Disclaimer: I own nothing mentioned in this story

Even as we Dream

Chapter One

Somewhere above the United States. June 12, 2012. 10:25

Daddy's snoring keeps me awake and I have the sudden urge to wake him up. His glasses are slipping down his nose as his head slumps forward, His dark hair is unusually messy, my eyes run over his face and I see the wrinkles that give away age and stress. This trip was to help daddy calm down and relax. I sigh and look around the plane. Everyone was sleeping peacefully except for me and the child in the row next to mine. He was looking around with a grin. His bright green eye focus on mine and I smile in return as he gives me a toothy grin. There are gaps there that cause me to smile wider.

I begin to hum and his eyes focus on me as he stares intently at me. I hum louder and his grin widens as he bobs his head to the soft music coming from me. I had always loved an audience and who better to judge me than a small child. Children tend to be brash and truthful. They haven't figured out that the world is a different place and that people would rather you keep your mouth shut then speak the truth. Today's people were focused on lies that made them feel better or worse, the truth didn't matter. Children didn't understand this, they were outspoken and I loved it. I would rather have a truthful negative view on me than a fake praise.

He continues to watch me and I begin to sing the words softly. Something I wasn't used to. I usually captured an audience with my powerful way of singing. A way that brought their attention to me and only me. The way my voice echoed across the room and brought awe to a person's face. I had never whispered the lyrics in the night to a small child. Something tugged at my heart as his eyes sparked in joy. Soft brown locks fell into his eyes and he brushed them away with childlike annoyance than caused me to grin into the words. Some people stirred in their seats but none awoke to my quiet singing.

He began to sing along with me as I now sang Twinkle Twinkle Little Star. Something I knew he had to know. The plane jostled and his eyes filled with fear as he stops singing and clutches to the man next to him. Some people wake up and I sing a little louder. His attention turns back to me and the fear ebbs away just a little. His father, a man with blonde hair and the same green eyes smiles at me in appreciation as he buckles his son in and tightens the belt. The father begin to hum along with us and I smile encouragingly to the little boy and he begins to sing with me again. Some of the passengers look at us in annoyance until they spot the little boy's fear hidden beneath his eyes. Such bright expressive eyes, full of innocence and curiosity.

The plane hits more turbulence and the seat-belt sign flashes. Someone screams as the plane is jostled again. I hear the little boy and I turn my head and see the tears filling his eyes. He was tugging at the seat-belt, trying to climb into his father's lap. I look at him from my seat in the aisle. His father murmured quietly and looks heart broken as he tries and fails to calm his child. "Hey, look at me buddy." His green eyes were bright with terror as the connect with mine. "That's it focus on me. You wanna learn a new song?" He shrugs and his father wraps an arm around his shoulders as he tightens his son's seat-belt again. The father looks fearful but holds it in as he comforts his son. My own father wraps his fingers in mine after he tugs my seat belt around my lap and then doing his own. "This song is stuck inside my head and it won't go away." His smile wavers as he grins at me. "It started when I first woke up and It's been here all day." He laughs and I make a confused face. "I don't understand it. Why did this one stick?" His father grins at me gratefully as his sons attention is focused on me. "There's so many cool songs I wish my brain would pick!" I throw my arms out dramatically and the boy grins in amusement. "This song is stuck inside my head. And I can't get it out." I shake my head and bang on my ear. "What makes it even worse it that that's what this songs about. The doctor said don't worry." I shake my finger and grin at the entrap little boy. "It won't stay for long. But every-time I go to her she's strumming this dumb song. I hope you never hear it. But if you do be strong. Hey I think this stupid thing is finally gone." I smile in relief and then scrunch my nose up. "NOPE!" He giggles mercilessly and begins to hum it by himself. His father winks at me and starts to sing.

The plane make this groaning noise and then my stomach is in my throat suddenly. A scream pulls itself out of my throat and out of many others. My eardrum stings in sharp pain at the yell from my father. I can make out the high pitch child like scream from the left of me. My daddy's fingers grip my hand painfully but I focus on that. It keeps me grounded as the lights flicker on and off. The plane levels out and a breathe somehow makes its way out of my lungs. Suddenly bags deploy from above us and once again my stomach is in my throat as we drop like a roller coaster. I close my eyes and clutch at my daddy's hand. I hear sobbing from my left and I slowly turn and open my eyes. The little boy is sobbing into his father's arms as he is restrained by his seat-belt. Thankfully they have them on still. Without warning there is a bright light from my right and I turn to look at it right as someone scream. The plane is on fire. The side of the wing burning outside the windows. It licks at the air like it is alive, consuming the plane like fodder.

