Chapter 3: Visits From Mom and Dad Are Always Fun I Guess

It seems as though every time I fall asleep, or just simply close my eyes, the nightmares attack me. But for some reason, this time the dream was different.

The nightmares started out like they always do. My 2-year-old self is sitting in my old house looking out the bedroom window at the foreboding sky above. Rain is pouring down and every so often there is a lightning strike followed by a clap of thunder. I was hugging one of my childhood blankets tight to my chest. Tears streamed down my cheeks as I was genuinely scared. I felt as though the lightning was coming for me. I cried and screamed as a huge lightning strike cracked and the thunder that followed shook the house. My father came running into my room yelling my name.

Once he saw me at the window he exhaled, the worry leaving his face. He strode over and picked me up into his big strong arms. He then closed the curtains to the window so that the storm was no longer visible. He took me over to the corner where we read our bedtime stories in the rocking chair. He sat down in the rocking chair with me on his lap. He looked at me with his electric blue eyes. My Grandma always says I have my father's eyes, that they are as blue as the sky.

"My little Cyan," he said. "There is no need to be afraid of the thunder and lightning. Do you know why?"

I shook my head back and forth, still too afraid to speak.

"Well now. I am going to tell you a little story about why you shouldn't be scared of the lightning and thunder."

The scene then shifted to my Grandma's house. This was different to my other nightmares, as normally the scenes changed from different monsters and battles of various events that I didn't have any connection to.

My Grandma's house was decorated as it normally was on Christmas Eve. In front of me stood the Christmas tree decorated with various ornaments, and beside it the fire place was blazing. On the little coffee table to my right was a plate full of Baklava, my favorite sweet treat. I could tell that the Baklava was fresh out of the oven, as the sweet cinnamon smell filled the room.

"Oh, my child," a voice behind me said.

I turned to find a lady with flowing black hair staring back at me. My Mom smiled softly at me, her eyes crinkling as she did so. I ran to her and gave her a big hug. She embraced me and kissed me on my forehead. My mom was beautiful in a stern way. She was a very strong and tough lady.

"My darling," she said as she held my shoulders and looked into my eyes. I could feel tears slowly forming at the corners of my eyes.

"You are so brave, and you have come so far."

I smiled back at her. Just hearing her voice again made me smile.

Her expression then turned serious. A look of deep concern, and maybe regret, passed over her face.

"But it seems that you can no longer stay hidden. They have found you," she said as she started to stand up straight.

"Your life will not be the same from here on out. You are going to face many obstacles. Not just with monsters but with your fellow brethren as well. Many people are going to hate you and want you dead. I hope, though, that some will help you and befriend you despite your lineage."

I knit my eyebrows and scrunched up my nose, something I do when I am confused. I was shocked to hear her say those words. I didn't understand what she was talking about. I hadn't done anything wrong in my life, ever! The worst thing I've ever done was lie to my Grandma once about eating only one lollypop when I was around 5 years old, when in fact I actually ate two.

"Mom, what are you talking about? I don't-"

"There's not much time sweetie for me to explain. Just know that you are very strong. Stronger than most. Probably the strongest child ever."

She began to fade away. The scene around me started to shake, and the ground beneath me started to crumble away.

"Mom! Don't leave me!"

"I am always with you my darling," she said. "Know that no matter what, I do love you deeply."

With those last words she completely faded away, and I started to fall into nothingness as the floor and Christmas Eve scene at Grandma's house disappeared.