SARIYAH MARTIN Atlanta, ga

The dream was suffocating.

Sariyah was running through a maze of dark streets, her breaths loud and ragged. Dre's voice echoed around her, taunting and sharp. No matter how fast she moved, she couldn't escape the heavy footsteps behind her, closing in.

"You thought you could disappear?" Dre's voice was low and mocking. "You ain't that smart, Sariyah."

Her legs gave out just as he emerged from the shadows, his figure towering over her. His laugh was cold as he raised the gun, aiming it directly at her.

The sound of the shot ripped through her, and Sariyah's eyes flew open.

She sat up in bed, clutching the sheets as her chest heaved. The darkness of the room pressed down around her, but the dream still lingered—too vivid, too real.

Kaelix stirred beside her, his voice groggy as he rubbed his face. "Sariyah? You straight?"

"Yeah," she lied quickly, brushing a hand through her hair. "Just... a bad dream."

Kaelix frowned, his eyes narrowing as he sat up fully. "That's the third time this week."

"It's nothing," she said, her tone sharp enough to make him pause. She softened it immediately, not wanting him to push further. "I'm just... tired. That's all."

Kaelix watched her closely, his jaw tightening as he considered her words. "You sure? You been real jumpy lately."

"I'm fine, Kaelix," she insisted, sliding out of bed before he could press the issue. "I'm gonna get some water."

Kaelix watched her go, his brow furrowed. He didn't believe her, but he also knew better than to push when she wasn't ready to talk.

Sariyah made her way to the kitchen, gripping the edge of the counter as she tried to steady her breathing. The nightmares were getting worse. She couldn't keep running from them—or from her past.

_

Sariyah stood in the large shared bathroom, the faint hum of her flat iron filling the silence as she meticulously straightened her hair. The steam rose in soft wisps, blending with the cool morning light streaming through the window.

She could hear Kaelix moving around in the bedroom, the sound of drawers opening and closing followed by the rustling of clothes. His footsteps were deliberate, almost restless, as if he was keeping busy just to avoid sitting still.

"Everything you need, you put in the suitcase, right?" Kaelix's voice carried into the bathroom, tinged with just enough sharpness to make her pause.

Sariyah glanced at her reflection in the mirror, her brow furrowing slightly before she called back. "Yeah, I did."

Kaelix appeared in the doorway, leaning against the frame. His fitted black tee stretched over his shoulders, his gaze drifting to the flat iron in her hand. "You sure? 'Cause I ain't tryna stop at no store 'cause you forgot somethin' simple like your charger."

"I said I got it, Kaelix," Sariyah replied, her tone firmer now as she met his eyes in the mirror.

Kaelix huffed, his lips pressing into a thin line before he stepped into the bathroom. He leaned against the counter beside her, folding his arms. "You still mad?"

Sariyah raised an eyebrow, unplugging the flat iron and setting it on the counter. "Am I still mad? You mean about the fact that you almost fought Trey in front of your whole family? Or how you've barely said two words to your mom since? Nah, I'm not mad."

Her sarcasm was sharp, cutting through the air between them.

Kaelix sighed, running a hand over his head. "It ain't even like that. I just... I need some space, alright? Malik said she good. She ain't even trippin' like you think she is."

"That's not the point but whatever ," Sariyah said, turning to face him fully. She had been trying to let it go, that wasn't her family even if she felt like it was.

"Aye. I don't know what's going on with us, but I'm trying to fix it. I told you I was sorry about everything that happened. That's why we going on this trip right?" He mumbled all his words but was still loud enough for her to hear him.

They had decided after the fight with his "stepdad" that maybe it was best for them to go somewhere for the weekend. It had been five days since he spoke to his mom or Trey— and Kaelix needed more time.

Especially with the random man at the cookout and the black truck they had noticed a few weeks earlier.

"I love you. Let's make this trip about us?" He touched her waist getting behind her so that they were now looking at each other inside the mirror.

_

It took about two hours, the city slowly fading into winding roads surrounded by towering trees. The further they drove, the more the world seemed to quiet, the air fresher and the sky clearer.

Finally, they pulled up to a large cabin home nestled on the outskirts of the city. The structure stood tall, its rustic wooden beams and stone accents giving it a warm, inviting feel. String lights lined the wraparound porch, glowing faintly in the early evening light.

Sariyah's mouth parted slightly as she took it all in. "Oh my God, this is so pretty," she said, her voice filled with genuine surprise. She hadn't expected anything like this.

Kaelix smirked as he put the car in park and unbuckled his seatbelt. "I knew you'd like it," he said, stepping out of the car to grab their suitcase from the backseat.

Sariyah opened her door, stretching her legs as she looked around. "You planned all this? By yourself?"

He glanced at her over his shoulder, a small smile tugging at his lips. "Yeah. Told you I had you."

