Lilliam

"Why didn't you call?"

I looked at my hand resting on my knees as we drove back home. I could feel Owen's anger radiating off him, like heat waves in the confined space of the car. His leg twitched, and his driving was snappy and aggressive, every turn and acceleration a testament to his frustration.

"I wanted some time alone—"

"With a guy?"

I glanced at him, startled by the accusation. His knuckles were white, gripping the steering wheel. "No! I just wanted to drink and eat something. He just showed up and sat next to me—"

"Kissing your hand? What about me?"

"Come on, Owen, you're a grown-up. You know how to cook." My voice was edged with frustration, but it was clear that he was not in the mood for reason.

"Why was he kissing your hand?" he asked, his tone firm and unyielding.

"I don't know! He was just introducing himself—"

Owen rolled his eyes, half-laughing arrogantly. "Is he from the '90s?"

I sighed, crossing my arms over my chest, feeling a cold knot of anxiety settle in my stomach. "Think what you want!"

"You were in a bar, with another guy, ignoring my call! What do you want me to think?

I didn't reply and stared out the window, watching the city lights blur into streaks of color as we sped past. The silence between us was thick and suffocating.

The rest of the ride was quiet. As we pulled into the driveway and parked, the tension was palpable. I got out of the car and walked into the house, heading straight for the bathroom. I closed the door behind me, the cool tile floor grounding me for a moment.

I heard the studio door open and close with a rather strong thump, the sound echoing through the house. My knees gave out, and I slid down the door, hugging my knees and letting the tears fall. The bathroom's dim light cast long shadows, and I felt utterly alone. When will this end?

*****

I found myself in a dense forest, the canopy above filtering the moonlight into silvery streams that danced on the forest floor. The air was cool and crisp, filled with the earthy scent of moss and pine. My footsteps were light, barely making a sound as I ran through the underbrush. I didn't know why I was running, only that I had to. My heart pounded in my chest, adrenaline coursing through my veins.

The trees blurred past me as I picked up speed, my breath coming in sharp, ragged gasps. I glanced over my shoulder, a sense of dread creeping up my spine. Something was following me. The shadows seemed to move with a life of their own, closing in around me. Panic surged through me, urging me to run faster.

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Branches whipped at my face and snagged my clothes, but I didn't slow down. I pushed myself harder, my legs burning with the effort. My mind was a whirlwind of fear and confusion, the primal instinct to survive overriding all else.

Suddenly, I stumbled into a clearing, the forest opening up before me. I skidded to a halt, my breath hitching in my throat. Standing in the middle of the clearing was a massive black wolf, its fur shimmering in the moonlight. Its emerald eyes locked onto mine, glowing with an otherworldly intensity. The wolf bared its teeth, a low growl rumbling deep in its chest.

I froze, my heart pounding so loudly I could hear it in my ears. The wolf's gaze was hypnotic, drawing me in even as it terrified me. I took a hesitant step back, my body trembling.

The wolf moved fluidly, almost gracefully, its eyes never leaving mine. It stepped into my path, cutting off any chance of escape. I could see the powerful muscles rippling beneath its fur, the sharpness of its claws as they dug into the ground.

My breath came in short, shallow bursts, fear paralyzing me. I wanted to run, but my legs wouldn't move. The wolf's growl deepened, a sound that seemed to resonate within my very bones. I could feel the primal power radiating from the creature, a force that both awed and frightened me.

Time seemed to stand still as we stared at each other, the forest around us eerily silent. The wolf's eyes seemed to bore into my soul, and for a moment, I felt a strange connection, a sense of recognition. The fear ebbed away, replaced by a curious calm.

Then, with a suddenness that took my breath away, the wolf lunged.

I woke with a start, my body drenched in sweat, my heart still racing. The dream lingered, the image of the black wolf with emerald eyes seared into my mind. I could still feel the intensity of its gaze, the primal energy that had coursed through me. Trembling, I hugged my knees to my chest, trying to shake off the lingering fear and confusion.

Looking to my side, the bed was empty—another night alone. The room was bathed in the soft glow of the moonlight streaming through the curtains, casting long shadows on the walls. The silence was deafening, amplifying the loneliness that gnawed at my heart. I ran a hand through my damp hair, the vivid memory of the dream still gripping me.

I swung my legs over the side of the bed and sat there for a moment, staring at the floor. The house was still, except for the faint hum of the refrigerator in the kitchen. I felt a profound sense of isolation, as if the dream had been a stark reminder of the void in my life.

With a deep breath, I stood up and walked to the window. I pulled the curtains aside and looked out at the moonlit landscape. The world outside seemed so peaceful, a stark contrast to the turmoil within me. The image of the wolf's emerald eyes lingered, a symbol of something elusive yet deeply desired.

I leaned against the window frame, letting the cool night air wash over me. Maybe the dream was trying to tell me something, a reflection of the inner turmoil I couldn't escape. Or perhaps it was just my mind playing tricks on me, a manifestation of my deepest fears and desires.

Either way, I knew I couldn't go back to sleep. Not yet. The restlessness within me was too strong. I needed to clear my head, to find some semblance of peace in the quiet of the night. So, I grabbed a blanket, wrapped it around my shoulders, and stepped outside into the night, hoping the cool air and the solitude would help me make sense of the chaos within.

As I walked into the moonlit night, I couldn't shake the feeling that something was off. The crisp night air filled my lungs, and as I breathed deeply, I caught the lingering smell of coffee. My muscles relaxed at the familiar scent, providing a momentary reprieve from my swirling thoughts.

"What are you doing outside at this hour?"

My relaxation was snapped as I saw Owen standing in the front door, looking at me strangely. "Don't you have work tomorrow?"

I groaned as the smell vanished and stared hard at him. "Don't you too?"

Before he could answer, I walked briskly past him and returned to the room. It was 3:45 AM. I tried my best to go back to sleep, but the green eyes from my dream were still there in my mind, haunting me with their intensity. I tossed and turned, unable to escape the feeling that those eyes were connected to something I couldn't yet understand. As dawn approached, I lay there, staring at the ceiling, wondering what the future held and if I would ever find the answers I sought.