Dreams
Disclaimer: I do not own Shadow of Destiny or any of its characters
Flashback:
All happened so suddenly that I didn't have time to react properly. A small explosion erupted from where the stone was and the anti-fire alarm activated soaking myself. I was kind of dizzy when I turned the alarm off. I wasn't prepared for what came next. There was someone sitting on the balcony at the window. Am I dreaming? The next sound I heard was the voice of the mysterious character who was now staring at me.
"It's been a while. What is it that you wish, master?"
Then, everything went dark.
End of flashback.
My head was spinning and I could hear a feeble voice in the background talking. Am I dreaming? I can't move. This must be a dream. This disorientation, the headache that's all because I'm seriously stressed. I should rest up a bit once in a while… I woke up feeling dizzy and nauseated; I could still hear that buzzing sound in my ears.
"Where am I? I must remember to turn on the clock alarm before sleeping. What an awful dream was…"
"So you're finally awake."
"Shit!", I said. It was no dream, then. "I think I'm going out of my mind."
"Now, now could you be less noisy, please? I'd appreciate it if you didn't scream like that again."
I looked at the balcony for the second time but I couldn't figure out how this guy got inside the lab. He just appeared out of nowhere after the explosion as if he had teletransported himself inside the room. Besides, he was wearing odd clothes for this age; all black like those gothic teenagers. I studied him for a moment when I noticed his eyes; they were a ruby color same as the stone I was experimenting earlier and he had the palest skin I have ever seen, much more shades of pale than me. That I was shocked is a understatement.
"It's been so long since I saw the light of day. It's good to sense this warmth again. But we have more urgent matters to attend now, don't we? Are you going to stare at me all day? It's not a polite thing to do, you know."
I recovered from my shock hearing these words. Such a unearthly voice. Melodic, perhaps. It sounded like an angel, I thought. But his appearance is more that of a fallen angel, looking closely. I've never seen someone so beautiful, so perfectly carved; he looked like a Michelangelo statue. "How did you get inside my lab", I asked.
"You don't know? You released me from the seal. You have no idea what you're doing, do you?"
"I don't understand. You mean that you were inside the stone?", I asked skeptically.
"Correct. You have the right for one wish now since you are the one who unsealed me."
"What? ", I said. "Is this a joke? I'm not Alladin and this is not a fairy tale. I don't know how you got here or why but if you don't explain yourself quickly you'll be very sorry", I threatened.
"Humans are so complicated sometimes. You're almost as difficult as my former master, Wagner. Do I have to prove it to you,then?"
This elicited a reaction out of me. "Did you know Dr. Wagner? It's not possible what you're saying…"
", I think I should show a bit of my powers and you'll decide the truth for yourself. Firstly, I need you to tell me your name."
"For what? Are you going to use my name in some kind of ritual or something?", I mocked.
"No. I'm just doing it because it's the polite thing to do. I'm Homunculus. Not much of a name, you know."
"Sorry for that. I'm confused right now. I'm Clarice Spencer; are you going to show your powers or not?", I beamed impatiently.
"Very impatient, are we? I see that you will be a difficult master to deal with. Are you ready?"
"Hmm. Ready for what?", I told him.
In an instant I felt myself being pushed to all directions; the space around me was being distorted and everywhere I looked I couldn't distinguish anything. I closed my eyes in fear. What the hell was happening here, exactly? When I opened my eyes I felt a rush of cold air. All I could see was white. Is it snowing? But I was in the laboratory a while ago. How is this possible? It was snowing indeed and I wasn't in the lab anymore. My stomach was hurting and to top it all I was dizzy. I'm sure I was in Lebensbaum yet because I had recognized the town's square. "Too cold for me here. I'm not dressed properly to the environment also. " I was wearing a thin cotton shirt with long sleeves and a skirt which didn't reach my knees. Furthermore, my clothes were totally drenched. Wait, hold on a minute. I'm wearing a white shirt and I can clearly see my bra through it now; shoot, I haven't realized it before. I couldn't believe I had been like that in front of… He didn't seem to mind it, though. Better forget it or else I will prolong my embarrassment. I going to dry myself when I get home. If I ever come back home, it is.
I decided to explore the surroundings and suddenly I was before the museum. "I know this place. It's the Brum's museum. Maybe can help me", I wondered.
"Who's there?", a male voice asked.
I turned around and nothing could prepare me for what I saw next. I was staring at a young version of Mr. Eckart with a bit more of hair although and a sad expression on his face.
"Mr. Eckart?", I asked.
"Are you lost, miss? It's very cold out here. I suggest you go home soon, this is not a safe place anymore."
Weird, I thought. "Sir can you tell me what year is it?" I needed to confirm if my suspicion were correct. If they were…
"We are at 1980. Why do you ask?"
Oh, no. There must be some kind of mistake going on here. Time travel? It can't be. "Are you sure, Mr. Eckart?", I shifted nervously.
"Of course I am. Hey, how do you know my name? Have we ever met before?"
