Chapter 4
489 Words
The silver feather rested quietly in Zhyrelle's palm.
Warm.
Soft.
Real.
She stared at it, unable to look away.
"This isn't possible..."
The rain continued to pour, yet the feather remained perfectly dry.
As if no drop of water could touch it.
A sudden gust of wind swept through the park.
Without warning, the feather glowed faintly.
Not brightly enough to blind her.
Just enough to make her heart skip a beat.
Then...
The glow vanished.
---
"Zhyrelle!"
Meriza's voice echoed from the park entrance.
"There you are! I've been looking everywhere!"
She hurried over, her umbrella barely shielding her from the rain.
"You scared me! Why are you standing here all alone?"
Zhyrelle silently opened her hand.
"Look."
Meriza frowned.
"Look at what?"
"The feather."
"What feather?"
Zhyrelle blinked.
Confused, she looked down.
The silver feather was still in her hand.
Clear as day.
She held it closer.
"Can't you see it?"
Meriza slowly shook her head.
"Zhyrelle... your hand is empty."
A chill ran down her spine.
She could feel its softness against her fingertips.
She could see it.
But Meriza couldn't.
---
That night...
Sleep came faster than she expected.
The moment she closed her eyes...
She found herself standing once again in the endless field.
The golden rain fell gently from the bright sky.
This time...
Kaelith was already waiting beneath the ancient acacia tree.
"You came back," he said softly.
Zhyrelle took a cautious step forward.
"I have questions."
"I know."
"Who are you?"
Kaelith lowered his gaze.
"I wish I could answer."
"Then why won't you?"
"Because every answer brings the shadows closer."
The warmth in his voice carried an unbearable sadness.
"You deserve the truth."
"But not yet."
Frustration filled her chest.
"Everyone keeps telling me to wait!"
"I'm tired of waiting."
"I'm tired of being afraid."
Kaelith looked at her with gentle eyes.
"I know."
"And I'm sorry."
Silence settled between them.
Then he slowly reached into his coat.
From inside...
He took out another silver feather.
It looked exactly like the one she had found.
He placed it gently in her hand.
"When you wake up..."
"Keep it safe."
"It will guide you."
Before she could ask another question...
The sky darkened.
The warm rain turned cold.
The whispers returned.
"They found us..."
Kaelith's expression changed instantly.
"Go!"
The shadows rushed from every direction.
Their faceless forms twisted through the mist.
Kaelith stepped in front of her once again.
"No matter what happens..."
"Don't let them take the feather."
The world shattered.
---
Zhyrelle awoke with a gasp.
Morning sunlight streamed through her curtains.
She sat upright, breathing heavily.
"It was another dream..."
Then something soft brushed against her fingers.
Slowly...
She opened her hand.
Resting quietly on her palm...
Was the silver feather.
Exactly as Kaelith had given it to her.
For the first time...
She realized the impossible.
Some dreams...
Could follow you into the real world.
- Writer
