t, 2020. (

cisco, C

t, her heart pounding feverishly against her ribcage. S

conversations because of how much she had been

ndles on her nightstand and stretched out her body. The time on her alarm

ird, fantastical dream, she got out

.

Breathe. Hit.

hose were the words Naomi Walker kept repeating in her head, over and ov

head and down her neck to d

mares were not a new occurrence, after all, they had plagued her ever since her parents died eig

ity to the point where it was a miracle if she slept for more than f

etting lost in the novel, Heart of the continent, which she had shared a p

ream/nightmare again, instead she dre

she tried to remember the face of the man she had never seen before but somehow felt

face of the woman with the blood on her lips. The w

e words he said to her and the intense way

e continent before le

ears as she attacked the p

at the punching bag that made the heavy sand-filled l

eft, away from the path of the bag before it could c

boxing arena of the private gym, she plop

own as she took in a dee

s, she flexed and extended her long, slender fingers till they stopped s

lton's face," A tall, athletic woman with a head of full, brown curls tied in a bun qu

league and best friend with occasional be

ied as she rested her hea

ountenance, she picked

re again, didn't y

not wanting to expla

her last year of college

her persistence and playful attitude were what earned her a place in Naomi's life as not just a casual friend

s a bit too intimidated and awed by her sharp, dark beauty and air of mystery

ht when she slept over at Naomi's apartment after a long day at the office two years ago, she

ders and drew her closer. She hated see

this lead for two years and I am sure we are going to

end like all the other ones I've been pur

Naomi's lips, shushing her before sh

ters I've had the fortune of meeting. You climbed the ladders to the position of a senior repor

doubting it now? You're so close already," Victoria gave an encouragin

and leaned in, placing

nk y

omfortable si

before we leave?" Victoria su

I think I'll f

hting stances, Naomi's more fir

riking the first blow which caught Victoria i

athed heavily, clutching

or

f quick punches; some of which Victoria managed to d

ictoria fell dramati

clutching her waist and abdomen

her, a worried look ov

I'm sorry if I wen

h," Victoria replied, wheezing and moaning drama

urran Theater in an hour," Naomi said urgently, th

has the information regarding your parents, so..." Victoria trailed off, raising

he two sequels to the Heart of the continent?"

was only trying to see if you did," Victoria rep

led dryly.

and freed her thick, dark curls from the bun it was tied up in, letting it

t in time to meet the author, purchase signed copies of the

squealed happily, kissing her autographed no

," Victoria said as she stared at Naomi wi

he grin bled from her face. She knew that Victoria loved her and she love

idn't know if she would be able to ever love someone wholly a

.." Naomi

fine," She said, a sad smile on her lips inste

ich she might end up saying the wrong thing, Naomi pushed dow

o Silicone Valley, and with the night came a tota

't seen a blood moon since I was a kid," Victoria as

I need

ka

then go into the store and get us drinks, non-alcoholic of course, and we'll enjoy the view of the moon for a

hat happened to my parents, and as you said, we've

ling me to risk being late and enjoy the view?" Naomi glowered, her temper ris

at this... incredibly calming view of the moon..." Naomi trailed off as she fin

d serene about the moon that would

the bathroom, leaving Naomi standing besid

hypnosis. The moon seemed to pulsate, growing lar

o hold the pulsating moon in her hands until the sharp sound of her ringtone

atted her body till she found her ringing phone. Clearing her throat to co

el

ing she remembered be