Chasing the wind

Chapter 2: Dreams

   After finishing going through the documents and discussing everything, William leaves. I transfer copies of everything to his vault so he can see if there’s anything he can figure out on his end. Careful to store the fragile physical copies away in my room before I message my parents to check in on them. 

   I was giving my independent assignment just a brief thought, deciding instead that I need a quick nap before starting it. As I close my eyes, my body slowly becomes heavy. I am sinking slowly into the darkness, my consciousness adrift. Unaware of everything, including the passing of time.

   Settling into the land of dreams where my mind can rest, and I can just be. As I had been zoning out, I become aware of my surroundings. I’m standing atop a mountain a little ways back from the cliff. Able to lift my arms and have my fingertips just barely touch the sky. I breathe in the peace and the oh so fresh air. If I could see something like this every day, I might leave my house.

     “I’m glad you appreciate the view.” A breathy voice said as if it was coming from everywhere at once. 

    My body automatically turns surprised but not alarmed. I see a wispy figure taking form right in front of my eyes. As the clouds descend around a thin female, creating a soft silken dress, her eye’s open to show a turbulent grey. With skin the palest I have ever seen. Only such paleness was known long ago.

    “Ahhh, to take form again. I almost forgot what it was like to see myself.” She sighs as she looks at her own hands with what I can guess is nostalgia in her eyes. 

   My mouth opens to form a slight “oh” without thinking, I ask, “Who are you?”

   “Who am I? That’s a good question, but one you already know the answer to. I guess if you are wondering what to call me, then you can just call me Caelus.” Nodding to herself as if pleased, she carefully sits on down in the grass. 

    “What do you mean that I already know the answer?” I lower myself to the ground, so I’m across from her.

    “Tell me why are you so invested in that book you're reading in class? What was it called again? Awaken?

    “Yes, it’s called Awaken. I’m honestly not sure why I took an interest originally other than having to read it for class. It was almost as if it was calling out to me the moment I laid my eyes on it. Now that I’m reading it, something just… something just doesn't feel right.”

     “What do you mean by that?”

     “Well, all the data I’ve collected points to there being true points in the story. It’s odd how no one knows about it and how hard it’s been for me to find information. As far as I was taught, every country rallied together at the last moment before it was too late making massive changes to save the earth, but…”

    “But what child?”

    “Well, if you don’t think too hard about it, then it makes sense. I used to accept that answer myself honestly.”

     “What about now?”

     “Now, after doing so much research not just into the past but also looking at what scientists were saying back then, well it just doesn't seem possible in the time frame. All though completely improvable, what happened in the book would make sense. I think it’s my turn to ask a question.”

    “Ask away, child.” She starts unconsciously brushing her hand over the grass but not breaking eye contact with me. 

    “Well, first, I’m not a child. I’m 17 and take care of myself.”

    “Sophia dearest, I mean no disrespect, but I have seen so much, and my existence is not my own. My consciousness has been in this world for a long time. From my perspective, everyone is a child.”

    “I guess that makes sense. Then that brings me to a more important question than I was originally going to ask. What are you?”

     Staring up at the sky, she goes completely still. “I am… I am Caelus.” Nodding slightly to herself. “What I am is something old and a gate to something new… What I am doesn’t matter. What matters is what you are to become.”

    “What do you…”

    Standing up, she looks around. “How about a change of scenery? Where would you like to be?”

    “Ummm, why? What do you mean?”

    “You’re dreaming so you can be anywhere you want. Simply will it to be, and it will.”

     “Oh… Wait, so does that mean that none of this is real?” Turning, I notice her sitting on my bed, curiously rubbing the blankets.

     “The space we are in is just a place of your dreams, but… this conversation is real. I’m real.”

     “How can I be sure that you aren’t just my overactive, sleep-deprived, wishful imagination?”

     “When I once was not what I am now, my name was Sue Stewart, and I was born June tenth of two thousand and seven. If you look me up when you wake up, then that should answer your question. Perhaps it will create more questions, but by then it will be too late to ask me.”

     “Your name is Sue. Then assuming I believe that you are here with me in my dreams, then how? How can you be in my dreams?”

       “My name was once Sue. I am now Caelus. I am currently a whisper in your ear. In drifting to sleep with your mind slowing down enough to hear me, you willed this meeting to be. I just helped with a slight nudge of power.” 

      “Are you actually in my room with me?”

      “Yes and no. I am everywhere.”

      “That’s not possible.”

      She was looking at me with an amused look in her eye. “Your right, I’m not in the layers of the earth. Does it matter what is and isn’t possible? I would think why or how it would be more important, especially with this being a dream. You don’t have forever.”

       “I guess. So why are you here? Have you come to me in a dream before?”

       “You already know part of the answer to the first question. For the second question, no, this is the first time I have come to you in a dream.”

       “Why me?”

      “You seek the truth, and because of that, you will have to make a decision soon. This decision will decide on the path you will take.”

      “So, you’re here to convince me to make the decision you want?”

     “I am here out of curiosity. Simply taking a chance  to speak with you before everything changes.”

   “What’s going to happen?”

   “Change child change.” Her eyes go stone cold as she stands, and with her, a wind picks up. Unphased by the items thrown around my room in the wind, she glides peacefully to my door. “I’m sorry, but it’s time you wake up now. Don’t forget to look up Sue Stewart.”

     Reaching out to her, I call, “No, please don’t go yet.”

     The moment her hand touches the door, the direction of the wind changes blasting at me. It throws me back off the mountain. Falling, I scream and shut my eyes. 

      My body jolted, and I sit up in a burst of energy in bed, grabbing at my chest. A slight breeze brushes past my check like a soft kiss, a sense of urgency lights within me. I sit up and put on my glasses and open a new tab. Before I can even start my search, a notification pops up. 

     Sighing, I select it seeing it’s from my mother. 

    Sophia, I’m still working. Your father and I are going to get something to eat together before we come home. Don’t wait up for us. Let us know if you need anything so we can pick it up. Oh, and we hope you had fun with William. Next time you should both go out for a little bit. 

      I take off my glasses and stare up at the ceiling. Trying to remember the last time I ate with my parents, much less left the house. Even if I did leave, where would I go? 

      The image of atop a mountain with a bright sky flashes across my mind as my eyes shut. A breeze is carrying the sweet scent of fresh flowers. With the warmth of the sun on my skin. Droplets of water still on the grass. I shake my head as I chuckle to myself, although that would be nice I don’t think that’s quite what she meant.

    I slide my glasses back on and go back to what I was initially going to do. A simple records search that brings up far less than what it should have. Facts that don’t match up as if planted. Verifying that Sue Stewart did indeed exist, but that’s it. As if someone was trying to rewrite her history or hid something. 

    Sitting up, I take off my glasses and pull out my stash of old school electronics. Personally doctored with a touch of help, so it’s easier to use and easier to keep my search hidden. Whatever it is someone tried to hide and cover-up, I’m going to find. What could be so important about this girl? She could be the link to the truth, but I don’t understand how yet. No matter what, I’m going to find the truth.