The Returning of Dreams

Sarah saw the owl for the first time when she was sitting alone in the park to finally read the book her friends had given her for her birthday. She thought it was strange that an owl was flying around during the day, especially a barn owl, since they are nocturnal. But Sarah set the thought aside, began to leaf through her book, and didn't think about it any further.
A few weeks later, she was out in the city with her best friend,Debbie,to run some errands when Debbie pointed something out to her.

"Look, Sar. There's an owl sitting there," she said, her eyes wide open. "A barn owl, if I'm not mistaken."
Sarah followed her gaze and looked the owl straight in the eyes. Something about its gaze seemed familiar to her, but she couldn't quite say what it was. What she did know, however, was that this was the same owl she had seen in the park.

The owl's eyes were different;onewas brighter than the other.
"Strange. I saw this exact owl the other day when I was sitting in the park reading my book," Sarah said thoughtfully, tugging on her lower lip.

Debbie laughed. "It's probably just a coincidence. But aren't barn owls nocturnal?"
Sarah nodded, but she felt uneasy inside. "Maybe this owl is just different. But ifI see it a third time, I won't believe in coincidences anymore."

"Maybe it's someone in your family who passed away or something like that. You know I believe in that kind of thing. Dude... I've got goosebumps," Debbie said, rubbing her arms.
Then she hooked her arm through Sarah's and pulled her further through the pedestrian zone to the next store.

"Come on, Sarah. Let's keep going." On that day, the two did not see the owl again.
Several months passed during which the owl did not appear, but it had nestled deep into Sarah's thoughts-and into her dreams. These dreams, which she hadn't had in a long time. In them, she ran through a labyrinth, searching for something she couldn't remember. Was it something or someone? Why was she here? The owl flew over her head again and again, and once it landed in a tree in front of her. Then it suddenly disappeared, and in its place stood a man with long, blond hair. Sarah knew him, but she only remembered him in fragments.
With each dream, more memories returned. The memorythatshe had to search for her brother, the memory of her friends in the labyrinth, the puzzles she had to solve,and the adventures she had to endure.

But his name... his name did not come to her mind. She knew what he looked like;she even knew how he smelled – like leather and liked those scents very much. Was it because of him? Why the hellcouldshe not remember his name? Had she forgotten it,or had she repressed it? Repressed it because the memories would only wear her down?

Sarah knew that she had defeated the man and,therefore,no longer had access to his world. She had always believed that this was for the best. But little by little,she realized that she wanted to see this man again.