The Fated One

Chapter 4 - Dream realm

Addie ran into the lounge jumping on her sister who was still on the sofa in disbelief

“Can you believe it?” she giggled

“That went well!” she giggled even more Caraxyes sat up and looked at her with a childish frown

“Whatever do you mean, why wouldn’t he adore me, I’m amazing” she joked sarcastically,

“Honestly Cara, don’t mess about, this is a good thing! You and your fated one are hitting it off, plans for a date and before you know it the special day will come and you’ll be bonded forever” Addie squealed at the prospect, she was a hopeless romantic and loved the idea of the fated match being for eternity. The fated match was not a ceremony to be messed with. It is a tradition that has been within the witches for eternity. It bonds covens and families, it creates strength and sometimes division but ultimately it is the pairing of a witch’s soul to another and if they have got it right, the souls would have been paired in the previous life and the lives before that.

Caraxyes held her sister closely.

“I am pleased, I am, it’s just so strange don’t you think?”

“You’re so sceptical! Can’t you just believe that this might be right for you? A happy occasion?”

Caraxyes winced at the thought, surely not, surely things don’t go this well for people. The feelings of sadness returned for Caraxyes. The last time she remembered being truly happy is before her father left. It seemed almost like a betrayal to be happy again without him.

“You know how I feel about happily ever after “she mocked

“I know, but this could be yours! I won’t stop rooting for you” she smiled softly, Caraxyes had loved that smile since she first remembered seeing it.

“I need to get upstairs, I’ve got homework, but yay for you!” she cheered as she skipped merrily up to her room. Leaving Caraxyes alone on the sofa with the thoughts.

After narrowly avoiding an interrogation by her mother who had set up the whole meeting without her permission but also without telling her it would be that same day, Caraxyes retired to bed, surrounded by the comfort of her duvet she remembered the encounter that morning with the mysterious man. Even though she knew she shouldn’t, she closed her eyes and entered the dream realm.

Standing in her usual spot, surrounded by tall oak trees and small snowdrops she knew she was back in her favourite place, the snowdrop forest. The trees covered the sky only letting small pockets of light through, the green of the leaves amplified by the sheer vastness of the forest itself. She walked through the sea of snowdrops carefully trying not to trample any as it was their home before she made it hers. She could sense that she was alone at this time, closing her eyes and deep breathing relaxed her as she decided to go on her mission. Lifting her arms and a gentle flick of the wrist she started to rise from the ground, floating above the delicate snow drops beneath her. As she floated effortlessly thought-out the air, avoiding the trees she thought about how she lacked this graceful elegance about her in reality. Her powers were stronger here, she’d often tried to replicate them in reality, but it never came. As she weaved in and out of the trees she came towards an opening at the edge of the forest, gliding though she found herself in a white room. Completely white all over. “Ah” she thought “a beginning” knowing exactly that to do she moved her hands in a circular motion, forcing the room itself to spin gently, as she closed her eyes and envisioned a beach, soft sands, rolling waves a sound of ripping fabric echoed around the room. Startled she opened her eyes, falling to the ground as she lost concentration to float. She turned behind her to see there was a huge black rip within the wall. It was rippling like a torn dress. Through it, a jet-black sky with stars twinkling. Caraxyes felt the worry rise though her “calm down, it’s just a dream” she told herself. The exact words her dad had told her when he had gone dreaming with her. Confidently after composing herself, she walked over towards the rip. Waving her fingers gently she sewed the rip back together fixing the broken wall. Then she heard it, the sound of breathing. Who was in her dimension? Nobody was supposed to be able to enter a dream unless invited. She turned and it was him. The mysterious man. The blackness of his attire and hair stood out even more than the previous encounter.

“Hello” he said with a smile.

Lost for words Caraxyes stumbled to get out “Hello” confused by this intrusion.

“I’m sorry, I know you were busy, I just had to see you”

“Who are you?” her voice crackled under the pressure of his presence.

“I’ve gone by many names over the years, but you can call me Rex”

“Ok, well then Rex, what are you doing in my dream?”

“I already told you; don’t you listen?”

Taken aback by the rudeness in his voice, an anger boiled up within her.

“Apparently not. Goodbye Rex”

Caraxyes waved her hand over herself and disappeared from his sight. In disbelief, he stood there motionless, alone, in the white box she had created.

Opening her eyes once more she found herself by the beach, she had envisioned for herself earlier. A soft white linen dress flowed by her ankles, she dipped her toes in the silent waves beneath her, basking in the sun that shone down on her face.

“You can’t run from me here” the voice was soft but menacing.

She turned, looking for him in the beach behind her. Where was he, she thought, as she started to move back towards the forest. She started to run, panicked by his unknown presence.

“I don’t like this” she said, quivering in her voice. Once feeling so confident and assured of her safety within the dream realm and now feeling uncertain and scared.

As she walked, he appeared right in front of her, mesmerised by his startling eyes she stopped. Unsure if she was still through fear or though curiosity.

“I don’t mean to harm you or frighten you. It’s been a long time since we’ve seen each other”

“I have never met you before in my life”

“Oh, but you have my love” he tenderly held her face, a shock ran through her cheeks and then down her entire body, making all her hairs stand up and muscles tremble.

He leaned in, kissing her softly on her forehead, confused, she allowed it.

“I’ve missed you so much”