Time To Travel II

Sookie figured it was the chill that woke her up as she pulled her clothing tighter to help ward of the chill. But the big question was she dreaming or was she sleepwalking? She looked forward into the night air her breath revealing itself in small bursts of moist clouds. She felt as if she had fallen into a distant land and though things looked vaguely familiar she knew nothing was as it seemed. Matt was ahead of her by no more than ten yards but the distance was irrelevant as it felt as if he was miles away and unreachable.

Suddenly the darkness began to part by lights hovering in midair. She finally realized as her eyes caught up to the shadows, that a group of people had suddenly descended ahead of her and the lights came from their flaming torches. Her heart began to race as she was suddenly terrified. Matt looked only towards the newcomers and hadn't even acknowledged her existence. The new arrivals began to move in a rhythm as if in a practiced routine until they circled around Matt and swallowed him in their dance. She wanted to turn and run away but she had no idea where she was as nothing that was there earlier in the day revealed itself in this dark night; a deep blackness she had never felt before. She feared if she ran she would never find her world again; so she remained rooted frozen in disbelief. She wanted Matthew to turn around and comfort her, tell her it was okay, but he was beyond that and beyond her she just didn't know if he would ever come back.

The choreography in front of her was beyond alien yet it appeared to be practiced and she began to see the beauty in the movements. The world seemed old and young at the same time and despite of her total helplessness she began to find herself sway with the music that had begun in the distance. A bonfire suddenly flared up from nowhere giving her a better view of the ritual before her. She took a step forward and suddenly Matthew was there smiling holding her hand pulling her towards the action.

"What is this?"

"A piece of my world, it is a pagan ritual from long ago. Let go of your world and come with me," he said handing her a delicate flower that had closed up tight with the chill but was beautiful all the same.

Sookie woke up with a start throwing the blankets off in her rush to sit up. She looked around was relieved to see her modest yet modern surroundings. It had simply been a dream, a very vivid one but a dream nonetheless. She stretched and let her panic recede with the deep breaths that she forced into her lungs. She looked in the mirror and her hair was beyond a sight looking as if she had been standing in the wind instead of sleeping. She shook it off as Matt knocked on the door and asked if she was awake yet. She opened the door to see him smile gently and ask if she slept well. She went to nod that she was just fine when the music from her dream began to pound in her ears and the sight of Matt in the midst of the dancers slammed into her.

"Are you okay?" he asked.

"Fine, just a dream filled night."

"Was I in it?"

"As a matter of fact you were," she said with a gentle smile. "Let me get cleaned up so you can take me for one last long walk."

Sookie brushed out her hair and scrubbed her face and then dug through her suitcase for something that would keep her warm during her outing. As she sat on the bed to put her shoes on she noticed something sitting on the small dresser. She laced up her shoes and walked over picking up the small but vibrant flower and wondered if Matt had put it there while she was in the bathroom. She twirled it around and smelled its gentle fragrance and headed towards the kitchen.

"What have you got there?" Bonnie asked as Sookie sat down at the table.

"I think Matt put it on my dresser this morning. It's beautiful, I don't think I've ever seen anything like it before," Sookie said looking at the soft petals which had opened wide.

"None of us have," Bonnie replied a concerned look clouding her face.

"What do you mean?"

"Descriptions, drawings but never one in person nor a true photograph of one."

"I'm sorry I don't understand," Sookie said leaning forward intently.

"There were stories, legends about a flower like that. Back when Scotland was under siege by the English," she began.

"I'm sorry, I don't know Scottish history."

"To make a long story short, the English would come and take a man's new bride for a night to dilute our heritage and insert their own. They would also kill anyone who got in their way and stories said they would have no issue with killing children that they came across in their journey; taking as much as they could from each generation."

"That's awful."

"Yes it was, but legend has it that the tears of those mourning what was taken and what was lost fell to the ground and in that place a flower described just like this grew. The locals called it the Highland Rose. One has never been seen by modern folk, they disappeared centuries ago. So you see Matthew couldn't have given it to you."

"Or could he? I mean we can't deny it is sitting here. I had this vivid dream last night, it was if I was just down the road but at the same time I was so far away. Matt was there but he was different; his age but younger at the same time, there were people with torches and they were dancing and there was a big bonfire and it was cold," Sookie explained the story rushing from her.

"All Souls Night," Bonnie gasped.

"What?"

"All Souls Night was a big deal around here, the center of the ceremony was said to be just down the road. It was a pagan festival that happened in the autumn one that would have been popular in Matthew's time."

"Are you sure?" Sookie asked. "I mean of the location and all?"

"Sookie, my family has grown up with Matthew for generations, we are born and die and yet he is the same. He has carried our history on his back and shared it with each passing group."

"So your family has protected him all these years?"

"We have as well as friends of Eric's who would take the night watch if you understand what I mean."

"Vampires."

"Yes, vampires, we took care of his son and he took care of us."

"It wasn't a dream was it? Somehow he got into my head." Bonnie sat quietly looking out the window where Matt was throwing a tennis ball for the dog to chase down. "Didn't he? I mean that has to be it right? He couldn't have actually taken me back in time; right? He isn't capable of that is he?"

