The Sun Dragon

Part 2

*2 hours later*

"I seriously hate standard airport security. It's such a hassle to get through." I state. "That's why I enjoy the company provided jet. They have their own secluded airport, so no hassle of security and luggage check."

I look around at my parents and neither of them acknowledge me; as they're to engrossed with the documents they're going over.

"And of course I'm talking to myself." I mumble.

"Did you say something honey?" Dad asks. He doesn't even look up from whatever he's reading.

"Oh now they acknowledge me." I say. (I doubt you'll even hear me if I respond, you're so absorbed in whatever's on that paper). I throw myself down onto the couch at the back of the plane.

"Rebecca, don't get snippy. Also stop throwing yourself on the furniture, because if you break it we're taking it out of your monthly allowance." Mom says.

"Whatever, just wake me when we get there." I say, stretching out on the couch. (who even says snippy anymore?)

"This is your pilot speaking." Says a voice on the intercom. "We are now taking off, please be seated and buckled in until I inform you that you're free to move about the cabin. We will arrive at our destination in 18 hours and 35 minutes."

"Oh man, this is gonna be a long flight." I say, more to myself. I pull out my iPod and put in my headphones. Turning on "Marilyn by G-Easy" I turn on my side and lose myself in the music.

Before long I pass out to the song "Mordreds Lullaby" playing in my ears.

"Titania, wake up! It is time for you to awaken." A voice calls to me. I open my eyes only to shield them from the burning bright light. I feel strange, my body temperature is through the roof, I feel like a sizzling piece of bacon. (I thought I was on a plane? Did we crash or something?) I try to get my bearings. I feel grass beneath my hands and a small breeze dancing across my hot flesh, cooling it with its touch. But I taste something hard and gritty in my mouth, like sand. I hear the sound of leaves rustling in the small breeze and what sounds like...running water? (Just where the hell am I?)

I see a shape of a person beside me, and feel a hand on my shoulder. But no face, only a hood. "Titania, My Lady, it is time for you to fulfill your destiny" The hooded figure says. A woman judging by her voice.

The lady holds her hand out. I reach up, grasping her hand firmly and she pulls me to my feet. I try to get another look at her face, but I see nothing but darkness within the hood.

"Who are you?" I ask "And where am I? Why do you keep calling me Titania? My name is Rebecca!" I feel my anxiety skyrocket, a knot forming in my stomach. Something about this feels wrong! Where am I?

"Mom! Dad! Where are you?!" I scream. (Calm down. Breathe. Don't panic. Maybe this is just a dream. Yeah! That's it! I'm dreaming!)

I close my eyes, inhale and begin counting. From one to ten. Inhale-one, exhale-two, inhale-three. (keep going until you reach ten. Repeat until you feel calm.) I manage to calm my anxiety to a dull roar using the breathing and meditating technique my therapist taught me.

I open my eyes and sense of calm washes over me. I feel calm enough to look back to the hooded woman. "Who are you? And where am I?" I inquire.

"My name is Illana. And you will learn everything in due time." She says. "For now, please follow me. I would like to show you something."

She turns away from me and begins to walk towards the body of water surrounded by trees and grass. I look around more and see nothing else but sand. Nothing but sand for miles. (What the hell is this place? And why is it in the middle of the desert?)