Dream
816 Words
Due to the mental and physical exhaustion Ella had gone through that day, her mind finally slipped into a deep, troubled sleep.
And the dream came again… only this time, sharper, louder, and clearer than ever.
Men who looked like farmers gathered under the fading evening light. Their clothes were dusty, their hands rough, and their faces carried a mix of fear and determination.
I got information that Mr. Colte is out of the country,” one of them said in a low, urgent voice. “His wife is already on her way to the region. If we move now, we can meet up with them.”
“Then what are we waiting for?” another man whispered harshly.
We’re not going there for war,” the man who seemed like the little girl’s father replied firmly. He adjusted his worn jacket and looked around at the others. “We just want to talk. Nothing more.
The others nodded slowly, though worry still sat heavy in their eyes.
Daddy, where are we going?” a small child’s voice asked.
Ella—only five years old—looked up at him, confused but trusting.
We’re going to see a business associate,” he said softly.
Hmmm…” she murmured, even though she didn’t understand what that meant.
Then the dream shifted.....
They were walking down a quiet road, dust lifting beneath their feet. The sky was dimming, and the air felt tight, as if something was about to go wrong.
The men whispered among themselves, tense but trying to stay calm.
Ella held her father’s hand tightly.
Up ahead, two cars drove toward them—a black one leading, with another behind it. The first car slowed and stopped. A woman stepped out. She had gentle eyes and a calm face, but there was worry in her movements. Behind her, two boys sat in the car, and bodyguards stood around them.
Mama, what’s happening?” the younger boy asked nervously.
It’s fine, dear. Stay close,” the woman whispered.
But everything changed in an instant.
The bodyguards suddenly raised their guns. The farmers panicked—none of them had weapons except cutlasses.
Ella’s father’s voice trembled slightly as he bent down and whispered, “Stay behind this tree, Ella. Don’t come out, no matter what you hear.”
But
“No. Stay here,” he insisted. Be a good girl.
She nodded slowly and held onto the tree trunk tightly.
From her hiding place, she watched the men approach the cars, their hands raised to show peace.
Before they could speak, a gunshot exploded through the air.
The farmers screamed and tried to retreat. “Retreat! Let’s go!” one of them yelled.
But then more and more shots sounded . Attackers suddenly emerged from deeper in the woods, firing wildly.
Ella’s father turned to run back to her, but a bullet hit him. He fell instantly.
Ella tried to scream, but no sound came out.
Across the road, the woman stumbled out of the car in horror. She turned toward it when she heard her son cry out.
Simeon!” she screamed.
Her younger son had been shot.
Another round of gunfire came from the bushes. Desperate and shaking, she pushed the older boy under the car, her hands trembling.
“Don’t move,” she whispered breathlessly. Stay there. No matter what happens.”
Then she turned around to protect the car with her own body.
A single shot rang out.
She collapsed, lifeless.
The attackers fled into the trees, leaving bodies behind them.
Silence fell over the road.
From under the car, a small boy slowly crawled out. Dirt stained his clothes and face, and his eyes were wide with terror. His gaze lifted and met a little girl's eyes from across the road.
Green eyes to brown eyes.
Two children. Two survivors. Two witnesses.they stared at each other in silent shock.
Ella stepped back, frightened. She didn’t understand who he was… or why she felt connected to the moment.
She turned to run but her foot caught on a stone, and she stumbled forward, slamming her head hard against a thick tree trunk.
A burst of pain. A cry. Then everything went black.
---
Ella woke up gasping, sweat clinging to her skin, her chest heaving. Her heartbeat thundered in her ears.
She opened her eyes and saw the familiar room. She only remembered that she had been “given up by her mother” once, long ago. No one had explained why. No one had told her anything about her father.
She wrapped her arms around herself, trembling.
“That girl… who is she?” she whispered. “And that boy… why do I keep seeing them?”
Her mind was empty of answers, but the dream had stirred something deep within her.
Inside her chest, a storm was already beginning to rise.
- Writer
