IT WASN'T A DREAM
1307 Words
ALMIRA
I rushed to the kitchen expecting a familiar scene of a peaceful morning. Instead, I saw my mom and dad quietly sitting together.
They looked...worried.
I frowned and walked toward them.
"Mama?"
My mother immediately looked up. She smiled the moment our eyes met, but there was something different about it. It wasn't like how she usually smile at me. It wasn't bright and it didn't reach her eyes.
"Good morning, sweetheart."
I tilted my head, “are you okay?”
She exchanged a quick glance with Papa before looking back at me.
"We're alright, dear.”
I could tell when Mama was pretending. Her eyes were slightly red and Papa kept holding her hand.
I stepped closer and my mom suddenly pulled me into her arms, holding me tighter than usual.
"So tight..."
I chuckled, but the laugh quickly faded when I felt her trembling.
"Mama?"
She stroked my hair over and over. "Everything will be okay, Almira.”
Papa inched closer to us and rested his large hand on top of my head.
"My brave little wolf."
I looked up at him.
"Papa?"
"No matter what happens, promise me you'll always be brave. Understand?"
I frowned and tilted my head again. "What do you mean?"
He simply smiled. "I know you can do it."
Before I could ask another question, our front door suddenly burst open and several warriors stormed inside.
My parents hid me behind them.
"What is the meaning of this?" my father demanded.
One of the warriors stepped forward.
"By Alpha's order, Richard and Eliza Ashmyr are under arrest for treason against the pack."
Treason? I didn't even know what that meant.
My mom held my hand as they took my dad. He struggled as two warriors grabbed his arms.
"You're mistaken! You can't do this to us.”
Another warrior grabbed my mom. They pulled her until our hands lost each other.
"Mama!"
I ran toward her, but someone caught me before I reached her.
I kicked and struggled with all my strength.
"Let me go!"
They dragged my parents toward the door and all I could do was watch.
Even in tears, I heard my dad reminding me again.
"Remember what I told you, Almira. Be brave.”
Mama turned around, tears streaming down her face.
"I'm sorry, sweetheart."
I continued resisting but it was no use.
"What did they do? Please don't take them!"
I managed to break free and chased after them. The entire pack had gathered outside.
Everyone stared at my parents with hatred, cursing at them and kept calling them traitors.
I pushed through the crowd, tears blurring my vision.
"Don't hurt them! They didn't do anything!"
My voice cracked as I fell onto my knees.
"Please... What did they do wrong?"
Something suddenly grabbed my shoulders.
"Almira!"
I jerked upright in bed. Tears brimming on my eyes.
"They did nothing wrong!" I exclaimed, sobbing and clutching my chest. "They did nothing wrong. Please...”
My vision slowly focused again and my mind slowly caught up.
"Almira."
A familiar voice reached me. I looked up through tear-filled eyes and saw Aquil sitting beside the bed. His face was filled with worry but all I could see was the face of his father.
I shoved his hands away.
"Don't touch me!"
I scrambled backward until my back hit the headboard, hugging my knees tightly.
"They did nothing wrong. They... they didn't..." I sobbed, catching my breath.
Aquil immediately raised both hands, backing away from the bed.
"It's alright. It was just a dream, Almira."
I shook my head over and over. It wasn't a dream.
The bedroom door opened. The pack doctor hurried inside together with two healers.
"What happened?" the doctor asked.
"She woke up crying," Aquil answered promptly. "She was reliving something, I think."
The healers approached carefully.
"Luna." One of them handed me a cup. "please drink this."
I stared at it blankly but the healer insisted.
"It will help calm you."
She helped my shaking hands as I almost dropped the cup.
After several small sips, my breathing slowly eased.
The healer gently checked my pulse while the doctor observed me.
"Do you remember anything before you fainted, Luna?"
I swallowed heavily.
"I-I was trying to... reach my wolf."
The doctor nodded. "And then?"
I saw a memory, of Aquil running with me through the woods while he held my hand. We sounded so happy. So much that it felt fake.
I slowly shook my head. “Nothing happened and my head suddenly hurt."
The doctor nodded, taking note of my words.
"It seems your memories are attempting to return."
"I don't understand." I muttered.
The doctor lifted his head from his notes.
"Sometimes recalling even a small fragment of memory can overwhelm the mind. You should avoid forcing yourself to remember everything for the meantime.”
The healer who gave me the tea let out a small smile and a reassuring nod.
"Just let the memories come naturally and please rest your mind.”
After giving Aquil several instructions, the three of them quietly left.
The room fell silent once more. Aquil stayed, but I turned away from him.
I couldn't bear looking at him, not without remembering what happened to my family and whose family had condemned them.
I stared out the window. It's been a while since I dreamt of that moment. Still, it never fails to break me.
"About your dream..." Aquil slowly broke the silence.
"It wasn't just a dream." I cut him off but didn't turn around. “It was a memory."
My fingers tightened around the blanket.
"Back when my parents..." I bit my lip, unable to continue my words.
There was no point finishing. I know he perfectly remembered. After all, he never failed to remind me I was the daughter of traitors.
"You were right, Almira. They did nothing wrong."
I slowly looked over my shoulder.
"What?"
He met my eyes with a quiet expression.
"Your parents were innocent. They were already proven innocent four years ago.”
I stared at him blankly. It should have brought me peace, but the very opposite happened.
If they had been innocent then why?
Why had they died just like that? Why had everyone treated me like garbage for ten years? Why had I spent every single day suffering for a lie?
My vision blurred again, feeling rage instead of relief.
"If someone had actually investigated properly, my parents would still be alive. They wouldn't be shamed for something they didn't do. Their names wouldn't be dragged even after they were in their graves." I said with gritted teeth, "I wouldn't have spent ten years paying for something they never did!”
Aquil lowered his gaze.
"I'm sorry, Almira.”
I laughed bitterly.
"Sorry?"
I looked at him dead in the eyes.
"Your apology is useless. Your family already killed mine."
He didn't respond for a good moment before he slowly lifted his gaze and met mine.
He slowly nodded. "You're right. I can't change the past. But..."
Aquil stopped himself, taking a deep breath and stepped further away from the bed.
"Please try to rest first. We'll talk another time."
He opened the door, but looked back at me one last time.
"I'm sorry, Almira. I really am.”
He walked out and carefully closed the door behind him.
I stared at the empty doorway. The tears I had desperately held back finally broke free once again.
My parents had been innocent. Everything I had endured all rooted from lies.
How could my future self find any of this okay?
How could I smile and laugh with the person responsible for ruining my life?
I buried my face into the pillow and cried my heart out until there was nothing left inside me but grief.
- Writer
