Chapter 381

Nathan

The void stretched on forever in all directions. It felt like an eternity since I had woken up in this nightmarish dreamscape, and the sense of isolation was overwhelming. No matter how far I wandered, there was no escape, no one to share this endless void with.

I couldn’t remember how I had ended up here, trapped in this nightmare. All I knew was that my body was laying in a hospital bed, frail and fading with each passing moment.

I was certain that I was dying, that I would never wake up from this torment.

“Hello?” I called out for what felt like the millionth time. “Hello? Anyone?”

Of course there was no answer. There never was.

But then, after what felt like an eternity, I saw him. Steel, my wolf, emerged from the darkness, his fur glistening in the darkness. Relief washed over me, and I threw my arms around him, burying my face in his soft, thick fur.

“Steel, thank the stars I found you,” I whispered, my voice muffled by his fur. “What’s happening? Why are we trapped in this nightmare?”

Steel’s eyes met mine, and he let out a deep, rumbling growl that seemed to reverberate through the void. “It’s a hex, Nathan,” he replied. “Someone cast a hex on us to make us sick, to weaken us. And eventually to kill us.”

I couldn’t believe what I was hearing. “A hex?” I asked, my mind racing with possibilities. “But who would do that?”

Steel’s gaze darkened, and he shook his head. “I’m not sure. But I have a feeling that Jenifer may be behind this. Perhaps this is her next plot for vengeance.”

Dread knotted in my stomach at the mention of Jenifer. The memory of what happened just before I woke up in this void suddenly came rushing back. I remembered getting sick out of nowhere, and then Jenifer appearing in my bedroom. I remembered the fear, the dread, and the feeling of being trapped in my own body.

And I remembered that I didn’t know where Olivia was.

“Where’s Olivia, Steel?” I asked, my voice filled with concern. “Is she safe? I need to see her.”

Steel’s expression grew solemn, and he hesitated before replying. “It would take a lot of energy, Nathan, and it might make your condition even worse. But if you’re willing to risk it, I can show you a glimpse of Olivia.”

I didn’t hesitate. “I don’t care about the risks, Steel. I need to make sure she’s okay.”

Steel nodded, and with a lot of effort, Olivia came into focus. She was lying asleep in a dark room, and I could see the worry etched on her face even in her sleep.

Then, the door to the room opened, and a figure stood in the blinding brightness of the doorway. My heart skipped a beat as I strained to see who it was, but I couldn’t make out their features. All I could hear was Olivia’s voice, her arm shielding her eyes as she called out for help.

And then, the vision abruptly ended, leaving me with a lingering sense of unease.

I fell to my knees, weakened by the effort that the vision took, and I could feel my body back in the hospital bed reacting to the strain. A nurse rushed to my side, increasing my dose of medication as she noted the spike in my heart rate.

After a few moments, the dizziness subsided, and I looked up at Steel with determination in my eyes. “That was real?” I asked, my voice wavering. “Steel, tell me it hasn’t happened yet.”

Steel simply shook his head. “I’m sorry, Nathan,” he said gently. “It’s happening as we speak.”

All at once, a sickening sense of fear washed over me, and I stood. “I need to save Olivia,” I said.”I have to find a way to break out of this hex, to wake up. But how?”

Steel’s eyes bore into mine. “It won’t be easy, Nathan. Breaking out of this hex will require great strength and willpower. Your body might not be able to handle it.”

“Just tell me,” I hissed. “I need to be there for Olivia, even if I die trying.”

With a sigh, Steel finally nodded. “Okay. If that’s what you want, I’ll help you. But you have to be ready for the consequences.”

I nodded, determined to do whatever it took to save Olivia. “I’ll do whatever it takes,” I said. “I promised that I would always be there for her. That can’t change now.”

Steel’s gaze remained steady, and he gave me a stern look. “Okay. I’ll help you. But, Nathan, you’ll need to find a memory with a strong emotional attachment, one that can anchor you and help you break free from this hex.”

I nodded, determination burning in my chest. “That’s easy. I have countless memories with Olivia, memories filled with love and emotion. I’ll find one that can get me out of here.”

With that, I closed my eyes and began to search my memories, sifting through the moments I had shared with Olivia over the years. Finally, I managed to locate the memory of my first meeting with Olivia.

It was as if it was happening right in front of me, like I was both watching my five-year-old self and reliving the memory at the same time.

“I’m Olivia,” five-year-old Olivia said, holding out her dirty little hand toward me. “And we’re gonna be best friends now.”

“Olivia,” I murmured under my breath, both my current self and my five-year-old self speaking at the same time.

She looked so beautiful, even back then. The way the breeze ruffled her golden hair, tangled in knots from the playground. The way her overalls were just a little too big on her, bought that way so she could grow into them. The way that her sneakers were beaten up and her socks were mismatched: one purple with polka dots, the other green with stripes.

I knew I loved her, even then. As my five-year-old self reached out and shook her dirty hand, I could see it in his eyes, feel it in my chest; he loved her. I loved her.

The vision ended, our childlike selves evaporating into the void. There was nothing left but silence and an ache in my chest, a combination of dread and love.

“Steel?” I said, turning to face him. “Did it work?”

Steel was silent for a long time, as though he was waiting. And I waited, too. I wasn’t sure how long we waited, but the longer time went on and nothing changed, the more my hope began to fade.

“It didn’t work, did it?” I whispered.

My wolf shook his head, his gaze averted. “No. I’m sorry, Nathan.”

It felt as though my soul was rending in two. I couldn’t stay stuck here, not when Olivia needed me. I had to find another memory, one that was somehow stronger than the first time we met. There had to be something, I was sure of it. I just couldn’t give up.

After all, how could I ever give up when Olivia needed me the most?