A soul in chaos

It all started with a dream. She was running through the forest holding her side as she tried to stop the bleeding. The branches were smacking across her face as she tried to swat them away with one arm. She didn't dare look behind her, but she heard him. So close as if just a breath away. There. She saw a clearing up ahead, just a little farther. They wouldn't dare with people around. Would they? Then as if a gust of wind blew up underneath her. She stumbled to the ground still clutching her side. She moved her hand to look at the wound. It was deep, it would be fatal. I saw her face change from fear to determination. Get up! I thought. For a second I thought she heard me because she began crawling. She looked up and saw a villager walking on the road ahead. So close, within ear shot if she were to scream she'd be heard, but didn't when she saw she was pregnant and leading a donkey and carriage. She didn't seem to notice the girl bleeding just out of sight. I could see her face. As if she was contemplating her options. With her available arm she reached out her hand and a small dagger appeared. Her eyes closed and she started chanting. She felt him closing in now, just a few steps more. She sliced a symbol into her forehead and chanted even louder. Then he was upon her, standing beside her. Tall and powerful. He rolled her over onto her back and crouched down over her. And as she drew her last breath she muttered, in a taunting voice. "You're too late." I woke up drenched in sweat. My curly hair clung to my face and I took deep breaths. I hadn't had a dream like that before. It felt so real. Like it had been me being chased through the woods. It felt like I could feel the panic radiating off her. I glanced over and grabbed my phone off my nightstand. 3:51am I didn't have to be up for a few more hours but I knew I wasn't gonna be able to go back to sleep after that kind of dream. I decided that I would just get an early start to my Saturday morning. I got up and tiptoed down the hallway to the bathroom with my shower supplies. I made sure to stay quiet, as to not wake my mom who was in the room next door. I managed to get to the bathroom without waking the beast. I closed the door and turned on the water. As the water warmed up I brushed out my thick curly dark hair. "Almost time for a haircut" I thought to myself as I pulled it down. Just falling past my waist. I checked the water to see if it was warmed yet, then jerked my hand back fast. I let out a squeak as I clutched my hand; too hot. I turned down the heat then hopped in. The water felt pleasant as it washed over me. The sweat from my body and the dream in my mind just trickled down the drain with the water. Twenty-five minutes later, and soaking wet, I stepped out onto the floor mat. The hallway lights showed underneath the door and I knew I had woken up mom. I dried off and wrapped my hair up in the towel and put on my robe. I opened the door and I could hear mom in the kitchen humming. The coffee maker was bubbling and she was getting out breakfast material. I walked into the kitchen to find mom gracefully moving about. "Good morning Ellie dear." She said in a singing voice. "You're up early. I'm making some breakfast before I get ready for work." She was still wearing her robe and slippers so I sat down at the table feeling appropriately dressed for the occasion. "Do you work today?" I ask as I unwrapped and dried my hair manually. She sighed, "Sadly yes, I work a double at the home today. I won't be home till late so don't wait up." Mom was a nurse at an old folks home. One out of three. She often worked doubles due to lack of staff. She loved her job though and it paid her pretty well, but not good enough. "If I take you to work can I borrow the car today? I was thinking since it's the first day of summer and I'm now 18, maybe Alex and I could go to the beach?" I said begging a little. "I don't know, I'm not off till 11pm and I don't want you out driving at night. Can't you guys just sleep over here tonight and we can drive there tomorrow?" Mom said pouring her and I a cup of coffee. She brought one over to me. "Cream?" She asked with a smile. I knew I wasn't gonna get the car with that response, but a sleep over then the coast tomorrow didn't sound so bad. "I'll call Alex later then and see. I'm sure she'll be down. And yes please, hazelnut." Mom looked at me with fake disgust. "I can't believe you like that fake stuff. The way you drink coffee shouldn't be considered coffee." She said as she handed me it. I held it above my head. "This is the best stuff ever. Praise the lord!" "Well I should be getting ready for work soon. I'll be eating breakfast in my room." She grabbed her coffee and some toast and glided down the hallway. I heard her door close behind her. I finished my coffee feeling more awake. My hair was almost dry so I just went back to my room. I flopped down on my twin bed and just laid there for a bit. I must have dozed off because when I woke back up, I heard my mom turning on the car. I listened to her pull out of the driveway and disappear in the morning mist. I picked up my phone to check the time again. 