DREAMS AND WHISPERS
1181 Words
Chapter 3: Dreams and Whispers
The soft evening breeze caressed Nelly’s skin as she and Nadia made their way home through the narrow streets of the ordinary town. The marketplace had quieted down, and lanterns flickered from doorways, casting long shadows on the cobbled ground. The familiar scent of freshly baked bread wafted from the nearby bakery, mingling with the scent of earth after a long day.
As they approached the small house, Aunty Clara stood in the doorway, a warm smile on her weathered face. Her arms were crossed as if she had been waiting for them, and as soon as Nadia saw her, she rushed forward and planted a playful kiss on Clara’s cheek.
“I’m going to miss you, Aunty Clara!” Nadia teased, leaning into her affectionately.
Clara chuckled, swatting Nadia’s arm lightly. “Go on now, you’re always over-dramatic. It’s just for a night. I’ll see you tomorrow.”
Nelly smiled, watching the exchange. Nadia had always been the lively one between the two of them, always knowing how to make a situation light and enjoyable. It was a quality that Nelly appreciated more than she could put into words. Aunty Clara, too, held a special place in Nelly’s heart. Though Clara had raised her with discipline and care, there was a softness to her that made Nelly feel safe — like she always had someone to come home to, no matter what.
Nadia pulled away, giving Nelly a mischievous look. “See you tomorrow, Nelly! Don’t stay up too late, alright?” she winked, already halfway down the street.
Nelly rolled her eyes playfully. “Good night, Nadia. Don’t get into any trouble.”
As Nadia disappeared into the night, Clara closed the door behind them and sighed contentedly. “You two are like sisters,” she said, her voice fond. “It’s nice to see how close you’ve become.”
Nelly nodded, following Clara into the small, cozy kitchen. “She’s been such a good friend. I don’t know what I’d do without her.”
Clara smiled, but there was something in her eyes that Nelly couldn’t quite place — a flicker of worry, perhaps. “You’re both strong girls,” Clara said after a pause, setting a cup of tea on the table for Nelly. “You’ve grown so much since you first came to live here.”
Nelly sat down at the table, her thoughts drifting to how Clara had taken her in when she was just a child. Clara had always been protective, even though she never spoke much about Nelly’s past or her parents. Sometimes, Nelly wondered if there was more to her story, but she never pressed the matter.
After a quiet dinner, Nelly excused herself to her small room, feeling the weight of exhaustion settle in her bones. The moonlight filtered through the thin curtains, casting a soft glow on her bed as she lay down, closing her eyes. Sleep came quickly, but with it came the dream.
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She was standing in a field, the grass tall and golden, swaying gently in the breeze. The sky was a deep, endless blue, but there was an energy in the air — something that hummed beneath the surface. Nelly looked around, confused. She had been here before, she was sure of it. But where?
Suddenly, a figure appeared in the distance, moving toward her with purpose. Nelly squinted, trying to make out the person’s face, but it was shrouded in shadow. Panic gripped her chest as the figure approached, though there was something oddly familiar about their presence.
“You have power inside you,” the figure whispered, though their voice seemed to echo in the air around her. “A power you do not yet understand.”
Nelly’s heart raced. “Who are you?” she asked, her voice trembling. “What do you mean?”
The figure did not answer, only continued walking toward her. “You are more than you know, Nelly. You come from a line of greatness. Your power lies dormant, waiting for the right time. You must embrace it.”
Nelly backed away, her head spinning. “I don’t understand… what power?”
“You will see,” the figure replied softly, their voice fading as they stopped a few feet away from her. “The time is coming.”
Before Nelly could ask more, the dream began to dissolve, the field fading into darkness, and she was left standing in the void, alone.
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Nelly shot up in bed, her heart pounding in her chest. She blinked rapidly, trying to shake the remnants of the dream from her mind, but the words echoed in her head. You are more than you know... your power lies dormant... embrace it...
Her hands trembled as she ran them through her hair. Who was the figure in her dream? Why did their words feel so real? And what power were they talking about?
Nelly tried to calm herself, but sleep evaded her for the rest of the night. She tossed and turned, her mind racing with questions she couldn’t answer. By the time dawn broke, she had barely rested at all.
A knock on the door startled her from her thoughts. She quickly pulled on her clothes and opened the door to find Nadia standing there, grinning as usual.
“Good morning, sunshine,” Nadia teased, stepping inside. “You look like you’ve seen a ghost.”
Nelly rubbed her eyes, trying to shake off her exhaustion. “I didn’t sleep well,” she admitted, closing the door behind her.
Nadia raised an eyebrow. “Another one of those weird dreams?”
Nelly nodded, her voice soft. “Yeah… but this one felt different. Someone was talking to me, telling me I have power inside me, and that I come from a line of greatness. They said I had to embrace it.”
Nadia, ever the jokester, put a hand to her chin as if deep in thought. “Hmm… sounds like someone’s been reading too many fantasy stories,” she said with a smirk, but her eyes softened when she saw how troubled Nelly looked. “Hey, don’t worry about it. Dreams are just dreams, right? Maybe it’s your mind playing tricks on you.”
Nelly tried to smile, but the unease gnawed at her. “Maybe,” she murmured, but deep down, she knew there was more to it. Something was changing, and she couldn’t ignore it much longer.
Nadia slung an arm around her shoulder. “Come on, let’s get ready for work. A little fresh air will do you good.”
As they prepared for their day, Nadia kept the conversation light, making jokes to lift Nelly’s spirits. But as they walked through the bustling streets toward the market, Nelly couldn’t shake the feeling that her life was on the brink of something bigger — something she wasn’t ready for.
The dream lingered in her mind, a whisper of the power she did not yet understand.
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End of chapter 3
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- Writer
