1. Screams

I nearly collapsed in a fit of coughs. The air was filled with blood-colored smoke. I tried to wave it away so I could see, but my hand only disappeared in the thick fog.

It's time to wake up, Joseph.

"What?" I spun around, but I saw nothing in the smoke.

You have a destiny to fulfill.

"Who's there?" Another round of coughs came over me. "Hello?"

I took a tentative step forward. The fog was too much. I wouldn't even be able to tell if there was a crater in front of me.

Keep going.

I wasn't sure how trustworthy this mysterious voice was, but I had no other option given my current situation. Cautiously, my feet inched forward.

I ended up walking for what felt like hours. My body ached and it was getting harder and harder to breathe. When it felt like I couldn't make it anymore, the voice spoke again.

This is your future if you do not realize your true potential.

The deep-red smog slowly dissipated all around me.

I wish it hadn't.

The ground was barren and lifeless. A black cloud covered the sky and the sun. The only light came from the fires. The fires that were burning the bodies.

I faltered backwards. The voice had led me to a cliff looking out over this tragedy.

The bodies of departed people were strewn across the ground. They were dressed in clothes you'd see somebody wear on any given day.

They were innocent. Only guilty of being in the wrong place at the wrong time.

"Who are you? Why are you showing me this?" My eyes scanned the area around me, but I saw no one.

Who I am is not yet important.

I turned back to the scene in front of me. Off in the distance I saw a broad structure with great towers shooting off into the ominous cloud that hung over everything. It appeared to be the only thing left standing.

"What is this place?"

Your future.

"My what? How did this happen?" I tried to backpedal away from the scene, but an invisible wall had me trapped in my spot. I could do nothing but stare at the carnage.

This is the future if you stay on your current path. But you are coming to a crossroads young Joseph. Choose wisely, and this can all be avoided.

"A crossroads? What are you talking about? What does all this mean?"

It's time to wake up, Joseph. You have a destiny to fulfill.

My eyes snapped open and I straight shot up. I was drenched in sweat. My chest rose and fell as my panicked breaths fell over my lips. Sydney lifted her head and looked up at me through half open eyes.

"Joe? What is it? Did something happen?" She squinted around the room, looking for anything out of place.

"It's nothing. Just a weird dream. I'm sorry for waking you. Go back to bed."

"Are you sure you're okay?" She looked at me with concern.

"I'll be fine. Go to sleep."

She quickly closed her eyes, rolled over, and went back to sleep. I watched her gentle breaths and tried to calm my own.

"It was just a dream, Joe. It meant nothing," I spoke softly to myself.

And yet, why did that feel like a lie?

I looked down at Sydney and gently stroked her hair, an old habit of mine. She never woke when I did it, and it was always comforting for me. I sighed and kept telling myself it was just a dream.

Once I had gotten my pulse back down to a reasonable rate, I decided to try to go back to sleep. I just hoped I wouldn't have any more foreboding dreams.

And I was right. I didn't have any more foreboding dreams.

Sydney sat bolt upright, screaming.

I looked at her to identify what was wrong. She was doubled over, clutching her head. The scar on the right side of her face was glowing bright green. She screamed again and squeezed her eyes shut. Her teeth were clenched and her whole face was strained in agony.

I wrapped my arms around her. Nightmares used to be a normal occurrence for her, but the longer she was away from Draylon, the less frequent they became. But even I could see that this was something else.

I held her tight. "It's okay, Sydney. Just breathe. It's not real."

She started spasming in my arms. I held on tighter. "I got you. I'm not letting go, ever."

I felt her go limp and the shining light emanating from her scar faded away.

"Sydney?" I got no response. "Sydney!" I shook her, trying to get a response. I heard a faint murmur escape her lips.

"What?" I leaned in closer.

"J-Jade… Anna…" I barely understood her.

"Jade and Anna? What about Jade and Anna?" I tried to ask her.

But she had passed out in my arms. I was torn between staying with her and checking on Jade. She wouldn't have said her name for nothing, right?

I studied Sydney and resolved that there was nothing that I could do for her now. I carefully set her down in our bed. She remained unmoving, not a good sign.

I rapidly dashed down the hall into Jade's room. I burst through the door.

Her bed was empty. I felt my heart break. "Jade?" I searched around the room, hoping she was just playing hide and seek. There was no sign of her. I almost collapsed in grief, but I remembered Sydney had also mentioned Anna.

"Anna…" I ran back into the master bedroom. Sydney was still unconscious on the bed. I cringed. She'll wake up. She has to.

I snatched my phone and called Anna. The phone rang and rang. No response. I tried again. Still no response.

And then I did something I'd never thought I'd do. I called Skyler.

He answered on the third ring. "Hello?" His voice was groggy. He had probably been sleeping. Lucky him.

"Is Anna there?"

I heard him sigh. "Joe, you need to accept that Anna and I are getting married. Yes, we live together."

"That's not what I meant. Is Anna there? Now?"

"She's probably in the bathroom or something."

"Check."

"Check? Joe, Anna is-"

"Jade's gone."

He was silent. "What?"

"I don't know what happened. Sydney was screaming, her scar was glowing this weird green colour, she said Jade and Anna's names, and then passed out." I was panicking now. "She's still not awake and Jade is gone. I'll ask you one more time. Is Anna there?"

I heard rustling, presumably him getting up.

"I- I can't find her. Oh god. Joe, what do you think-" He sounded as distressed as I felt.

"I don't know. Look, I think you need to get over here as soon as possible. We need to figure this out. Hopefully, Sydney wakes up soon." I sat down on the bed. I stared at Sydney. I wanted to help her so badly. I reached out to touch her and stroke her cheek. Her skin was cold. My heart stopped. This was not happening.

"I'll be there in ten minutes."

A/N - How's that for a first chapter? I am so excited to finally be posting this. It has been sitting on my computer for years. It's a little fast-paced, but most of the chapters will be pretty long, unlike this first one. I plan on making this a story one that I'll be proud of. So I want to see all your thoughts on this. Don't be afraid to critique a little!

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