Nightmare
Hurts. It hurts so bad. The gashes, cuts and bruises. The shivering coldness. The foul weather. The nasty stench of blood. The midnight darkness and the dark ominous atmosphere hovering over my frame. My small and petite figure shuddered at the glacial coldness of the storm. I tried to move my arm, but it was heavy, like something was on top of it. I tried to feel my legs. It was quite wobbly but it was fine, just the wounds were hurting. Next, I tried to feel my left arm. It moved, I was able to move it. I brought it closer to me and held it above my face. I examined it for other injuries, but just like my legs, cuts and bruises were the only present, luckily, I had no fractures. I studied my surroundings. Rocks. I laid on a rocky place. In my viewpoint, I'd say I am situated below a cliff. I twisted my head to my side and saw a forest. I looked to my right and saw my bagpack on top of my arm.
So that's what was heavy.
Beyond my bag was a figure of another person.
I am not alone?
It didn't move. It was like it's dead.
"Hey. Wake up." I called out softly. My voice ragged and raspy. I may have been out for a long duration. The person didn't respond.
"Hey.. Please Wake up.." I pleaded.
Do I know this person?
The darkness made it too hard to see and the heavy rain was even making it harder.
"Hey." I tried for the third time. None. The heavy pouring rain was all I could hear.
"Help us.." I squeaked. I tried real hard to call for help. Nothing. Not even a speck of light was visible.
"Hey.. Are you fine?" I asked the person. Still, it wouldn't respond.
"Goddesses.. Help us please." I prayed.
"Is this my end? Have I reached the end of my life? I.. I don't want to die yet.." I monologue as I felt the darkness eating me away.
"I don't want to."
"Maka!" a loud voice flitted in. I woke up with a start as I registered the sweet face looking over me with worry.
"Ma.. Mama?" I asked. She nodded softly, answering me. I pushed myself up slowly, the covers sliding down my frame.
"Are you fine?" she asked as she swept my sweat-drenched bangs across my face. I nodded, unsure what to say.
"You were murmuring in your sleep. You kept on saying, you don't want to die." she repeated worriedly.
"Just my nightmare. I don't know, it's been occuring pretty often lately." I confessed.
"What nightmare, dear?" she asked.
"That nightmare, where in, I am laying across a rocky place. My body was full of wounds and bruises. The weather was bad and chilly." I repeated.
"That again?"
"This time, Mama. I was with someone." I said. She froze for a second.
"Did you see?" She asked. Her voice, sounded a bit alarmed and unsure.
"No. It was just a figure of a person. I couldn't see well. Everything was a blur. I tried to talk to it, but it won't answer.. Like it was.. Like it was.. Dead." I narrated, shivering at the thought that the person with me was dead.
"I see. It's fine, Dear. It's just a nightmare. Forget all about it, okay?" she said and rubbed my arm up and down, trying to comfort me. I smiled weakly and nodded.
Mama's right.. It's just a nightmare and everything in it is just a figment of my imagination.
I thought to comfort myself. I looked over to her and she smiled sweetly.
"Mama.." I called out softly.
"Yes?" she answered in a sweet, calming voice.
"Thanks, for waking me up, that is." I said and smiled.
"It's no big deal." she said before she stroke my hair and stood, pacing towards the door.
I, myself, stood up as she closed the door behind her and stretched my stiff body limbs. I only have a week now before school starts again. One week to do whatever I want. One week left before I bid goodbye to my favorite place; the Library. Yeah, I know that already. A lot of people pointed that out to me, you know, but that's what I am, though it's not that bad being one, you know? A bookworm, that is.
I walked to my bathroom and stripped out of my sweaty clothes as I turned the shower on. The warm water immediately calmed my nerves as it washed the remnants of that nightmare. I took my sweet time in just being under the shower and let the water fall on my diminutive frame. I tried to look over my body and see if there were left scars on the places that had wounds on my dream but there was none, not even a scratch was left.
So it really was just a nightmare? Then why was someone there at where I laid?
I asked my self and lifted my head to feel the warm water fall on my face.
Nah, I shouldn't dwell on it anymore.
I told myself before I went out and wrapped the towel around my naked body.
I walked to my closet and took a simple white one piece dress that flowed all the way down to my knees. It had frills on it's hems and a ribbon on it's sleeve. I comb my hair down and took a native hat. I rushed downstairs and sat a while to eat my breakfast before I dashed to the front door and slipped my sandals on.
"Mama! If you need me I'll be on my usual spot, Okay?" I cried from the door.
"Yes! Have a great day, Dear." she cried back from wherever part of the house she's at.
I closed the door behind me and started for the shortcut I always take when going to the library. It's not a very friendly path but I ignore it just because it takes me faster for the library.
..
.
