Page 59 of Soulmateless
I inhale sharply. “There was an incident earlier this week that made me curious.” I slump into my shoulders as the truth comes out. I'm already prepared for the ridicule. I explain the car incident with him as he leans in. I leave out everything with Clara because I don't want him to blame her for how I'm thinking.
“It just doesn't seem like an accident to me.” I skim over the pages of the book in front me. “Just by the way it didn't attack and the way it looked at me… I just don't think it meant any harm…”
The vivid image of its purple eyes stains my mind. I've never seen such innocent eyes before. There was no such viciousness behind them.
“So you're suggesting a dreamscreecher came to your rescue?” Glaide scrunches his nose.
I look back at Glaide. “Well…yeah. As crazy as that sounds.” Under Glaide's hardened gaze, my body stiffens. “It's the only explanation that makes sense.”
He remains silent, with his brows low and his eyes big in apprehension. I suddenly envy turtles, wanting to crawl into a shell.
He definitely thinks I'm crazy.
“Amias, I'm gonna say this because I care about you.” He puts his hands together over his nose and lips, before pointing them at me. “You're out of your fucking mind. There's no way a dreamscreecher could've just saved you.”
“I know it's crazy but-”
“But it is. That's just it!” Glaide smacks his head before continuing. “You've been listening to too many of these dreamscreecher sympathizers. Amara even said you were an easy target!”
“Prove me wrong,” I lean in with a challenging glower. “I've looked article after article and book after book, and I've still foundnothing!”
His eyes dart between the book and me. “I don't need to prove you wrong. It's like debating whether the sky is blue.”
“But there's much more to it! Why didn't the dreamscreecher just attack me when I was on the floor? Wouldn't it snap my neck instead of standing there when I was on the floor?” I catch my breath from all the hurried talking. “It just doesn't add up. I think it wanted to help!”
He shakes his head. “I have a class about dreamscreechers. I'll have my professor get you the evidence you need.”
I nod. If I'm wrong, I need to have evidencenow. “Please do.”
His lips twist, clearly doubting my seriousness.
I offer an assuring smile. “I promise, that will be all I need to be swayed.”
Glaide doesn't respond for a moment before exhaling. “Fine, but don't get into trouble otherwise.”
“Okayfather,” I huff out a laugh and roll my eyes. I don't need a third parent.
“You make fun of me now but those dreamscreechers are no joke.” He turns away from me, chewing on his lip before continuing. “I don't want someone to find your body in a ditch. If I have to sound like your father, I'd do it for your sake. Don't be messing around with those creatures. And don't join that dreamscreecher fan club they got going on.” He stares into the distance, shaking his head. “That'll get you killed too.
“That wasn't the plan anyhow.” I squeeze his shoulder, getting him to make eye contact again. “I'll be fine. I have enough people who worry about me. My plans don't include anything crazy.”
It takes a moment for his gaze to soften and to return my assuring grin. “Good.”
I pat his shoulder when there's a tug on my shirt. “Amee!" I snap my attention to the familiar little blonde-haired girl pouting. "I want to play cats!"
I chuckle. I guess I'm back to volunteering. Dinner must be over. “Oh Sabina! You scared me.”
She crosses her arms. “I want to play cat family! You're the baby cat and I'm the mama cat."
“Alright then!” I turn to Glaide with one last smile. “Fatherhood calls!” Just as I get on my feet, she grabs me by the hand and pulls me towards the door.
My phone buzzes in my pocket.
I tell Sabina to hang on as I press the charm to make my phone visible. There's a notification from the DreamHunter app, which I downloaded to see if someone spots the dreamscreecher I’m looking for. I have had no luck but this notification seems promising.
I think I saw purple eyes in Gosling Park? It was fast but I thought I should post to make sure.
Someone posted a picture of the night forest. Even with light shining in, there isn't enough to see anything. Not even glowing purple eyes.
