Chapter 1006 Sleeping with Aunt

Chapter 1006 Sleeping with Aunt

"Alright, fine," Rudy conceded, taking a seat beside Jessica on the bed. The pillow became a makeshift barrier between them as they settled into an impromptu sleepover. The room echoed with laughter and chatter as they shared stories, jokes, and even delved into the mysteries of the altered world around them.

As the night wore on, Rudy found himself caught up in the unexpected joy of the moment. The worries that had plagued him earlier began to fade, replaced by the warmth of familial connection. Jessica, it seemed, had a way of injecting energy and enthusiasm into any situation.

Eventually, fatigue settled in, and the conversation waned. Jessica, with a mischievous twinkle in her eyes, reached over and switched off the bedside lamp.

"Goodnight, Rudy. Sleep well," she whispered, settling down on her makeshift bed.

"Goodnight..." Rudy replied, closing his eyes. The room was bathed in darkness, but within the silence, an unspoken understanding lingered. In the shared space of that small room, Rudy found solace, and the strange, unpredictable journey through this altered worldline continued with the promise of new connections and discoveries.

Rudy thought he wouldn't be able to sleep right next to Jessica, but surprisingly it didn't take him even five minutes to fall asleep. He was tired and needed rest.

The soft glow of dawn filtered through the curtains, painting the room in a gentle, muted light. Rudy slowly opened his eyes, the remnants of sleep clinging to his consciousness. The room seemed to greet him with tranquility, but as awareness seeped in, Rudy realized he was not alone in his bed.

Jessica lay beside him, peacefully enveloped in slumber. The rhythmic rise and fall of her chest suggested a serene rest. Rudy, however, felt an odd sensation, an awareness of proximity that hadn't registered until that moment.

Deciding to make the most of his early awakening, Rudy quenched his thirst with a glass of water from the kitchen. An idea struck him—why not seize the opportunity for a morning jog? He adorned his shoes, intending to return before breakfast.

Jogging through the town, Rudy's thoughts meandered, and inevitably, they converged on Elise. Concern for her well-being gnawed at the edges of his consciousness. 'I made sure Eleanor is okay, but what about Elise? What if she is... no.' Rudy shook off the unsettling thoughts. 'I don't want to think about it. She is fine... I am sure of it.'

The rhythmic pounding of his footsteps echoed in his ears, grounding him in the present. However, as he reached the spot where the previous day's bizarre incident had unfolded, Rudy was taken aback.

'How am I here? I was heading the other way. It's like... I teleported here...'

An uneasy feeling settled over him, prompting Rudy to pivot and head home immediately, steering clear of that peculiar area. Just as he turned away, a glimpse caught the corner of his eye—a shadowy figure disappearing into the forest.

A chill ran down Rudy's spine, the inexplicable sight casting a shadow over the serenity of the morning. It was a moment that left him with more questions than answers, a sense of foreboding lingering in the air as he made his mind to run back home.

Panic surged through Rudy as he made the conscious decision to flee from the unsettling sight. He had no desire to play the role of a hero or venture into the unknown woods, especially when his own safety was in question.

With determination to put distance between himself and the forest, Rudy spun around to escape the eerie scene. However, the moment he turned, a disorienting sensation enveloped him. The familiar surroundings of the town vanished, replaced by the dense shadows of a forest.

Rudy stood there, bewildered, realizing that his subconscious had betrayed him. It seemed he had involuntarily teleported himself to a place he had no intention of exploring. The trees loomed overhead, their branches casting a maze of shadows, and an unfamiliar stillness settled in the air.