There stood a dark hooded figure before me. I could see the faint outline of the person's face. It was a man.
"Come forth, Strife. Take your punishment you deserve," the figure commanded.
I walked forward, not able to control my movements. As I got closer to the man, I could see an executioner behind him with is dull, heavy sword glinting in the…was it moonlight?
I didn't have time to think about that.
"Wha?? What's going on?!" I shouted hysterically.
Three more hooded figures restrained me and held my neck to the block. I heard the woosh of the blade flying towards my flesh and…
I awoke in my heated room in Destiny Islands. My body covered in a cold sweat. I rolled out of bed and sat on the edge of my mattress.
"I've been having that dream ever since Riku told me we were leaving again…" I said aloud, "Riku..Riku….RIKU!" I shouted, "I totally forgot! He's eighteen today!"
I whirled out of bed and threw on my clothes, brushed my teeth and hair, and fit my orange goggles onto my forehead. I ran for the front door and bolted outside, headed to the dock to go to the smaller island.
I can't believe I forgot. I mentally kicked myself until I go to the island and saw Riku sitting on the beach all alone. I ran up to him and stood in front of him.
"Where is everyone?" I asked between breaths.
"I asked them to leave me alone for my birthday, although Sora said he has something special for me later. Probably a stupid party," he said as he lay back onto the warm sand.
Not exactly… I though to myself and I giggled at what I knew Sora really had planned for his friend.
"What's so funny?" he asked quizzically.
"It's a surprise," I told him as I burst into a fit of laughter.
"So, we finished our transportation. We're leaving tomorrow," he said with slight excitement.
"And just how do all of you plan on leaving? Not by raft, I hope."
"No. We learned that lesson. The King sent us some Gummy ship pieces to help us."
"Oh." I had nothing else to say.
I wasn't particularly excited about leaving. Whenever we leave, we leave for a long time. And we have to save multiple worlds from their demise. Blah, blah, blah, action adventure and all that. I just want to relax for once. Read a book, paint. Have some "me" time.
"Hey Skye? Since we're alone and all..I have something I've needed to tell someone for a long while."
"What is it, Riku?"
"I…I'm gay. And I'm..in love with Sora," he confessed to me.
"Well, if it makes you feel better, everyone already knows. Even Sora," I told him.
"What?! That's terrible!"
"Nah. You'll see why when Sora gives you your surprise."
I'm sorry, but the thought of Sora in a Sweet Loli dress on my bed waiting for me scares me a little, but I'm sure Riku will like it.
"Well, thanks for listening anyways. It really meant a lot."
"Anytime."
Riku stood up to leave.
"Don't forget, we're leaving tomorrow. Pack tonight," he reminded me and then he was off.
I sighed and laid down onto the sandy beach. I let my mind wander as I listened to the waves lapping against the shoreline. My minds eye found my brother, Cloud. But he seemed different somehow. Sad. I couldn't figure out why. I hadn't realized I'd fallen asleep until I was shaken awake by Kairi.
"Skye! We need to pack! We're leaving tomorrow!" she said ecstatically.
"Oh right." I said still in a daze from my nap.
The sun had gone down and only two or three stars were in the sky. The moon shone like a flashlight in the blackness.
"That was definitely moonlight in my dream," I said to myself.
"Hmm?"
"Nothing."
Kairi and I went home to pack and tell her grandmother goodbye.