Page 128 of Secrets Hidden In The Glass

“It’s okay.” He pulled her against him, wrapping her up in a hug. “You’re okay.”

“No. I saw trees. I have to draw—make it make sense, like Matthew said.” She shoved off the blankets that felt like weights on her legs and hurried down the hall, caring little that she was naked and covered in goosebumps.

“Callie, wait.” Nate followed her down the stairs.

“I can’t,” she said, moving to the office and turning on the desk lamp before she grabbed paper from the printer and a pencil from the drawer—an unfortunately familiar routine. Sitting in the leather chair, she immediately began her work, trying to figure out how to translate onto paper such a simple yet terrifying scene. “It’s dark but it’s light.”

Nate settled a throw around her shoulders and wrapped another blanket around his waist before he crouched down by her side.

“It’s quiet but the owl’s so loud.” She drew a single pine bough and swiped at her cheek as if she could feel the needles brushing her skin. “It’s light from the moon against the sky. Are there stars?” She shook her head. “I can’t remember.”

“What about the owl?” Nate asked.

“I don’t know. I don’t see him.” She sketched more trees in the distance—outlines instead of the intricate detail she’d given the single bough—then set the pencil down, frowning as she stared at the moon she’d drawn in the sky. “There’s a glow cast from the moon. It washes over everything yet heightens the shadows in the distance. It should be enchanting, but it’s frightening.” She shook her head again. “There’s something… I can’t shake the feeling that someone’s watching. Following. Like I’m being hunted.”

Nate’s gaze wandered from the paper to the window before he looked at her. “Do you remember anything else?”

“No.” She narrowed her eyes, taxing her brain, willing something to come to her. Minutes later, she huffed out a breath. “There’s nothing. Just like that, it’s gone again.”

“Does that have to be a bad thing? You dreamt it, drew it, and now it’s gone.”

She nibbled her lip, studying her sketch, certain it couldn’t be that simple. “Maybe my dream wasn’t about me actually being watched or hunted. Maybe it’s more symbolic. Currently, I’m watching; I’m hunting. For answers about my biological mother.” She shrugged as she looked at Nate again. “It sort of makes sense. We’re about to have a big, unsettling day and I have a bad dream.”

He rubbed at his jaw as he tilted his head from side to side. “We could follow that path if you’re into dream analysis.”

“I don’t know, Nate.” She shoved the paper away as she sat back in the chair and rolled her eyes. “Why is this the way that I deal with my stress? Why can’t I eat too much chocolate or develop a shopping addiction?”

He laughed. “You’re an artist. And a brilliant one at that. Aren’t you guys supposed to be a little unconventional?”

She grinned. “Clearly.”

He picked up her sketch. “I mean, look at what you can do with a pencil. I feel like I could hop into the page and be right there.”

She shook her head. “It needs glass. The colors and textures are what bring it to life.”

“So make it like you did with the others.”

She shook her head again, even when she knew she would make it—she had to. “It’s not particularly inspiring—just upsetting.”

“So, we’ll leave it.” He turned the paper over as he set it on the desk. “Do you think you can fall back to sleep? We’ve still got a couple of hours before the alarm goes off.”

She glanced at the clock. “More like four. I’m not quite ready for bed.” She kissed his nose, then his lips. “Thank you for coming down with me. You should start back up. I’ll be there soon.”

He shook his head. “We’re officially on vacation for the next three days. I’m thinking we should make you a cup of that chamomile stuff you like so much, get the fireplace burning, and snuggle up on the couch.”

“Nate—”

“Hey, we’re following first-night protocol for any three-day weekend. As far as I can tell, we’re right on pace. Have a bad dream. Check. Draw some weird, unexplainable shit. Check.” He grinned when she laughed. “Now we must snuggle on the couch.”

She stood, her heart completely lost as she held the blanket tight around her shoulders and smiled, staring into his eyes. “I think I’ve figured out my drawing.”

He hooked his arm around her waist. “Oh, yeah?”

She nodded. “I think you are supposed to be the moon.”

“I could have told you that. It’s my glowing personality.”

“Hmmh,” she said as she shook her head. “You’re the bright light among all of the shadows.”