Dreamwalker (11 page)

He grasped my hand tightly and we jumped on his motorcycle with a frantic pace. Before I knew it my hands were wrapped around Boone with a death grip and the bike sped to life under us much faster than the previous ride.

There was no time to be afraid and pure adrenaline coursed through me. I had no idea where we were going and was just happy to have it be anywhere but the hotel. Wren was not the kind of girl you messed with. She looked like she could eat me for breakfast. Just the thought of Wren sent chills up my spine and I nestled closer to Boone, not even caring where we ended up.

The motorcycle zipped and turned through many streets and alley ways before the road spit us out on I-70. Before I knew it, we were heading west towards Wentzville. The highway was so fast and the wind was whipping my hair around in long lashing tendrils assaulting me from all directions. Outside noise of the surrounding cars and semis was loud and nearly ear piercing at close range.

Settling in, my figure pressed tightly up against Boone, I eventually had time to appreciate his rugged figure. My arms were wrapped around the broad planes of his chest and my legs pressed up against his firm backside. Just that small thought sent wisps of excitement through me.

We whizzed by so many other vehicles, that I was surprised when we finally slowed and exited off the highway. We leisurely came to a crawling speed and I was finally able to lift my head and push my hair back to view our new surroundings. We had exited in O’Fallon and were drifting down Main Street at the crawling pace of 30 mph.

Our bike crossed the railroad tracks with a series of bumps, jostling me around Boone. Then we swiftly approached the large Catholic Church and School on the left. Just as quickly, City Hall and the convent appeared on the right.

I always liked the Catholic’s attention to detail. It was intense and their churches were immaculate and awe inspiring. Even the convent was beautiful. Large stained glass windows and turn of the century stone work made out the character of the buildings.

Boone turned us onto a country road and I watched as the never ending sea of houses finally dwindled to a sporadic few along the way. There were a lot of curves on this windy road and I leaned into Boone as naturally as I ever thought was possible.

When we finally did stop, I was full of a million thoughts. I refrained the rapid firing of questions though once I saw someone else coming to greet us. The figure moved closer though, and the questions doubled, even tripled. I was flooded with those questions swimming around, waiting to be resolved.

Autumn, hair falling in her face, a brown sweater and jeans, was headed straight for us. I wasted no time wrapping my arms around her and clinging for dear life. She was the last person I ever expected to see while on the run from people I didn’t even know existed.

“
Nells, are you ok? I was so worried about you! You left the store so fast; I wasn’t able to keep tabs on you. Luckily, Boone found you before Wren did. God, she is such a bitch! I am just glad you are ok. Come on, let’s get you warmed up, you must be freezing!”

“
Wait, Boone is hurt. Wren got him with a bullet. He is bleeding and needs first aid,” I said adamantly.

His eyes met mine and something passed there, desire or compassion maybe. I took a deep breath to shake it off and returned my focus on Autumn.

“
Inside, we will get him all the help he needs. Let’s just get out of this cold,” she pleaded.

Still a little shocked, I took her hand and followed her inside the country house. I didn’t bother to tell her that Boone kept me plenty warm on the way here.

The rustic cottage style house seemed warm and inviting. A fire was burning in the fireplace and smoke was gently billowing from it outside. I felt as if I had stepped inside a Thomas Kinkade painting when I made my way inside.

The entry way of oak floors were lined with boots and shoes. There were far more than I expected. Unease was still creeping through me, even with the relief of seeing Autumn.

We took off our shoes; mine were a pair of rough looking flats, his motorcycle boots. Passing through a large country style kitchen with a granite island and tall oak cabinets, we wound up in a large hearth room.

The Faberge carpet was brown with flecks of gold and green and my feet sank into it. There were several people sitting around the fire, some with beer in hand. I was unsure of who they were and where to sit, so I waited for Boone and Autumn to guide me.

It was ironic that all three of us ended up on a small loveseat with me in the middle. Being with Boone was becoming increasingly comfortable and I was not sure I liked that. Jared and I had such an intimate connection; it tore me in two just thinking of it.

I mentally brushed off the confusing thoughts once Autumn turned her attention to me.

“
O.M.G. Nells, I am sure you have about ten million questions right now! Please just have a little patience and I will try to explain, k?”

I just shrugged, unsure of how to respond to the overwhelming situation. Luckily, someone brought the first aid kid and I insisted on fixing Boone myself.

Everyone seemingly halted while I worked on Boone. He slid off his shirt and I nearly lost my breath. His muscles were very well defined and only gave me something else to fantasize about. I cleared my throat and gently inspected the wound.

“
The good news is that it was just a graze. There isn’t a bullet to deal with. The bad news is that it might sting a little and I am so sorry.”

I took out the antiseptic and gently used a piece of gauze to dab the wound on his right shoulder. He winced, but showed no other signs of vulnerability. I couldn’t help but think thoughts I shouldn’t.

After I finished, he tossed the shirt back on even though it was still bloody and rejoined the group. I was actually dismayed to see him put it back on so fast. Boy was I in trouble.

Pointing left to right, Autumn introduced her entourage, “This is Graham, Clark, Joe, and Mr. Greene. I believe Madison is out back smoking.”

Joe jumped up and shook my hand. “Names Yoseph, but everyone calls me Joe.”

“
It is nice to meet you I think,” I said nodding politely.

This earned me a smile from Autumn. “Ok, so Mr. Greene is the boss I guess you would say and Clark is my new partner. Graham and Madison are partners. Joe works alone like Mr. Greene does. Boone and Jared are partners also, but I guess he has already explained that.”

