Trudging up the steep hill to her campus, Sarah sighed. The blustery winds
caused the trees to sway and leaves to swirl around her. The road beside
her was empty. It seemed as though everyone else had had the presence of
mind to stay inside tonight. Except her, of course. When her internship
called Sarah had to answer, but why the buses stopped running up the hill
past seven thirty, she would never understand. The bitter cold air sneaking
down her collar through the scarf she wore, making her shiver. How had it
become winter so quickly? It seemed like the leaves had begun to fall just
yesterday. Her semester had flown.
She so desperately wanted to go straight to her dorm room, change into some warm pajamas and jump into her bed. It was such a tempting thought. But there was still her eight o'clock tutoring appointment in the library. Then she had her own studying to do for her last exam tomorrow night and the final mythology paper to finish. It seemed as though her responsibilities would never end. She just wanted to go home.
Sarah turned quickly down a wide brick pathway, her arms wrapped around herself in an attempt at warmth that failed miserably. Bright spotlights pointed up, illuminating the nearly leafless trees on either side of the walkway, barely lighting the broad face of the Main Hall at the end of the path, casting odd shadows across the turrets. Off to the left, a warm soft glow emanated from the windows of the library that was her goal. It was just a little farther and then she'd be inside. A harsh wind caressed her neck, tousling her hair unmercifully.
It was Thursday night. Her girlfriends were probably just starting to get ready to go out tonight, heading to their favorite local bar for a few drinks and a dance. Partaking in some much-desired relaxation from the end of semester pressure and one last night out with the girls.
How I wish I could join them.
For a split second she reconsidered her evening's plans, imagining herself out with her friends, blowing off her work and enjoying a night out for all it was worth. Well, realistically, most of her girlfriends didn't have a final paper due at nine in the morning. Most of them didn't have to depend on their measly tutoring paycheck to get them through the winter break. She furrowed her brow. Nope. There would be no lighthearted revelry for her tonight. Not with everything she had to get done before morning.
Resigned to her fate, Sarah increased the pace of her steps. Dry leaves whirled on the path ahead of her, settling down into piles around the tree trunks on either side. The wind quietly roared, causing the leafless branches overhead to dip and shake. Moments later, she pulled open the glass doors and escaped into the welcome warmth of the library building, breathing a soft sigh of relief.
From outside at a higher vantage point unreadable eyes watched her walk inside.
***************************************************
Sarah pulled the door closed behind her, struggling with it a little against the driving wind. Looking around, she saw that the library was packed. Every single computer was taken. Each with a frazzled looking student pounding away frantically at the keys.
Well, Sarah thought, chuckling to herself. At least I'm not the only one that's a compulsive procrastinator. Suddenly she was very grateful to have her laptop. She could only imagine the computer center would be just busy.
Walking past the circulation desk, she headed for the stairwell. There was a comfortable study area upstairs that was usually quiet, and that was where she had agreed to meet the girl. Looking around she saw that it was empty.
Slipping her coat off her shoulders, she settled down onto a soft leather couch. Resting her briefcase down at her feet, she reached up to slowly unwrap the scarf from around her neck, folding it and laying it on the table beside her.
Thank God for layers, she thought as she kicked off her boots. Still uncomfortably warm, she gracefully lifted the dark blue sweater over her head, stripping down to the black v-neck blouse underneath.
Glancing up, she saw that there was no one is this part of the building except for Dorothy, the part-time assistant who closed up on Thursday nights. She was standing at the back of the floor between tall stacks shelving books, her tortoise shell rimmed glasses pushed down nearly to the tip of her nose. Sarah smiled warmly and called a greeting in the woman's direction. Dorothy looked up, seemingly surprised at the sudden presence in the room. Seeing that it was Sarah she smiled back and waved, before resuming her task.
I might as well get a little studying done before that girl shows up, Sarah thought miserably. She pulled out her book and opened it, propping it up on the arm of the couch. Glancing reluctantly at the text, she groaned and laid her head back against the couch cushions, her eyes flickering closed. Just a 5 minute nap, she told herself, and promptly drifted off to sleep.
