Intuition

 A tickling sensation ran up my arm as I held out my hand reaching for the ledge. What was that? I glanced around nervously, the trashed cars piled up on top of each other being the only thing in sight. I took a deep breath tearing my eyes away from the junkyard. Okay, just concentrate on getting out of here. I pushed my feet off the ground ignoring the disgusting squishy sound it made, and grabbed onto the faded green cement surface. Pulling myself onto it I could help but scurry, a childish fear of someone grabbing my ankles, and pulling me off. Quickly glancing backwards I only saw the vehicles, broken windows, and all. Why am I so frightened? There is no one here. My senses on high alert I pushed my back against the graffitied wall behind me, double checking all of my surroundings, and making myself as small as possible. Calm down! You are safe. He didn’t see you leave. My heart pounded, my breath coming out in short gasps.

“Hey! What are you doing down there?” My heart leaped into my throat, and I jerked my head upward seeing nothing. “You look frightened. Are you okay?” My eyes widened in terror, as I glanced around for the source of the voice. A soft, gentle hand was placed lightly on my left shoulder. I felt the blood drain from my face. I looked to my left seeing nothing. A scream built up in my throat, but no sound came out. I thrashed out at the area of the presence only feeling the pressure of air. The pounding of my heart was the only thing I could hear. “No need to be frightened.” the hands grip tightened, but her voice was calming.

“Get away from me!” I screamed, kicking, my grip loosened, the sky was the only thing I could see. My stomach lurched. I fell.

“Zeruiah, you need to get up!” I pushed up from my bed, black spots swarming my vision. Ah, that hurts… I put my hand to my forehead trying to ward off my head ache. Sweat drenched my body, and I was breathing hard. The presence… I looked over at the door, and saw my brother standing there. My posture relaxed. He’s real… thank God. “Did you have the dream again?” He asked his voice laced with concern, his gray eyes shining with anxiety.

“.... Yeah.” I tore my eyes away from his, hating myself for making him more worried. I heard him sigh behind me, his weight making the wooden floor boards squeak as he walked over to me. I felt him lightly place his hand on my shoulder.

“We need to see someone.” My heart dropped, and I turned to stare at him opening my mouth to decline when he cut me off, “I know you don’t want to, but we need to! Zeruiah, you have been having the same nightmare for the past two years, every night. It’s getting bad enough to the point that it’s affecting your daily life!”

“But Ray-”

“That’s enough of that!” he stood taking my shoulders, “I am your guardian, and you won’t defy me….” His eyes were hard, but I saw a tiny flinch of guilt in his steady gaze. He glanced away his features softening. Looking back into my eyes, he whispered an uncertain, “Understand?”

Ray, my brother, he has never done this before. He is the most kind, empathetic person I have ever met. Yet here he is, giving me tough love. “Yeah… I do.” He gave me his one of a kind crooked smiles, as he pulled me into an awkward hug.

“You know I’m doing this for you.” he mumbled into my shoulder, “I would never make you do something that makes you uncomfortable unless it was for your own good, you know that right?” he pulled away at this looking intently into my eyes.

“Ray, I know.”