- Max Beerbohm
Chapter Four -
Time is odd when you are dreaming. Sometimes the night goes by in a flash. Other times, it seems like hours but on the clock only a few minutes have passed.
But like every night, when you are dreaming, you don't want to wake up, don't want to face the next day. You want to stay wrapped up in that dream; you are encumbered by it. You are apart of the dream, inside it, all around it; you control it. This dream is yours, no one else's. Yours. The power is in your hands to give and take. To appear and disappear. You are in control and no one, nothing can stop you.
Then there are some dreams you can't control. It's like you're watching the dream, from the sidelines. You are frozen in time, powerless to help. You aren't allowed that power, and it makes your frustrated. You want the power to control, to freeze time; but you are denied that power. You can't have that power. Not in these dreams. These dreams control you. And there's noting you can do about it. So you sit on the sidelines, watching, waiting, hoping this dream won't turn into a nightmare. You hope that once the nightmare tarts, you can awake to the world, to convince yourself it's just a dream; its not reality, and that you're ok. That nightmare can't touch you. You're safe.
That's if the nightmare comes. You hope it's a good dream tonight, a pleasant dream. Not a nightmare. This is what she hoped. That her dreams would giver her peace, not worry. She closed her eyes and let her dreams consume her.
She was floating, her midnight mane was blowing in her face, her crystal-clear blue eyes were staring ahead into the green mist that surrounded her. Her eyes were staring, searching for something. Suddenly the wind stopped, the green mist cleared, and time was frozen. The fog in her head cleared, and she could see again, think again, feel again. She looked around, trying to see where she was. She saw trees surrounding her, a blanket of leaves and sticks underneath her feet, and sun shining through the trees, making the leaves glow as if touched by magic. She looked around while she walked, marveling at the forest's beauty, her eyes soaked in the leaves, trees, earth, and sky. She smiled as she was overcome by sheer joy.
In a flash, the dream changed…
Darkness spilled out into the sky, like a shadow creeping into the light. The darkness spread out, like waves, never stopping, never seeming to end. These monstrous waves stretched forth like a hand, enveloping the light of day into nothingness. The light faded into yet another night. Leaves blew softly in the wind. Tree branches rustled softly. The moon cast its light on the earth, separating darkness from light. The clouds danced like shadows to a flame around the moon, making the moon seem to glow with a soft, cold glow.
She walked along the path, enjoying this time of peace and tranquility. Some leaves rustled in the wind, then slowly drifted to the ground as the wind faded. Yet another cold, lifeless night. She didn't mind. The wind played softly with her midnight mane, making it dance around her face. Her clear, light-blue eyes shone brilliantly in the darkness. Her pale skin seemed to glow in the moons soft light. She smiled. This was peace to her. Here, in the quiet. No one to disturb her, no one to be with. This is her haven, a place to be alone, to be given time to think, given room to breathe, away from the bustling lives of everyone else. Everyone else, trying to make it in this world and be 'successful in life'. She smirked. What a stupid thing to aim for. You can't decide your Fate. Fate chooses you. All you can do is follow the path that Fate leads you on and learn from the lessons Fate gives you.
The sand, wet from being encumbered by the ocean, felt good as her feet seemed to sink into it. She walked along the beach, her dress swaying in the wind, hair blowing softly. Her clear-blue eyes started out into the forest, staring at the figure's silhouette as if in a trance. Her feet seemed to move on their own. It felt like she was floating towards the figure. Their eyes locked. The figure smiled, perfect white teeth showing. Suddenly, she stopped, as if she were frozen solid. What? she thought. She tried to smile back, but her mouth wouldn't move. The figures smile faltered, seeming to think that she didn't want to smile back. No. she thought. She tried to move but couldn't. What's happening? She panicked, her mind melting.
She seemed to be trapped in time. Everything around her slowed down. She heard the waves of the ocean, slowly crashing down. She smelled the salt of the ocean, felt her feet move. She was standing on the ocean, her feet descending lower. Her eyes snapped open, filled with terror. She couldn't move. The water pierced her skin like thousands of needles. She gasped in pain. Her head was spinning, she couldn't breathe. As her feet were engulfed by the water, she felt it. This feeling… Her eyes widened in realization. She was going to die. Soon. Her eyes looked up to the figure, begging and pleading. Please, help me! She thought as she descended lower into the watery depths. The figure tilted its head, as if unsure of what was going on, unsure of what she was trying to say.