“
Who is it you actually work for, the C.I.A. or something? Is Wren a rogue agent? Where is Jared? I really want to know what is going on. This is such a train wreck,” I spat out in rapid succession then rubbed my temples as if I had a headache. “My brain hurts just thinking about all this!”

Autumn slung her arm over my shoulder and pulled me closer to her in reassurance. “I know this is a lot to take in, but Nells I am still your bestie no matter what the circumstances. Don’t freak, this is a safe house and Wren and her team can’t find us here.”

“
Yeah, it’s not like every day I am pitted against a sexy woman with a proclivity for guns and things that go bump in the night. Wren is scary at best,” I confessed.

Then, I took time for the rest of the information to sink in and I began tumbling things around in my dizzy brain.

“
Team,” I shot back, more questions piling up.

“
People with abilities and Autumn, you knew all along? What about Jared? Boone has abilities too?”

This time it was Mr. Greene who spoke up. “Yes, team. We are not C.I.A. and neither are they. We don’t really have a name, but I guess you could call us a rogue sect of Wren’s organization.”

He paused before continuing. “She is part of an organization that uses individual’s with abilities to complete their servitude and achieve immortality. Autumn was apparently deep under cover trying to protect you all this time until the timing was right to bring you in.”

Then he turned to Autumn. “Thanks for bringing Noel to us. You can trust us, we are loyal.”

“
With all due respect sir, it wasn’t my choice to bring her out of hiding and here to you.”

He just turned to me and gave me a waning smile. Something about the tone in his voice sent a chill through me. He may be telling the truth, but I just couldn’t trust anyone right now. My world had been turned upside down and I didn’t even know which way was up.

Everything was so confusing and bumping around inside my head. Soon my vision began tunneling and I crumpled to the floor before I faded away.

This time the vision was of that same hazel eyed girl in my last vision. She was sitting on a wooden walkway. Bamboo was growing cleanly around her in flower beds. Water was flowing from a tranquil fountain in front of her. Cherry trees were blooming and petals were falling in the slow breeze.

In the background the sun was shining down on her. Her light brown hair was glistening in the sun and she looked at peace. She was wearing a white tunic and stretch pants. Her breathing was slow and steady; her body was formed into a yoga pose, appearing to be meditating.

She sat this way for several minutes before a figure approached from behind. He was dressed in similar clothing and sat down beside her.

I gasped knowing they couldn’t hear me and grew confused at the unexpected appearance of Boone. He was there and he knew this mystery girl. They didn’t speak and he just took her hand. They sat there in silence, soaking up the sun and saying nothing.

It was Boone who finally broke the silence. “You can’t hide her forever.”

His eyes were studying hers, but then she shook her head and broke their connection.

“
Actually, I can. She can’t get involved in this life. It’s dangerous and no way to live. Besides, if PLI gets a hold of her, it’s the end of the road for us. They will never let go and we will be slaves for the rest of our god given lives.”

She shuttered and stood to end the conversation, but Boone turned her and folded her in a warm embrace.

“
You know I won’t let that happen. We can protect her. Let us help you. Besides, if they find her first, then it is already game over. You won’t even get the chance to help her. C’mon Sam, let me help.”

Just as the other vision before, it turned pixilated and swirled away, blown to pieces like tiny flecks of multicolored dust.

When my sight cleared and I was able to open my eyes, Boone and Autumn were there beside me with looks of concern masking their faces. Although this vision was a lot quicker than the last, it was much more telling and I felt so much closer to some real answers.

“
Nells, are you ok? What happened? Do you need some tea? How about a taking a nap?” Autumn asked with genuine concern in her voice, blue eyes filled with emotion.

My first instinct was to shrug it all off and say no to everything, especially with betrayal so fresh on my mind. Then I thought it over. I don’t really want to talk just yet about this with Boone in all this chaos.

Tea sounded like a sketchy idea in mixed company. The nap was exactly what I needed. Then I could talk to Jared and see what was going on. Maybe he could shed some light on everyone and who I should trust.

“
A nap would really be nice,” I responded, grateful for Autumns’ trust. She knew I dreamed of Jared and she was still taking a chance on me. I gave her a wry smile and feigned a yawn for the audiences benefit.

Autumn wasted no time guiding me into a back bedroom for a nap. She looked as if she wanted to tell me something but didn’t want anyone else to hear. Her eyes kept darting to and from me until we made it into a plush bedroom, all country oak. The door shut behind her and I found myself immersed in a room of rich emeralds and solid silky greens.

Autumn led me to the bed and I sunk into a heavenly mix of silk and Egyptian cotton and let out a sigh in contentment. I indulged in the comforts of this quaint country home before I returned my attention to Autumn several minutes later.

When I finally turned back to Autumn, she looked like a chitterling nervous bird. I beckoned for her to join me and then waited as she sunk down beside me.

“
I am so glad you’re ok. You have to believe me. I couldn’t tell you the truth. I always was and still am your best friend. I’m sorry you had to find everything out this way. Gosh, I wanted to tell you so many times. There were just too many things that could happen to you if I told you. Believe me Nells, ignorance is bliss and that is all I wanted for you.”

“
Fortunately for you I have hit my bullshit quota for the day and am just too damn tired to deal. Thanks for letting me nap, I appreciate it,” I answered in a slightly frosty tone.

Autumn recoiled as if stung and nodded. She gathered her composure and leaned in just a breath away from me. “Tell Jared everything. Tell him I said hi. And please try to trust me.”

Then as quickly as she could, she left, letting the door click shut behind her. I became all too aware of my newfound privacy and sunk down into the bed in relief. Even with everything that was whirling around in my head, it took much less time than anticipated to drift off to sleep.