The Nexus Queen

chapter 1- Dream A Little Dream

You ever have a dream that felt so real? One where you can touch the person in your dream, you can actually feel the texture of their clothing, skin and hair. The kind of dream that has you feeling every emotion as if you're awake. Bright lights actually hurt your eyes, and loud sounds hurt your ear drums, you feel the pain if you hurt yourself. Has anyone ever have a dream like that? No, just me? I'm sure there is someone in this world that has experienced what I have. These dreams are why I have been studying Oneirology.

After high-school I've been going to college to study dreams. It has become my passion since the first night I had the dream. It was my 13th birthday. I'll never forget the night the dream began.

I guess before I explain everything I should introduce myself.

My name is Raven Mae Hartly, I'll be 22 in less then a month. I moved from California to Washington. After graduation I started to attend Washington State to study dreams amongst a few other things.

My parents passed away when I was five. I don't know anything about them besides their names and how they died. My parents were Kendra ray Hartly and Colden Smith Hartly and they died in a car accident. I was adopted by my foster parents when I was six. They are good people who have taken care of me and I love them as if they were my real parents. But anyways back to the original topic, the reason I'm so invested in trying to learn as much as I can about my dream. If I'm boring you so far well things are about to get more interesting so just be f*****g patient.

Flashback........

"Raven honey it's time for school!" My mother yelled from downstairs.

"I'll be down in a minute!" I replied loud enough for her and most likely the neighbors to hear. But did I care, absolutely not.

I ran down the stairs, and grabbed a piece of toast while going out the door. I yell a quick "love you mom" and hear a quiet chuckle behind me followed by a "love you,too. Rave." School was mundane as usual. What I couldn't wait for was my 13th birthday party tonight. After school my few friends, Jess, Addy, Alex and Ben yelled happy birthday to me in the parking lot as I stood in line to get on the bus. "See you tonight Rave," they all yelled. I waved then proceeded to get on the bus.

I found a seat quickly as I began to feel a little light headed and queasy. The bus driver was apparently calling my name over and over before someone said something quick pulled me out of the trance I was in.

I got off the bus and slowly walked to my house. The moment I opened the door the whole house seemed to smell like a bakery.

"Hey mom. Oh my god it smells so good." I tell her, slightly exaggerated my words.

"Thanks honey, why don't you go get ready for the party."

"Ok mom."

After I finished getting ready, I looked in my mirror a little bit longer. I was wearing a black halter top dress that went just a little above my knees, and a sash that wrapped around my small waist that tied into a bow resting on my hip. My long red hair curled down my back. Light make up, just enough to make my green eye's pop and a little bronzer here and there to help me not look so pale.

The party began very loudly and after a couple hours the party was finally dying down. Thank god because I felt exhausted. After everyone left and my mom said good night, I went to my room to take a shower and to get ready for bed. I turn on my radio lowly to help me fall asleep. I close my eyes as the song Mr. Sandman softly sang me asleep.

Mr. Sandman bring me a dream. . .

Dream....

*I was running through the forest, being chased by what looked to be a huge dog. I mean a giant f*****g dog. Teeth bared, slobber dripped from it's mouth. A loud snarl filled the silence, causing me to run faster then I have ever ran before. When I glanced back nothing was behind me. The beast had stopped chasing me. As I was about to stop to catch my breath, my foot got caught in a tree branch that was inbeded in the wet ground. Sharp pain shot from my ankle up my leg causing me to fall sideways" hitting my arm on a tree stump.

Why do I feel the pain when this is just a dream? I sat there untill the pain became a dull ache. I slowly tried to stand, even though my balance was very unstable. I managed to get to a partial standing position when all the sudden I felt a hand on my shoulder. My head jerked up and what I saw or I should say who I saw was a man I have never seen in my life.

"Raven?" He whispered while staring at me with bright glowing blue eyes.*