Daughter of the Sky, Son of the Earth

Chapter Sixteen

Earth

I had a bad feeling since noon came around. I woke up with a slight headache but ignored it for most of the day. I did what I usually did, and everything went on normally. 

As soon as classes were over, I ate my lunch in silence in the dining room before excusing myself and heading to my room to leave my backpack. The last thing I wanted to do was finish my homework. I didn't need that, and I wasn't going to need it anytime soon. Especially considering I was planning on leaving the next day. On my birthday.

The thought made my skin crawl in nerves, but I shook my head and told myself this was what I needed to do. The voice from my first strange dream echoed in my mind. Whoever had been trying to communicate in my dreams, it sounded like she was worried about something and that she believed I could help.

Why? I didn't know. I was practically useless. I didn't know much of anything. 

I chuckled at my lack of self-esteem but for some reason, today I had woken up very cranky and down. 

Taking a deep breath, I headed to the closet to grab a sweater since it was probably going to be cold once I got back for one last night of sleep. Pulling out my brown hoodie from one of the drawers, I put it on and looked at my room with a nostalgic sensation running over me. 

Even though I hated to admit it, I was going to miss this room. This place. It had been my home since I could remember and yes, a lot of very uncomfortable memories had happened here but at least I had had a place to sleep in and I had been fed without complaint. 

Shaking the nostalgia away, I walked out the door and closed it softly behind me. Down the stairs, teenagers were beginning to crowd in the living room, out on the deck, and in the backyard. Everyone wanted to play for as much as they could before they had to go back inside.

No one seemed to notice me as I walked out of the building and headed straight for the forest. It was as if I were invisible which made me think it made no difference if I left tomorrow or the year after that when I was considered an adult. 

The forest was cool and filled with sounds of life. There was a faint breeze pushing past the trees and a couple of leaves fell from the tallest trees like snow on a winter day. But here it didn't snow and I was grateful for that. I hated the cold and everything that came with it. I preferred a sunny day over a cloudy cold day anytime. 

When I reached the end of the forest, I felt all the tension on my back begin to sweep away. This place was my true home. A small smile appeared on my face as I headed for the cabin and walked inside. It was dusty and the cabin definitely needed some maintenance. The paint was falling from the wooden boards and the floor creaked with each step you took. 

At some point, I had been scared of walking in here. The creaking was so loud that I feared the floor would give in at any moment and if I got hurt, no one would find me here. Or worse, they'd leave me here. 

But I had gotten past that fear and figured there was nothing bad about this place nor would anything happen if I fell through the floor. 

The cabin looked smaller on the inside than it did on the outside. As you walked inside, you had to go through a small hallway that led either left or right. If you turned right, you would find a small kitchen along with a small door for a small pantry. To the left, you would find a small dining room and living room that was barely the size of two rooms. And to the back of those rooms, stairs were leading up to the second floor. 

On there, you could find two bedrooms and one bathroom and that was it. There was furniture inside the building, and I couldn't help but wonder why the owners had left it behind if it was clear, it had once been a very beautiful place to live with its elegant yet vintage furniture.

I sat down on the couch and instantly regretted it as a cloud of dust rose from it and I coughed loudly while waving the cloud away. I didn't know what I was waiting for, but I was too tired to do much of anything, so I just sat there listening to my thoughts. 

A sudden feeling made me want to walk out of the cabin as if there was something out there waiting for me. With a sigh, I got up and headed over to the pantry where I had left enough filled water bottles to water the tree outside. A small sprout had begun to emerge, and I was excited and surprised at the same time. 

Taking the water bottle, I walked outside and headed towards the small sprout on the ground. I smiled and poured water around it before reached the center. I got down to my knees and moved the earth slightly around it, wanting to make sure it was still correctly planted. 

I was so caught up in my work that I didn't realize two figures were walking across the field only a couple of meters behind me. I mistook their steps with those of a dog. 

A strange sensation overcame me as my head wanted to turn around. I couldn't explain the feeling, but it felt important. But by the time I was finished moving the dirt, I could only see the faint silhouette of the people who were passing through the field.

I shrugged and let out a sigh as I wondered what was wrong with me. Everything seemed so strange.

My headache was steadily growing, and my body was beginning to feel sore even if I hadn't done any physical strain. By the time it was beginning to darken, I had my jaw clenched together tightly as I tried to keep from wincing in pain. 

I should get back, I told myself as I made my way out of the cabin and towards the woods. It was much colder now, and I couldn't help but shiver. Wrapping my arms around me, I took small steps towards the forest.

It was much darker in here and for some reason, I was beginning to feel dizzy and claustrophobic. I looked around me and everything felt as if it were spinning. Soon, I lost all control of my feet and legs as I began to stumble forward.

I could barely reach out my hands in front of me as my ragged breathing echoed in my ears. I closed my eyes and tried to calm down as my ears rang. 

For a brief moment, I felt at peace and the pain subsided slowly. I was able to think more clearly now and as I looked up; I saw the orphanage just a couple of meters away.

Get up, Mason. You can do it! I thought to myself as I summoned all my strength and pushed myself to my feet. 

Taking my time, I waited until I felt balanced enough to walk forward and I took one step at a time without taking my eyes off the building. The sky had darkened without me noticing it and there wasn't anyone at the door waiting for me which made me figure I was already going to get punished.

My teeth were clenched tightly against each other as I moved. A stinging pain crept up my leg every time my foot made contact with the floor underneath. 

Exhaustion started to overpower me, but I pushed through it as I got to the door and shoved it open. 

Inside it was warm but I could barely feel it since my body was burning up and it didn't make a difference to me. 

The other kids I lived with were heading towards the dining room and no one stopped to ask me if I was alright as I passed against the current of the crowd. 

Weakly, I walked up the stairs and winced every time I moved higher. My legs were burning in protest and when I reached the second floor, I was sweating. 

Gasping, I held onto the railing as I walked towards the boy's section and then I placed my weight on a nearby wall. 

Behind me, I felt the tugging sensation again, but I ignored it as I headed towards my room. 

Surprisingly, Jason was there getting ready for dinner. As soon as his eyes landed on mine, his face paled. "What happened to you?" He asked in shock.

I let my body fall on the bed and shook my head. "I have no idea," I manage to gasp out. 

Jason walked closer towards me, but I shook my head. "Don't."

Jason stopped in his tracks and nodded his head. "Maybe you're just hungry. Come with me. Two girls came looking for you. They're from a university. Maybe you should go talk to them," he said hesitantly.

My eyes widened and I shook my head. "No way. I don't think I'm going to be able to move any time soon. You go and tell them I can't see them today, please."

Jason pursed his lips and then nodded his head. "Fine. But you're missing it. They're hot."

I rolled my eyes and placed my hand on my forehead. "Alright, I'll shut up. I'll see you later," Jason said before closing the door behind him. 

As soon as I closed my eyes, I was gone.

...

My eyes jolted open as a seeing pain hit me behind my eyes. I cringed and placed my hand up to my head as I tried to sit up from my bed. My eyes widened when I expected to feel my blankets under me but instead, I felt dust.

My eyes widened and I gasped in shock as I realized I was lying on one of the couches in the cabin I had been in. How had I gotten here?

Suddenly, an immense pain coursed through my body and I winced in pain but quickly shut my mouth. I kneeled forward and wrapped my arms around my torso. The pain started again, even more, powerful and I couldn't stop the scream that left my throat. Whatever was happening, I didn't know what to do or why it was happening.

Panic filled me and the last thought in my mind before I started to black out was the thought of the girl I had drawn last. The girl with grey eyes and dark hair. 

Help me.

I called out in my mind and then everything turned dark.