THIRTY-FOUR

Hunter sat on the bed next to Kayla and closed his eyes.  He just sat there silently, just focusing, and it was Kayla who called his name.

“Hunter.”

“Kayla, I need to know that you can really hear me.”

Her voice sounded weak.  “I want to get out of here.  I want to go home.”

“I know you do, Kayla.  You need to listen to me.  I was there before and I’m going to help you find your way out, but you can’t give in.”

“But there are so many of them.  So many lost souls, and they keep saying that I can help; that I’m one of the children.  I don’t understand.”

“I don’t want you to think about that right now, Kayla.  I want you to find a place where you can focus, where you can be alone.”

KAYLA

I had never been so lost and scared in my life.  I knew where I was.  The place was exactly how Carolyn had described it, only when she talked about it she never mentioned other beings trying to get to her… following her.  Whenever I asked what they wanted, all they said was “Help me”, and then someone else would come along, and scare them away, only to do the same exact thing. 

I took advantage of those distractions to run away, only I felt more and more lost.  I just felt as if I wanted to sit somewhere and just stay there, sadness taking over me, but then, I felt something.  I heard him call my name and that was enough to basically jumpstart my brain.

I couldn’t see Hunter, and I was frightened, but just the fact that I could now hear him, gave me hope.

I wasn’t exactly sure what he meant by staying out of the darkness.  All places were dark, but I did find a place, it was a dark place, but that seemed to be the only spot where the others left me alone.

That was the darkest place I had ever been to, and I was suddenly overcome by a feeling of emptiness and despair.  “I think… maybe I should stay here, Hunter.  I don’t belong there anymore.  Kelly and Andrew have someone else they need to take care of now.”

“Don’t talk like that, Kayla!  Don’t give in.  Here is where you belong.  I can help you.  You need to be back.”

“How are you so sure that is where I belong?”

Hunter hesitated, but then, I felt a pressure on my hand and I just knew that back in the real world, he must have holding my hand.  “Hunter?”

“Kayla, I know that you belong here because I – I think I’m in love with you.”

***