"No, never mind", I went running straight to square leaving a dumfounded Mr. Eckart behind. Now, you must have guessed I was in utter panic at the moment. Many things were running through my mind at the same time and I could not think coherently. This was against all my learnings and beliefs. It was entirely madness.
"Are you satisfied?", a known angelic voice asked. "You have proof enough of my powers already, don't you?"
"Homunculus? Where are you?" I must have sounded desperate at that moment because what came next…
"I think you are WELL convinced", he chuckled. You can come back now. Ready?"
"Yes, just take me back to my own time."
"What is the magical word?", he asked.
He must be getting revenge for what I said earlier. It won't hurt to say it just this time, I mused. "Please, can you take me back?", I pleaded.
In seconds that same unpleasant sensation of distorted time and space returned. I was being swallowed to my own time once more. Then, I saw the room with my instruments and I knew I had returned to the lab; this was unbelievably fast and I couldn't notice the mechanics of the process. However I was still unsteady on my feet and one second later I losing my balance when…
Strong arms wrapped themselves around me stopping my imminent fall.
"This is indeed unusual. I've never seen a human getting sick after time travelling."
"That is because I have motion sickness. I don't take well to any kind of transportation", I explained.
I was unnerved by our closeness. He hadn't let me go yet. "Now, this is really awkward. Doesn't he realize that?
"Be careful while you walk", he said and released me. I immediately regretted the lack of proximity. What was I thinking? That's not a good line of thinking Clarice, snap out of it already!
"So you're a kind of a genie, aren't you?", I resolved to change the subject.
"I guess you could say so", he smirked.
"Then I have right to only one wish. Am I correct?"
"Sure. So what is it going to be? Riches? Immortality? Eternal youth? Infinite knowledge, perhaps?"
"I don't know for sure. It's too big a decision to do right now. I must think first. I can, can't I?", I asked unsure.
For a moment he seemed too stunned to formulate an answer, I thought. I must have shocked him pretty bad. What am I supposed to do anyway? I really have no idea what I could possibly want.
"Do you really mean that? I find that hard to believe. I haven't seen nobody in a thousand years who seemed to be undecided. Humans are usually quick in answering when presented with such a choice. Are you sure?"
"Is that hard to believe that some of us are not that greedy? We humans are not all the same. People have their own needs and beliefs, you know. It's not that I don't want anything. The problem is I'm still confused. I haven't decided what I want most. The fact is : I never stopped to think about that. Everything was always so hard to me that I'm not used to dreaming. My whole life I had goals and not dreams. I have my feet in reality and I'm used to accomplish everything without help using my own efforts."
"Is that so? But certainly there must be something you want."
"I don't know, Homunculus. Never thought about something like that." Is that so absurd? Just because I have no dreams doesn't mean I'm not normal. Stop looking at me like that.
"This is almost unbelievable", he said laughing. "You are unique, you know."
"What is so funny?"
"Well, I'm used to people asking their wishes straight after I explain the deal to them. But since this is an unexpected situation I couldn't help myself. It's very interesting, almost comic. After all I'm not human and even for me this was unexpected", he said calmly.
"I need to think. I'll go rest now and meditate about this. "
"Don't worry. I have the eternity to hear your answer, though you have not. Remember this or else you are going to pass up your opportunity. However, I don't think you'll take that long to decide."
"Perhaps you will see humans are not that predictable", I said.
I went to my room and collapsed on my bed. I was so tired of this charade. So long it hasn't been my day. I don't know what I should ask…
I awoke with the chirping of birds on my window. I overslept again; this is becoming a bad habit. After I went to my usual morning routine I was in my living room and well, what a "surprise" Homunculus was still there.
"You stayed here all night?"
"I can't go anywhere, really. Not until you make your wish. Have you already decided?"
The fact is I was indecisive as ever.
"I think I will need more time. Is that a problem?"
"No, just like I said before I'm not going anywhere. I'll stay here with you as long it takes for you to decide what you want."
This sent butterflies through my stomach. Why did he have to be that handsome? What he said could have a double meaning. If I were a outsider I would say this guy was making a declaration of undying love. It was odd all the way and I was already blushing deeply.
"Alright. You can stay here. I will make something for you to eat" , I said embarrassed.
"I appreciate that but it's not necessary. I'm not human. I don't need it."
"Oh, I forgot. So if I'm not going to do my wish now can I ask you something?"
"What is it?"
"I want to know everything about you. After all I'm a scientist and I have a thirsty for knowledge", I explained.
"Is that a wish?"
"You're not going to trick me Homunculus", I retorted.
"Very well. I wasn't trying anything, believe me."
He sat in the couch before me and I couldn't help to notice how graceful were his movements. I was dazzled….
We talked for hours and I learned very much what the former masters of Homunculus didn't. He had a strange emotion on his eyes, I think he was kind of happy because someone was interested in his stories. Maybe nobody never asked about him before. He was thrilled to tell me of his past and sometimes I think he omitted some parts of the story. But I didn't care. I was fascinated by him and I was sure that I finally would be dreaming tonight.