Universal Impact

Chapter 13

Realisation

3rd November 2009

Park Vale Comprehensive School

He left the room with a zap. For a moment, I questioned if this Dream Lord was real or a realistic figment of my vivid imagination. I washed my hands and the moment I walked out of the room, I found myself in the chemistry classroom.

''O...kay. This is weird,'' I said.

''Go on. Have a little stroll down the corridor,'' the Dream Lord said behind me.

I did as he said and as I walked down the corridors, I realised that the school was empty. I reached the P.E. wing and found Luke in the gym. He was dressed in a Park Vale t-shirt and nylon shorts. He seemed scared until he saw me approach him.

''Emma... how did I get here? One second, we were playing volleyball and another second, everyone's gone. How come we're the only ones here?''

''I have no clue. You didn't come across the Dream Lord, did you?''

He furrowed his brow and said, ''Dream Lord?''

A zap was heard behind us and once we turned around, our adversary said, ''Why hello, Luke. Don't you two look good together. You didn't think I would make you go through this alone, did you, Emma?''

''Well, in a way, yes. And we're not dating. We just met each other a few hours ago.''

''I didn't ask if you were. I forgot to mention, I can read minds, as well as dreams.''

Luke blushed slightly and the Dream Lord continued his rant.

''If you were wondering, the challenge is still the same, but as you know, I have a few tricks up my sleeve that I would love to use on you two. For example...''

A loud sound was heard. We covered our ears because it pierced our eardrums. I looked up and the room was pulling apart between us. Luke became a distorted blur as the Dream Lord transported us to our own personal dimensions. I landed with a thud on the ground. I painfully stood up and realised I was standing on nothing but black ground. All around me was darkness. I jumped on the ground to make sure it was stable. I spun around and in front of me stood an old man with white hair in a suit. I jumped back, startled. He didn't speak or move. I turned around and ten other men stood a few feet away from me, forming a circle. They were all looking at me solemnly.

To my right, stood Dad. He looked very solemn for some reason. All of then had that look in their eyes like they were expecting something great from me. Not a physical object, but something like loyalty or bravery. I now realised who the men were. This is the thing I fear the most. Not living up to his expectations. My emotions exploded and I sat down, put my knees up to my chin and cried because I felt so... overwhelmed, unworthy of my ability and most of all, I felt like they all overestimated me.

I heard the Dream Lord appear behind me and I said, ''Why are you doing this to me? Just stop torturing me. Just stop it!''

''What is that? Do I hear the Doctor's daughter giving up? I thought you would last much longer than this. Well, if you really can't take it-''

''No! I want to keep going until I persuade you to stop intruding people's thoughts and dreams! Come on, what's next?''

He was slightly taken aback at my change in emotion and said, ''Wow you're determined. I mean really. You're Dad isn't as near as determined as you and from what I've seen he's the most determined person I've met.''

''You've met him before? When?''

He made a circle around me and he said, ''Long time ago. But just in case you were wondering their tests were a lot different than yours... So, Luke Smith, then. He must mean a lot to you.''

''Er... I guess... I mean he's nice and all, but-''

''But he fell in love with you the second he saw you. Your thoughts about him are screaming that you have an attraction to him.''

''I only like him as a friend.. sure, he's cute... and I want our friendship to last a long time before we go into anything like that.''

''Ohh Emma. You're pretty stubborn. You know what I'll do? I'll put you two love birds together, and test you both. See how you two do under pressure.''

As soon as he said that, I was transported to a random corridor in the school.

''Emma! Where are you?'' I heard Luke yell about a hundred metres away from me.

''Luke!,'' I yelled, turning around, trying to guess where he would be. I ran in the direction I thought would lead me to him. I ran through the corridor and once I turned the corner, I found that I was back in the corridor I was in a minute ago.

I sighed in frustration. My adversary came behind me and said, ''You still don't get it, do you? You're standing on their base. And you will be the one to set them free.''

I knew who he was. Grr I'm so stupid! How could I not figure this out so much sooner?

''How many people have you lured here in this trap like you lured me? How many people have fallen victim to this?,'' I demanded.

''Not many. The majority of people here can't see me, but those who do... let's just say they go into a sort of hibernation.''

''I knew it was you all along. Please. Don't do this to me. There's always another way.''

''You have to. . . . . Do you feel your eyes getting all droopy? You've been through so much today. I think you better have a little nap.''

I felt myself fall to the ground without protest and closed my eyes. I couldn't see, hear or feel anything until a couple minutes later.