People scream impossibly louder as the plane makes noises I can't decipher. Daddy wraps his arm around me as I shake in terror and the seat-belt digs into my hips as I cling to his shirt. His muscles are tense and his face pale. His glasses bounce with each move the plane make. Soon luggage begins to fall out of they compartments. The boy's father shield his son with his body in case any fall in his direction. There is the sound of metal screeching before wind begins to pull at everything. Bags fly out of a hole that seemed to pop out of nowhere and makes it gradually bigger. Metal pulling away into the dark night with each forceful strike of luggage. People who aren't buckled are pulled out of their seats with a scream. "Daddy!" I hear the little boy scream and turn to see as he cries and clutches to his father. They are both buckled in but the wind pulls at their clothing and hair. My own daddy pulls me impossibly tighter into his frame and my shivers slow as the wind flows all around us. The night air is cold.

People cling to their seats with white knuckles. Heads bow together as words of comfort are exchanged. Some of the passengers pray, other hyperventilate. The plane begins to bounce with more turbulence and people scream louder. We were going to die. My dad was in Lima while we took a trip to New York. He was going to be left at home alone.

The sky is dark outside of the hole in the plane. The only thing visible is the bright moon. An ominous bright glow. Who knew how far from the ground we were. The plane groans again and slows slightly. Maybe the pilots were doing something, maybe we would survive. I close my eyes and tell my father I love him. I hear his I love you. Before we can even comprehend what it happening there is a loud crash and sound of metal crumbling as we are thrown forward against our seat belts. Suddenly we are rolling and I can see the bright light of a fire as we are thrown around. My head rattles before it is hit by something and everything goes black.

Somewhere in Lima, Ohio. June 12, 2012. 10:35

In a normal house waits a girl alone. Her eyes are watery from emotion and her body shivers with the same emotion. Her body is encased in sweats and long hair pulled into a loose ponytail. Outside un-benounced to the girl waits trouble. A man with a dark mask and cruel intent lurks around outside. Unknowingly choosing an occupied house. Normally this girl was never home, always away at friends houses. But tonight was different, the girl was home and the man didn't know this. Two human's fates tied together for a brief moment. This man plays an important part in what happens next.

He sneaks in through an open window and creeps along in the completely dark house. The only light is the bright moon shining through the windows. The floor creaks as he moves around, he doesn't seem to mind. No one is home, he can be a little noisy. The girl's head perks up and her breath stutters. She gets up and moves to the sound, her fingers grab onto the closest weapon she can find. A ladle that has never been used. Her mother never using the steel gift from her anger filled ex-husband. She move along quietly following the noise and reaching for her phone. Her eyes clench in annoyance as she can't find the phone. She left it upstairs and the house phone wasn't on it's charger. She moves to the stair but doesn't see the dark shape moving down it. They struggle along the floor desperately, trading blows until there is a sickening crunch and the sound of something shattering. The man had grabbed the vase and used it to his advantage. He moves away from the body and almost heaves at the blood. He only needed the money. How could he do something like this? No-one was suppose to be home. His body shakes as he grabs at the house phone forgotten on the coffee table, he dials 9-1-1 lets out a breathy, scratchy 'help' before he drops the phone and flees.

As he escapes out the back door the front door open. A woman walks in and shivers from the unusual chill. She flips on the light and gasps at the sight before her. Her precious daughter is slumped on the floor, house phone and ladle next to her. The woman rushes over to her child and picks up the phone as her other hand hovers, unknowing what to do to help her child. Tears prick at her eyes. "Please, my daughter. She's unconscious and bleeding." Her mouth rattles off the address. "Yes please hurry. Yes the house with Lopez printed on the mailbox." Her fingers shake as she drops the phone and strokes at her daughters hair. Quiet murmurs flow over her daughter's face like feathers. "You'll be fine mija. You'll be fine."

Somewhere else in Lima, Ohio. June 12, 2012. 10:35

A girl swings her legs as she sits on the dock. Her bare feet tickle the water and she smile watery. Her eyes are rimmed red and she sighs. Her eyes flicker around until she spots something that makes her smile. There sitting across the pond is a duckling. The only way to make it to him is to swim. She strips her shirt off, leaving on shorts and a tank top before she dives flawlessly into the water.

