A.N. Another day, another story. I may have a problem... Welcome all! Happy to see my loyal readers, as well as anyone new. You are all appreciated. Thoughts for this story came to me, unbidden, while I was writing my other stories. I tried to ignore it for a little while, because I had already done a quest story, but scenes kept popping up in my dreams, and I couldn't let it go. So, here we are. This will be different than "Dreamwalker" in quite a few ways. Danica will be much the same, with a similar history, but there will a few alterations, and she will not have the Sight. I will be hoping to upload at least twice a month, especially since most of it is already written. I will also still be uploading to "What Dreams May Come."
Disclaimer: I own nothing except my original characters and plot points.
The warm sand felt like heaven between her toes while a light breeze gently stirred her hair, and eased some of the heat from the sun. Danica had never really liked the heat, but this vacation was changing her mind. It was February, which meant snow and ice back home. This far south, it was warm year-round, and it was a particularly warm day in St. Lucia. Convincing her parents to let her go with her cousin had been difficult, but her doctor had said that the warmth and change of scenery would do her some good. She had said that, as she was 27, she could make her own decisions, but that hadn't held as much sway as her doctor's recommendation. Thankfully, when she had booked her plane ticket, they hadn't tried to stop her.
Smiling, Danica stretched her arms up to the sky, and took a couple of steps forward, until the tide of the Atlantic washed over the tops of her feet. It was shallow for quite a few yards, but she and her cousin were going to dinner soon, and she didn't want to risk getting her dress soaked. It was a pretty, yellow sundress she had seen in town the day before, and had decided to spoil herself. Her cousin Tiana had curled her hair for dinner, stating that there were plenty of good-looking men around, and she was determined to find one for Danica. Though still unsure about the idea, Danica found herself getting nervous and excited. It had been so long since she had even flirted, and she hoped she wouldn't be too awkward if the opportunity arrived.
Realizing that time was running out, she sighed and began walking back, making sure to grab her sandals. The wind suddenly shifted, and she could hear someone crying out; a desperate, frightened sound that stole the warmth from the air. Danica shivered, and looked around for whoever was in distress. There was no one thrashing in the water, and none of the other beach-goers seemed alarmed. When the cry reached her ears again, she knew it came from the water, and felt her stomach drop. It was like she had heard that voice before. Frightened, she turned to find someone to help, then stopped in her tracks as a new voice joined the first. It was deep, male, and familiar, bringing back images of her childhood. She spun back to the water, expecting to see someone there, though she didn't know who.
There was no one there. Drawn by the voice, she walked back into the water, not really seeing where she was going. Soon, the sound of rain tickled her ears, rising above the crash of the surf. Brows drawn together, she looked for what could be making these sounds. The day was bright, with no clouds in sight, and there was no one close enough to her to be the speaker she heard. A light reflected strangely in the water, catching her eye. There was a small sand dune that made an island in the water just before the shallows plunged to the darkness of open sea. Danica continued to wade out, picking up her skirt when the water crept above her knees.
"Who's there?" she called, her voice sounding timid. She felt ridiculous, but the male voice suddenly cut off. "Who's there?" she asked again.
The male voice answered, but she couldn't make out the words. Hearing her own name, she looked back to the shore to see Tiana calling for her. With a start, she realized that she was right in front of the drop off. She could now see that the strange light she saw earlier was coming from a large object, shining in the dark. Now, instead of being drawn to it, she felt afraid. Something called to her from the depths, equally seductive and terrible. She took one step back, then two, but didn't seem to move anywhere. To her horror, she was being pulled closer to the deep. Tiana was running out to her, yelling her name in panic. Danica let out a quick scream before she was enveloped in a bright light.
A great darkness replaced the light, and she couldn't be sure if she was falling or flying. She reached out, but there was nothing to hold on to. Another scream tore from her throat, but then she heard that same, deep voice from before, calling out.
"Help!" she cried, hands flailing.
"Do not fear, young one," a soothing, female voice echoed around her. "This is merely a journey from where you were, to your next destination,"
"I don't understand," Danica's voice hitched and sobbed as she fought against panic. A warmth surrounded her, easing away her tension.
"You will. Your destiny lies before you, where those who need you are waiting. There is something you must remember, little one: You were not meant to change their fate, but to bring the world back to its destined course,"
When she opened her eyes again, the dark seemed like a dream. She blinked a couple of times, trying to take in the green hills around her. That couldn't be right. It was also cold and overcast, promising more rain to add to the puddles on the muddy path. A sound like heavy footprints had her spinning to see a cougar stepping forward from behind a tree. She frowned when a sudden wave of vertigo hit her.
"Damn, terrible timing," she groaned, frustration mixing with fear. Her hand only made it halfway to her head before her knees buckled. The last thing she heard before she lost consciousness were some panicked voices heading her way.
P.S. Short and sweet to start us off. 😊 No guarantee that the chapters will stay short. Haha….I have a tendency for long chapters. Anywho. Reviews and comments would be lovely!