Bonnie placed her gaze back on Sookie; "we just don't know what he is capable of."

After a quick breakfast Sookie took a deep breath and headed outside to meet up with Matt. She had enjoyed her time with the boy though it felt odd not having Eric around. But now she saw him through different eyes and she wasn't quite sure what the view afforded.

"You ready to go?" he asked his eyes excited and playful.

"Sure," she said trying to match his mood but falling far short.

They began to amble down the road with Matt charging ahead the dog keeping up with him. He seemed so at home in the environment that was so different from Northern Louisiana. The pine trees, the crisp air, the isolation all seemed to agree with him. Sookie split her time between watching him and the beauty that surrounded her.

"Come over here," he motioned towards the trees. "If you walk up this way you get a great view of the water."

Sookie smiled hesitantly and found her body was just as tentative. Suddenly she wasn't as comfortable with him and desperately wished Eric was around. Matt threw his head to the side indicating for her to follow. She looked into the dense trees and stood her ground.

"What's wrong?" Matt asked.

"What happened to me last night?" she finally asked.

Matt stepped back towards the road his face etched with concern. "I'm sorry, I didn't mean-''

"You didn't what; mean to scare the hell out of me? That was you wasn't it? You were responsible for my late night terror weren't you?"

Matt hung his head and finally brought his head up but avoided Sookie's intense gaze. He licked his lips and cleared his throat. "I just wanted to show you a piece of my world."

"You can't just throw somebody into that without warning."

"I'm sorry."

"Well you should be," Sookie stated trying to look harsh. Matt continued to look at the ground causing her to soften a bit. "What did you do anyway, some kind of mind trick? Were you in my head? I mean you didn't transport me in time did you?"

"Sort of, think of it like a play. The scene is set and the actors are there, I just brought you to a performance."

"It was awfully real."

"Yeah, it kind of was, I can't explain it any better."

"And the flower?"

"A prop, they were real, I used to pick them for my mother," he said his voice cracking. The living yet extinct flower was all too real and sent a shiver up Sookie's spine. "You're afraid of me now aren't you?"

"No, but that was very unsettling and I don't care to go through it again if you don't mind."

"Okay sorry," Matt repeated. "Please don't tell my dad," he begged his blue eyes yearning for her to agree to his plea.

Sookie cocked her head and looked into those blue eyes that were glistening in fear. She stepped towards him and touched his face her fingers trailing down his cheek. "Why do you ask that?"

"He wouldn't be happy that I scared you."

"How much can you do? You were the one that pushed Antonia to leave weren't you?" Matt remained silent confirming her suspicions. "You have a lot of power don't you?"

"More so here, my history is here my mother is buried here, it is my center. As for Antonia I was able to convince her to move on but she was the one who chose to carry it out."

"Out of fear of you?"

"I don't know," he answered looking down again.

"So Eric wouldn't be happy?"

Matt shrugged his shoulders. "He doesn't like my abilities being scrutinized or realized by too many."

"He's afraid you are more powerful than he is," Sookie surmised.

Once again Matt shrugged. "Maybe, but I don't think I'll ever be brave enough to find out. He tends to nip things in the bud."

"Well no more surprises and I'll keep this to myself, but listen to me young man this is never to happen again. I like to nip things in the bud as well," she stated looking at him trying to make her eyes hard.

"Yes ma'am," Matt nodded vigorously as Sookie wondered exactly how Eric nipped things in the bud.

"So what was it I witnessed last night?"

"The Pagan festival of All Souls Night, it was my favorite. My mom was very earth centered but she named me Matthew so those I had never met would think me a Christian."

"I see, I think," Sookie said not sure of what all this meant. She began to realize just how complicated Matt and his world were.

They were to leave the next morning and Sookie having her sleep disrupted the night before decided to go to bed early. But as she finished brushing her teeth she heard hushed voices coming from the kitchen.

"Don't think I don't know what you are doing," Bonnie was saying.

"Just don't tell Eric okay, I already spoke to Sookie about it," Matt replied.

"I won't tell him about your journey but I warn you I will tell him about your other little secret."

"What other secret?"

"I know there is more to this trip than just visiting and what you are thinking is too dangerous."

"How do you know anything?" Matt asked his whisper sounding like a hiss.

"Antonia visited before she went to America; she still wields a lot of power around here. She knew you would eventually begin this quest and wanted me to warn you to stop. Why she thought you would listen to me is a mystery."

Matt thought back to her furious whispers near the pyre back in Louisiana. "Please nephew do not seek what you cannot control; your destiny is just that and not for you to disrupt."

"Matthew please just think about it," Bonnie pleaded.

"Try my destiny on for size and see if you wouldn't try and change it. We'll be leaving early; a car will come for us before 8:00. I thank you so much for your hospitality and I have enjoyed seeing you again."

Sookie went to bed not understanding the pieces of conversation she had managed to overhear. She got back in bed and as hard as she tried she couldn't stay awake to think about it.