Her pale form moves across the water, the moon reflects on the water. She makes it to the bank and begins to climb up it. Her foot slips on the mud and she goes tumbling down. Limbs move erratically before her head makes a sickening crunch. Her body is limp and the moonlight seems to make her pale skin glow. A boy, out for a late jog sees the pale flesh and curiously yells. When he receives no reply he calls 9-1-1 and tells them the news. He then dives into the water and swims to the unmoving form. His dark eyes scrunch in worry. "Brittany?" He pulls off his jacket and throws it over the girl's prone form as he waits for the paramedics. Thankfully he mentioned the need of a boat. The only way to get to her was by the water.

Somewhere in Lima, Ohio. June 12, 2012. 10:38

Another young woman drives angrily down the hallway. Her eyes are blurred with tears that fall down her face. Her face is twisted in anger and sadness. Her phone buzzes insistently from the passenger seat. Her eyes dart over to it but she ignores it. The buzzing continues before she huffs and grabs it. Her eyes flash down to her phone as she opens a series of texts from her mom and then one from her sister. They had been gradually fixing their relationships after having Beth and being kicked out. The second her fingers move across the scene to reply to her mother's question of whereabouts a truck strikes the side of her car. The metal crumples like tissue paper and her head is crushed mercilessly. Her world fades out.

The man steps out of the car drunkenly and pulls out his phone. His fingers mash the button three times before he gets it right. He tells the police that someone was hit before he slumps onto the ground. His glazed gaze is focused on the crushed car. It was a tiny red bug, no match for his huge truck. This was why he hated drinking. He shouldn't have drove but he was angry. How dare his girlfriend leave him for some god-fearing asshole. He had a son to provide for. The sirens blare in the distance as an ambulance races to the scene.

Rachel POV

My head hurts before the pain vanishes in a blur. My head shakes dizzily before I stand from the bed I am on. The room is completely white. There is a single bed in it and a door. I stumble over to it and grip the knob. My arms shakes and then I open it. I walk two feet and then I see another white door. I open it and peek in. The room is empty so I move to step into the room. I am shoved back and my body is pinned to the wall by strong hand. My fingers wrap around tense forearms and my wide eyes connect with dark brown eyes. The pupils are blown. "¿Quién es usted?"

My eyebrow furrow and I open my mouth to say something. Nothing comes out. No noise and I blink in confusion as I reach for my throat. Why did my heart ache at not being able to talk? The girl stares at me warily and I place my finger on her arm and spell Rachel out. She stares at me in confusion and suspicion before I write it again with the pad of my finger and point at myself. "Rachel?" I nod my head and she nods. "Me llamo es.." Her eyebrows furrow. "No lo se mi nombre." Her dark eyes water as brown almost a silky black hair falls into her face. Her hands release me and she stares at me as if contemplating something. Her dark eyes are inquisitive yet sorrowful. Curious yet fearful. Her hands clamps around my wrist. "Me sigues." I follow her with my head tilted to the side. I couldn't understand what she was saying, but her hand gestures helped as she lead me down the corridor.

Another door comes into view and we both stare at it warily. Her fingers wrap around the doorknob and she looks back at me. I nod and she twists her wrist. We both look into the room with caution. There is no one there. She sighs and pokes at my shoulder. "Ir en esa direccion." Her hand motions to another hallway. I couldn't remember what direction we came from. Everything seemed to be jumbled and I look at her in confusion. "Ir en esa direccion." She nods her head and points to the closest hallway. I nod my head and she pats my shoulder before heading in the other direction.

The hallway is bleak and a stark white that burns into the back of my eyes. I would see it even if I closed my eyes. The hallway seems continuous until I come across a door. I hear clattering and my heart speeds up. Color flashes before my eyes, memories or something. I back into the wall and struggle to breath the air was being pull out of the room. I tug at the belt holding me down. A scream of anger or annoyance pulls me from where-ever I was. I look down at my hands. They were clutching at the waistband of my bleak colored pants. They were completely white, like everything else in this place. I shake my head, clearing it of the ghosts of color and open the door slowly. A blonde girl sits slumped on the floor. The blankets around her bed are rumpled and her bed frame is crooked. Hazel eyes jump up to connect with mine and the air is stolen from my throat at the anguish in them. "Who are you?"

