“Take her home.Get Brick and find my mother.I don’t careif you have to tie her up, you watch her until I get there.”
He nods and they move toward the door.I reach for my phoneto call my brothers.Since we’ve been hunting, they’ve all stayed close by.Godknows I’m going to need all the help I can get to stop myself from wringingMother’s neck.
***Casey***
Damn, it’s hot.Why is it so hot?Ethan, crank up the A/C.Ethan?Ethan?Where the hell is he?There’s sweat dripping down my back, myarms, and pooling under my breasts.I try to wipe my brow, but for some reason,I can’t move.I can’t move!Ethan, help me!No, he’s not coming.I’m all alone.He’s most likely with Shae.What would he want with a suicidal maniac?Wherethe hell am I anyway?
I blink, and suddenly I’m in a field again.This one isdifferent.There are no bright flowers.I’m surrounded by yellow grass and… nothingness.At least I can move now.Where’s Sheriff?He was here in my last dream.A howl soundsin the distance, and I start to make my way toward it.Sheriff, is that you?Come on, handsome.I could use your company right now.
Nothing.You intend on making me come to you, huh?
Casey.
Ethan!Get me out of here, please!
I’m so sorry, my love.Please forgive me.
Forgive you for what?
Isn’t there something we can do to make her morecomfortable?
We could try an ice bath.
Clara!Guys, please, I’m getting scared….
I’ll get the ice.
Don’t leave me, Ethan!Ugh… What am I supposed to do here?Why am I here?Why has he left me to wander aimlessly in a barren wasteland?Isthis hell?Am I dead?No, this must be a dream.I get it, God.I won’t try tokill myself again, I promise.Just let me wake up.
Come on, honey.
Ethan!You came back for me!Ahh, sweet relief.At leastit’s not so hot anymore.Another howl draws my attention, and I spot Sheriffstanding at the edge of the field.Come on, boy, come on.He starts toward meat a trot, picking up speed as he gets closer.I drop to my knees, armsoutstretched, waiting for him.
A snarl to my left scares me and knocks me on my ass.I turnaround and meet the icy-blue stare of my father’s killer.You!I look back to Sheriff,and he’s running wildly, growling in anger.
Come to me, Casey.
No!You killed my father.You killed my babies!
You’re mine now.
I don’t know what it is, but I feel compelled to go to him.A part of my brain is telling me to run like hell in the opposite direction andthe other part is telling me the right thing to do is go to him.No!I have tofight it.
I’m coming for you, Casey.You’re mine.
***Ethan***
I stare at her as she lies in the ice bath, sweat stillpouring off her face.Her skin is so hot, even for me, and I have asupernaturally high threshold for pain.All of a sudden, her lids fly open, andshe lets out a blood-curdling scream.Holy shit!It frightens the hell out of me,and I pull her close as she bolts upright, splashing the cold water everywhere.She looks up at me, eyes wide in fear, lips trembling.
“He’s coming for me.Don’t let him get me.”
Her eyes close and she goes limp in my arms.She’s outagain.I lay her back against the tub, determination coursing through me.It’stime to put an end to this once and for all.
“Clara!”
She runs into the bathroom, falling to her knees next to me.
“Is she okay?”
