Note: This is going to be a liiiiittle creepy. It's going to get worse.
Chapter Four: Dreams
Zel pulled the covers closer to his chin as he slept.
*** ***
Cold. Still. She felt cold and still to his touch. It's not true. It can't be true. Katherine was behind him, silent
as stone. He said to the wall, "It's not true. Young people never die. Only the old do. Everyone knows that."
"Dis, she's dead. Accept it!" Katherine snapped back with a solemn expression. Zel spun around, "You lie! She's just
asleep, s'all. Just sleeping." He began to shake her, "Wake up. Show her you're alive." She did not respond. "Come on! Wake
up!" He lost all his strength and began sliding to the floor, "Only old people die... wake up..." He began to wail. His
mother did not respond to his cries. She never did again.
FLASH
The heat of the funeral fire made his sweat drip down his face in long lines. He was not crying now. Neither was his
father. The rest of the village was bawling their eyes out, including Eris. He looked indifferently at the dancing flames. He
could hear his father say something to himself but he could not hear the exact words. His father was patting his shoulder.
He bent down to his son's height.
"You'll be okay. Life will move on."
"I know," he was saying back, without feeling it. He had been hearing only that for the past week. "Okay" was
beginning to mean nothing to him.
"Just promise me something."
Zel nodded, he wasn't listening though. "I want you to be strong. And to help others. And remember to stand up for
yourself. Lead a good life. Remember your parents." He took a breath, "Remember that whatever you do, we will always love you. You are
our golden child, remember that. I promise me that you'll never forget how special and beautiful you are." He went to a
standing position sharply and strode elegantly to the fire. Zel could hear everyone whispering to give his father his space.
In a blink, he was jumping and flames were consuming him.
Chaos erupted. Women screaming, children asking questions or crying, men running around, shouting orders that no one
was following. And Zel's father cremated himself before their very eyes. Zel's knees started to give and he didn't fight. He
slid to the ground, emotionless. He was just sitting there, apart from the chaos around him. It was just him and the fire.
Not a tear fell. He was staring at the ground now. He said aloud, though no one alive was listening to him.
"I promise."
FLASH
He began to beat against the metal plank he was bound to.
"Let me go! Grandfather, let go!"
WHREEEEEEEEEEEEEEE!
FLASH
He tilted his head and snapped back, "My mother's dead too. Don't act so high and mighty because your mother just
died."
The over-endowed girl screamed, "You just don't care! You're completely heartless."
He began to laugh insanely, "Oh, I forgot, my pain doesn't matter to you. My pain is heartless and your pain is
noble. That is justice to you."
"Your mother was just a peasant! Who cares?!"
"Your mother was just a queen! Who cares?"
"My mother was beautiful woman. The most beautiful woman ever to walk."
"So was mine!"
"My mother had a heart of gold!"
"Mine did too!"
"Everyone loved her!"
"Well, someone sure as hell didn't like her!" The girl's eyes brimmed over with tears. "Of course, what do I know...
I'm just a peasant."
FLASH
Blood was dripping on to the floor from his tunic. That man! He did it!
FLASH
Grandfather was sighing, "I can't deny it. I can't rid of it. Just don't it again. It frightens people."
Zel lowered his eyes, "I did help them..."
"Yes, but, it could've gotten you killed. Or sent away. Do you want to be sent away?"
"No, Grandfather."
"Then you'll follow my advice." Zel began to nod.
FLASH
"Do you wish to be strong, Zelgadis? You'll completely transformed."
FLASH
The blonde woman had just kissed him. It began to grow dark. He could hear his mother screaming his name. He could
also hear someone laughing. He didn't even hear the joke.
*** ***
Zel bolted awake. He gasped and drew deep breaths. It was a nightmare, wasn't it? Or was it real? He knew that those
scary scenes weren't something his mind devised, they were memories of the other him. It frightened him.
They were events that hadn't even happened yet... or had they? Was his mama and papa really dead? He suddenly felt
very small and alone.
He got out of his bed and climbed into Red's bed. Red was obviously the leading lady and the leading lady is always
a mother. Red rolled over, squishing him. Zel waved his arms to move her. She kicked him out of the bed. He got back in the
bed. She shoved him out while she was still snoring.
He gave up after five rounds. He looked at Big Guy. Men weren't good nightmare relievers. He looked at Lady. He
climbed into Lady's bed and spent the rest of the night there.
To Be Continued
Author's Notes: Wow, that was short. Don't worry, the dream will become longer and more detailed... and spookier! I don't own
these characters, except Katherine, I made her up.
C&C are welcome and needed at destinyplot@lycos.com. I'll accept anything, flames and all. Or even if you just want to talk
about almost anything, that's welcome too.
See you when the next chapter is done!
Oh, if his parents are alive or died in another matter, don't go screaming at me, please. Let me save time and tell you what
I'll say if you yell at me about that: Creative License.