fifteen
Blood! A scream awakens me, submerging from the deep. I jolt up, panting for air. Beads of cold sweat lash down my temples. The dream. It came back to haunt me. This time, even worse. No brightly colored mares or dancing dakinis, no laughter up in the sky. Instead, there're black stallions and blood—so much blood pouring down on me. Surely I’ll drown.
I press my forehead to my knees. Nausea takes over. Fresh air. My feet find the edge of the bed, sliding onto the hard-wooden floor. My hands reach the window, and I rest my chin on the ledge. A cool breeze caresses my cheeks, creeping into my nostrils. Focus. I set my eyes on the crystal-clear sky that holds a bright yellow moon in an embrace of black and midnight blue. Focus. My lungs tingle as the crisp air works its wonders, and
