Another dream
1237 Words
*Tala*
"What do you think about the Nosferatu then?" Halyn asks, her voice soft in the dim room. We are back in the small house on the reservation she shares with her mom, sitting on her bed, getting rid of the last bits of our makeup. "You were pretty brave tonight, talking to all those strangers. You even seemed to like it."
"It was all a bit of a blur, and I think I might have had too much to drink," I admit, sounding more honest than I planned.
"You were fine, I made sure of that," she laughs. "You made a big impact on Troy; he was really trying to get your attention. A few others were too, including a girl, if I saw right."
"Really?" I ask, surprised. "I didn't notice. I remember seeing that guy, Noah, but..." I can't find the words to finish my sentence.
Halyn grins at me. "Ah, Noah. He went right to your panties, didn't he?"
"What are you talking about?" I try to change the subject, looking at a random spot on the wall. "Why would you think that?"
"Because, your face is as red as a tomato," she answers. I automatically touch my hot cheeks. "Don't worry, it happens to everyone when they are new. He has that effect on women."
I swallow, my voice barely a whisper, "I don't know what 'it' is. Could it be the wine?"
"You only had two glasses of red wine and a single shot throughout the entire evening? That won't even make a newbie like you tipsy, let alone drunk. Did you not even notice when we switched to sodas?" Halyn's laughter fills the air, her words dripping with amusement.
"No, I honestly didn't," I mutter, wondering how I could have been so oblivious.
Halyn gazes at me, her eyes filled with mischief. "Hmm, I think you are experiencing your first crush... you are completely hooked on Noah," she says, a smile tugging at her lips. "Oh, my little girl is growing up, and I get to witness it," she adds, her tone suddenly serious before bursting into giggles as I playfully throw a pillow at her.
"Don't tease me," I grumble. "I don't know what happened when he looked at me. I have never felt like this before... inside and out, even at the coat check. His eyes, they are the bluest I have ever seen."
"Wait, he looked at you, like directly?" Halyn's mouth hung open in surprise. She studies me for a moment, then nodds. "Well, you did look absolutely stunning, but wow, it's something special if Noah himself checked you out," she exclaims proudly, wiping off the last traces of mascara from my eyes. "You have to go again, just imagine if you got invited to the balcony?"
"As if that would ever happen. But you might just be able to convince me to go again. Your friends were really nice," I say, laughing as I settle under the sheets.
Honestly, I feel like I have to go again. How could I stay away now? I need to see him, Noah, once more. It's like torturing myself by studying Jacy at school; I crave another glimpse of Noah.
It is weird, I never really looked at guys outside the reservation before… Well I honestly did not look at guys much at all. Not that I am against dating outside your race, actually even thinking that sounds wrong, we are all humans after all… it is more about wanting to stay close to my mom and that I do not often leave the reservation.
Thinking about Noah has that now familiar heat starting to spread inside me again. Thoughts of his intense, hungry gaze with his azure blue eyes consume my mind, yet a pair of warm hazel eyes keeps intruding, and eventually, I drift off to sleep.
**********
In the impending darkness of the enchanted forest, I find myself transported yet again to a sacred hill within a mystical stone circle. The air crackles with ancient power, and as I sway and chant with the whispering trees.
I can feel a profound connection to the land and my forefathers. But tonight, the forest plunges into twilight's grasp more swiftly, and the vibrant colors dissolve into a haunting abyss.
A haunting melody joins the symphony of nature, blending with the rustling leaves. The stones within the circle awaken, their voices rising from the depths. Like molten wax, they morph into ethereal figures, emanating an eerie luminescence. Their words, a cacophony of unbearable whispers, pierce my ears.
The stone beings transform into animated statues, their gazes fixed upon me. Though the sight should instill terror, a strange tranquility washes over me, as if these enigmatic entities carry a benevolent presence.
Driven by curiosity, I approach the stone figures, straining to comprehend their ancient language. I sense their significance within this sacred place, but their words elude my understanding. Slowly, they recede and return to their stone forms, leaving me yearning for their enigmatic wisdom.
As the forest descends into impenetrable darkness, an unsettling stillness envelops the air. A malevolent force, laden with animosity, slithers through the shadows, drawing closer to me. Its loathsome energy engulfs me, causing a wave of nausea to ripple through my being.
Suddenly, the darkness splits, revealing two distinct entities advancing from opposite ends, converging upon me. Paralyzed by fear, I realize that whatever lurks in the depths of this forest is intent on my destruction.
Silence descends, shattering the remnants of serenity I once felt. The air grows heavy, laden with a foreboding presence that sends shivers cascading down my spine. The wind howls, tugging at the treetops, as the two indistinct forms emerge from the murky veil. One after another, they step forth, yet their features are blurred and indistinguishable.
I brace myself for an inevitable demise, but the beings remain outside the protective circle of stones, unable to breach its magical barrier.
One of them roars, pacing relentlessly, seeking a weakness in its ethereal fortress. The other crouches low, hissing with malicious intent, its clawed nails poised to rip at my flesh.
Inside the circle, I ponder how long this sanctuary will shield me from their wrath, and which malevolent force will reach me first. Trapped within this supernatural realm, escape is an illusion, for to flee would be to offer myself up to the gaping maw of certain annihilation.
********
Roused from the depths of the haunting dream, I feel Halyn's insistent shaking and hear the concern etched in her voice, "What's wrong, Tala? You were so deep in sleep, I nearly couldn't wake you."
"Just a nightmare, a particularly unwelcome one," I respond, sitting upright and attempting to dispel the remnants of the dream. "What's the time?"
"Almost noon," she replies.
That realization spurs me into action. "I should be on my way. My mother must be worried, I didn't message her after we returned from the club," I say, rummaging for my phone.
I expect an influx of messages, but there's only one from her, sent earlier in the day; 'Morning, sweetheart. Heading out for work, call me when you get up. Love, mom.'
Despite the normalcy of my surroundings, the dream clings to the edges of my consciousness, a persistent echo suggesting its importance. But why? Why is my mind insistent on preserving this particular type of nightmare?
- Writer