The water was rapidly climbing higher, as it reached her knees. She had to get out of here. Now. She tried to lift her hand, but it wouldn't budge. She tried to open her mouth, to scream, to shout, but nothing came out. The only thing that she could do is wait. With the water engulfing her, she was helpless. The figure kept watching, as if waiting for some kind of miracle to happen. She tried to move her arms, kick her legs, do something to keep from drowning. This isn't happening. This can't be happening. Not to me. she thought as the water surrounded her, engulfing her and dragged her into it's depths. So, this is it I guess… she thought as she sank lower. My fate has been chosen for me… she hit the sand with a soft thud. Suddenly, she felt her body rising higher and higher. She couldn't more, couldn't breathe. She wanted to thank the person for helping her up. Then she realized; no one was helping her. The waves were moving her closer and closer to the shore. The waves roller her over like a log, making her hit her head on rocks and sand. This wasn't the way she would've rathered to be rescued, but she took it. If it meant staying alive, she would take the chance. She hit her head on a large rock. Ugh. she thought. She felt lightheaded. She smelled blood. Her eyes widened. Blood?! She was terrified of blood…and sharks. She tried to move her arms but again, they were useless. All she could do now was hope that a shark wouldn't smell the blood. She hit another rock. Her arm felt like it was on fire. Her leg got caught in seaweed. She tried to pull it out but didn't have the strength. She waited until a big wave came, untangled the seaweed but crashed her body into the sand. Seashells stuck out, marking her skin. This is what Fate has chosen for me…she thought as she was washed up to the shore of the ocean. I can't complain…
And the figure just stood there and continued to watch her as she closed her eyes and breathed her last breath.
Hailey Miranda awoke with a scream. Sweat pouring down in waves on her face; gasping for breath, eyes wide with fear, she sat up in her bed. She looked around wildly, turning her head left, then quickly to the right. Searching for something out of place, out of the ordinary. Sensing nothing wrong, she slowly drifted back into her pillow. It was just a dream… she thought, forcing calming, deep breaths. It was just a dream…no need to flip out…not gonna really happen…
Suddenly, an image floated to the surface of her mind. One she had long forgotten. Of seven years ago…on Prom night…
She stared ahead, trying to see where the path twisted and turned. A blanket of fallen leaves at her feet, she continued to walk forward, trying to ignore that presence. That evil malevolence, trying to ignore the ghosts that threatened to be watching her at every twist and turn, trying to ignore the warning, that silent warning that she was making the biggest mistake of her life. Heart thrumming in her ears, she continued to bravely walk forward, one shaky step after another. It was ironic where she was headed; the cemetery. A place where the souls screamed bloody murder, haunting anyone who approached those rusty iron gates. Those gates that led to Hell. Those gates that were next to that tree. The tree upon which he died…
She shivered, forcing her mind off the past and into the present. From that dream…that nightmare. She stared at the ceiling. Why? Why couldn't she get over that fear; that guilt? It's been seven years. Seven years for Pete's sake! Why? Why did she still have to think about him? Why did she have those dreams, those haunting dreams that, when she woke up, she was suddenly reminded of the past? Reminded of that tree. Of him. His broken body…all that blood…
Once again, she forced her mind away from that image. She had buried her past for so long; so well. Why did it have to come up now? Why couldn't she just forget and move on? Why did it happen on Prom night? Prom Night! The one night in her life she was supposed to be happy, not broken down in pieces; not supposed to have her heart broken like shattered glass.
She couldn't stand it anymore! Couldn't bear it any longer. She threw the sheet off the bed, ran into the bathroom, and coughed up blood. Ugh! she thought, gripping hard on the sink's edge, sweat pouring down her face. Why? she thought. His face…all that blood… She coughed up more blood. More sweat poured down her face. Why?! Why was this happening? What did she do to deserve this? This pain and torture that's eating her heart and soul out. More blood coughed up. This is not good… she leaned her head against the cool mirror, gasping for breath. She lifted her head and stared at her reflection. Her usually rosy skin was pale, her green eyes were red from crying, her pupils wide. "Why?!" A fresh wave of tears streamed down her cheeks. "Why did he have to-" she coughed up more blood. Her stomach felt like it was being eaten from the inside out, torn apart at the seams, she could barely breathe; her lungs felt as if they were on fire, ready to explode into a world of pain any minute. She couldn't say the last word… die. She threw up, then looked at the mirror and into those haunted eyes. So this is what I'm dammed to…
Jenny Owens sat on the couch, watching TV, when Alex Shows and Annalise drove up in Alex's car. Jenny clicked the TV off and went to get her purse. She was out the door in a flash. Alex smiled at her as she got in and sat next to him in the front seat. He gave her a kiss on the cheek, pulled out of her driveway, and headed towards Emily McCant's house.