***************************************************
Reality shimmered and faded away, and in its place was music. A entrancing melody drifted on the air, enveloping and soothing her. Wondering vaguely where the music was coming from, Sarah opened her eyes. The vision she saw astounded her.
She was standing in the middle of a sparkling crystal ballroom, decorated in lavish finery, in the midst of a crowd of masked dancers. There was a fleeting moment of confusion, but the sights and sounds of the room overwhelmed her senses, delighting her. All doubt vanished, and then there was nothing but curiosity and awe. She knew this place. She had been here before.
White marble floors spread out before her, reflecting the shimmering light from above. Large chandeliers hung suspended from the ceiling. Each held white tapered candles with bright flames that flickered and danced, illuminating the room marvelously. Cheerful laughter could be heard over the sound of the music.
There was an odd feeling, like a distressing thought passing through the back of her mind. She had the obscure impression that she had forgotten something very important. Had she been looking for something?
No. Of course not. Everything was perfect.
Sarah looked around, observing the crowd of people around her. There were couples dancing on the edges of the room, spinning and swaying in time to the song. All the dancers wore strange, extravagant costumes with elaborate masks of all kinds. Strangely exaggerated faces passed all around her. There were bizarre human faces as well as some strange creatures she had never seen before. As they swept by her some of the masked individuals regarded her with an air of curiosity similar to her own, all of them studying her just as she was studying them. Sarah was aware that she was being inspected, but she didn't feel intimidated. The observers didn't appear threatening, merely intrigued. She felt no uncertainty. She had a right to be in this place, in this moment.
She took a few steps forward and felt a brushing sensation across her ankles. Glancing down, Sarah saw that she was clothed in a stunning gown. A dazzling array of gold and silver embroidery embellished the fitted bodice, with delicate seed pearls sewn into it. She ran her hands tentatively down the fabric across the low waist of the dress, grasping gently at the translucent tulle of the full skirt that careened down to the floor. The neckline of the gown lay just low enough to reveal the slight curves of her bust, rising up widely and angling off her shoulders, which were bare.
She twirled around impulsively, feeling the skirt of the gown spin out and settled back at her feet. A smile spread across Sarah's face. She felt like royalty. Some of the spectators were laughing at her foolishness, but she didn't care. The entire affair reminded her of something out of the girlish fantasies of her childhood. But this was real.
She sensed a strong presence behind her and suddenly the air seemed alive with energy. She inhaled slowly, calming herself, and it was felt thick in her mouth. The atmosphere sizzled with an aura of magic.
The ballroom had grown quiet. She could no longer hear laughter coming from the crowd, but the music continued. She felt a gloved hand come from behind and caress her gently, tracing along the contours of her naked shoulder and coming to rest at the base of her neck. Sarah closed her eyes. The sensation of leather brushing along her bare skin was distinctly luxurious. Intimate. She felt a warm body step in behind her until it was barely touching her. A tingle of anticipation flared deep within her.
"Sarah."
A smoothly accented voice whispered softly into her ear. She could feel warm breath on the back of her neck, sending chills through her. She moved to turn and face the voice when the hand tightened painfully on her shoulder, stilling her attempt to spin around. Her body tensed as the hand shook her forcefully.
"Why have you come?"
***************************************************
"Sarah, wake up!" A voice demanded.
She sat up with a shudder, breathing heavily, her eyes wide. A soft, concerned face peered down into her own. "I didn't mean to startle you, dear, but you wouldn't wake up," Dorothy said, smiling. "I've got to close up now, it's past midnight."
Sarah collected herself, impatiently brushing off the disconcerting feelings that lingered from her dream state. She shook her head wearily, suddenly frustrated with herself. "Oh, I'm sorry. I must have fallen asleep."
"No trouble for me, dear. Just finishing up here. You should go back to your room and get some sleep. You've been partying too much, I suspect." Dorothy smiled playfully.
"Oh yes! That's precisely correct, I'm afraid." Sarah giggled. Like I have the time, she thought.
"Well, no harm in allowing you a much needed rest. No students this evening?"
"Well, someone was supposed to meet me. She must have forgot." Wasting time I don't have, she thought. Standing up and pulling on her sweater and coat, Sarah prepared to leave. "I guess I'll be going, then." Tossing her book into her bag, she lifted it to her shoulder and kissed the woman on the cheek gently.
