This time it took almost no time for the swirling gold to form shapes and colors, and soon a familiar scene was playing itself out, but from a different point of view.
A young girl was walking down the path. She was smiling for no particular reason, except that she was happy just being a part of this world. She couldn't have been more than 14 years old. Her blonde hair was in two braids, each tied with a red bow. She wore a light yellow dress with a few slightly darker patches where the dress had been worn, and her brilliant green eyes shone in the sun.
Suddenly she stopped. On the side of the road was another girl with darker hair huddled behind a wheelbarrow. Her shoulders were shaking, and her face was in her hands. The girl realized that she was crying.
"Hey!" she called out to the crying girl. The girl looked up. Upon seeing another person she immediately started wiping the tears off her face and tried to suck in some the snot that had begun to run. The blonde girl ran towards the wheelbarrow and stopped next to the weeping girl. "Are you okay?" She asked.
"Yeah, I'm okay. Thanks," said the brunette.
"My name's Eleanor," the blonde girl said, stretching her hand out to the crying girl, who still had streams of tears drying on her face.
"Cora," the other girl introduced herself, taking Eleanor's outstretched hand. "Pleasure to meet you." She sniffed and pulled her hand back to wipe her nose on her arm.
"Are you sure you're okay?" Eleanor prodded.
"Yeah, I'm sure," said Cora, fidgeting stiffly.
Eleanor's face suggested looked skeptical, but she didn't question her further. "You're the miller's daughter, aren't you?" she asked. Cora nodded almost imperceptively. "I've seen you around, delivering the flour. It looks rather heavy." Cora merely shrugged in response. This was followed by an awkward silence. "Well," Eleanor said, breaking the silence, "you're delivering this to the baker, right?" Cora nodded again. Eleanor smiled. "I'm the baker's daughter. If you want, I can help you carry that into town."
Cora looked at her in confusion. "But...why? Why would you help me?"
Eleanor shrugged. "Because it's the honorable thing to do. Also, it gives me a chance to get to know you better." She offered Cora her hand. Cora smiled and took it gladly. However, Eleanor pulled a little to hard. Cora yelped and clutched her shoulder as she stood. "Cora what's wron-" Eleanor started. But then the shawl covering Cora fell to the ground, and the dark red lines on her back were exposed. Some of the lines were crovered with dried blood, while some were still bleeding very slowly. Cora hissed through her teeth when the air hit the still-open wounds through her torn dress. "Cora, what happened?!" Eleanor exclaimed.
"I...I just..." Cora stammered as she scrambled to pick up her shawl and wrap it around herself.
"Who did this to you?" Eleanor demaded. "Was it your father?"
Cora didn't say anything. Her face blushed scarlet and she hung her head. Eleanor's face softened, and she took a step closer. She placed her hand underneath Cora's chin and gently lifted her face until Cora was staring into her eyes.
"Listen to me, Cora," said Eleanor in a low voice. "Whatever your father says, don't you dare feel ashamed about what he's done to you." Cora looked away from Eleanor, still not saying anything. "Hey, look at me," Eleanor insisted. Cora obeyed. "None of this is your fault. Do you understand?" After a moment Cora slowly nodded. "Good. Now, let's get this flour down to my father, shall we? Then we can get you all patched up." Eleanor took the handles of the wheelbarrow in her strong grasp and lifted it with little trouble.
Cora began to object, "Eleanor, I can-"
"I know you can," said Eleanor, "but I can do it better." She winked to show that she was only joking, but continued walking down the road pulling the wheelbarrow by herself. Cora stood in the middle of the road, deliberating. Finally she rushed to catch up to Eleanor, and walked beside her talking and laughing the whole way.
The scene faded into the swirling gold aura. I was puzzled. Eleanor and Mother had been friends? And why had I never heard about it? The dreamcatcher began to show another scene. I shook off my questions and leaned forward to see what happened next.
Eleanor and Cora were sitting in a field, talking and laughing. They were a little older than when they had first met, by only a year or two. The field was dotted with little purple flowers, just beginning to bloom. Cora looked down, her smile falling just a little. Carefully, she picked one of the delicate flowers and held it out in front of her, inspecting it with a sad smile on her face.
