Chapter 598: Deep Abyss

The week ended sweetly. After Damien took Katherine out to the movies, he brought her to one of their favorite restaurants in the city where they had an early dinner and a casual stroll in the park. She loved that he still made time for her despite how busy he was, making sure she was living comfortably.

And honestly, she thought that if they were ordinary people, she wouldn't have any problems. Not that she had issues with Damien—never. He'd been the best thing that happened to her. However, there were some things that Katherine couldn't shake away. And that was something that couldn't be easily brushed off.

"How are you?" he asked once they settled in bed, ready to go to sleep. He pulled her to his chest, his arms cradling her frame protectively.

He was warm, and she wanted to melt into him, wishing that her worries would disappear. Damien was checking in on her like he always did ever since that day they left the NIA facility when her wounds were still fresh, and the thought of Parker being arrested was still new. But it had been over a month now. Katherine couldn't tell if he was asking because he continuously worried about her and also out of habit, or if he noticed something.

Part of her wanted to tell him the whole truth, but he'd been blaming himself enough regarding her kidnapping. It hurt her to see that he couldn't let go of that when it wasn't his fault. If that wasn't enough, she had to open his wounds about his father's accident. Katherine saw how tormented he was earlier after that reminder. Obviously, it wasn't his fault as well. But that was Damien… He cared so much that he always felt responsible for the things happening to other people.

She didn't want to keep burdening him about whatever's happening to her. He had already done a lot of things for her. Damien deserved to stop worrying and feeling bad because it also broke her heart whenever he felt like so.

Slightly curling the corners of her mouth upward, she placed her hand on his chest and gave him most of the truth. "I'm getting there. It's been over a month already, but… Shadow has been part of me for...so many years. And just suddenly, it's no longer operating. We lost people too… It will take a little bit more time for me to come to terms. But I'm okay, Damien. I'm happier."

"Are you sure?" he asked, worry lacing his eyes that pierced through her. He pushed a lock of hair behind her ear, waiting for her response as he wanted confirmation.

Katherine widened her smile to reassure him. She loved this man. As much as she could, she'd protect his heart. "I'm with you. Of course I'm happy." Then she buried her face on his neck, inhaling the scent that she loved so much it always brought her home.

"Good. Me too. We'll get through this, my love. One at a time," he whispered above her, stroking her hair and placing a kiss on her forehead.

"Mm…"

"You have a session with Doctor Howell tomorrow?" he asked. She darted her gaze to the side, thankful that he couldn't see her face at the moment. Then he continued, "I know you don't like it. But you need this. You can do it."

Without saying anything, she nodded and tightened her arms around him.

He probably felt that their conversation was now over as he told her, "Come on, let's go to sleep. Goodnight, Love." He pulled the blanket over her shoulder and stroked her arm.

She pressed her lips on his jaw and muttered, "Goodnight, Damien."

…

Running.

More running.

It's the same dream all over again, and she was aware of it. It was dark and foggy, surrounded by tall trees and god awful smell that made her want to puke. But she didn't have time to stop. She had to escape. Not actually knowing what she was running from, the surroundings became even darker until she could barely see.

Katherine didn't know where she was heading. All she knew was that she had to get out of this forest. But no matter how much she ran, she'd never find the end of it. Scanning from left to right, she noticed a huge boulder on the right, and she took a turn towards it, passing by and hoping that changing her path would help. However, after several steps, the exact same boulder was right before her.

She came to a stop, looking back to where she came from, but all she saw were trees and leaves, swaying with the wind, and then she heard footsteps approaching. Wanting to escape, she turned on her heel and ran towards the huge boulder—just the same, she breezed past it. It was cold. Very cold. And all she had on her was a tank top and leggings—her feet were bare, and every time they touched the ground, she'd feel pain. She looked down on herself and realized that she was wearing the same clothes back when she was tortured in the old castle. Her heartbeat raced, and she pushed her body forward as she kept on running. However, when she focused her gaze on the front, the boulder was there again.

Katherine was running in circles. There was no escape. She was trapped in this forest, and she couldn't get out.

Her mouth opened in an attempt to scream, but it was as though she lost control over her own self. She could barely part her lips, and there was no voice coming out. It couldn't have been because she was already tired because, at the moment, she was running at full speed. This is insane. She couldn't even shout for help.

A guttural groan escaped from her. When she briefly closed her eyes and opened them again, Chris's figure stood several feet away. His face was pale and ghostly as he stared at her with an empty gaze, blood gushing out from his body. Katherine tried to catch him, but it seemed as though no matter how much she sprinted forward, the figure just kept getting away until it dissipated in the air.

The boulder appeared again, and this time, after going past it, she was brought to the prairie. Her legs came to a halt before she fell into a massive hole on the ground where the old castle was supposed to be. Katherine's breathing labored, knowing full well what was going to happen next in this dream.

"Queen," a familiar voice called from her back, just above her ear. Already knowing who was standing behind her, she swallowed before turning around to face her death.

"Parker," she muttered.

Wordlessly, a corner of Parker's lips curled into a lopsided grin. It was bone-chilling. He raised his hand and pushed her shoulder with his finger. Her body tilted backward until she fell into the hole—towards a terrifying, dark abyss.

Katherine gasped in a startle as she woke up from her dream. Beads of sweat covered her forehead, and her hand trembled as she placed it over her heart. It's the fourth time that she had the same dream, and every time, it ended the same.

She looked over to her right. Damien was still fast asleep. Somehow, she ended up on the other end of the bed, away from him. Her gaze landed on the clock on the nightstand. 3:12 am, it said.

Rolling out of bed, Katherine dragged herself towards the bathroom and splashed her face some cold water from the sink. She stared at her reflection for a minute before patting her face dry with a clean towel. She didn't know why she kept dreaming about the same thing. Having guilt regarding Chris's death had always been there, but why did she continuously fear Parker even after being reassured that he was still locked up?

"Baby, where are you? Come back to bed…" Damien's lazy voice called for her.

Katherine strolled out of the bathroom and crawled back into bed, curling her body against his as she tried to go back to sleep.

…

Monday — January 21

Every Monday at two in the afternoon, Katherine would head over to her therapist—a Psychologist whom Director Hughes arranged for her after getting out of the NIA facility. Doctor Howell was affiliated with the NIA, so he knew what's going on. Therefore, it was easier for Katherine to mention some things that she couldn't ever tell if it were any other shrink.

Felix would drive her to the clinic and pick her up after her session that usually lasted about an hour. Sometimes, she bargained to pick her up a few hours later whenever she had to meet with Emma or Alianna.

"I'll see you later," he said as he watched her enter the clinic.

When she knew that he was out of sight, Katherine strode towards the back exit and jogged a couple of blocks away until she reached an alley where she parked her motorcycle. She swung her leg over it and cranked the engine. Checking her phone for the location sent by her informant, she pocketed her phone and wore her helmet.

"Just one more. This will be the last," she muttered to herself before revving the bike and speeding off into the traffic.