"Why, Hello Maka-chan! Came to read again?" the librarian, Uncle Bob, greeted with his usual liveliness and his cup of coffee.
"You won't mind my presence, would you?" I asked as I made my way to my usual spot.
"Oh Dear, you know I always love having you around." he said, taking a sip of his strong black coffee before looking back down to his current book.
"I see, then I'll be on my usual spot." I walked to the window where the sun's rays were abundant and the fresh cold breeze blows gently. I smiled as I found my favorite spot and walked close to it with a book in my grasps.
"The summer breeze gently blows the hair out of my face. The light the sun gives, illuminated the beautiful scenery. The breathtaking landscape before me is nothing but magnificent." I started to read along the lines of the page that I always loved to read.
"The calming sound of the calling birds, the beautiful sound of the rushing water.. Ah! One could see how beautiful this place is!" A voice, full of emotions, continued the next line before me. I whipped my head to my side and saw my best friend giving me her sweet smile.
"Tsubaki! What are you doing here?" I softly exclaimed and stood up to give her a light hug.
"Oh well, thought I'd hang out with you. I guessed you'd be here, and look's like I was right." she said and took a seat opposite of me. I sat back down and stared at her.
"How did you know those lines?" I asked curiosly.
"I heard you repeat that countless of times already that I remembered the most part of it even if I didn't want to." she joked. I giggled softly.
"Sorry." I apologized.
"No need. I had fun listening to you anyway. It's like whenever you read that book, you always had this pretty smile on your face and a light atmosphere around you." she said and leaned over the table and took a good look at the wide open book in front of me.
"Well, I liked it's story." I said sheepishly as I brought the book close to my chest.
"I can see that. What's it about anyway?" she asked.
"It's about how a girl met the boy meant for her. She loved the meadow so much that she spent most of her time in it. She was there, admiring it like what she does almost every day, when one day, a handsome man came out of nowhere. He was beyond perfection. His eyes gleamed beautifully like the most precious gems. His face was carved perfectly. His built was lean yet strong and his hair danced gracefully along the wind." I said dreamily, clutching the book closer to me.
"Whoa! Talk about perfect."
"But, it's all just that, a Story. A man like that can't be real." I said and averted my eyes.
"Yeah, rather than a dream guy, why don't you look around you and settle for what's here and real." Tsubaki said and looked outside the window. In the distance, a figure was waving towards us. I waved back as I recognized it and turned back to Tsubaki.
"But.. I see him as my friend. An important one."
"Give him a chance. He confessed to you already and had been waiting since then. He's been with you for Goddesses-know-how-long. Let go of a dream that's too impossible to be true, Maka. Live in this world; The Reality." she said as she took the book from my hands and set it down with a soft thud. I looked down and let out a deep sigh. I looked back to the figure growing more closer and closer.
"I guess so." I said, with a little hint of uncertainty.
"Go." She urged and pulled me up. She pushed me out of the door after we bid farewell to Uncle Bob, who just gave us a little nod and smile.
"Hey Maka, Tsubaki." He greeted as he approached us.
"Hi Kid." Tsubaki responded first.
"Uhh.. Hello. What brought you here?" I asked.
"Nah, just thought you might want to hang out with us?" he said and gestured to his companions, a friend of mine too. Liz and Patty were talking to one another before they noticed me and waved. I waved back and noticed my one annoying friend playing with a ball, making it cross his arms and shoulders, spin on top of his finger and all sorts.
"You're playing basketball?" I asked.
"Yeah. A little recreation before school starts is good." he said with a bright smile. I returned the smile which they took as an assent. He took my hands in his and pulled me. It's not like I didn't like Kid or anything, but somehow, I am not comfortable with his hold on my hand. I looked over to Tsubaki and sent her a look that I need her. She just smiled and walked beside Black Star.
That girl! She wanted to be with that annoying loud man and dragged me into this!
I thought accusingly and just let Kid drag me.
..
.
What on earth am I doing?
I thought as I held the ball in my hands and stared at it.
"Pass the ball here Maka!" I heard Kid's voice call me. I stood there, not moving, unsure whether I should run and pass the ball or just simply pass it to him. I chose the latter. I threw it as hard as I could and instead of passing it to Kid, the ball somehow found it's own way to the ring.
"Whoa~ You can play Maka." Kid praised. I didn't know how I did it but I guess it was just pure luck.
"I thought you didn't know how to play Basketball." Tsubaki asked.
"I don't. I just threw it and intended to pass it to Kid but I think I placed more force than needed and, quite luckily, the ball found the ring." I said and giggled.
"You are a lucky girl Maka." Liz said and ruffled my hair.
"Hey!" I protested as I ducked to avoid it getting messier than needed.
"Hehe~ Maka-chan's so lucky." Patty said.
"I guess?" I said with an unsure smile.
