One Deep Breath

Dreams

The trees in the forest were unusually dark; almost black trunks, grey green foliage letting through minimal light. Was it day or night? I can't see sky or stars and I don't know any more. I can hear my ragged breaths as I push through the searing pain in my side and search frantically for a way out. Amber eyes watch me as I run, always showing up just in my peripheral vision and vanishing when I try to find them again. Sometimes I swear I can hear panting that isn't mine, and rapid footsteps galloping behind me. Just as I think they're going to catch up to me they disappear again. No matter how fast I run, I can't find the forest edge. I'm running out of steam, running out of stamina, and somehow I knew I was running out of time.

Callie's alarm blares through her room, dragging her weary body out of it's restless slumber. Her legs and chest hurt as if she really has been running through an endless forest all night. Jessia's "I'm Not Pretty' starts as she rolls herself out of bed and stumbles into her bathroom. Looking at herself in the mirror she groans before getting herself ready for another day. A light layer of concealer is dabbed onto the suitcases under her green eyes before she dusts her face with a foundation. Blush, bronzer, gloss and mascara get quickly applied before she brushes her teeth and pulls her long auburn hair into a high ponytail. Moving to her small cupboard closet, she switched her foxy pajamas for a pair of high-waisted black jeans and a loose blush pullover. The shapeless jumper hid her belly. Throwing a tattered black bag over her shoulder she took one last glance in the mirror before heading downstairs. 

Mum had mixed dried berries into plain homemade yoghurt and left it on the bench for breakfast beside the new packet of crumpets, with a bight pink post it note next to the pale blue bowl. Callie sighed and popped a crumpet into the toaster while she picked at the contents of the bowl. Have an excellent day honey, you're fabulous read the perfect cursive on the post it. Every day for as long as she could remember, Callie's mum Linda had left her an encouraging note with a healthy breakfast when she left for work at 6:30. She knew Callie's alarms were set for 6:45 and that she'd be down in the kitchen by 7am. It gave the dried berries just enough time to soak in to their yoghurt without getting too soggy. They had the perfect morning routine going. Pulling a dog eared copy of The Silver Chair from her backpack, Callie flicked through the pages while absently buttering her crumpets. They were gone before she knew it and her phone was buzzing to remind her to head for the bus. I could skip school for the day she thought to herself. If only she had the gumption to do it. Tucking her book into the front pocket of her backpack she shouldered it again and headed out the front door. 

The journey to college was the same as it always was; Callie huddled in her seat against the window with her nose in her book while students piled on and got gradually louder and louder. Once the bus stopped in front of the gates, she tucked it back into its pocket and waited for the rest of the students to disembark before standing and climbing off herself

"See you tonight Mike, thank you" she offered the driver with a small smile. He grinned back at her, his missing front tooth not bothering him at all. 

"Any time Callie, enjoy your day" he responded cheerfully. He was probably the only person that acknowledged her existence other than her family. 

Her morning passed without incident, as usual. Two lectures completed by lunch, and only one to go in the afternoon. Studying English Literature and Classics was the only obvious option for her. She'd spent her high school years with her lightly freckled nose buried in as many of the library books as she'd been able to get her hands on. Most books only took her a couple of days to read, and the librarian had known exactly which books she had and hadn't finished reading. She loved fantasy books, but her favourite had always been the Narnia Series. C.S. Lewis had held her attention since she'd first picked up The Magicians Nephew at age 8. Nearly 14 years later, he was still the only author she found herself constantly re-reading. Ordering an iced chocolate at the small coffee shop next to the college campus, she settled into a booth and promised herself she'd finish this book before her final lecture for the semester started. Just as she was turning the last page, Callie felt eyes on her. Glancing around the cafe she didn't notice anyone looking at her, or even in her direction. But as she continued reading she couldn't shake the uneasy feeling that someone was watching her from somewhere.