"These flowers were my mother's favorite," she said in a low voice. What remained of her smile drained away and was replaiced by grief and guilt. She slowly lowered the flower into her lap and looked away mournfully.
"Cora, how many times do I have to tell you," Eleanor said, "it wasn't your fault! You were both by the river and the ground fell from underneath you, pulling you into the water. Your mother jumped in and saved you. It was her choice."
"Yes, but if it hadn't been for me, she would still be alive right now."
Eleanor gently lifted Cora's chin until she was looking into her eyes. "If it hadn't been for you, what would she have had to live for?" she challenged. The edges of Cora's lips twitched upward. "She loved you so much, Cora, and that's why she saved you. It was the river, not you, that killed her. I'm sure she wouldn't have had it any other way."
Cora finally smiled a litte. "Thank you, Eleanor," she said. "I really do appreciate it."
Eleanor grinned victoriously. "Always."
There was a brief moment of silence between them. Then Cora spoke. "Eleanor?"
"Yes?"
"Why are you so nice to me?"
"Because you're smart and kind, and because you're my best friend in the entire world," said Eleanor.
"Oh, okay."
Then Eleanor leaned a little closer to her. "And...there's also one other thing."
Cora looked cautiously intrigued. "What's that?"
Eleanor slowly brought one hand up to Cora's cheek, then the other, and held her face in her hands. She looked into Cora's eyes and hesitated for just a moment. Then she leaned in and kissed her softly. Cora's eyes widened in shock. She wasn't sure what to do for a moment. Then, she she closed her eyes and let herself melt into the kiss.
The picture faded, but morphed immediately into a montage of memories: snowball fights, floating on the lake, chasing each other across the field, sneaking off to kiss in the alley. I smiled involuntarily. She seemed so happy.
Eleanor and Cora were in the bakery, rolling dough together. Eleanor looked down at Cora's dark red skirt, which was swishing back and forth as she worked. Then her eyes glowed with a mischievous glint, and she smiled. Trying not to look suspicious, she meandered behind where Cora stood. Cora, completely oblivious, continued to work. Suddenly, with a great cry, Eleanor opened her palm and slapped Cora's hip. Not enough to hurt-in fact, Cora hardly felt anything-but enough to leave a distinct white handprint on Cora's skirt.
Cora jumped in surprise, and turned to face her attacker. "What on earth...?" Eleanor merely held up her flour-covered hands. Cora's eyes widened in realization, and she looked down and around until she found the flour print. Then she looked up and glared at Eleanor. "You didn't." Eleanor shrugged and grinned victoriously. Cora held her glare, not taking her eyes Eleanor. Eleanor's smile faltered. She started to look nervous, wondering if she'd done something wrong. Then she saw Cora's hand curl around a pile of flour on the counter.
Eleanor squealed and tried to run, but it was too late. Cora threw the flour at Eleanor. The pile exploded on her back, covering her from head to toe.
She turned around slowly to face Cora. "Oh, now you're going to pay," she said, reaching for the counter.
They spent a good five minutes tearing around the bakery, throwing flour at each other, and generally making a mess of the place. Finally, Eleanor caught Cora's arm and swung her around, hugging her from behind. Cora squealed and giggled, trying futilly to escape. When Cora stopped struggling, Eleanor kissed her cheek and slowly spun her back around to face her. They just looked into each others' eyes and smiled. Then Eleanor pulled Cora close, until their foreheads touched, and kissed her gently for a few seconds. When she pulled away, Cora pouted, dissappointed with how short the kiss had lasted. Eleanor bit her lip, anxious about what she was about to say.
"Cora?"
"Yes?"
Eleanor pulled away just enough so that she could gaze into Cora's beautiful, dark, chocolate-brown eyes. "I think...I think I love you."
Cora's eyes widened in surprise. She pulled back and stared at Eleanor, not saying anything. Eleanor looked terrified, wondering if she had just made an enormous mistake. Finally, Cora spoke. "I...I think..." she began. Cora looked over Eleanor's shoulder and suddenly pushed away from her. Eleanor yelped in hurt surprise. "Oh no!" Cora breathed.
