We Dream of Hope

Last Good Night

There was no rhyme or reason for her steps, once in a while she would stumble, but it released her tension. She found it hard to think straight. Between the campfire scene, Tomin’s raging masculinity, and the absent voice there was no escaping that this was by far the worst day she had ever had. She wanted to scream, but she felt if she opened her mouth everything she wanted to keep down would surface. 

It took one more stumble for her to finally let loose, and the flood gates were open, tears streamed down her face, her wrists were sore, her ankles hurt, and she found it hard to catch her breath until finally, she mustered up her strength. 

“Why the f**k is this day going to wrong?” She inhaled deeply, “First of course some stranger had to invade my head! Second Tomin had to rear his f*****g impish no good, downright stupid, face. Then of course WARNER WARNER WARNER!” Out of breath, she took another deep inhale of chilled air, “What that all? NO! Fate had to land me in this stupid position to hear about my perfect mother, miss perfect who could never ever ever cause anyone harm. Who was so f*****g perfect and special she would have single-handedly won the war? Who mysteriously died, who left me alone!”

Who you don’t want to be compared to. Which is fine.

THE VOICE! Nadia looked around, “You’re back!” She called out. 

Are you okay? I took care of that dumbass. He isn’t coming after you.

“Please, please, can we talk?” She turned around trying desperately to coax him out of hiding. The silence returned and Nadia dropped to the ground. “I know you know how terrible of a day I’ve had. So please, I just want to talk to someone. Someone who knows about everything.”

Did you read the note?

Note? What note?

Warner’s note.

Why the f**k would you bring that up? So I guess you’re friends with him? Which means that you’ve gone and spilled the beans to him. So you are Odion then? Warner’s what? His son?

Read the note Nadia. Then I’ll come and get you.

Nadia dug into her picket fishing out the letter and holding it up to the moonlight. It was a bold font written in large letters:

Nadia, 

I wanted to prepare you for everything before the sight came to you. If you read this before tomorrow then know that when you wake up the world will be completely different. You’ll see things, feel like you’re lost. You’re not alone. Ma’at will help you, keep close to her. Odion has been watching you if anything happens he will protect you. If you haven’t already heard him reassure you yet. He’s not as terrible as he might appear. Just know that nothing can happen until you gain the sight. So please, rest easy tonight. It will be the last time you experience true peace. 

Warm regards my dear dove. 

-Warner

If it would help close your eyes and I’ll take you back to your tent. 

I don’t understand. 

There was a sharp snap and soft pounding of feet on the ground. Nadia looked up toward the noise and saw those same yellow eyes of the large wolf from before. His size was even more astounding the closer he got to her. He stopped a few feet from her and lowered himself to the ground resting his massive head on his paws. 

So surprise to no one I guess. 

Yeah, I guess I was forward earlier. You don’t have to worry though. 

I didn’t think I did. While thinking about it, I don’t understand why. 

I need to get you back to your camp before anyone notices you're gone. 

“So it’s kind of weird for me to talk to you in my head. Is it okay if I stop?” Nadia reached her arm forward instinctively wanting to touch him. He lifted his head and startled her to pull her hands back. 

If you want to talk openly you can, but I have a bit of a barrier concerning that. He looked at her hands and rolled his eyes. You want to pet me, don’t you?

“I mean, you’re just really pretty, and fluffy. I don’t know.” She turned her head down hoping the cover of darkness and the angle would hide her blush.

I’ll tell you what never ever say I’m pretty or fluffy again and you can pet me. 

“Promise!” she reached out but his head met her halfway rubbing her hand against his cheek. Her hand traveled to the top of his head and sure enough. So fluffy, she couldn't help the thought and he quickly turned away. “Sorry!”

Let’s go. 

“Wait wait.” She stumbled and crawled until she managed to get to her feet, “Really I’m sorry. You’re-” 

He stopped and turned around his snout hitting Nadia’s nose and his eyes buried deep into hers. How about we walk in silence. 

