?


    And then, when I opened my eyes, I saw it.


    The shadow entity, lurking at the edge of the garden. I thought it was just a trick of the light at first, but then it grinned, and its sharp white teeth red at me through the darkness like rows of knives.


    My breath hitched. I couldn''t move, couldn''t scream, couldn''t even blink. I was frozen.


    And then vision seized me, unbidden and terrifying. My baby, our baby, lifeless in my arms, a future stolen before it had even begun. Tears stung my eyes, a silent scream lodged in my throat.


    And then I woke up.


    I shot up in bed, my heart racing, tears streaming down my face. It was a dream, just a dream. But the terror, the loss, it felt so real, so palpable, that I couldn''t shake it.


    I nced at Enzo. He was still sleeping peacefully beside me, unaware of the awful vision had just endured. I wondered, for a moment, if I should wake him. But I ultimately decided against it.


    It was just a dream, after all, right?


    But what did it mean? Was it just a nightmare, the product of stress and hormones, or something more? A premonition, a warning? The shadow entity, it had been in my dreams before, but I had never had a vision like this. Never.


    I wiped my tears away, my hands shaking. I had to go back out to that garden, had to see if the entity was still there. In my half-asleep and half-crazed mind, that was the most logical course of action.


    Quietly, I slipped out of bed again, my movements slow and deliberate, careful not to disturb Enzo. I grabbed my robe and tiptoed out of the room, closing the door softly behind me.


    The hotel hallway was just as dark, quiet, and empty as my dream. I quickly made my way to the elevator, then took it down to the lobby. There was no receptionist this time, just a sign stating to ring the bell, but I walked right past and made my way down the hall toward the door that led to the garden.


    And there it was. I pushed through the double doors, the chilly night air biting against my skin, and took in the sounds of the city. The air smelled faintly of cigarettes, a lingering scent from someone else utilizing this garden.


    But there was no shadow entity. Just a few potted nts, a couple of benches, and a fence all the way around.


    I let out a breath I didn''t know I had been holding and sank down onto the bench, onto the very same spot I sat in my dream.


    It didn''t make sense. I hadn''t been out here before, and yet the dream was so vivid, so perfect. Was it possible that it wasn''t just a dream? No... I shook my head to dispel the thoughts. I must have seen this garden at some point, maybe from the hotel windows. That wass it.


    It was a dream. It had to be. Just a dream, and nothing more.Content is property of N?velDrama.Org.


    Because I wouldn''t let myself believe that my baby could really be in danger. I couldn''t.


    As I slipped back into bed, Enzo stirred, his arm instinctively reaching out for me. I snuggled against him, burying my face in his chest, seekingfort in his embrace.


    "You okay?" he murmured, his voice thick with sleep.


    I nodded against him, my own voice barely a whisper. "Just stretched my legs. Couldn''t sleep. But I''m fine now."


    He kissed the top of my head, his arms tightening around me. "M''kay. I''m here if you need


    me."


    I closed my eyes, letting his warmth and his presence soothe the horrible images inside my head.


    And as I willed myself to sleep, I pushed those images away.


    Because it was just a dream. Just a dream...