Her voice is hoarse and I open my mouth to reply. No sound comes out and my fingers itch at my throat, as if that will free the ties around my voice box. She stares at me and I shrug helplessly as I tap my throat and shake my head. "You can't speak?" I shake my head again and step closer to her. Her legs are folded unceremoniously below her. I tilt my head and tears fill her eyes. "I can't fucking move them!" She slams her hand into the floor and I jump. I look around and spot a white wheelchair. I pull it over and tilt my head to it. I offer her my hand and she shakes her head quickly. "I can do it myself. I am not helpless." I stand and watch as she struggles to get into the chair. She pants when she finally sits her butt into the seat. She rearranges her legs until they are on the foot holds. I grip the handles and release the brakes. I start to push her and her hands slam down on the wheels. "Where the hell are you taking me?!" I shrug my shoulders and motion to the hallway. "What does that even mean?" I throw my hands up and huff in annoyance. My hands flutter around my face until I sigh and shrug my shoulders. I grip the handles again and stare at her. She huffs in annoyance. "Whatever. Make me crash and I'll make your life a living hell." I roll my eyes and push her through the door.

I continue in the direction I originally came from to see if I could find the girl from earlier. We continue for what seems like hours down an endless hallway until I spot dark hair. My hand taps on the girl in the chairs shoulder frantically and I point to the dark haired girl who spoke in a tongue I didn't understand. Everything was so jumbled in my head. The blonde grunts in annoyance and I tap her harder. "What?" She hisses at me. I open my mouth and move it then point at the girl moving down the hallway. "You want me to get her or something?" I throw my hands up and nod. She rolls her eyes. "HEY!"

The girl turns around and stares at us. I wave my hand frantically and she tilts her head before pulling someone by the arm out of in front of her. It is a tall blonde who stumbles over her feet. Her face is pleasant and her eyes kind but so sad. "Este es Brittany."

The blonde in the chair stares at Santana before snorting. "What's funny?" The leggy blonde questions the chair bound blonde quietly.

She shrugs before answering the question. "We have someone who can't speak at all and another who can't speak English. Kind of funny."

The eyebrows above bright blue eyes furrow. "No it isn't. Why would it be funny to not be able to speak? Or to not be able to talk to someone in a language they know?"

The darker girl glares at the hazel eyed girl who sighs and shakes her head. "Nevermind." She looks around. "Where are we anyway?" We shrug and her eyes contort as she struggles with something. "I don't remember anything." She shakes her head. "I can feel a-." She cuts herself off and looks at us. "Do you guys remember anything?"

Brittany twists her fingers. "I remember a pond and ducks but that's it."

She turns to the girl with no name. She throws her hands into the air. "Yo no recuerdo nada!" Her arms cross but I see something hidden beneath her frustration. Fear. She remembers something about fear.

They turn to me and I throw my arms up and point at my throat. They sigh and I cross my arms defensively. It's not my fault I couldn't speak. If I could I'd be going on about what could possibly have happened to us. "Why are we here?" The blue eyed blonde questions quietly.

I shrug my shoulders and the dark haired girl murmurs something quietly in her own language before shrugging helplessly. The other blonde sighs. "I don't know. But we shouldn't be alone." She looks at us warily. "None of us remembers anything but we need to stay together."

The taller blonde smiles. "Yay! We can have a sleepover in my room!" She pulls on the unnamed girls arm before she trips over nothing and they both go tumbling into the floor. The blonde blushes as if embarrassed and not used to falling or tripping over her own feet. She stands up and apologizes to the girl she took down with her.

The wheelchair bound girl stares at the two before speaking. "And where are we to sleep in your room? There is only one bed in each room." Her eyebrow raises meticulously and I tilt my head at a familiar gesture that causes my head to hurt.

The taller girl looks contemplative before smiling again. "We can drag the other beds into my room."

The hazel eyed blonde huffs in annoyance and I quickly wonder what her name is or if she too had forgotten it. The taller blonde, Brittany my mind reminds me, smiles. "Don't worry, the two of them can get the beds and we can rearrange my room." Brittany pulls the handles from my hands, stumbles over her feet before correcting herself and racing off down the hallway.

Dark eyes look at me full of amusement and she shakes her head before grabbing my wrist. "Vamos a ir."

The song sung to the little boy is "Stuck Inside my Head" by Bryant Oden

Spanish translations (If I am horribly wrong, tell me)

" ¿Quién es usted?" - Who are you?

"Me llamo es.." "No lo se mi nombre."- My name is.. I dont know my name

"Me sigues." - You follow me.

"Ir en esa direccion." - Go that way/ Go in that direction.

"Este es Brittany"- This is Brittany

"Yo no recuerdo nada!"- I don't remember anything/nothing.

"Vamos a ir." - Let's go