Incase it needs clarified, the italics are memories and/or dreams. :)
The small town, near where Dorothy lived, had most of what the people round about needed, so was constantly busy. Dorothy parked the truck and first headed to the doctor's office to check he could come and see Aunt Em.
The offices were shabby, like everything else in the town, but inside the rooms were clean and sparsely furnished. More hygienic is what the nurses grumbled. Dorothy knocked on Dr Draper's door after being told to head along by the secretary who was furiously typing up and order for medicines, ready to be counter signed by the two practitioners; Dr Draper and Dr Forrester.
"Come in." came the muffled tones through the heavy, wooden door. Dorothy opened the door and entered with the customary smile she saved for Dr Draper; he was, after all, the one who made the 'fancy' doctors stop the electric shock therapy.
"Mornin' Dr Draper." She greeted the elderly man behind the desk. Dr Drape looked up in surprise; it wasn't often Dorothy Gale entered a doctor's Office. As the shock faded a wide, friendly grin appeared on his face making the scarred pock marks on his face crinkle. Rumour had it that he had been cursed by gypsies, but Aunt Em had known him her whole life and knew it has been a bad case of small pox as a child that left him scarred. His blue eyes sparkled, and the trimmed white beard glistened in the sunlight that beamed through the window.
"Dorothy Gale," he began, standing up from his chair and extending a hand to her, which Dorothy shook gladly. "What brings you to my office?" he continued, gesturing for Dorothy to sit in the chair opposite. She smiled gently as she lowered herself into the leather chair. Dr Draper waited patiently for the answer as Dorothy shifted uncomfortably in the chair.
"Well, Dr Draper, I'm concerned about my Aunt Em's health," Dr Draper smiled gently, but the smile did not reach his eyes. "Even she suggested I come in to see if you could make it out to the farm today. She's just not herself." Dorothy finished. Dr Draper sighed and leaned forward to look Dorothy in the eye.
"Dorothy, you must remember that you aunt has suffered a great loss and she is not as young as she once was." Dr Draper said, sympathy etched in ever crease and gesture his face made. "But I will be able to take some time and drop in if you would be so kind as to drive me there and back?" Dorothy nodded enthusiastically. Dr Draper smiled.
"I have a few things to do in town but I should be done in about half an hour?" Dorothy informed the doctor, who nodded.
"Perfect," he exclaimed "Just come back by the office when you're done and we'll see how my dear friend Em is doing."
Dorothy left the doctor's office in better spirits. She felt a little less anxious. Dorothy was walking across the street to the hardware store when a voice cut through her thoughts.
"Thay! Thay!"
Dorothy spun round and was faced with the only person that ever called her 'Thay'. Not that she minded the nick name; it was a lot quicker to say that Dorothy. Waving and making their way toward her, was a girl called Penny. She was a month or so older than Dorothy and much more fashionable. Penny walked swiftly toward Dorothy. She was dressed in a richly coloured dress which flowed gracefully in the slight breeze. Dorothy felt plain and ugly in her work clothes, she owned nothing that would rival the prettiness of that dress. Penny was what people called 'a southern belle'. Perfect pale skin, blue eyes and honey coloured hair which was always immaculately styled. Penny had many suitors vying for her attention, not that Penny ever paid much attention. She was perfectly happy with just her parents and friends as company. Dorothy felt herself sink into herself, trying to hide her plainness like a turtle. Penny didn't seem to notice as she reached Dorothy.
"Thay, we missed you at the dance last night," Penny remarked, "Why didn't you come along?"
"I was tired." was all Dorothy replied. Penny formed her mouth into a perfect scowl.
"You work to hard. Everyone agrees." Penny looked her friend up and down. "You don't look well. When was the last time you had a decent nights sleep?" Dorothy shrugged and started to walk toward the store. Penny walked with her. Penny was the only one Dorothy ever confided in about the nightmares, she listened attentively to the nightmares and even shared that she was plagued with nightmares on occasions.
"Nightmares are common," Penny said. It had been a year since the accident with the storm and Dorothy was still plagued with nightmares. "I get nightmares every so often, especially when my Aunt Hannah is coming to visit." Penny shivered at the thought.
Dorothy stood up from the swing and let Penny take her turn on it. Dorothy glanced over at her Aunt Em and Uncle Henry and could never imagine them striking her the way Penny's aunt did. The only reason the aunt gave was 'discipline'.
