My eyes watered as I stumbled through clouds of heavy smoke. My bare feet were cut up from the rocks, thorns, and branches that covered my path. I clutched the old scroll in my hand tighter as I ran. I could feel myself tiring and I knew I would soon be caught. The thundering of hooves got louder as the enemy drew closer. Diving into the nearest bush I prayed that they would pass. The universe was smiling down on me because the pitter patter of hooves quickly past. Breathing heavy I slowly crawled out from the bush, glancing for any sign of the knights. I have to find him, Emerus will know what to do with this. I sighed as I look down at the cursed scroll. Shaking my head I continued my journey to the Crystal Cave. Arthur would not be pleased the next time I saw him, I could only hope that he could forgive me after what I had done. It had to be done, I argued with myself. He would have never forgiven his father for the lies. I shuddered as I thought of the tourchure I had delt with after I had been found out by his father. If Arthur knew the truth the whole future of the kingdom would have changed for the worse. It was easier to breath now that I had escaped the smoke of the burning village. After an hour or more of walking I neared the stream that would lead to the cave. Smiling I continued forward but was suddenly thrown to the side by some unknown force. The wind was knocked out of me as my back hit a rock near the stream. Ears ringing I heard footsteps approaching me. Dark eyes met mine along with a cruel smirk, " Are you ready for the end Natasha?"
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It was a different dream every night but they were all similar. Some were inside an elegant stone castle decorated with gold, marble, and silk drapes. There were servants and royals there too. The whole place seemed familiar even though I had never seen it in my life. Other times the dreams would take place in a lush forest filled with towering trees and vibrant flowers and I would feel safe, but then the forest would change and become a dark wood with dead branches and thorns tearing at my flesh and dress. The dreams in the woods were nightmares the would still make me shudder after waking up. My appearance was different in the dreams too; my clothing was regal and beautiful down to every last detail. My face, hair, and body were different too. My hair was a firey red, and my eyes were a bright blue. My face was as pale as ever but had sleeker and more proment cheekbones that matched my narrow face. I was three inches taller than normal and skinner with surprisingly more curves. The weirdest change of all was that I looked nineteen instead of my age of fifteen. Tonight's dream was one of many that ended with me getting hurt in some way or another. I was unable to command myself to change what was happening; it was as if I was seeing the future.
Turning to look at my phone I saw that I had received eight messages from my friends, irritated that my phone was off.
Heather: Hey
Alaina: what's up?
Katy: hello, n, you no reply
Katy: Hello
Katy: Natasha turn on your phone this instant!
Heather: N
Heather: N
Heather: N!
I wasn't in the mood to talk about crushes, dances, or books so I pretended I hadn't read them yet. Groaning I peeled myself out of the bed and padded over to my small dresser in the corner. Pulling the drawers open I picked my clothes for today's hike. Living in the country has its perks when it comes to outdoor sports. Grabbing a quick breakfast and some water I opened the door and started outside.
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Hot, is the word to sum up the whole hike. I was nearing the end of my water supply when I reached into my bag to take another drink. My bag was heavy from the load I was carrying; snacks if I when I got hungry, five bottles of water (now down to two), my phone, makeup that my friend put in there and I was too lazy to take out, and my locket I took off with pictures of my parents. I sat down on the rock closest to me and began to day dreaming about the mysterious dark haired boy I consistanly had in my dreams. My dream self would always be near him and there was never a dream without him. After a couple minutes I stood up and began my hike back. Sluggishly I moved over the dry land, kicking up dust wherever I stepped. I made my way to the cliff from where I could see my little house and the lake beside it. Taking a step forward I suddenly slipped on a loose rock. Wide eyed I fell over the the looming edge. My short fifteen years replayed before my eyes as I tumbled through the air. The family who loved me, the friends that cared, the long term crush who I never told that I liked him, and finally the dark haired boy from the dreams. At least they won't have to scrub the rocks after they move my body, I thought remembering the red rocks from which I fell. I knew I had to land soon for a cliff can only be so high. Closing my eyes I braced for pain, but none came, instead all there was darkness. Just darkness.