5:43am I decided to shoot Alex a text. Though I knew she wouldn't be awake for a few more hours, I didn't want to forget it later. Ellie: Hey, it's me. My mom said I couldn't have the car today but you can stay the night and then we can go to the coast tomorrow? Just let me know when you're up. Xoxo I rolled off my bed and flopped down in the chair at my desk. I wasn't too into makeup but I did enjoy putting it on when I had the time. My brown almost black eyes were easy to pair makeup with. I just did some simple eyeliner and mascara, and a touch of blush and highlighter. When I was satisfied with it all I pushed my chair away and rolled over to my closet on the chair. It wasn't very big but I also didn't have a whole lot of clothes anyway. I gazed into the dark whole and grabbed a nice black crop top and my favorite high waisted jeans. That also happened to be black. Even though it was summer here we were far enough north that summer days only ever reached 80°f. I was shimming into my jeans when my phone buzzed on my bed. I went to my nightstand and picked it up. Alex: hey girly! You're up early. Just rolling out of bed now and I guess a sleep over is fine. I'll make sure to bring some snacks from my place. What time do you wanna meet up? I stared at my phone for a bit thinking of a good time. It was almost 8am now. I started typing. Ellie: Just head over whenever really. I'm ready for the day. If you're walking I can meet you halfway. Xoxo I knew she'd be walking because she wasn't too far away so I grabbed my purse and some headphones. And started down the hall to get my shoes on. My phone buzzed again. Alex: I'm about to head out then. My mom doesn't want to give me a ride. Just grabbing some snacks. I tied up my shoes, locked the front door, plugged in my headphones and started walking. I met up with Alex about 20 minutes into my walk. We hugged and then turned to head to my house. I always liked walking, especially to make sure Alex got there safe. It wasn't a bad neighborhood to live in, but it also wasn't the rich places you see in tv and movies. I had one headphone in as we slowly went along. "So what do you wanna do first when we get back?" Alex asked. "I was thinking that maybe you could do my hair and we could watch a movie or something." She said twirling a strand of hair. Alex had shoulder length hair and it had been dyed every color in the rainbow, right now it was this blueish color; pretty but faded. She never learned how to do much with her hair as far as styling went. No matter how much I tried to teach her. I tilted my head to look at her, accessing Alex's hair. "You know, I've been dying to try this new braid style I saw on i********: the other day." I never really posted anything but it was easy to pass the time scrolling. Alex was giggling now. She loved posting her life on social media. You know the updates all day kind. But I loved her all the same. Best friends since first grade. We were stopped at a light waiting for the green light to cross when a sudden chill ran through me like a breeze going through my clothes. I glanced around. Alex was sending a text but I could sense someone looking at me. I didn't see anyone being creepy or out of the order. I didn't notice that the light had changed until Alex was pulling me onto the road. I stumbled a little but caught myself. "Hey! You don't need to do that." I laughed as we crossed. "Oh come on, we would have waited ages till you zoned back in. I know how you get when you space out." "Who were you texting by the way? Don't think cause I was zoned out that I didn't see that smile." I was only teasing but I was curious. She gave me this look like it was something juicy. We strolled up to my front door and I unlocked it for us. "So are you gonna tell me or what?" I asked as we took our shoes off and mine clunked to the ground. "Oh you know, just this new person I'm talking too." Alex plopped down on the couch and stretched out. "Boy or girl this time?" I grabbed some glasses from the kitchen and filled them with water. Then I took them to the Living Room and sat don't next to her on the couch. "Here." I said handing her a glass. "Girl this time. I'm done with men." She held her hands up shaking her head. "If i end up with another guy I'm gonna kill someone." She laughed at her joke. I knew how she was. She liked men for one thing only but women were the goal. "She knew by the way. Is two years older so more mature. I haven't met her yet but based on her profile she is a babe." She held out her phone after loading up her profile and photos. I scrolled through her pictures then read her bio. I like all animals and people. I love going on hikes and exploring. Always down for a good time! You’ll never catch me doing anyone or anything boring! Forever gay! Good god was this a fake profile or what. I thought to myself. I didn't want to make mention of the seemingly fake person to Alex. But I gave her that look of, I love you but nah. She read my look and her smile faded a bit. "I know I know, she doesn't look the most legit but I swear to god she's real." Alex sat up moving her hands around. She was always a very expressive person. "She is real, I promise." She took my hand in hers. "If or when I do meet her you should come. That way if it turns out that it's a fake then you and I can make a day of it." I sighed. "Have you talked on the phone or video chatted? I Mean, it's worth trying if you like this person." It was as if a light bulb went off and her eyes sparkled. "I never thought to do that!" Alex wasn't dumb by any means but she was more book smart then street smart sometimes. I look wide eyed at her. "Do you have her number? Maybe we can call her today and if she is legit maybe we can go meet her. I mean it's only noon." "I don't have her number but I can message her on the app." She started factically typing. Ding "Wow, that was fast," I stated. "She gave me her number. Yay!" Alex enters the number in and hits the call button. Ring...Ring...Ring~Click “Hello?” Alex was silent for a few seconds, “Hello, it’s me Alex. We matched on the app? Is this Chrissy?” A Pause… “Oh my god! Hi!” I could see the small smile peaking in the converse of her mouth. I really hoped this was the real deal, because if not I was gonna break someone. I slowly and as quietly as I could to the bathroom. I wanted her to have her moment. Her giggles could be heard throughout the whole house. I took the time to braid my own hair and touch up my makeup. Alex came running down the hallway after some time and was so happy. “Oh my god! I have a date today at 3pm, I invited you to come with us just in case she said okay. Oh please please please come.” I waved my options before saying, “Yes, but…” I said holding up my finger, “We need to do something about your hair and makeup.” She jumped up and down with excitement.