I Refuse To Like You

tandards. The road stretches endlessly ahead of me, swallowed in darkness, empty in the way horror movies always warn

ration. Not one, not two, but a full, coordinated squad like this is some kind of low-budget crime scene staged purely for my inconvenience. I barely have time to pro

that frustrating, sluggish dream-state where nothing quite works the way it should. One of them, clearly the leader by the way he carries himself w

his point, but dream-me, unfortunately, is useless, because m

es for m

suddenly,

erased. Just... yanked awa

e with a sickening crack. I blink, momentarily stunned, as another punch follows, and then another,

them like he's been waiting his whole life for this exact moment. Movements sharp, controlled, extremely effortless. Withi

ce se

ense of what just happened. My mysterious savior stands a few feet away, shoulder

kni

res

y

tur

see hi

out of me befor

era

des that if I'm going to be rescued, it has to be by t

to my feet and clutching at my torn top, more

ck of gratitude, his expression tightening in a way that

rch for the right word and settle on the most insulting one. "-someone usef

ar

the actual problem here. "This has to be a dream. There's no universe

his hair, and somehow manages to look irr

et me he

instantly. "What are you eve

't work l

it works," I cut i

ar

tling in with perfect clarity.

's no

knee straig

a

breath leaving him as he clearly did no

yself, "is for unauthorized entry. The next time yo

I start s

t to look good on screen. This is loud, chaotic, completely unhinged, the kind of scr

e that, ever

es back into place around me, my chest heaving as if I've actually been running,

ond, I do

themselves together. The darkness of the road fades, replaced by the bright green walls of my bedroom, staring back at me like they've personally w

elebrities who actually deserve the attention, Beyoncé in all her untouchable glory, and, most importantly, t

tle as I drag a hand down my face, trying to physicall

er

y dr

ing

utely

check, half-expecting damage that isn't there. Everything's intact. The

t irri

fe

ersonal

brief moment, I just sit there, elbows on my knees, trying to process the sh

cept

ly unacc

t's

from disbelief to purpose immediate, hands clasping together as my eyes

spite the lingering adrenaline, "thank Yo

hten slightly

estroy it in the name of Jesus. I forbid any a

eath, doubling dow

im. Thoroughly. No mercy. Strike him wi

out of hesitation, but co

ously calm, and I don't trust that. And that other one who keeps weari

ath, slower

ly, bless us abundantly, and keep me far

n my