"You need to tell you dad," Dorothy muttered thoughtfully, "He would never stand for it." The swing stopped. Dorothy glanced back at Penny. The blonde girl had her head bent and tears shining in her eyes.
"I'm too scared."
"Everyone gets scared." Penny looked up at Dorothy.
"How long will you be gone?" Dorothy looked to the ground and shrugged.
"The first time will probably take the longest," Dorothy tried to sound brave. A soft whine reminded her of Toto's presence. She reached down and hugged her beloved pet to her chest. "They won't let me take Toto." A thought sprung to Dorothy's mind. "Could you look after him? I know your aunt is coming this week, but I think Toto will help you."
Penny smiled at the thought. She looked at her friend clutching her pet to her and her eyes pleading. Penny started to giggle. Dorothy smiled.
Dorothy left for the clinic the next day. It was a week later when Dorothy returned that Penny saw her friend.
Toto barked happily on being returned to the farm. Penny bounced excitedly on the balls of her feet. She remembered her manners though, and waited until she was invited in.
"You don't need to wait for an invite, Penny" came the deep voice of Dorothy's Uncle Henry, "Just head on up!"
She didn't need to be told twice and in seconds was bounding up the stairs after Toto.
"Thay! Guess what? Toto was amazing, he..." Penny stopped in shock. Dorothy was lying in her bed, bandages round he head. She looked awful. Her eyes were red and puffy, and the usually smiling face was drawn and sullen looking. When she lifted her hand to pet Toto, the hand shook then fell back onto the mattress. "Oh Thay!" Penny yelled and ran over and hugged her friend.
"It's not so bad." Dorothy slurred weakly, "I'm just a little tired that's all."
"But why do you have a bandage round you head." Dorothy looked out the window. Then summoned the strength and began to remove the bandages. Penny gasped when they were off. Dorothy's hair had bee singed back in places and her head was bruised where the electric had been placed. On closer inspection, Penny notice the skin had been broken at two points.
"I thought the electric went in your ears?" Penny asked. She was certain that was what they were told by Em.
"It didn't work. I was still getting dreams, so they had to do it this way." Dorothy muttered wearily. Penny sighed.
"Dreams about Oz?" Penny asked. Dorothy glared.
"O-Z." she huffed back. Penny felt a smile creep onto her face. "Not Oz, O.Z. Outer Zo..." Dorothy noticed the smile on Penny's face and scowled even further. "I hate you." Penny laughed. Dorothy fought against the grin unsuccessfully.
Penny had stayed quite late that night and ended up staying over. It had been the first night Penny experienced the full effect of Dorothy's nightmares. She had been woken during the night by Dorothy screaming. She watched as Em shook Dorothy awake.
"The emerald! We have to hide the emerald!" Dorothy was screaming and muttering as Em hugged her back to sleep.
Penny glanced at her friend as they walked into the store. She was curious.
"Is it still the same dream?" Dorothy looked over a Penny quickly. "About the emerald and Oz?" Penny almost smiled at the glare she earned. Dorothy nodded, a look of confusion on her face. "Tell me about Oz." Dorothy heaved a sigh of annoyance.
"O-Z, Penny, the O.Z."
"Yes," Penny giggled. Dorothy's face was still confused and she absently rubbed under the hat where one of the scars were. "You okay?" Penny asked concerned.
"Yeah." Dorothy replied breathlessly while shaking her head. "I just need to get these things and pick up Dr Draper before heading back to the farm."
"Dr Draper? Are you okay?" Penny squeaked in surprise. Dorothy gave a small smile.
"Aunt Em." she stated simply. Penny nodded but continued to look concerned. They continued their shopping in silence. Soon it was time for Dorothy to head back over to the Doctors office to collect Dr Draper.
"You should come into town tomorrow," Penny suggested as they both strolled through the street. Dorothy glanced over suspiciously. The only times Penny asked her to come into town was when she wanted something.
"Why?"
"I want you to meet someone." Penny blushed. Making Dorothy grin and give a slight cackle.
"Oh, someone!Who is this someone?" Penny blushed deeper but didn't answer. "Ha-ha! You look like you have sun burn.!"
"Shut up!" Penny yelled. "You'll find out tomorrow! Promise you'll come?" Penny finished softly.
"I'll try," Dorothy started vaguely, "I got the generator to sort out, but I will try." She added quickly at the furious and hurt look that Penny gave her.
"You better." Penny stated. Penny began her walk back toward her parents house at the other end of the town and Dorothy to the Doctor's office.