She jumped into the car, stepping on the gas pedal as hard as she could. I have to get out of here. She thought, fighting to urge to throw up all over again. Now! She backed out of the driveway, almost hitting another car as she sped off. Fifteen agonizing minutes passed. Each minute seemed like an hour. She turned a corner and pulled into the doctor's office parking lot. She had barely lifted her foot from the gas pedal, when she jumped out of the car, running for the door. The receptionist looked up from writing to give Hailey a dubious look.
"Doctor Benson will be with you in a few minutes Ms…"
"Miranda." Hailey said. The receptionist went back to writing. Hailey sat down in a chair; taking calming, deep breaths. The next five minutes seemed to take longer than the car ride. Hailey looked at the clock, watching the seconds tick by slowly.
Finally, the door opened. Hailey looked up to see Doctor Benson walk through the open door. He smiled at her, then led her down the hall and to the third door on the left.
"So, how are things going?" Dr. Benson asked. Hailey shook her head.
"Not good."
The doctor waited. Hailey took a deep breath, hoping she wouldn't have to go into too much detail. She decided to break it down as much as possible.
"I've been having trouble breathing at night and when I wake up, I-" she searched for a better word than 'throw up'. "-let go of blood." The doctor nodded, understanding what she meant. When he asked no further questions, Hailey inwardly sighed. Dr. Benson took out a note pad, wrote something down, and stood up.
"I'll be right back."
Hailey nodded as the door closed behind him.
With the doctor out of the room, she could breathe again. She thought of the different things that could be the problem. She thought back to seven years ago. Of course, her first thought was of him. Fighting the urge to throw up once more, she forced her thoughts to her Senior Psychology class. On what the teacher had been teaching. In her mind's eye, she saw her teacher writing something on the board. She heard her teacher saying something. What was it the teacher was talking about? She tried to remember what was on the board. She saw vague words. Words to blurry to make out. Sweat broke out on her forehead. Why can't I remember? That was it. The image shattered. All that remained was his face. She tried to get another glimpse past it, but to no avail. She couldn't escape that haunting face. One she wished to escape. One she couldn't escape. Ever. No matter how hard she wanted to. The one thing that kept her lying awake at night, too scared to fall back asleep. That face. Those eyes…
The door opened, tearing her away from her reverie. Away from those haunting memories…for now. Dr. Benson walked in, holding a piece of paper. He handed it to Hailey, face grim. Hailey took the list and looked at it. It read:
*Bereavement
Schizophrenia
Oneirophrenia
*Nightmare Disorder
*Psychosis
She looked up from the list.
"This is what you came up with? That I'm…I'm…" she lost the words to speak.
"Mentally ill, yes." Dr. Benson stated. Hailey looked at him, incredulous.
"Mentally ill?!" she shrieked.
"There is no other explanation." The doctor stated calmly.
"No…no!" Hailey forced down the bile in her throat. "I'm not ill and I'm not going to take those-" she gestured to the pills on the desk. "-at all."
The doctor shrugged.
"It's for your own good. But it's your choice. Come back anytime you feel the need." He opened the door for her. Barely able to contain the bile that threatened to spill out, Hailey ran to the bathroom, and let out more blood. I'm not ill. She thought. I'm not! She looked up at the mirror and let out a scream of bloody murder.
That face… All of that blood… Those lifeless eyes boring into her own. A face she knew well. Knew from her nightmares. A dead face. His dead face, next to her own. And it was staring right at her.
She ran to her car, opened the door, and slammed her keys into the ignition. She stomped on the gas pedal and tore down the road. She grabbed her phone and seeing that there was a missed call, listened to it. It was Jenny.