"That's not fair!" We heard a loud voice exclaim. We all snapped our heads to his direction and gave him confused looks.
"I didn't cheat, you know? It's pure luck." I said defensively.
"YOU'RE STEALING THE SPOTLIGHT FROM YOUR GOD!" his voice boomed so loudly. We sweat-dropped at his claim.
And here I thought he was mad at me for getting that lucky score.
I thought and face-palmed. I heaved a deep sigh and turned around.
"You know, I am exhausted. I'll just go home first." I said and bid them all farewell before I made my way back to the route that usually takes me home.
"I really am not suited for those kind of sports. Owww, my whole body hurts." I complained and gently massaged my arms and shoulders. I pushed the doors to my home open and slid off my sandals.
"I'm home." I called out weakly.
"Welcome back Dear." Mama responded and peeked from the kitchen.
"What do you like for Dinner?" She asked happily. Somehow, her liveliness was infecting and I found myself smiling inspite of my aching muscles.
"Anything, you make tasty dishes after all." I answered and started for the staircase.
"Okay then, I will call you down for dinner." she said before she continued with what she's doing.
"Okay, I'll be in my room then." I answered back and went in my room. I walked directly to my bathroom and stripped out of my sweaty and dirty dress.
Really those guys, making me play basketball despite wearing a dress.
I complained half-heartedly and giggled as I remembered their faces when I made a score. I twisted the faucet and let the warm water pour in my body, washing the fatigue away. After a short shower, I filled the tub and dipped my pained body in, relaxing the sore muscles all over my body. I closed my eyes and leaned back.
[You don't belong here!]
I gasped inaudibly as the voice rang in my head. I sat up abruptly and looked around. No one was in my bathroom except for me.
"Who was that?" I thought aloud and decided to climb out of the tub and changed into fresh clothes. I was combing my hair down when I heard Mama call me.
"Maka! Dinner's ready."
"Coming Down~!" I cried back. I put the brush down and went downstairs.
Have I ever mentioned my Father? I guess not, he's very busy with work and flirting here and there. I sometimes wonder what Mama feels whenever she sees Papa flirting with other women. I wonder if she feels the way I do; getting annoyed, and angry at him for doing such insolence.
"What's wrong, Dear? something on my face?" she asked when she noticed me staring at her from the doorway. I snapped out at that moment and walked close to the table.
"No. It's nothing." I lied and pulled a chair out and sat.
"Here, Help yourself." she said with a bright smile and placed my food in front of me.
"Where's Papa? It's getting late." I asked and avoided to meet her eyes. I am not sure what to expect to see when I look into her eyes.
"I think.. maybe just got a little bit late off work." she answered brightly, without a trace of insecurity, anxiousness and distrust. I sometimes hate that side of her but greatly admire her for trusting my idiotic father so much. As if on cue, the doorbell reverberated across the house.
"Ah! There he is." she exclaimed and smiled sweetly.
"Speak of the devil." I murmured under my breath as I stabbed my viand with my fork.
"I'm Home!" his hard and low baritone voice boomed around the house.
"Welcome Home, You're just in time for dinner." Mama's cheerful voice answered him. It turned silent and all I could hear were their footsteps closing in the kitchen.
"Maka Angel!" he exclaimed and rushed towards me to give me a hug, probably. I stood up abruptly from my seat and brought my plate along with me. Because I stood up all of a sudden, I caught him off guard and his knees came into a painful contact with my chair.
"Oww." he grunted and held his knees. I looked over to him and watched him rub his knees when he noticed that and lookes up to me with his usual act; puppy-like eyes.
"Hmp." I gave him the cold shoulder and dumped my plate on the sink and washed my hands.
"I'm going to my room." I said to no one in particular and wiped my hands on a cloth near the sink.
"Okay." Mama and Papa answered at the same time.
I reached my room and closed the door behind me and just then, a message came in and my phone beeped. I walked to my dresser and took my phone with me and plopped on the bed.
- Let's all meet up tomorrow in the Central Park, Okay? Time: 10:00am SHARP! No late comers allowed and No refusals! Bring with you swimwears too ;) Okay? It's settled then. See ya tomorrow guys!
-Tsubaki : ) -
It read. I sighed as I tossed my phone to my side and closed my eyes.
"Swimwear.. I bet she wants to go to the beach then. Oh well, might as well have fun before school starts." I monologue and curled as I felt sleep pulled me into it's arms.
Author's Rants :
Hey guys! I made a new story :) Are you happy? Cause I am. Anyway I did another since a lot were asking that I make a Sequel for Red-Eyed Demon or a new one, but I am finished with Red-Eyed Demon so I settled for making a new one. Is it fine? I hope so. Anyway, I'll wait to hear from you about how you find this story, okay? l'm going to expect your reviews. Thanks!
-Halloween Godspell~