Glendolyn's Warning

Selena's POV

It was morning by the time I finally dragged myself back home.

The sun was already climbing up over the rooftops, burning gold and blinding me as I walked down our street. My shoes scraped against the sidewalk and I could hear my own heartbeat in my ears like a clock ticking too fast. Every step felt heavier.

I didn’t even know what time it was. I didn’t even care.

Last night was still a blur. Dominic’s arms catching me when my knees gave out. His voice calling my name over and over. That stupid worried look in his stupid eyes.

I hated how much it had all stuck in my head.

I pushed the front door open quietly, hoping maybe I could just sneak upstairs and sleep for a year. But of course, she was waiting.

Glendolyn.

She was leaning on the wall by the stairs, arms crossed. Her eyes cut into me before I even said anything.

I froze.

“Where were you,” she said, her voice flat. Not even a question. Just… ice.

I tried to laugh it off. “Out.” My lips cracked when I smiled and it hurt. “Why? You waiting up for me or something?”

That was dumb. I don’t even know why I said that.

Her jaw tightened. “Don’t be stupid, Lena.”

I swallowed hard and started to walk past her. But she stepped in front of me.

“You need to stay away from him,” she said.

I blinked at her. “…what?”

“You heard me,” she snapped. “Stay away from Dominic. Stop being so—so stupid and throwing yourself at him.”

That made my cheeks burn. “Excuse me? I’m not throwing myself at anyone. You don’t even know what you’re talking about—”

“Don’t I?”

Her tone was sharp enough it made me flinch.

I stared at her, because she wasn’t just mad. She was cold.

This wasn’t my sister, the overprotective one who made me soup when I was sick and scared off guys at parties. This was… something else.

“You have no idea what he’s capable of,” she said quietly.

I tried to roll my eyes. “Oh please, what are you even—”

But then she stepped closer and grabbed my arm.

Her nails dug into my skin and her eyes… her eyes looked like she hated me.

“He’s already killed you once, Lena,” she hissed. “Don’t let him do it again.”

I stopped breathing.

I literally just… stopped.

I stared at her and my lips parted but no sound came out.

“What?” My voice cracked.

But she didn’t explain.

She let go of my arm like I disgusted her and brushed past me, muttering something under her breath I couldn’t hear.

I just stood there on the stairs, heart hammering, staring after her.

Killed me once?

What the hell did that even mean?

I felt my legs give and sat down on the steps, holding my chest.

It was still aching.

It always ached after the dreams.

And now she was saying things that made it feel worse.

I stayed frozen there for what felt like forever, until finally I forced myself to get up and get dressed and drag myself to school because what else was I gonna do?

I’d just been elected, I couldn’t start skipping already.

Later, at school, I found Sarah sitting on the bleachers outside the gym. Hockey practice was about to start.

I called her name and she looked up at me, smiling.

But when I sat down beside her she frowned. “You look like hell.”

“Thanks,” I muttered.

She nudged me. “What’s wrong? Still feeling sick?”

I didn’t answer right away. I just stared out at the rink, where the guys were starting to practice. And sure enough… there he was.

Dominic.

Even from here he stood out, like he always did. Tall. Fast. Too good at everything. Too good looking.

And every time I looked at him all I could see were his eyes from my dream.

Crying blood.

Telling me to run.

Calling me a fool.

I felt my hands start to shake in my lap.

Sarah noticed. “Selena. Talk to me. You’re scaring me.”

I swallowed.

“I had another dream,” I said finally, my voice barely a whisper.

Her eyebrows shot up.

“It was different this time,” I said. “He… he said… you fool. Don’t you know I’ll kill you again. Run. Run away from me.”

Sarah didn’t say anything for a second.

I turned my face away and stared at my knees.

“And his eyes,” I added, my throat dry. “They were crying blood. He was… crying. And bleeding. And saying all those things. Like he hated me. But like he didn’t want to hurt me either.”

Sarah let out a long breath.

“Lena,” she said gently. “It’s just a dream.”

I looked at her.

“You don’t understand. He… he said ‘again,’ Sara. Like… like he already killed me once. And my sister. She…” My voice broke.

“She what?” Sarah pressed.

I blinked fast, trying not to cry.

“She told me to stay away from him,” I whispered. “And then she said… he’s already killed me once. Don’t let him do it again.”

Sarah stared at me.

Neither of us spoke for a long moment.

Then she leaned in.

“Your sister,” she said slowly, “how would she even know something like that? You said she told you not to let a nightmare ruin your life. And now this? Lena… don’t you think she knows more than she’s saying?”

I shook my head.

“No. She probably just overheard me saying stuff. You know how Glen is. She’s extreme about everything. Overprotective and dramatic and—”

Sarah cut me off. “Yeah, but… you don’t think it’s weird? That she said exactly what he said in your dream?”

I bit my lip.

I didn’t answer.

Sarah touched my arm.

“Be careful,” she said finally.

I forced a little laugh. “Of Dominic?”

She shook her head.

“Of her.”

I blinked at her.

But before I could say anything else she got up.

“I gotta get to class,” she said. “But… promise me you’ll be careful. With both of them.”

I didn’t promise.

I just nodded, even though my chest still hurt and my throat felt tight.

She left me sitting there on the bleachers alone, staring at the ice.

Dominic was still out there practicing. I could see his breath in the cold air, see his perfect hands gripping his stick, see the way he moved like he owned the whole damn world.

But all I could see in my head were his bloody tears.

And Glendolyn’s cold, furious eyes.

And the sound of her voice saying:

He’s already killed you once, Lena. Don’t let him do it again.

I pressed my palm against my chest and closed my eyes.

It still hurt.