*Dream Sequence*
He still heard the rain but it was in the distance as he opened his eyes. Looking around he was outside in the woods. He remember them. It was the same ones he was in the first time he learned to walk in dreams or more actually the world of dreams, his & others. He hoped the meant she was there as well. His eyes kept drifting to the sky in the distance. A menacing storm raged in the distance. "That shouldn't be here."
Looking in the direction of the storm he focused trying to thing of the clear night sky. Nothing though, a few moments it looked like it pulled back, retreating only to come back as strong as before. Luckily for him it was far enough away for it to not effect him. What was the cause of it though? Oh well he could only hope he would find Jade at 'their' spot. He looked around he knew the path should have been easy to spot. Did time cover it? No it couldn't have time has little meaning there, why couldn't he see it then? It was his own doubts, doubts about going back into something that had passed or doubt of what he would find? Maybe both.
He closed his eyes a moment to try to focus, the storm was breaking that focus but no amount of will would quite it. Slowly reopening his eyes he looked around, it was then that despite the noise of the distant storm that he heard the slightly closer sound of the water fall. He allowed his feet to lead him in the direction of it. "Please let her be there…please let her be ok." Breaking into the new clearing he was the waterfall as before emptying into the pool below, but no Jade. "Damn it…now what? Come on Steven think. Where else to look?"
Kneeling down he looks up at the sky, a sigh of desperation crosses his lips. "Why give me these gifts if I can't use them?…Why allow me to learn of these things if I can't use them? Why Torment me with a hopeless task?" Steven emits a scream that fills the air around him. After his own sound died out it was returned with that of some unknown growl. His head lowered more towards the direction of the sound…or the direction he thought is came from anyways. Slowly he stood being on his guard. "What am I scared of? Nothing can hurt me here if I don't want it…I control this place…Then again if that was true that storm wouldn't be here." He watched as he saw the bushes near by begin to move. Was it her maybe? No if so what was that growl? Well she did say one of her animals was a tiger. "COME ON OUT!"
The faint growl was heard again as a form of almost pure jet black fur emerged from the woods. Steven just watched it as it padded by him towards the water. It took a few sips of water before turning it's head towards Steven, it looked at him with almost glowing yellow eyes. Oddly Steven could almost feel as though it was looking at him as if to say 'Why you look so surprised to see me?' He tried not to laugh…The panther, one of his that Jade said he had connection to. He closed his eyes trying to think back, what was it she said the panther may allow him to do. Dream walk…ok check…stealth…well she claims that…track her walks….maybe that's it. His eyes snapped open looking back towards the water the panther sitting looking at him waiting.
"Ok…show me the way to Jade…to Rose." The Panther stood dipping his head before heading back into the forest. Steven followed but soon felt like he would loose the beast. After a few clear spots he had to stop. He lost sight of it…great now what. Shaking his head cursing himself…he has the aspects of these animals…he didn't physically need them there, it was his dream after all. He did notice it was heading in the direction of that storm…great. Closing his eyes again he focused where he wished to be. Before he opened his eyes he could feel the wind pick up greatly from where he was. Opening his eyes he was closer to the raging storm but still not close enough he felt. He tried to move closer, but as he moved closer it seemed to move farther away. "Damn now what…" He felt he was on the right path, but could not reach the next cross roads." He didn't want to but he knew for now he had to stop. Closing his eyes relaxing one last time.
Waking up he saw the sun already streaming into the room. Looking over he saw Waya & Sasha sitting by the door.
"How long have you been here for?" Steven asked as he sat up.
"About an hour I would guess. I did not wish to disturb you incase you where working on anything."
"Thank you. I was." Standing up he went to put some water on to heat. As he waited he walked over to Waya sitting near by. "I saw a strong storm in the distance but no matter how hard I tried I could not reach it…it got to a point that it looked like it was moving away from me so that I would not reach it…I have a bad feeling Ja…I mean Rose may be caught in that storm. What is it?"
"First if you are comfortable calling Golanv Jade then go ahead I know who you mean, that child has so many names. Secondly that storm to a point may be her. If she is injured or her mind effected from the encounter , those turbulent lands may be her dreamscape at the moment. She is not around here though & we have yet to find out how far your abilities stretch. You may have been able to see it, but not enter it cause of the connection the two of you once shared & I guess to a point still do. You said there was two other places you were going to look for her?"
"Yes…the problem started in Massachusetts so I was debating that way & of course towards her home in Philadelphia."
"Well it is easy enough to swing into Massachusetts on the way down to Philadelphia."
"I was thinking the same thing Drive from here to there, spend the night, then continue down to her home."
"Ok safe travels to you Steven…I hope to hear good news."
"You & I both Waya." Standing Waya left to allow Steve to finish his time there to get this thoughts in order for the next part of his journey.
It was mid-day before Steven realized he lost complete track of time. He has a choice to make, stay there another night & head out early in the morning or head out now & not get in to Massachusetts after night fall. He didn't want to waste anymore time & he had not eaten all day as it was. Making sure the fire was doused he headed back towards his car. He hit the highway in the general direction making note to hit the first place he saw for some food.
Pulling off he got some food & drink for the road before he pulled off he pulled out his phone placing a call to Kevin.
"Hey big guy…yeah…nothing really yet…Went to see Waya first…no he hadn't seen her either…no not a total waste, I may have a clue of how to reach her. I need to figure out where she is though first…yeah the dreams…I'm out of practice. I think I may of 'felt' her there bout couldn't get to her. I'm on my was to Mass now, what part of it was she in?…Ok thanks it will at least give me a rough direction, thanks…I will, as soon as I know anything…yeah you too."
Clicking off the phone he hopped back into the car & the map to remap his route. Sighing as he saw he has close to an 8 hour drive, damn almost as bad as driving to Philadelphia would have been, he never understood how that was possible. Oh well might as well get started. Starting the car he headed off. As time dragged on he did what ever he could to stay awake & focused. He didn't want to make any stops till he got into Mass if not West Newbury. Signs zoomed by while time dragged by, finally he saw the exit he was looking for. Pulling off on the shoulder he pulled out the map again looking for any near by motels…nothing fancy all he cared was that it was clean & with a bed. Ok maybe a shower would be nice too. Putting the map down seeing he wasn't too far from one he headed down the road praying for a vacancy sign. Pulling into the lot seeing he was in luck. Parking & hopping out he rushed for the office luckily catching the desk clerk as they were getting ready to close for the night. It took some fast talking on Steven's part to secure a room of the night…the clerk claiming it was an inconvenience as the log was already put away for the night. Steven didn't care the cost he was tired & had a feeling the clerk knew it.
Finally getting his room key he headed back to the car to get his bag & then go to his room. He wondered what was more of a welcome sight the bathroom or the bed…the bathroom won out for right now. A quick wash for now as he worried a full shower might wake him up, something he didn't want to do right now. Maybe in the morning. Changing into more comfortable clothing he laid down in bed allowing his eyes to slowly close.