1 Chapter One: The Dream

Warning: This book contains foul language, themes of abuse, blood, and gore. If you don't like those things, turn back now!

Oh, you're still here? Ok, don't say I didn't warn you.

I was in the line for the GWR convention with Aidan, Jason, and Skyler. The temperature was -13 degrees Fahrenheit! "I won't wait much longer," I thought, "especially in this weather!" I was starting to get frustrated. I had to keep my cool! Right as I finished that thought, however, the doors to the convention opened. Security cleared us to enter the convention. We each split off to do our own thing. Wait... is that-

"Jade!"

Jade turns around and sees me! We run up to each other.

"Martin, what's that?"

I, being the fool that I am, turn around. However, where most people would run away, she stood pat and put on some makeup. I look back when she's done. Suddenly, I see that- wait... did she put lipstick on? Right then, I notice that something's wrong. I yell, "GET DOWN!" She immediately drops to the floor right as some shots rang out. Right then, I feel an explosion of pain in my stomach. I looked down and saw blood. I look up right as my shooter gets shot and instantly killed. Then, I black out.

Next thing I know, I feel Jade holding my hand. I see some other people- is that Leonhart? Holy shit! 

"Language!"

"What the fuck? Hey, Jade, I was only thinking that!"

"Well, you were thinking out loud! By the way, welcome back to the world of the living."

Wait, did I die?!

"Did I die? Where am I?"

"You did indeed die. As for where you are, you are in Cox South."

"Oh, ok!"

Leonhart suddenly walks out of the shadows and extends his hand in greeting.

"Hey, Martin. That was one heck of a shot you took for your girl there. I'm Leonhart!"

My girl?

"Yes. Martin needs to stop thinking out loud."

"Jade needs to stop referring to her boy in third person."

"Oh, stop it!"

"Love you, Jade!"

                                                                                       *Short pause*

"I love you too, Martin."

Wait, did she say she loved me?

"Yes."

Damn, I really do need to stop thinking out loud!

"Language!"

I end up blacking out right after she says that. Next thing I know, I'm dreaming about my hometown, Willard. I saw some kids playing in the park. I saw my old youth group mingling among them. I look up to the sky and I see a sea of green, then I hear the tornado sirens go off. I wanted to run over to the kids and my old youth group, but I couldn't move at all! I wanted to yell, "Stop! STOP! TORNADO!"- and believe me, I tried - but I literally couldn't open my mouth! Right then, I saw it. The funnel cloud. It touched down about a mile away from the park and was moving fast towards me! It reached the park and sucked up my youth group and the kids. It flung what looked like- NOOOOOOOO! That's my-

I woke up to my arms being pinned behind my back and Jade shouting, "STOP!" For whatever reason, I immediately stopped struggling. I just felt my fears go away. I rolled over, then she gave me her hand. I took it, and she helped me up, but she kept holding my hand. She glared at the security guards, but I said, "No, Jade. Not them." 

"Why-"

Right then, I kissed her. For a couple of seconds, everything was perfect! Then, someone coughed in the next room over, and we pulled away slowly.