GRACE:

I snapped awake, covered in sweat. The awful screech of a Bennu bird echoed outside my window.

“Where am I?”

Darkness engulfed me. Paranoia sprouted deep in my chest, a warning that the world could split open and devour me.

I peeked through the curtain, but only saw the omnipresent, oppressive red Grid covering the night sky. The heaviness of the Grid suffocated me as I struggled to get a grip. What was it made of? Why was it there in the sky? Were we all lab monkeys in some twisted experiment, imprisoned in a gilded cage of expectation and judgment? What universal possibilities awaited on the other side? Someday when I was running the Institute, I’d find out. Until then, the fear of the unknown strangled me. I wished my mother was there to wrap me in her soothing arms. Would comfort ever come?

I shuffled out of my bedroom and over to the couch to find someone sleeping.

“Who’s here?”

The dark figure didn’t answer.

My heart pounded. Had someone broken into my apartment? Would I die before marrying Feraz and unlocking the secrets of the Grid to realize all my life goals and dreams?

My eyes adjusted to the dim light, and I realized it was Jackie asleep on my couch. Thank goodness it wasn’t the nefarious stranger my paranoia perceived.

I whispered, “Jackie, get up. We’re not safe.”

She snorted, but didn’t stir.

Alone in this strange reality my paranoia created, I crawled around my living room in the dark, trying to navigate my drug-induced stupor. I admit it was not my finest moment.

A sudden knock on the door sent my heartbeat skyrocketing. I knew danger lurked. Who was coming to get me? What did they want? What would they do to me if I let them in?

I tiptoed to the front door. My voice cracked. “Who’s there?”

I glanced through the peep hole, heart beating through my throat. No one was there. Was I ever really safe under the Grid or was it all an illusion?

Another knock made my knees buckle. I looked through the peephole and saw a dark and brooding figure. Who was coming for me? Fear made it impossible to breathe.

The knocking continued. Was I imagining it? There was only one way to find out. My hand shook as I grabbed the doorknob.

“What do you want?”

No answer.

Faking bravery, I swung the front door open to find an empty porch. The night wind made me shiver.

“Hello?” I stepped outside with a pit in my stomach.

When I looked to my left, a hand swept over my mouth. A man grabbed me from behind.

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“Please don’t hurt me.” My words muffled against his hand. The Grid’s red glow made me dizzy. Tears poured down my cheeks as I accepted that this could be the end.

“Are you crying?” the assailant asked. “Geez, get a grip. You’re always so emotional.”

He let go of me. I exhaled relief. It was Feraz.

“Thank goodness it’s you!” I hugged him tight and covered him with kisses.

“I’m so glad you’re here, but why did you scare me like that?”

“Can’t you take a joke? It’s always something with you. Wipe your tears.”

Feraz held me at arm’s length on his way inside my apartment.

I peeked around outside to make sure he wasn’t followed before locking the deadbolt.

He looked disgusted when he saw Jackie sleeping on the coach. “You running a charity now?”

“Stop. It’s not like that.”

“She’s a janitor, Grace. You need to check your standards if you want to join the Tal family someday.”

“I understand, but she needs my help.”

“You can’t save the world, so stop trying.” Feraz rolled his eyes and walked into my bedroom.

He flicked the lights on and found a disaster zone; my unmade bed, dirty dishes on the end tables, clothes on the floor.

“What happened in here? It looks like a crack den and smells like funky body odor. At least make your janitor do her job.”

Self-conscious, I straightened my shirt and sweaty hair.

He looked me up and down. “You look like a wreck. Get it together, Grace.”

His words crushed me, but made me want him more. Feraz looked radiant. His piercing eyes, thick black hair, muscular frame, shirt tucked into his pants to expose his designer belt. Always so put together. He commanded respect, and I was putty in his hands.

“Where’s the book?” he asked.

His demanding voice triggered me. Jackie’s earlier advice resonated in that moment. Feraz was a jerk. Here he was making fun of the way I looked, when it was his idea to give me the serum in the first place. The side effects were taking a toll on me, but it wasn’t my fault.

“I’m done with that crap, Feraz. Did anyone follow you here?” I peeped outside between my blinds, but only saw that awful Grid.

“What? Don’t be stupid.”

“Look what it’s doing to me. I feel as awful as I look.”

I sat on my bed, dejected. Would Feraz still want to marry me if I didn’t do what he wanted? What would become of me if I went through with our plan?

“I need a break from the drug, babe.”

“You’d be crazy to stop now. We’re almost to the finish line. Get it through your thick skull, Grace.”

“Stop saying I’m crazy. I’m not… The drug has terrible side effects. Can’t you see that?”

“You’re always making something out of nothing. Stick to the plan. Everything is falling into place. It’ll all be fine.”

But I was second guessing Feraz’s plan. “You promised me eternal youth. Beauty beyond my wildest dreams. Happiness that never fades…”

“Don’t blame me. You put yourself in this situation. You’re high all the damn time.”

“I’m high all the time because you’ve increased my dosage. It’s making me sick, and I’m getting a gross rash on my neck.”

Feraz’s nose curled. “Way to keep the romance alive, Grace.”

“What romance? You barely even kiss me anymore. Stephanie told me she saw you with Suzy in the library stacks. Is that true? Huh? Tell me everything.”

“Don’t act insecure. It’s not a good look.” He crossed his arms defensively.

I chuckled in a rare moment of clarity. “You need this more than I do. You always have. I’m done with this stupid plan of yours.”

Feraz wiped the scowl off his smug face and wrapped me in a hug. I had him now.

“Hey, babe. Come on. You’re my everything. You know that, Grace.”

He snuggled his nose into the crook of my neck. Luckily, not near my skin rash. The tickle made me giggle. His sandalwood cologne smelled so masculine and woodsy, while I needed a shower.

Feraz grabbed the nape of my neck and pulled me in close enough to kiss. My lips yearned for his touch, but he held back. Goosebumps covered my skin from our electric chemistry. My anticipation grew as he lingered oh so close.

He whispered in my ear, “One lifetime with you isn’t enough, dear. We need an eternity.”

“But what if it kills me first?”

Feraz gripped my hair tight and pulled.

“Ow, that hurts. Please Feraz, let go.”

“If you don’t go through with our plan, you can kiss forever goodbye. You’ll never find anyone as good as me. Do you want to spend the rest of your life washed up and alone?” He said through gritted teeth.

He tightened his grip, causing me to moan from the pain. The power Feraz held over me went from sexy to terrifying in a flash. I was completely under his control. What would he do if I didn’t go through with his plan? Did I have the strength to stop him? Did I even want to?