CHAPTER 23.1: Good (Bad) Dreams...

"Serena?"

I hear a hauntingly familiar voice...

"Serena, baby..."

Its a woman...

"Serena, baby, please wake up."

I open my eyes, and as i thought...

Mom.

Her long, blonde hair drapes over one shoulder, onto her pink camisole and blue shorts.

"What?" I sit up quickly, backing up.

"Baby no! Don't be scared!" She cries, stepping closer, but i continue to back away, standing now.

"No no no, your DEAD." I point out, and she laughs.

She LAUGHS?!

"You think thats funny, huh? This has to be a dream!" I slap my arms, pinching myself, trying anything to wake myself up.

"I dont think it's funny, baby. I think its wrong."

My mind goes blank, and i feel my body go numb.

"No, no! NO! NO! I''m not sure what type of move this is, but whoever's pulling it better STOP!" I'm screeching now, but Mom... or the person that looks just like her... moves closer, shushing me.

I realize that i'm in an open landscape, just white, as far as i can see.

"Dont TOUCH ME!" I smack her hand away, and am almost surprised when i hit solid flesh.

"Baby, please! Just listen to me!" She cries.

"Tell me something only you would know." I say quietly.

"What, baby?"

"TELL ME SOMETHING THAT ONLY YOU WOULD KNOW!" I shout, and she backs up a couple steps, thinking.

"You found Alto's egg outside of Sunyshore gym. Behind it, in that cellar you weren't supposed to go in. It was the day after your fifth birthday."

I feel my heart stop.

"No. You cant know that, cause your not Mom, cause she's dead!"

"Serena baby, PLEASE listen to me!"

Finally, i hit a wall, and i start going left.

"What did Gerald tell you?"

I whip to her.

"Don't talk about my dad, you... you... IMPOSTER!" I start to run, but she grabs me.

"I was never KILLED, Serena! Granted, i did die, but a kind soul brought me back."

I shake her off, shouting at her,

"THATS A LIE! IF THATS REALLY YOU, WHY DIDN'T YOU CONTACT US? ITS BEEN TWO YEARS, MOM!"

I catch myself, but the word has already left my lips.

"Because, baby. I'm not in Sinnoh anymore! They left me at a hospital, in some far off region i'd never been to."

She strokes the hair out of my face, wiping my tears.

She goes to say something else, but i feel a presence behind me, and her face breaks out into a huge grin.

Christina!

"Mizara!"

I turn in time to see Mom and Mizara collide into a hug.

Christina, i thought you...

"She is. She's dead." I finish her sentence, and Mizara gives me a weird look.

Deceased humans cannot communicate. Christina is here in her spiritual form, but she is very much alive. I can sense the life flowing through her.

My eyes go wide.

She hasn't even had time to turn around before i slam into her, hugging her and crying.

"Mom, i missed you so much!" I sob into her shirt.

"I know baby, i've missed you to. I love you, with all my heart."

"Where are you? Your body, i mean." I sniffle.

"Some region far off from Sinnoh. Some region called... I cant remember now. All i know is that after the hospital kicked me out, i went to the forest. I've been here for almost two years now, in this city."

"Well, what city?" I push.

"I think... it was called... Rustboro? Rustboro City?"

"Rustboro City? Your sure?" I ask, and she nods.

"Yep, thats it. Rustboro City!" She laughs, grabbing me and kissing my forehead.

"I'm coming to get you."

"What?"

"I said, I'm coming to get you."

"Baby..."

"No, mom. I need to see you again, physically. And now that i know that your alive and well, i'll be there as soon as possible."

"Baby, no. You cant."

"Why cant i?"

"You are into your gym circuit, and i can find a way to you, now." I steal a glare to Mizara, who shrugs.

She asked.

"But-"

"No buts! Now, its time for you to wake up, but i promise i'll see you soon."

"I dont want to wake up..." I sob quietly into her shirt, and she pats my hair, singing lightly to me as i fall quickly into a deep sleep.