She jerked awake suddenly, stolen from a deep slumber that was both fulfilling and peaceful. Away from the trauma and lies, sleep had been her sanctuary. But know she was awake and reality was waiting for her. She sat up slowly, enjoying the final traces of sleep that still desperately clung to her.
As she opened her eyes, she was greeted by something so wonderful she was sure she must still be dreaming, for in front of wide childlike eyes lay a most beautiful sight. A soft, green, luscious forest awaited her. She stared in awe, for the plants themselves seemed to be aglow with happiness. And in that moment she knew that the forest was happy to see her too.
She smiled before looking down at herself, shocked by what she saw, replacing her old and worn pajamas was a beautiful pale blue dress that glittered softly in the moonlight. Suddenly she realized that another thing was different also. She had wings. Beautiful, Translucent, Stunning, Gorgeous, all of these words came to mind as she stared in wonder, flapping them gently and admiring the way they twinkled in the soft glow of the moon.
She stood gracefully, wondering what other mysteries awaited her in this haunting and confusing paradise she has found herself in. In the distance, only a stones throw away there was an arch of dark, rich green vines and she just knew that she needed to go there next. She stood from her soft resting place and walked forward, not sure what to expect, but it certainly wasn't this.
Before her lay a tiny stone graveyard, which confused her immensely. In a place this beautiful there shouldn't be any death. Next to the entrance lay a guardian. One tiny sleeping fawn, tiny white dots sprinkled over the animals cinnamon back, glowing gently in the soft light of the moon.
The moon, one thing she hadn't thought to look at since she arrived here. She peered up into the dusky sky and what she saw is still ingrained in her mind to this day. For as she smiled up at the moon, it smiled at her too, and somehow she knew the moon was the ruler and guardian of this wonderland she had wandered into. With one last loving look at the moon, she started forward again, this time heading toward an arch of yellow and crimson flowers, and she could the soft trickling sound of water from beyond.
Coming out from under the arch she was greeted by one tiny stream, happy golden minnows swam daintily in the current and as she watched them she realized, they seemed to be singing to themselves, a happy tune which no human could ever translate. She smiled at them before continued on a few paces and sitting on a tiny boulder right next to the waters edge.
Gently, carefully, one porcelain hand reached into the silent stream and she humbly washed her feet. Slowly, she became drowsy once again under another arch, this one with white flowers laced with purple ribbon she lays down in the field of sunflowers and roses and drifted off the sleep with the moon keeping watch over her.
BEEP! BEEP! BEEP! BEEP!
What is that terrible sound? Sitting up and sighing she pressed her hand onto the top of the little machine on her dresser and wondered briefly if someday, she would be privileged with a return visit.
Eight years later, her wish was granted.