Odyssey Of Survival-Chapter 66 A Perfect World

The golden rays of the morning sun slipped through the thin fabric of the tent, bathing everything in a soft, warm glow. The air was still, the quiet only broken by the occasional chirping of birds outside. Nate’s eyelids fluttered open, and he blinked against the brightness. His body felt heavy, as if waking from a long slumber. Sitting up slowly, he stretched, the stiffness in his limbs a reminder of recent battles. A yawn escaped his lips just as the flap of the tent moved aside.

Bella stepped in, her presence illuminating the space more than the sun ever could. She carried a tray of freshly cut fruit, the colors vibrant and glistening as though freshly washed. Her hair cascaded in loose waves, catching the sunlight in a way that made it appear like strands of spun gold. Her cheeks were lightly flushed, the morning’s crisp air giving her a natural rosy hue. But it was her smile that truly captivated—soft, warm, and filled with a serenity that made her seem almost otherworldly.

Nate’s breath caught for a moment as he took her in. There was something ethereal about her this morning, something angelic. She was the kind of beauty that could stop time, and for Nate, it felt as though it had.

"Good morning," she said softly, her voice as gentle as the morning breeze. Without waiting for a response, she placed the tray on the edge of the bed. Then, to his surprise, she climbed onto the bed herself, her movements fluid and unhurried. She settled on his legs, her weight grounding him in the moment.

With practiced ease, Bella tucked a stray strand of hair behind her ear, her eyes locking onto his with a tenderness that made his chest tighten. She leaned in, her lips brushing against his softly at first, testing the waters. Then the kiss deepened, her hands resting lightly on his chest while his arms encircled her waist.

The world outside ceased to exist. Her lips were warm, her breath mingling with his as the kiss grew more passionate, a raw intensity coursing through them both. Nate’s fingers moved instinctively, tracing the curve of her back as he pulled her closer, feeling her heartbeat against his.

When they finally broke apart, Bella’s cheeks were flushed, and her lips slightly parted as she caught her breath. She rested her head on his chest, her hair falling over his shoulder like a silken curtain. Nate held her tightly, as though afraid she might vanish. With a gentle smile, he leaned down and placed a kiss on the top of her head, his lips lingering there for a moment.

"I could stay like this forever," he murmured, his voice barely above a whisper.

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Madison stood beside Nate’s unconscious form. Her gaze was fixed on him, her expression a mix of hope and despair.

"What do you think is going on in his head?" Madison asked, breaking the silence.

Bella, seated nearby, glanced up at her. Her face was tired, her eyes shadowed from sleepless nights. "The connection doesn’t work like that," she said quietly. "I can only feel him when his emotions are heightened—pain, joy, anger. Things like that."

Madison frowned, her curiosity unsatisfied. "Then how did you know what he went through when he was captured?"

Bella hesitated, her gaze dropping to her hands. For a moment, it seemed as though she wouldn’t answer. Finally, she spoke, her voice low. "I saw it," she admitted. "It wasn’t like a dream. It was... real. Almost like I was the one being tortured." She paused, her hands trembling slightly. "The things they did to him were horrible. Unimaginable."

Madison opened her mouth to ask another question, but before she could, Alice appeared. Her expression was stern as she grabbed Madison by the arm and began dragging her away.

"Hey! Let me go!" Madison protested, struggling against Alice’s grip.

"You ask too many questions," Alice muttered, her tone sharp and unyielding.

"But I was just—"

"Enough," Alice interrupted, pulling her out of the room.

As the two disappeared down the corridor, Bella was left alone with Nate. She reached out, her hands grabbing his.

As Bella gently held Nate’s hand, a strange sensation coursed through her body. Her vision turned white, blinding her completely, and she felt weightless. She felt herself being pulled somewhere else—somewhere far from the room where Nate lay unconscious.

When her sight returned, Bella found herself standing on a familiar beach. The sand was warm beneath her feet, the waves lapping gently at the shore. But something was off. The once-bustling beach was desolate, with only one tent standing—Nate’s tent.

Confused, Bella approached the tent. She pulled the flap aside and stepped in, only to find it empty. The bedding was neatly arranged, the air inside carrying the faint scent of salt and sun. Her heart sank as she realized he wasn’t there.

Stepping back outside, she scanned the area until her eyes fell on Nate. He was coming out of the forest, his arms laden with a bundle of wood. When he spotted her, his face lit up with a smile so warm it made Bella’s breath catch. He quickly dropped the wood in a pile and walked toward her, his strides purposeful and confident.

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Before Bella could react, Nate raised his hand, gently tilting her chin up to meet his gaze. His eyes were filled with affection, and without hesitation, he leaned in and kissed her.

The kiss was soft and tender, his lips warm against hers. Bella froze, her mind racing. This wasn’t real—was it? She didn’t move, too stunned to process what was happening. Even after Nate broke the kiss and stepped back, Bella remained still, her fingers touching her lips as if trying to make sense of what she had just experienced.

"Bella?" Nate’s voice snapped her out of her trance. "What’s wrong with you? Didn’t you say you were going to get more fruit? Why are you back so early?"

Bella blinked, staring at him in disbelief. She glanced around, the calm waves and serene beach only deepening her confusion. She shook her head, her voice trembling as she said, "Nate... this isn’t real."

Nate tilted his head, his smile unwavering. "What are you talking about?"

"This world," Bella continued, stepping closer to him. "It’s not real. You’re in a dream. You’re unconscious, Nate. You need to wake up."

For a moment, Nate’s smile faltered, but then he shook his head and laughed softly. "I thought it was a dream at first too," he said, his tone gentle. "But then I realized this... this is what the universe gave me. A perfect world. You, me, peace. Why would I ever want to leave?"

"No, no, no," Bella said urgently, her voice rising. "You don’t understand. I’m not here, Nate. Everything is in your head. Nothing here is real."

To prove her point, Bella raised her hand and focused on the tent behind them. With a burst of energy, the tent flew into the air, tearing apart and dissolving into smoke before their eyes. Nate’s eyes widened in shock as the remnants of the tent vanished into nothingness.

"See?" Bella said, her voice firm. "It’s not real. You need to wake up."

Nate took a step back, his hands trembling. He clutched his head as if trying to block out her words, his breathing growing shallow. Slowly, he sank to the ground, sitting with his knees pulled to his chest.

"I can’t," he whispered, his voice breaking. "I can’t wake up."

Bella knelt beside him, her heart aching as she saw the fear and confusion in his eyes. She reached out to touch his shoulder, but he flinched away, curling into himself as he rocked back and forth.