still my daddy’s little girl was shitless scared. That part needed Zack to be the anchor it could grab onto whenever it felt threatened. That Lyra needed to feel safe above all.