Chapter 34:

I was happy to go to sleep that night.

I was utterly content in Corey's arms, exhausted from the past 24 hours.

It wasn't until I started having those horrible nightmares again, interrupting my deep, peaceful sleep.

The blood tasted so real, the screams were so unfeigned and the images so vivid it wasn't like a dream at all.

When Nick cut Corey's throat with a dagger it was so real I would have never thought it was a dream.

I was so relieved when I woke up; it was a mixture between relief and horror that gripped my heart and made breathing more difficult.

I threw the covers over my head and tried to slow down my hammering heart.

"It was just a dream." I whispered to myself.

I glanced up over the covers at Corey who was lying perfectly still; his head buried in the pillow and his arms loosely around me.

I breathed a sigh of relief.

I got up and went to the window, peeking out of the curtains.

The night was still; the moonlight casting shadows across the dark yard.

As I was getting ready to go back to bed I saw movement from the corner of my eye.

I looked back out the window but saw nothing.

I went downstairs, curious as to what I saw and looked out the window in the main room, beside the front door.

I jumped slightly when there was a light knock on the door.

I stared at the door and debated on whether or not to open it.

I couldn't just ignore it and go back to bed so I hesitantly unlocked the door and opened it; not knowing what to expect.

There was a guy standing in the doorway, I didn't recognize him. He had wavy dark brown hair and blue eyes along with deathly pale skin.

"Uh, please tell me you're the princess?" He spoke.

"Um, yeah that's me."

"Oh thank god." He breathed, putting a hand to his chest.

"Um, who are you?" I asked.

"Uh, my names Jake, I'm Corey's brother."

My jaw dropped. "You're what?"

"Corey's brother...do I have the right house?"

"Uh, I'm sorry it's just Corey told me his family was dead."

"No surprise there. Ca-can I come in?"

"Yeah, sure." I opened the door wider, inviting him in.

He walked in, glancing around the room.

I shut the door. "So, um, why are you here exactly?"

He looked back at me. "I-uh...I came to see Corey. I mean we heard about you and him getting married..." He gave me a questioning look.

"Oh,"

"So are you really marrying him?"

I smiled slightly. "Yeah,"

"Wow, you two are actually like-I mean, he likes you?"

"Yes..."

A look of surprise crossed his face. "So...where is he?"

"Last time I checked he was asleep."

"Oh, well uh, ya know I should probably go. I don't even know why I came here. It was a stupid idea."

He started for the door.

"Wait, you can't just leave." I said.

He looked at me fearfully. "I-I can't?"

"I mean you came here for a reason, don't you at least want to see Corey first?"

He exhaled slowly. "Oh...well I mean I don't want to bother him."

"I'm sure you won't. Please, stay."

He hesitated for a moment. "Okay,"

I smiled at him. "So let me correctly introduce myself, I'm Arabelle." I offered my hand and he shook it.

"Nice to meet you, really." He replied.

"And same to you, I still can't believe you're Corey's brother."

He breathed a laugh. "I can tell he doesn't talk about his family much."

"No, not really, so um, I am going to go get him."

He nodded.

"You can come with me if you like." I suggested.

He followed me upstairs and to my room.

"I think I'll just wait out here." He stated.

"Okay,"

I walked into the dark room as Jack waited out in the hall by the staircase.

"Arabelle," I heard my name called from the darkness.

I stopped walking. "Corey?"

"Over here."

I turned and saw him standing by the wall; he leaned forward into the moonlight.

"What are you doing?" I questioned walking over to him.

He put a finger to his mouth. "He can hear you."

"What, Corey, do you know who is out there?" I whispered.

He nodded. "That's why I'm not going out there."

"Why?"

"I don't want to go out there!" He whispered harshly.

"But it's your brother."

"Exactly why I'm staying in here."

"Seriously?"

"I haven't seen him in years."

"Yeah that's why I think you would want to see him."

He shook his head with wide eyes.

"What am I supposed to say?"

"Tell him I'm not here."

"I already told him you were."

"God damn it."

"Corey, you have to go out there."

"No."

"You are going out there." I stated.

He sighed with irritation. "God, I hate you."

I think I actually felt my heart stop.

He looked at me with a grave expression. "I did not mean that."

I just looked at him in silence.

"Darling, you're not breathing." He said, placing a gentle hand on my shoulder.

I took in a shaky breath, realizing he was right.

"You know I didn't mean that right?" He inquired.

I looked at for a few moments before nodding.

"You don't look like you believe me."

"I do...I was just really surprised." I said softly.

"I meant to say I hate life, which is not true either, I..." He trailed off.

He placed a soft kiss on my lips and pulled me into a tight hug.

"I'm beyond sorry. I promise I will never say that again-even if it was on accident."

I tried to pull away but he only tightened his grip. "Please tell me I didn't upset you."

"You didn't." I lied.

"You're lying." He stated.

"How-

"I could tell by the tone of your voice." He cut me off.

He pulled away from me but kept his hands on my shoulders.

"There are no words to express how sorry I am. You know you are the only thing in this world I love."

I nodded. "I know I just didn't expect you to say that...ever."

"And I didn't ever plan on saying that. I always fuck things up."

"Uh, you should really go talk to your brother now."

He nodded.

"Do you want me to stay in here or...?"

"No," He grabbed my hand. "You're coming with me. I need you."