Dream Girl: Chapter 11 - Light
Sunlight.
Clark needed sunlight. Chloe looked back to the room she'd taken refuge in. There was a window high on the wall and she could see dawn just breaking. Standing to her feet with difficulty, Chloe grasped Clark under his arms and pulled with all her might. He moved an inch. The drug now consuming her body, Chloe gritted her teeth and tried again. Clark started to slide heavily. Chloe pulled her best friend's large body into the room a slow and draining process. The sun was just beginning to rise and a tiny sliver of light hung on the opposite wall from the window. The chills began as Chloe positioned Clark's body in such a way to receive optimal sun intake if it mercifully shone on them. Clark stopped breathing completely when Chloe collapsed on his chest. Praying this would work, she gladly succumbed to the darkness swallowing her whole.
As the two New Death victims lay motionless, the sun began to rise slowly. Life giving rays crept into the room spreading fingers upon the inert couple. For several moments, two heartbeats hung in limbo, both beating sporadically. Then one began to beat a little stronger; one began to beat a little more regularly. With the progress of a snail, the sun restored Clark; the miraculous UV rays pushing and prodding and finally ridding his body of the poison.
Suddenly, Clark's eyes flew open and he gasped for breath. He looked about, raised a sluggish hand to shield his eyes from the wonderfully bright sun. For a moment, Clark had no recollection of where he was. Then it all came crashing back, bringing with it a vicious headache. Clark lay for several minutes taking stock of his body. Only a small weight on his chest felt odd. Groaning, Clark raised his head and saw Chloe asleep, her lovely face twisted in a grimace.
"Chloe," Clark croaked. To his dismay, he spied the needle sticking out of her back. Carefully, he grasped it and pulled it out, dropping it to the floor. Clark tested moving reluctantly. He groaned again. He felt as if he'd been mortal again. Deciding to stay in the sun a little longer Clark, who was splayed on his back, shifted and finally sat up. Chloe's head slid to his lap. Tenderly, he gathered her up and held her close, the sun falling directly on them. Clark cuddled her closer, Chloe's head tucked under his chin as she whimpered.
"Chloe… Chloe…" Clark called gently. Over and over…
Chloe was trapped somewhere in her mind; locked in the darkness where no one could reach her. She cried. She screamed. She banged her fists against the steel walls but no one heard. She called for her mother, her father, Clark…
No one came.
Cold and shaking, she curled up on the hard floor and shivered. No warmth. No light. Nothing. She'd lost everything. She yearned for death now; the sweet release from the pain strangling her soul. Then… From somewhere in the dark, she heard the call.
"Chloe… Chloe…" She heard faintly. She strained her ears and heard it again. Someone was calling her! She was not alone! Chloe felt peace flood her ravaged soul, covering her like a blessed blanket.
"Chloe… Chloe…" She felt safe and warm. Deliciously warm. Light began to burst from her darkened cell, the prison of her mind. Chloe was being carried away, held in impossibly strong arms as a familiar and dearly loved voice whispered in her ear.
"Chloe… Chloe… Come back to me." With effort, Chloe opened her eyes.
"Clark," she whispered happily. She felt him start and then arms, arms that had carried her to safety, tightened.
"Chloe!" Clark exclaimed softly. He shifted her until she was nestled securely in his lap, her head resting in the crook of his neck. "I thought I'd really lost you."
"I knew you'd find me. I told you so," Chloe spoke quietly as contentment settled over her. She felt sleepy, very sleepy. The effects of being safe and protected registered in her brain and Chloe felt her nerves relax.
"You did?" Clark asked.
Chloe nodded, her forehead nuzzling Clark's neck. "Yeah. Every time I almost died, you were there. You pushed me back." Chloe moved her head slowly and looked up at him with hazy eyes. Clark didn't know if it was the late morning sun or the fact that he could have lost her but Chloe looked too beautiful for words. A lump formed in Clark's throat as Chloe brought a hand up to graze his stubble covered chin.
"You always find me, Clark."
"Oh, Chloe," Clark breathed. He kissed her forehead gently. Chloe settled back against him only to rouse a few seconds later.
"I did the right thing, didn't I? Getting you into the sunlight?" Chloe asked urgently, her eyes round like a frightened child.
Clark smoothed her hair back from her face and caught a tear slipping down her cheek on his fingertip. "Yes, thank you, Chloe. It seems you saved me instead. Now, sleep. You're safe now." Clark laid his head on top of hers, sheltering her within his arms.
"I know," Chloe nestled back down, letting the rhythm of Clark's heart lull her to sleep. Clark ran one hand up and down her back in a soothing gesture until he was sure Chloe had fallen asleep. He then pulled her phone out of his pocket and dialed Pete.
"Clark?" Pete answered.
"Yeah. I've got her. I need your help though…"
To read Ch. 12, click here.