Chapter 201: Not Just a Dream

“Baby, wake up, Leitana,” Ravial called worriedly, shaking her shoulder. Her head kept thrashing from side to side on the pillow, face twisted in fear like she was trapped in a nightmare, Sweat glistened on her forehead.

“Leitana,” he said louder, sitting up fully and pulling her into his arms. He lifted her onto his lap, cradling her against his chest, one hand gently but firmly holding the back of her head. “My lamb, wake up. It’s just a dream. Come back to me.”

She was shaking violently, soft, distressed whimpers slipping from her lips, body jerking as if trying to run from something in her sleep.

“Wake up, little lamb,” he urged, voice low but urgent, rocking her slowly. “I’m here. I’ve got you. Wake up for me.”

Leitana suddenly gasped sharply, her eyes flying open. Her chest heaved violently as she sucked in air, looking around the dark bedroom with wide, terrified eyes. For a second she didn’t seem to recognize where she was.

“Mi Ravial…” she whispered hoarsely.

“I’m here,” he said immediately, voice low and steady, pulling her even tighter against him. “I’m right here, my lamb. Breathe. You’re safe.”

She buried her face in his bare chest, breathing hard and fast, her small hands clutching his shoulders like he was the only solid thing in the world. Her whole body was still shaking.

Ravial held her in silence for a long moment, one hand stroking her hair, the other rubbing slow circles on her back. He pressed his lips to the top of her head, murmuring softly until her breathing started to calm.

“What is it, my lamb?” he asked quietly when she had stopped trembling so badly. “What dream were you having?”

Leitana stayed quiet for a long time, face still hidden against his chest. Then she finally pulled back just enough to look up at him, eyes still glassy with fear.

“The dog…” she whispered.

“Are you even listening to yourself, my lamb?” Ravial growled, staring down at his wife.

Leitana sat on the edge of their bed, arms wrapped tightly around herself, looking up at him with determination mixed with exhaustion. She hadn’t slept properly since the nightmare.

“Yes, mi Ravial, I can hear myself,” she said firmly. “But you’re not listening to me.”

He scoffed, running a hand through his hair. “And what should I listen to? That my pregnant wife wants to go investigate a rabid dog that’s been attacking people at night? Like the authorities can’t do their damn job?”

Leitana shook her head, rubbing her temple. “No, mi Ravial, that’s not what I mean. Didn’t you understand the dream mi told you? The animal was chasing me.” She breathed deeply, eyes distant as if reliving it. “And as it nearly caught up to me, there was this scream… and mi don't know what made me look back, but when I did, there was no dog. Instead, there was Arabella. Arabella Rousseau, the violinist from Juilliard. She was whimpering and bleeding on the floor.” She looked up at him, eyes pleading. “Mi Ravial, tell me why I dreamed of her. And where did the dog go? I think… maybe this is a prophecy. That she will get hurt by the dog. I just feel something bad is about to happen.”

She rubbed her chest, uneasy.

Ravial sighed heavily and crouched in front of her, taking her hands and making her look at him.

“Listen to me, my lamb, and I need you to listen carefully,” he said, voice low but absolute. “Some dreams mean nothing. You yourself told me Arabella helped remove the toy that same day you heard about the rabid dog on the news. Your mind is simply connecting things. It doesn’t mean anything bad is going to happen to this girl. It’s just a dream.”

Leitana shook her head, curls flying. “No, mi Ravial. This is not just a dream. Mi had a dream about Celeste Rey asking for help weeks ago too. What if I’m supposed to help this girl so nothing happens to her?”

Ravial’s jaw tightened. His grip on her hands grew firmer.

“No,” he said, tone final and unmoving. “You are not investigating anything. You are pregnant and you are not putting yourself or our child at risk over a nightmare. That’s final.”

Leitana opened her mouth to argue, but he cut her off.

“No,” he repeated, voice sharper. “You will go to class today and come straight home afterward. If you do anything you’re not supposed to do, I will know. And I will not be gentle when I bring you back.”

He stood up, leaned down, and kissed her forehead possessively.

“I love you,” he said quietly. “That’s why I won’t allow this, do not make me choose between your safety and your wishes.”

Then he turned and left the room, the door clicking shut behind him.

Leitana sat there for a long moment, staring at the closed door. Her chest felt tight. She knew in her heart this wasn’t just a random nightmare. It felt like a revelation, something Papa God wanted her to act on.

She reached for her phone with trembling fingers and tapped on a contact named “Lafu.”

It rang only twice before Lafu answered.

“Leitana? Hey, long time. What’s going on?”

Leitana swallowed hard, voice low but determined.

“I need your help.”