"Goodnight."
Dorothy smiled. "Goodnight, dear. Get back safe. It's quite late for a lady to go walking about by herself."
"Don't worry, I'll be fine." Sarah reassured her, and headed for the doors.
She so desperately wanted to go straight to her dorm room, change into some warm pajamas and jump into her bed. It was such a tempting thought. But there was still her eight o'clock tutoring appointment in the library. Then she had her own studying to do for her last exam tomorrow night and the final mythology paper to finish. It seemed as though her responsibilities would never end. She just wanted to go home.
Sarah turned quickly down a wide brick pathway, her arms wrapped around herself in an attempt at warmth that failed miserably. Bright spotlights pointed up, illuminating the nearly leafless trees on either side of the walkway, barely lighting the broad face of the Main Hall at the end of the path, casting odd shadows across the turrets. Off to the left, a warm soft glow emanated from the windows of the library that was her goal. It was just a little farther and then she'd be inside. A harsh wind caressed her neck, tousling her hair unmercifully.
It was Thursday night. Her girlfriends were probably just starting to get ready to go out tonight, heading to their favorite local bar for a few drinks and a dance. Partaking in some much-desired relaxation from the end of semester pressure and one last night out with the girls.
How I wish I could join them.
For a split second she reconsidered her evening's plans, imagining herself out with her friends, blowing off her work and enjoying a night out for all it was worth. Well, realistically, most of her girlfriends didn't have a final paper due at nine in the morning. Most of them didn't have to depend on their measly tutoring paycheck to get them through the winter break. She furrowed her brow. Nope. There would be no lighthearted revelry for her tonight. Not with everything she had to get done before morning.
Resigned to her fate, Sarah increased the pace of her steps. Dry leaves whirled on the path ahead of her, settling down into piles around the tree trunks on either side. The wind quietly roared, causing the leafless branches overhead to dip and shake. Moments later, she pulled open the glass doors and escaped into the welcome warmth of the library building, breathing a soft sigh of relief.
From outside at a higher vantage point unreadable eyes watched her walk inside.
***************************************************
Sarah pulled the door closed behind her, struggling with it a little against the driving wind. Looking around, she saw that the library was packed. Every single computer was taken. Each with a frazzled looking student pounding away frantically at the keys.
Well, Sarah thought, chuckling to herself. At least I'm not the only one that's a compulsive procrastinator. Suddenly she was very grateful to have her laptop. She could only imagine the computer center would be just busy.
Walking past the circulation desk, she headed for the stairwell. There was a comfortable study area upstairs that was usually quiet, and that was where she had agreed to meet the girl. Looking around she saw that it was empty.
Slipping her coat off her shoulders, she settled down onto a soft leather couch. Resting her briefcase down at her feet, she reached up to slowly unwrap the scarf from around her neck, folding it and laying it on the table beside her.
Thank God for layers, she thought as she kicked off her boots. Still uncomfortably warm, she gracefully lifted the dark blue sweater over her head, stripping down to the black v-neck blouse underneath.
Glancing up, she saw that there was no one is this part of the building except for Dorothy, the part-time assistant who closed up on Thursday nights. She was standing at the back of the floor between tall stacks shelving books, her tortoise shell rimmed glasses pushed down nearly to the tip of her nose. Sarah smiled warmly and called a greeting in the woman's direction. Dorothy looked up, seemingly surprised at the sudden presence in the room. Seeing that it was Sarah she smiled back and waved, before resuming her task.
I might as well get a little studying done before that girl shows up, Sarah thought miserably. She pulled out her book and opened it, propping it up on the arm of the couch. Glancing reluctantly at the text, she groaned and laid her head back against the couch cushions, her eyes flickering closed. Just a 5 minute nap, she told herself, and promptly drifted off to sleep.
***************************************************
Reality shimmered and faded away, and in its place was music. A entrancing melody drifted on the air, enveloping and soothing her. Wondering vaguely where the music was coming from, Sarah opened her eyes. The vision she saw astounded her.