She rolled her eyes, but her smile lingered as she walked up to the porch, her boots crunching against the gravel.

"You could've told me we were coming somewhere like this," she teased, turning to face him as he hauled their suitcase up the steps.

"Would've ruined the surprise," Kaelix replied simply, fishing the cabin key out of his pocket.

Inside, the cabin was even more beautiful. The open living space was centered around a large stone fireplace, with a cozy sectional couch and plush blankets draped over the armrests. The kitchen was modern but warm, with wooden cabinets and stainless steel appliances. Floor-to-ceiling windows offered a stunning view of the surrounding forest.

"Damn," Sariyah muttered as she walked further in, running her fingers along the edge of the couch. "This is crazy."

Kaelix set the suitcase by the stairs and leaned against the banister, watching her with a faint smile. "You like it?"

"Like it?" She turned to him, her eyes wide. "Kaelix, I love it. This is... it's perfect."

He shrugged, playing it cool. "Good. Glad I know the places to take you to make you happy"

Sariyah's expression softened as she stepped closer to him. "Thank you," she said quietly.

Kaelix nodded, his hand brushing against her waist as he leaned down to kiss her forehead. "You deserve it."

_

The cabin was quiet, save for the soft crackling of the fireplace. A thick blanket was spread out on the floor in front of it, their food containers scattered in front of them. They'd ordered from a local spot, the kind of urban soul food place that reminded Sariyah of home. Plates of their many different orders was spread out infront of them.

"These wings smack I swear" Sariyah said, leaning back on her hands as she took another bite. "I wasn't expecting much from out here, but this hit different."

Kaelix smirked, watching her with amusement. "You been talking about them wings for ten minutes. Ain't even touched your fries yet."

Sariyah side-eyed him, picking up a handful on fries and eating a few. "You happy now?" She mumbled.

Kaelix laughed, shaking his head as he leaned back against the couch.

"You're just mad I appreciate good food," she shot back, taking a small bite before setting her plate down. "Anyway, this cabin idea was smart. I didn't know you had it in you."

Kaelix raised an eyebrow, his lips tugging into a small grin. "What's that supposed to mean?"

Sariyah shrugged, leaning forward to grab her drink. "Just saying, you don't seem like the 'romantic getaway' type."

Kaelix's grin widened as he picked up his plate. "You don't know me like you think you do."

Sariyah paused mid-sip, giving him a playful glare. "Oh, I don't?"

"Nah," Kaelix said, his tone teasing but soft. "You think you got me all figured out, huh?"

She smirked, setting her drink down. "I mean, I know enough. You like basketball, you hate Trey, oh and basically a crash out..."

Kaelix chuckled, shaking his head. "That's what you think defines me?"

"I didn't say that. I just—" Sariyah hesitated, her smirk fading slightly. "I guess I never thought about it like that. You're kinda hard to read sometimes."

Kaelix leaned forward, setting his plate aside. His expression softened as he met her gaze. "Maybe. But I think you get me better than most."

Sariyah blinked, caught off guard by the sincerity in his voice. "You serious?"

Kaelix nodded, his fingers brushing against hers as he reached for his drink. "Yeah. Ain't nobody else ever seen me like you do."

The firelight danced across their faces, the warmth of the moment settling between them. Sariyah looked down at their hands, her heart beating a little faster.

"I guess that makes two of us then," she said quietly.

Kaelix tilted his head, studying her. "What you mean?"

"I mean... I feel like you see me too," Sariyah admitted, her voice softer now. "Not just the surface stuff, but like... the parts of me I don't let most people see."

Kaelix reached out, tucking a loose strand of hair behind her ear. "That's 'cause I pay attention."

Sariyah let out a short laugh, shaking her head. "You so smooth."

"I'm serious," Kaelix said, his tone low but steady. "You don't gotta hide nothing from me, Sariyah. I see you. All of you. And I fuck with you heavy for it."

Her gaze dropped for a moment, overwhelmed by the weight of his words. When she looked back up, he was still watching her, his expression calm but intense.

"I fuck with you too," she said finally, a small smile tugging at her lips.

Kaelix smiled back, leaning closer. "Good to know."

The air between them shifted, the tension giving way to something deeper. Kaelix reached out, his hand brushing against her cheek as he closed the distance between them. When their lips met, it wasn't rushed or frantic—it was slow, deliberate, and filled with unspoken promises.

As the kiss deepened, the warmth of the fire wrapped around them, but it was the connection they shared that truly made the moment feel electric.

The fire had burned down to glowing embers, casting a faint orange hue across the room. Sariyah was curled up on the blanket in her Skims set, her body pressed close to Kaelix. His arm draped lazily over her waist, his skin bare except for the black briefs that clung to his hips.

