Stay With Me

2

A million questions ran through Dead's mind as they walked through the town, but once again he couldn't seem to find his voice. Instead, he listened as she talked to him about everything and nothing. She seemed so fascinated with the simplest of things; it was almost adorable. He winced in pain as he pinched himself for the fifth time, trying to convince himself he was somehow dreaming. Vanessa frowned as she watched him out of the corner of her eye. She understood that he was confused, but seeing him in pain made her heart sink lower into her stomach.

"Is everything alright?" she questioned, concern lacing her voice.

"Yes," he managed to get out. "This is all just so surreal."

"I know exactly what you mean."

"How did...how did you find me? I don't know you and you don't know me as far as I know. So, what is all this?"

Vanessa paused, thinking over how she wanted to handle things for the moment. There was no denying that he knew who she was; at the very least that she was in his dreams. She could try explaining who she was now and why she was here, but that put her at risk of being thought of as insane. Yet, she knew his feelings were fragile whether or not he admitted it. One wrong thing could easily have him shut her out completely to the point of not trusting her. She didn't want to deceive him.

Taking a deep breath, she resolved to tell him the truth as best she could. "I came to try and save you."

Dead stopped, turning to face her. "What are you talking about?"

Here goes nothing.

"I know who you are because I'm from the future, as dumb as that might sound. You died and it was considered the biggest loss to the black metal scene. After you died, so did Euronymous a few years later."

"How did I die?" he whispered.

Vanessa sighed. "Suicide."

Dead nodded. "I figured that's what you'd say. I want to believe you, but I don't have any proof. How do I know you aren't lying to me?"

Vanessa thought for a moment. "I could show you my phone if that would make a difference? Aside from anything I brought with me the only things I could do to prove anything would be to tell you whatever I know."

Dead shook his head, a smirk on his face. "I think for now I'll just take your word for it. After all, it's not every day that I see the same woman from my dreams right in front of me. That has to mean something."

Vanessa let out a breath of relief as the continued to walk, every now and again sneaking a look at the blond man she had seen so often in her nightmares. He was much more handsome than she had originally thought; the dreams didn't do him justice at all. Sure, he was as thin a a telephone pole, but he was stunning. His eyes seemed fixed on the ground in front of him, glancing up only occasionally to make sure there was nothing in his way. She wanted to say something to him, anything, that would get him to talk to her. She had waited so long for this moment and was now kicking herself at not being able to find anything to say to him. She could only imagine what he was thinking about at the moment.

"So, what do we do from here?" he questioned as they came to a final stop in front of the house.

Vanessa's eyes met his, searching for some kind of clue as to what he was hoping for. She could easily say she wanted to rush into something serious with him, throw her heart on the line for him if it meant it would keep him with her...Or was it safer to take it all slow? Her heart began to skip, her head suddenly feeling like it was spinning in circles. Glancing down she noticed his hand reaching for her own, inviting her to take it.

"Pelle," she whispered. "Shouldn't we try taking this slow? Get to know each other better?"

A smirk played at his lips. "Is that what you want to do?"

Damn him...

Shaking her head, her hand found his. "No."

Dead stood straighter, his head held a bit higher as if a wave of newly found confidence washed over him. It was a look that fit him well.

"Future or not," he continued. "There's something between us and I'd like to find out more about it, but, I would also like to have you as close as possible. Is that alright with you? Can I trust you?"

"I wouldn't dream of doing anything that would break your trust, Pelle."

Closing the distance, he wrapped his arms around her, his head resting against hers as the two enjoyed the silence between them. To hell with being slow, to hell with being cautious. She wanted him. And even if it meant staying there with him, Vanessa would do whatever it took to keep him alive and with her... The silence, however, was quickly interrupted.

"Who's this?" Euronymous questioned.

Dead noticed the hungry look in his friend's eyes, pulling Vanessa closer he let out a small growl.

"My girlfriend," he replied harshly.

Euronymous smirked. "Is she now? Interesting."

As Hellhammer and Necro joined them outside, Dead continued to glare at Euronymous as the guitarist eyed the woman in front of him with lust filled eyes.

We'll see about that... Euronymous thought to himself. We'll see...