She was standing in the middle of a sparkling crystal ballroom, decorated in lavish finery, in the midst of a crowd of masked dancers. There was a fleeting moment of confusion, but the sights and sounds of the room overwhelmed her senses, delighting her. All doubt vanished, and then there was nothing but curiosity and awe. She knew this place. She had been here before.
White marble floors spread out before her, reflecting the shimmering light from above. Large chandeliers hung suspended from the ceiling. Each held white tapered candles with bright flames that flickered and danced, illuminating the room marvelously. Cheerful laughter could be heard over the sound of the music.
There was an odd feeling, like a distressing thought passing through the back of her mind. She had the obscure impression that she had forgotten something very important. Had she been looking for something?
No. Of course not. Everything was perfect.
Sarah looked around, observing the crowd of people around her. There were couples dancing on the edges of the room, spinning and swaying in time to the song. All the dancers wore strange, extravagant costumes with elaborate masks of all kinds. Strangely exaggerated faces passed all around her. There were bizarre human faces as well as some strange creatures she had never seen before. As they swept by her some of the masked individuals regarded her with an air of curiosity similar to her own, all of them studying her just as she was studying them. Sarah was aware that she was being inspected, but she didn't feel intimidated. The observers didn't appear threatening, merely intrigued. She felt no uncertainty. She had a right to be in this place, in this moment.
She took a few steps forward and felt a brushing sensation across her ankles. Glancing down, Sarah saw that she was clothed in a stunning gown. A dazzling array of gold and silver embroidery embellished the fitted bodice, with delicate seed pearls sewn into it. She ran her hands tentatively down the fabric across the low waist of the dress, grasping gently at the translucent tulle of the full skirt that careened down to the floor. The neckline of the gown lay just low enough to reveal the slight curves of her bust, rising up widely and angling off her shoulders, which were bare.
She twirled around impulsively, feeling the skirt of the gown spin out and settled back at her feet. A smile spread across Sarah's face. She felt like royalty. Some of the spectators were laughing at her foolishness, but she didn't care. The entire affair reminded her of something out of the girlish fantasies of her childhood. But this was real.
She sensed a strong presence behind her and suddenly the air seemed alive with energy. She inhaled slowly, calming herself, and it was felt thick in her mouth. The atmosphere sizzled with an aura of magic.
The ballroom had grown quiet. She could no longer hear laughter coming from the crowd, but the music continued. She felt a gloved hand come from behind and caress her gently, tracing along the contours of her naked shoulder and coming to rest at the base of her neck. Sarah closed her eyes. The sensation of leather brushing along her bare skin was distinctly luxurious. Intimate. She felt a warm body step in behind her until it was barely touching her. A tingle of anticipation flared deep within her.
"Sarah."
A smoothly accented voice whispered softly into her ear. She could feel warm breath on the back of her neck, sending chills through her. She moved to turn and face the voice when the hand tightened painfully on her shoulder, stilling her attempt to spin around. Her body tensed as the hand shook her forcefully.
"Why have you come?"
***************************************************
"Sarah, wake up!" A voice demanded.
She sat up with a shudder, breathing heavily, her eyes wide. A soft, concerned face peered down into her own. "I didn't mean to startle you, dear, but you wouldn't wake up," Dorothy said, smiling. "I've got to close up now, it's past midnight."
Sarah collected herself, impatiently brushing off the disconcerting feelings that lingered from her dream state. She shook her head wearily, suddenly frustrated with herself. "Oh, I'm sorry. I must have fallen asleep."
"No trouble for me, dear. Just finishing up here. You should go back to your room and get some sleep. You've been partying too much, I suspect." Dorothy smiled playfully.
"Oh yes! That's precisely correct, I'm afraid." Sarah giggled. Like I have the time, she thought.
"Well, no harm in allowing you a much needed rest. No students this evening?"
"Well, someone was supposed to meet me. She must have forgot." Wasting time I don't have, she thought. Standing up and pulling on her sweater and coat, Sarah prepared to leave. "I guess I'll be going, then." Tossing her book into her bag, she lifted it to her shoulder and kissed the woman on the cheek gently.
"Goodnight."
Dorothy smiled. "Goodnight, dear. Get back safe. It's quite late for a lady to go walking about by herself."
"Don't worry, I'll be fine." Sarah reassured her, and headed for the doors.