I was running through some sort of garden area, dressed in an expensive, luxuriously full skirted dress that looked like it was from a long time ago- maybe the renaissance or something. It was beautiful, I loved the green color of it.
I giggled as I ran, calling out for someone, telling them to catch me if they could. Whomever it was, was chasing me, though it seemed they were only doing so halfheartedly. Though I like games like this one, some sort of chasing game, I can't help but wonder what's going on. I certainly don't own any old dresses like that one.
I make it to the bench and turn around, "You are meant to catch me."
"But if I catch you, the game will be over." I look into the face of the most handsome man I have ever seen and can't help but feel drawn to him.
We take a seat on the bench and he begins to talk more, in that rough, yet somehow velvety voice of his.
I mention something about a man named Klaus, he was supposed to spend the day with me. But I don't really pay attention to whatever it is I just said, I'm more curious about the man in front of me. For a moment I'm off in my thoughts before I realize he is saying something.
"Yes, Klaus does not live by any rules but his own."
"He is a very charming man. Hard for anyone to resist I suppose..." I trail off, and don't really feel connected to my words.
"And yet?" His tone is inquisitive.
"And yet, I do not know why he has summoned me here. He seems not to care about me at all." I feel a small sting of rejection, at the thought of this unknown man thinking so little of me.
"Many a union has been built on much less."
"Is it wrong to want more?" I feel like I'm grasping at straws, like there's no chance for a happy ending for me. Like I won't know love, no matter how hard I tried to find it.
"Do you have more with Trevor?" He seems off-put by the idea, and I can see a sour look under his cool exterior.
Before I know what I'm doing or have the chance to ponder who this Trevor might be more words spill from my mouth, "Trevor believes that he loves me, but true love is not real unless it is returned. Do you agree?"
"I do not believe in love, Katerina" I feel like I'm on cloud nine when he says my name- my true Bulgarian name and not the English version Katherine- before his words hit me and I begin to deflate at his confession, the confession of someone who is a stranger to me.
"That is too sad for me to accept, my Lord. Life is too cruel. If we cease to believe in love, why would we want to live?" The words tumble from my mouth, conviction in every one.
Suddenly a man approaches, his white collar covered in dripping blood though there is not a scratch on him and we jump to our feet.
"Oh! Are you hurt?" I refrain from reaching out to check for any wounds that are covered by his hair or collar.
"I am fine Katerina, there was a bit of a fight at the bar." I see through him immediately. I've always had a knack for knowing a lie when I hear one but I play along. "OH!" I exclaim, pretending to be worried about him. I doubt it was very convincing as I really could not bring myself to care.
When he left to change I was ambushed by servants to take me away for some dinner. I watched his face over my shoulder as I was whisked away from him, and I watched his eyes until he was out of my sight.
Suddenly everything was dark, and I knew it was evening. But it had only just been mid afternoon a moment ago, what happened to the light?
I found myself outside, near the stables when I heard his voice. I smiled immediately and was about to burst in and meet him but I stopped, my blood running cold and my smile slipping off my face. He was talking about a ritual in which I was to be a sacrifice.
He didn't truly care for me, just that I remained alive until his brother Klaus could kill me ceremoniously.
Hurriedly I crept away through the woods and ran as fast as I could once I thought I was far enough away, but Trevor and his friend Rose found me and forced me into the cottage they stayed in on the edge of the property. They were with them, they wanted me gone. Dead.
I pleaded and pleaded with them to let me die, or to let me go, but they refused saying Klaus would kill them if they did. Didn't they know how horribly I was to die by his hands? Was my life not important to them?
After I attempted to kill myself by stabbing myself in the stomach Rose had forced me to drink her blood and took my weapon. A few moments later I no longer felt pain in my abdomen but I heard the sound of horses and Elijah calling for me.
"Watch her." Trevor instructed her and left to go, to speak to Elijah I assumed. Rose left the room as well, after removing anything she though I might use to injure myself.
Just as I hear Elijah enter the cottage I finish tying the rope around my neck and prepare to kick the chair out from under me.
I found myself crying, not ready to die but not willing to give them what they wanted. Taking a deep breath, I kicked the chair at the same time I heard Elijah call my name.
I bolt upright in my bed, breathing hard. I haven't had this nightmare since I was a little girl, and I had thought it was gone for good.
I reach over and turn on my bedside lamp and look around, inspecting the room as if the cause of my problem would simply become known. Glancing at the digital clock I realize it is pointless to return to bed, it's 5 minutes to 6am and I have to get ready for school soon anyways. I can't believe I'm in college. I actually like it, not to mention my twin sister and Caroline are my roommates. Jumping up quietly I make my bed and head for the shower, we are SO lucky we have one in our dorm. When I finally leave the bathroom Sel and Care are getting up too.
"Morning sleepyheads." I chirp before moving into the miniature kitchenette we've been blessed with and begin to make some breakfast.
"How are you even up?" Care groans as she grabs some clothes before trudging to the bathroom.
"Seriously?" Sel plops herself down on the futon, dressed in sweatpants and a tank which she most likely will wear all day.
"I don't know." I don't like lying but if I don't she'll be all worried, then Care will be all worried, and I just don't want to deal with them babying me. I love them both to death, but I'm not a child and don't wish to be treated as such.
Quickly I washed off all the dishes I used and poured us each a travel mug of coffee just as Caroline came out of the bathroom looking impeccable as usual.
"Ready?"
"Ready." They nod in unison and I hand them their coffee before grabbing my own. Throwing my bag of books over my shoulder we exit our room and hurry out to our first class. It was an art style class- we could do whatever project we wanted so long as it captured the ideas we were given. Selena prefers putting together videos of her moves, but will make sculptures, poems, and paintings if she has to. Care's favorite is painting. So long as we capture the meaning of the assignment at hand, portray the ideals the professor gives us appropriately, then we pass.
Sitting down I begin to sketch his face, the face I've known and memorized since I was little- the face of the man from my dream slash nightmare. I had a hard time believing anyone this handsome was trouble, or the cause of harm to me. Even if it was just a dream.
"Elijah?" I hear Care mutter and I glance up with a raised eyebrow, "What did you just say?"
"No-nothing. Nothing." She stammers and pulls out her phone. "Just talking to myself."
"Okay?" maybe she means someone else, actually knows an Elijah.
I shake my head to clear my thoughts, turning to my sketchbook I continue to draw and sooner than I think possible the allotted time for class is over and I've filled my entire book.
I gather my bag and books and join the others by the door. "Are we going to The Grill tonight?" we'd been planning on going for months now but every time we try it gets canceled for some reason or the other.
"Oh um- I think I might have something else going on-"
"Care, we've been planning this for months. Nothing bad will happen if we go to the Grill tonight."
Are you just worried about college life mixing with your home life?" Sel asks abruptly.
She sighs, "All right we'll go, but if I say it's time to go. I mean it, okay?"
Sel and I look at each other, coming to an unspoken agreement before looking back at Care "Okay."
"Great! Let's go!" Sel hollers happily and we giggle as we make our way out to my car. It's a vintage '67 convertible impala and I love it.
After we're all buckled in we turn up the radio before driving over to the other dorms to pick up Sage and Cece who are waiting for us- though maybe not as patiently as they could be.
"C'mon let's go!" Cece urges, she's been dying to get away from college for a day or two. Sage is much more patient, probably cause she's been there before.
"Aaaaannnnddddd, we're off!" Selena cheers as we pull away from the college and we blast the radio as soon as we're far enough. As we drive we all sing along and shout the words at each other of the tunes.