The smell of smoke and pine lingered in the air, mixed with the faint scent of her vanilla lotion. Both of them looked peaceful, their breathing slow and even. But the signs of what they had did earlier were obvious—her hair slightly messy and the hickeys on his neck was enough evidence.

The night was still, except for the occasional pop of the wood in the fireplace and the soft howl of the wind outside.

Then it came.

The low rumble of a truck engine pierced the quiet, loud enough to startle Kaelix out of his sleep. His eyes flew open, his senses immediately on high alert. He blinked against the dim light, his heart thudding as he registered the unfamiliar noise.

The sound grew louder, then stopped abruptly.

Kaelix reached for his phone on the floor beside him, the bright screen lighting up his face as he checked the time. 3:00 AM.

He exhaled slowly, his hand shifting toward the side table where his gun sat, cool and solid under his palm. Sariyah's pistol was tucked neatly under her bag on the couch nearby—just in case.

Sliding out from under her, he moved with care, trying not to disturb her sleep. But as his weight lifted from the blanket, Sariyah stirred, her hand reaching instinctively toward the empty space beside her. Her eyes fluttered open, her senses kicking in before her mind was fully awake.

"Kaelix?" she mumbled, her voice thick with sleep.

He didn't answer immediately, his attention already focused on the faint sound outside. His steps were slow and deliberate as he made his way toward the large window overlooking the driveway.

"Something ain't right," he muttered under his breath, barely loud enough for her to hear.

Sariyah sat up, brushing her hair out of her face as she squinted in his direction. "What are you doing?" she asked, her voice low but sharper now.

Kaelix pulled the blinds back slightly, just enough to peer outside. His body went rigid at the sight.

A black truck sat at the edge of the driveway, its engine off but its presence glaring in the stillness of the night. The headlights were dim, almost like they'd been intentionally kept low.

Sariyah got to her feet, grabbing her pistol as she made her way over to him. "What is it?"

Kaelix didn't look at her, his jaw tightening. "Looks like the same truck," he said, his voice clipped.

Her stomach dropped. "The one from before?"

Kaelix nodded, his grip tightening on the gun. "Can't be sure, though. It's dark as hell out there, and we're two hours from home."

"But it's not just any truck," Sariyah said quietly, stepping closer to the window. Her eyes scanned the faint outline of the vehicle, her pulse quickening. "What would they be doing all the way out here?"

Kaelix didn't answer. The paranoia was creeping in, the same paranoia that had been simmering under the surface since the cookout, since the apartment tour. His mind raced, connecting dots that might not even exist, but he couldn't shake the feeling that this wasn't random.

"Could be nothin'," Sariyah offered, her voice steady despite the unease in her chest. "Maybe it's the neighbors or somebody lost."

Kaelix shot her a look, his brows furrowed. "At 3:00 in the morning? In the middle of nowhere? Nah, that ain't no coincidence."

Sariyah hesitated, glancing back at the truck. The glow from the dim headlights illuminated just enough of the driveway to make her stomach tighten. "What do you wanna do?"

Kaelix thought for a moment, his eyes never leaving the truck. "We wait," he said finally. "See if they make a move. But we keep these on us, just in case."

Sariyah nodded, gripping her pistol tightly as she positioned herself on the other side of the window.

Minutes passed, each one feeling longer than the last. The truck didn't move, didn't make a sound. It just sat there, an ominous silhouette against the darkness.

Finally, after what felt like an eternity, the engine roared to life. The headlights brightened for a brief moment before the truck began to reverse slowly down the driveway.

Kaelix's hand flexed on the gun as he watched it disappear into the night. His body remained tense, even after the sound of the engine faded completely.

"You think they saw us?" Sariyah asked, breaking the silence.

"Don't know," Kaelix muttered, his voice tight. "But whoever that was, they ain't just out here for no reason."

Sariyah bit her lip, glancing out into the empty driveway. The unease lingered, settling heavy in the pit of her stomach. "You think it's the same people from before?"

Kaelix didn't respond immediately. Instead, he let the blinds fall back into place and turned to face her. The look in his eyes was unreadable, a mix of frustration and something darker.

"Could be," he said finally, his tone low. "But I ain't takin' no chances."

Sariyah nodded, her gaze steady on him. "Neither am I."

They stood there for a moment longer, the silence between them filled with unspoken questions and unshakable tension. Kaelix eventually reached out, resting a hand on her arm.

"We ain't gonna let nobody touch us," he said, his voice firm. "Not here, not anywhere."

"I know," Sariyah replied, her tone matching his resolve.

But as they moved away from the window and back into the cabin, neither of them could shake the feeling that the past wasn't as far behind as they wanted it to be.

__

@NYLAATIME Gave y'all a long chapter todayyy!

THOUGHTS ON THIS CHAPTER? thoughts on the writing and Kaelix and Sariyah's relationship?