Man Of My Dreams

Chapter Five

It didn’t take me long to find the portal. I have trudged through this swamp every day for more than half of my life. I walked past this spot millions of times and never noticed it. Hidden behind a thick wall of brush was an arch of just two skinny trees that had merged together. Creating a sort of half circle. It didn’t shimmer or shine like I thought. But the sound… It was like a humming vibration. Magic.

I left my bike nearby, hidden from anyone who would come this way. I hesitated before stepping through the portal, but only for a second before I jumped right through. It felt kind of like static electricity. How it felt on cold winter nights when my room was stuffy from the heater and my blanket would frizz up my arm and leg hair every time I moved. Every hair on my body stood and then, once I was through, it all flattened back down. I fell and landed right on my back and giggled from that tickling sensation.

When I opened my eyes, I found that this world was much like my own. There were trees, grass fields, flowers, life… Mama told me this place was barren, dark, and vast. There was no sun. Instead, perched up high in the sky, was a huge, round moon. But unlike our moon, this one shone brighter. Not sunlight bright, no. But nearly. Vampires can be out while the sun’s out. They just can’t be directly in the light. So a full moon lighting their skies made all the sense to me.

I wondered where that moon was harnessing its energy from and if it rose and set like our sun did as I made my way down the first road I’d happened upon. It was hard to see in the twilight but I could see city lights in the distance. Maybe an hour of walking and I’d make it there. I was beginning to regret not taking my bike. But I wasn’t at all familiar with this world and lugging a bike around in a place I didn’t even know they existed or were allowed just seemed like an embarrassing time for me.

So I walked, and passed the time by thinking about what I would say to the king. Would I tell him who I am immediately? Or would he already know? He did say he could smell me last night. Perhaps he knows my scent. Of course there’s always the chance that since the bargain was struck a little more than three hundred years ago, maybe he’s forgotten all about it. Maybe he’ll send me away without so much as a glance. Or maybe, a vampire would attack and kill me before I even make it to the king. Afterall, I don’t know how things work here. I don’t know if these vampires are different from the ones I’d seen in New Orleans.

Cars began driving by. Slowing as they passed and craning their necks to look at me. But none of them stopped. I was entering the city limits now and that’s when I noticed it. The giant mansion that sat atop of a hill that was likely considered a mountain. I may not be familiar with this place, but I know enough to be able to guess who lives there. The city was bustling. There was laughter and music ringing in the air. It didn’t take long for me to realize that I had drawn some attention to myself.

But no one approached, no one snarled or sneered, no one made any moves to snatch me up and take me away. My nerves settled at the realization at the thought. If I just kept going straight, eventually I would make it to the king’s house up on that hill. I caught wind of something that smelled delicious. And then I realized, vampires don’t eat food. There must be a human nearby. I followed the smell to a small restaurant. I stood outside it for a moment, just looking through the windows. There were other humans in there. And vampires right along with them.

My stomach rumbled and I realized I hadn’t eaten a thing all day. So I stepped in and found a small table in the corner. I was reading the menu when I heard a man’s voice “Can I get you anything?” I looked up to see a waiter. He was a vampire, his skin so perfectly smooth and his features sharp and angular. I smiled at him, “I think I’ll just have a burger and fries, thank you.” He nodded, took my menu, and went to the back. He returned soon after with a glass of water. I thanked him.

Despite being extremely sheltered, Mama made sure I had manners in case I ever did have to talk to someone other than her. I was sort of afraid I wouldn’t be able to do this. Talk to strangers, be kind and polite. Maybe it was my desperation to be normal that powered this new sense of… well, myself. It wasn’t long and he sat my plate of food in front of me. I ate my food and drank my water watching silently as everyone around me indulge in conversation with one another.

Everyone seemed so kind. Friendly. This was nothing like I had been taught. Now I wondered if Mama just hated vampires or if she only told me those things to keep me from wandering off. Perhaps I should have asked her. The waiter returned and gave me the bill. I paid, and even added extra in case tips were expected. Thank God for t.v. and books otherwise I would be so far beyond uncivilized. As I stood and began gathering my things, I’d felt someone approaching me from behind.

But no one was there. Strange. I left the restaurant and continued to make my way to the king’s home. I stayed on the sidewalk and was careful not to bump into anyone as I walked by. Once I was closer to the mountain, I realized there was no road leading up. Surely there was a way to get up there without having to scale this mountain of a hill. I was scanning the hill from top to bottom for the third time before I’d seen it. Nestled into a crook at the base of the hill was a door.

I walked towards it and upon closer inspection, I noticed it was an elevator. I pushed the button, but the door didn’t open. Instead, a voice rang out of a speaker I hadn’t noticed. “Name?” the shrill voice of an old lady pierced my ears. I cringed and said, “Wren.” A beat of silence then, “No Wren on the list.” I sighed. “How do I get on the list?” “I’ll add you now and you can come back tomorrow morning to discuss your displeasures with the king. You are way past the complaining hours, girl.” I could hear the distaste in her tone. But whatever, it shouldn’t be hard to find somewhere to sleep here. “Last name?” the shrill voice rang out. “Taylor.” I turned and began walking back toward the city when I heard the door click open. “Come up, Miss. Taylor. The king will see you now.”

It appears the king does remember the bargain he made all those years ago. I wanted to tell this lady she didn’t have to show me to his office. I’ve walked down every hall and been inside every room of this house. So I had definitely been dreaming of this king, then. As if the sketch wasn’t confirmation enough. We rounded the last corner where I knew his office was the very last door at the end of the hall. The lady didn’t even knock, she only opened the door and I stepped in.

The room was exactly as I had always seen it. Huge, like all the other rooms here. Desk next to the giant window, one chair in front of the desk, and his chair behind it. Marble floors and walls. Lit by moonlight. Exactly as I had always seen it. “Hello,” I nearly jumped out of my skin at the sound of his voice. In my dreams, it was always sort of muffled. But here… Goosebumps rose on my skin. I turned to where I heard his voice come from and there he was. Seated in a chair off to the corner of the room, encased in the shadows.

He wasn’t dressed like a king. In fact, it looked like he was getting ready for bed. “Hi,” I finally squeaked. He stood and walked over to his desk and sat in his chair. “This is a first for me, Miss. Taylor. I’ve never had a bargain come to me. Much less a long lost one. Sit.” His voice was laced with authority and command. I did as I was told and took my seat in the chair across from him. I became super aware of my appearance all of a sudden. I smoothed out my clothes and simultaneously wiped the sweat from my palms.

I couldn’t stop the words before they vomited out of my mouth, “Who’s the woman from the other night?