"What in the..." then Eleanor turned around to see Cora's father through the window for only an instant before he stormed away. In that moment, Eleanor could see he was seething with rage. "Oh." When she turned back around Cora looked absolutely terrified.
"I...I have to go."
"What, are you crazy?!" Eleanor exclaimed, grabbing Cora's arm before she could run away. "You can't go home, he'll murder me."
"I have to!"
"No you don't! You can stay with me, or we can run away. Together. Just you and me."
"I...I..."
"Cora," Eleanor pleaded, "I love you. If any part of you feels anything for me, stay with me. Please."
Tears began to flow from Cora's eyes. She turned her face away from Eleanor as she cried. "I can't. I'm sorry." With that she ripped her hand from Eleanor's grasp and ran away.
"Cora!" Eleanor yelled. "CORA!" Cora didn't turn back. She didn't respond at all. Eleanor ran after her for a couple of steps, but tripped and fell on the cold stone. She didn't get up. She didn't even try to move. She just laid on the floor and cried bitterly into the pavement.
The picture faded once again into the golden aura, but quickly morphed into the last memory.
Eleanor walked down the same road on which she had met Cora. This time, however, she didn't smile, nor skip, nor sing a tune. She merely put one foot in front of the other, kicking the rocks and dirt in front of her as she did so. Then she looked up, and saw a familiar shape making it's way down the road towards her. A girl, struggling with a wheelbarrow full of flour bags in front of her. Eleanor's face lit up and she ran towards the girl.
"Cora!" she shouted, waving madly at the girl. Cora looked up, cocking her head to the side curiously. Eleanor was so delighted, she almost ran into her. She immediately wrapped Cora in a giant hug, and started to cry with relief. "Oh my god, you're okay. You're okay."
"Um..yes," said Cora. "I'm fine."
Eleanor pulled away to look at Cora, grinning from ear to ear. "I'm sorry, I'm just...I'm so happy you're alright. I was so worried about you, and-" Suddenly, Eleanor noticed the dark bruise peeking out of Cora's sleeve. "Cora, what is that?"
Cora looked down, saw that the bruise was showing, and covered it up quickly. "It's nothing."
"It most certainly is not nothing!" Eleanor insisted. "Did your father do this to you?"
"Why would you care?" Cora said dryly. "What is it to you?"
Eleanor looked surprised by Cora's attitude, but tried to shake it off. "I care because I care about you. Don't worry, Cora," she said, taking a step closer to her. "I'll take you away from him. I've almost saved enough money to secure a ship to take us far, far away from here. You'll see, we'll be okay." Then she leaned forward and started to kiss Cora's full, pink lips.
Cora's hand seemed to come out of nowhere as it came into contact with Eleanor's cheek. Eleanor reeled at the slap, and almost fell over. When she turned back to Cora, her eyes were watering, and she held her cheek in her hand. "Cora, what..."
"What the hell are you doing?!" Cora shouted.
"I just...I thought..." Eleanor stammered.
"I don't even know you! And to think, a girl just tried to kiss me!" She shuddered. "What would father even say!"
Eleanor's face contorted in pain. "What do you mean? You don't know me? Cora, how could you not know me?" She took Cora's face in her hands. "It's me, Eleanor! Please, Cora!"
Cora ripped her face away from Eleanor and stepped back slowly. "I've never seen you before in my life, and if I never saw you again, it would be too soon." Cora huffed and wiped her hands on her skirt. "Now I'd suggest you go along your way, so I can deliver this flour, unless you want me to notify the authorities that there's a girl assaulting people on the road." She took the wheelbarrow once again, and started on her way.
Eleanor's cheek had turned bright red, and her head was lowered. Through her tears, she tried one more time. "Do you...do you need any help?"
"I can manage just fine on my own," said Cora gruffly. "Besides, I would never accept help from you."
Eleanor turned away, tears running down her face in rivers, and ran away, towards the woods. She stopped on the very edge and leaned up against a tree. She didn't turn back, but buried her face in her hands and sobbed.