"Hailey. There's a meeting at Emily's at six-" Hailey looked at the clock. It was five-thirty. "-and we'd like you to come." The phone beeped. 'End of Message' it said. Great. Just what she needed. A seven-year reunion meeting. For Prom Night. This was going to be interesting. She did a U-turn and headed for Emily's house. Once she was there, she put some make-up on and plastered her best fake smile on her face. Everyone has their secrets. Oh shut up! She thought as she opened the car door, got out, and walked up the porch and to the door.
Inside, Hailey saw Sean Walker, Savanna Guzzardo, Jenny Owens, Alex Shows, Annalise, and Emily McCants.
"Hey guys!" Hailey smiled, a real smile. One that she needed. Badly.
"Hey, hey, look who's arrived!" Jenny got up out of her chair and hugged Hailey.
"Hey, Jen." Hailey hugged her back. She looked at the group. "Wow. I can't believe it's been so long since I've seen y'all." Emily grinned.
"I know right?"
Hailey sat down in an empty chair next to Annalise, who hugger her. "So, what've y'all been plotting while I was gone?" Hailey joked.
"About how to turn St. Augustine's into a graveyard." Annalise said. Everyone laughed. Everyone except Hailey and Jenny. They looked at each other, an unspoken memory flashed between them. Of that night…
"Ok, everyone. Seriously now. The reunion's three months away." Emily said. Annalise sighed.
"Three months?! That's not enough time. We can't track everyone down, tell them where to be and all that jazz, in just three months." Hailey almost shouted. Emily fixed her with a level stare.
"I know. Do you know where anyone is?" she looked around. "Does anyone know where any of your old friends are?"
Sean looked at the ceiling. Annalise tapped her pencil. Alex stared at the wall.
"Brie's in Memphis." Jenny stated. More silence. Savanna's head snapped up.
"Don't worry about it. I'll take care of it. I'll track everyone down. You guys just worry about the preparations." Everyone nodded in agreement.
"Jen and I will give you the information we already have." Hailey said. Savanna nodded.
"Thanks."
After about half an hour of visiting, the sky began to darken. Everyone said their goodbyes, got in their cars, promised to keep in touch, and parted ways. Emily sighed. Wow. What a night. She thought as she stood at the front door, waving to Annalise as she sped off in her Mercedes. Emily smiled at the fading car. The moment was short-lived. Her dog, Olivia, started barking. Emily's head snapped up, all of her senses alert. Rustle. Something in the woods. Emily dismissed the sound. Probably a squirrel. Olivia often got excited when they were around. Emily turned to the door. Crack! She turned back around. That was definitely not a squirrel. She looked around in the dark, trying to see where the sound was coming from. It all happened in a flash. One minute, she was standing on her porch. The next, she was being pushed against a tree, having something sharp pressed against her back. She tried to scream but a hand covered her mouth and the sharp object was pressed, about an inch she guessed, into her back.
"Be quiet!" her assailant hissed into her ear. Emily's eyes widened. That voice! She struggled, trying to get free of the assailant's grip. It was no use. The sharp blade was pressed further into her back every time she moved. If only she could be sure of who her attacker really was...
"Stop that! Do you want to die?" The blade was pressed further into her back. Emily felt lightheaded, dizzy. She couldn't think straight. All she could think was: I have to get out of here and tell them who it really is… Using all of her available consciousness and strength, she jerked her head backwards, hitting her attacker in the jaw, and let out a scream. The sharp object was sent flying through her back. Emily, eyes wide, looked down at the blade that was protruding out of her heart. Emily McCants slowly looked the attacker's face, eyes filled with shock, before she hit the ground. Dead.
She looked at the list again and scratched out Emily's name.
Jake
Jenny
Hailey
Annalise
EmilyShe grinned with satisfaction. Only three more to go… Soon, they would know the truth of God's wrath. They would soon see how they had erred in taking Jake away from her. Bad mistake. No, horrible mistake. A mistake that needed to be taught a lesson. A lesson that they would never forget; one that they would take to their very graves. She grinned.
Hailey Miranda dialed Jenny's number on her cell phone. After the second ring, Jenny picked up.
"Hello?"
"Hey, Jen. Look I need a favor, and I know it's gonna be hard to ask of you, but can you stop by the house for a few minutes?"
"Look Hay, I'm sorry but this is a bad time for me. Alex and I are going out to eat. So, can we try tomorrow?"
Hailey sighed. What happened to her best friend? "Tomorrow's fine." They hung up, and Hailey drove to her house, trying not to let the tears fall down her face. What happened Jen?