“How about you tell me a bit more about what’s going on?” Nadia glared right back at him c*****g a half-smile letting him know she was in no way going to be intimidated. 

How about we walk in silence because I’m the only one who knows the way back to your campsite?

“Nah, I have no interest in going back. You and Warner want that. So how about I go back with you after you start talking.” She put her hands on her hips and squinted her eyes challenging him further. 

You’ll see tomorrow. Follow me. 

Odion turned around and started to walk leaving little care to whether she followed or not. 

“Wait!” She called after him “Can you slow down?”

Slow down? You’re having a hard time keeping up with me? What happened to the determined little girl from before?

“That girl is now vastly aware that her surroundings are completely foreign.” She caught up to him and rested a hand on his back. So soft. 

Okay! He shook her off. Are you done with the dog jokes?

“I wouldn’t call them dog jokes.” Nadia felt so much comfort in his touch, it was like he was made to protect her, “Sorry, you’re the first dog-er-wolf that I’ve had a conversation with. Plus I am really starting to get the feeling some demon did bewitch you.”

Demons don’t bewitch, you’re thinking of a witch. Demons just kill or turn you into a slave.

“Of course, so a witch gave you a soft coat?” Against her better judgment she reached out and grabbed him again, “I’m just using you for balance. Think nothing of it and I’ll keep my thoughts to myself.”

Let’s get going. You need to sleep. 

“So what’s this big event that happens tomorrow?” they started off slowly and she found it especially easy to keep up her feet would stumble every now and then but he was always there next to her.

Your birthday.

“My birthday? What do you mean?”

It’s the day you were born. You know you’re one year older.

“Oh, I never guessed.” She paused and thought it over, “How’d you know what it was?”

Not important. 

“Oh come on! This is so not fair. You get every bit of my private thoughts, and I can’t get anything out of you. So share!” She banged her fist against his back and a jolt of energy passed between them. 

She felt a weight of years of isolation watching the world pass by all through black bars. A familiar face finally obscured the view of nothingness. Warner smiled and opened the cage. “Odion, your mother told me so much about you. Don’t worry. You’re fine.”

STOP!

Nadia was knocked off her feet, her head hitting a tree. “What was that?”

Not your business. 

Nadia struggled to get back up, “You were so small! What happened?”

How’d you do that?

Do what? I kind of want to do it again so you know how it feels to have your mind invaded. “I’m just curious about you. I mean you clearly know everything about me. So I just wanted to know a bit more about you.” She found her footing and went to put her hand back on him but she swung himself away. “Oh come on we were making such great progress.”

No, you were becoming a mind invader and learning things that don’t concern you. 

“Fine, just take me back.” She went to take a step but stumbled hard on her foot, “Ow, wait. My ankle.”

Your ankle? 

Nadia could feel the annoyance maybe she was still linked to him? “I’m sorry. Honest. I won’t try anything else.”

Get on.

“Excuse me wolf?”

Get on my back and let me take you home. He lowered himself down and Nadia climbed on. He was comfortable and when he started moving she gripped his fur he made sure every step he took she was still there. He kept his mind quiet and didn’t comment on anything Nadia was thinking and too much was rushing through her mind. So much that they were back on the edge of the campsite in no time. He let her down and she used the nearest tree to ready herself for the long trek back to her tent. 

“Thank you, but you better get out of here before someone sees you.” 

Just remember tomorrow, everything will be okay. Find Ma’at.

Ma’at, “Right, I’ll find her.” She turned and quickly recalled something from earlier, “Ma’at left for a hunting trip! She won’t be back for weeks.”

She'll be there tomorrow. He pushed Nadia with his nose. Get going. Sleep. 

Nadia turned and limped back to her tent. When she got to her and Ma’at’s area she checked inside Ma’at was gone. So Nadia settled into her own tent slouching down and burying herself in her blanket which seemed scratchy compared to Odion’s black fur. This day was the worst she had ever had, it was a nightmare to think that it was supposed to be her last good day.