Chapter 146

At the break of dawn, darkness was torn apart as light reclaimed the city and forced the night away. Golden rays woke the silent birds on treetops, and it seemed as if their chirps were celebrating the departure of the night. Petals fluttered off the trees and danced with the breeze. I woke up with a start, and my hair felt damp with coldness. I reached out into my hair, and my fingers came out sticky and clammy. Darren's death in my dream felt so real that a chill spread through me. I had almost thought last night was just a dream as well, and I prayed it was so. I didn't know when I had fallen asleep. Darren and I were the only ones in the room. I slowly reached out to press my hand to his chest. His heart pulsed beneath my palm and was steady and strong. My throat felt raw and dry as if scraped by sandpaper. It burned as I swallowed. I stood up to fetch a glass of water, but as I did, darkness clouded my vision. My world spun, and instead of feeling the darkness I had anticip