Annabelle was surrounded by the burning charred remains of Hope. Apparently her subconscious mind was not in the mood for a more gentle approach. Annabelle knew that she was dreaming. This was a lucid dream. She could smell the smoke and feel the warmth but this was not real. She might be tempted to consider this a prophetic dream if she had that talent. The gift of Sight was extremely rare. Maybe once in a century someone was given the All Seeing Eye.
Annabelle looked at the destruction around her. She certainly hoped that this was not what the future would look like. But it was entirely possible and even likely that this scene around her would become reality. The odds were not stacked in her favour. Positive thoughts would not prevent the inevitable.
Abelia appeared beside her. "Why so
