Chapter 8 CHAPTER 8: Highway to Oblivion
Hazel
The Present…
I was woken up by hunger in the middle of the night and my stomach growled, then it dawned on me that I had not had anything throughout that day due to the unpleasant events that took place.
Slipping from my room, I opened the door and I tiptoed towards the kitchen but was stopped by a strangled groan coming from William’s room. Panic shot through me, cold and raw. Bursting into his room, I found him in his pajamas, the bedsheet wound around him, and he was gasping for air and muttering some incoherent words. The scream died in my constricted throat as I realized he was having a nightmare.
I knelt beside him, shaking him awake. The gasping subsided, replaced by a feverish muttering, then he reached out and clutched my hand, pressing it to his chest. Then everywhere went silent. Sweat beaded on his skin despite the chill of the air conditioner. I used the back of my hand to wipe the sweat. His eyes fluttered open, unseeing at first, then snapped into focus.
"What happened?" His voice rasped. He glanced around, noticing my hand, then withdrawing his own as if burned.
I heard you," I stammered, "it felt like you were in pain, so I went in to check and noticed it was probably a bad dream… Are you okay? I asked
"I'm fine, Hazel," he dismissed, a hint of irritation lacing his voice. "Go back to bed”.
His abrupt dismissal stung. The man who, moments ago, clung to me like a drowning man, now pushed me away like a discarded raft. Worry and confusion gnawed at me, but his aloof facade offered no answers.
“I’m right across your room in case you need me” I choked, rising with a sigh.
“Copied” he muttered, turning his back, effectively shutting me out.
As I retreated to my room, I knew beneath the surface all was not well with my contract husband, but I also knew that there would have to be some level of trust between us before he opened up to me.
Williams
Sleep was a stubborn beast, refusing to return despite the exhaustion gnawing at my bones. The nightmares, vivid and chilling, clung to me like cobwebs, whispers of the office and Adam's place replaying on a loop. History won't repeat itself, not this time. I gritted my teeth, willing myself back into the abyss of sleep, but the night remained a restless vigil.
Dawn broke, painting the sky a pale gray, mirroring the dull ache in my head. Seven AM, time to face the day and the trip I'd planned with Emily. Sleep deprivation hung heavy, but I managed to pack, tossing work clothes into the suitcase like discarded cards in a lost hand. Calling Emily, I urged her to get ready, the clock ticking down on my flight.
Coffee. I needed coffee. Stepping into the kitchen, I found Hazel already there, slumped over a laptop with a cup of coffee and puffy eyes mirroring my own. She looked up when she noticed my presence.
"Morning," she rasped, brewing another pot.
"Morning," I mumbled, eyes drawn to her revealing purple night wear. Then the laptop screen caught my eyes. "What are you working on?" I asked.
“I’m trying to work on this business idea I’ve had for a while. I guess it’s time for me to pick that up as my husband has refused me to work for reasons best known to him” she replied with a hint of defiance in her voice.
Ignoring the barb about her forbidden job, I accepted the steaming mug.
“I saw Samuel with some suitcases this morning. Business trip?”
"Where I go is none of your concern, Hazel. This is my house." I answered curtly.
She shut her laptop, coffee cup in hand, heading for the door. But before she could leave, the living room door swung open, Maria announcing Emily's arrival with a theatrical flourish.
My blood ran cold. Emily here? Now?
"What's she doing here?" she turned to me, her voice a tight knot of anger.
"Joining me," I said, my jaw clenched.
"Why? She doesn't work for you." Hazel spat.
Before I could retort, Emily breezed in, she wore a tight fitted ruched silk dress, her eyes gleaming with...something I couldn't decipher.
"Hey, Mabel!" she chirped, then proceeded to throw her arms around me. I stiffened, disentangling myself from her clingy embrace.
"Emily, but I said I'd pick you up," I reminded her, a knot of unease tightening.
“I just thought to save you the trouble” she purred, a sly smile playing on her lips.
"What exactly is this trip, Williams?" Hazel's voice, sharp as a knife, cut through the air. "Business or pleasure jaunt with your…friend?"
I felt the rage boil over. "You will not talk to me like that, Hazel! Learn some manners!"
"I need answers, Williams! I'm your wife, dammit! You owe me some damn explanation!" she yelled while Emily watched with a twisted smile on her lips.
"Do not test me again, Hazel!" I roared, the words tasting like ash in my mouth. Enough was enough.
She stood there, defiant, as I stormed out of the kitchen, Emily trailing behind like a shadow.
"Bye Mabel," she chirped, the mockery dripping from her voice.
"It's Hazel!" She snarled, the last thing I heard before slamming the door shut.
Fury pulsed through me as I jumped into the car, the need to get away from my so-called wife was overwhelming. My foot slammed on the gas pedal, the engine roaring a protest. I needed to get away, then I realized I was late for my flight.
The engine roared as I jammed the gas pedal down, the car lurching forward like a startled stallion. Trees whipped past and houses blurred into smears of color.
"Will, Jesus, slow down!" Emily shrieked, but all I could hear was Hazel's accusing voice echoing in my head. The speedometer spun, the needle danced past the safe zone, then the adrenaline kicked in.
The last thing I felt was the lurch of the car, a sickening twist in my gut, and then…nothing.
Darkness, bottomless and absolute, swallowed me whole.
Darkness, thick and heavy, wrapped itself around me. No words, no thoughts, just the cold embrace of the unknown.