Chapter 2: Dream
Disclaimer: I own nothing.
A/N: Dream takes place shortly after Why. Please read and review.
It was the same dream. It was a never ending pattern. I would close my eyes after a long day at the university or a day of fighting and the dream would still be there.
The darkness of the forest consumed me as I wandered. The trees stood towering over me. I felt so little and lost in the big woods. I was frightened of the shadows and the darkness that crept near me.
Something lured me towards the deeper depths of the forest. The darkness was almost impenetrable but I could still see a little bit. In the midst of the forest there was a crossroads.
One path led me to the Animarium and the other lead me further into the forest. At first I would stand at the crossroads confused. I would not know which way to go. Should I go towards my friends or should I follow my inner voice and head into the forest?
The Animarium was warm and dry. It was safe from the dark cold bleakness of the forest. The forest called out to me in ways that the Animarium did not. The road through the forest was more dangerous. There were rocks in the pathway and thorns on the side. The road to the Animarium was smooth and paved. Still I stood there trying to make a choice.
It would be the playing of a flute that would make the decision for me. The flute came from the forest and the sound was so beautiful. I followed the melody going deeper and deeper. For some reason the simple little tune made me feel comfort.
I stumbled and tripped. I fell among the rocks and the thorns. I felt the scratches and the cuts but I still kept moving towards the sound of the flute. I felt no desire to turn around even when the road was rough and bumpy.
Finally, I came to the source of the playing. It was in a meadow high above the path. There was a wolf pup rolling around in the dirt. The pup was happy as the music continued.
In the shadows I could make out the figure of a man. He stopped playing as soon as he saw me.
"Did I bother you?" he asked his face hidden by shadow.
"You play very well," I said. "I didn't mean to make you stop."
"The sun will be setting soon and I have to go home. It's better you came now."
I could here the other rangers approaching. Their voices were loud and the forest echoed with the sound. The man moved quickly grabbing his things and preparing to head into the shadows.
"Won't you stay?" I pleaded.
"I'm more of a lone wolf," he answered as he turned.
"Wait!" I called at him.
He turned around to look at me. I still could not see his face but I knew that his eyes met mine. "Will I see you again?"
"At lunar eclipse," he answered before walking to the forest.
I would wake up then. Every night the dream happened. The meaning still continued to elude me. It had to mean something. It couldn't just be plain coincidence.
I didn't dare tell the others about my dream. Something always held me back from confiding. I couldn't even think of telling Princess Shayla even though I sensed that she would know the answer to the dream. Instead I kept sorting through the puzzle myself. Perhaps with the lunar eclipse I would get my answer.
To be continued….