Sleep Keeper

by Wilcox, April

  “Are you pregnant?” he asked.

  “Yes, almost 5 months.”

  “We should take you to the hospital first to make sure everything’s okay. You might need stitches on that eye too,” he suggested.

  I nodded. “I can drive myself. I’m going to stay at a hotel the rest of the night… what about my window? I can’t leave my house exposed.”

  “Do you live here alone?”

  “Yes, my boyfriend was… killed a few months back,” I sobbed. My answer stung as much as the question did.

  It seemed to do the same thing to the officer, who displayed a rueful frown. “We’ll take care of it. We can board it up tonight until you get it fixed,” he offered.

  “Thank you, I appreciate it.”

  I threw some clothes in a small bag and drove myself to the hospital. Thankfully, the baby got a clean bill of health. They cleaned up my face and gave me three stitches for the gash. The officers met me at the hospital to finish their questioning. I answered with as few words as possible: I’m not sure; I can’t remember; it was too dark to tell. I could sense their frustrations but they let it go. I wondered if I was making the right choice by not turning Jeremy in.

  My phone rang again and I checked the caller ID - Mom. It was the middle of the night so she must have known what happened. But what if she didn’t, should I tell her? What if Jeremy decided to go after her? On the other hand, even if I told her the truth, that probably wouldn’t stop her from supporting him, plus I didn’t want to drag her into this mess if I could keep her at arm’s distance. I finally just decided to wing it and answered the phone.

  “Um, hello?” I said, trying to sound asleep.

  “Alexis?! Is everything okay? I called earlier but you didn’t pick up,” she rushed.

  “… Uh, yeah Mom, everything’s fine,” I stuttered.

  “Where are you? I drove by and you weren’t home,” she asked hastily.

  My heart started to race. “A hotel. I thought I heard a noise and got scared,” I explained. “Why did you come by so late?”

  “I saw… I… um… just had a bad feeling… When you didn’t answer, I called the police and then drove over to your house, but no one was there,” she stammered.

  “I’m fine, Mom,” I replied.

  My mind was too fuzzy to deal with her. I would decide tomorrow after a few hours of sleep if I should tell her the truth. I quickly ended the call with Mom and drove to the closest hotel I could find. I crawled into their bed. It felt different lying in a stranger’s bed, but all I had to do was think of Orion and I melted right in. I tossed around for a few minutes, trying to find a position that comforted my stinging face without laying flat on my back. I finally settled down and closed my eyes. Twenty minutes later…

  I opened my eyes to a bright white world. The ground was covered in a thick blanket of soft snow. The smooth layer of snow stretched into untouched ripples across the brush. Their rich green color dipped in white snow made the robust pines look majestic. The azure sky was not its usual blend of lavender and rose. Billowy clouds as pale as the snow below them, drifted slowly by.

  The air was crisp and fresh, like a splash of cool water on a hot summer day. For the amount of snow on the ground, I was surprised I was only slightly chilled in the cotton pants and T-shirt I fell asleep in. I watched as the mists of steam from my breath vaporized into the cool air. My face no longer ached, but I felt heat tingling through my cheek.

  “Hey!” Orion called from a hundred feet away. “I was worried about you,” he said as he hiked over. As he drew closer, his smile dropped and mouth hung down in disapproval.

  “What happened?!” he gasped.

  “What do you mean,” I stammered. I placed my hand against my wounded cheek. I felt the emanating heat and quickly pulled it away.

  He cocked his head with squinted eyes, “Your face… I could swear it was bruised a moment ago, but now...” he grazed his hand against my face, “you’re burning up!”

  I pulled back, “I’m fine,” I assured him and stared at the ground. It was hard to lie and look him in the eyes.

  “Damn it Alexis, what happened?” he demanded.

  I guess I carried my wounds over to this world this time. Seemed the rules were slowly changing… worlds molding together. Maybe my mind isn’t the only thing moving between worlds. If that’s the case, whose baby is this?

  I sighed, “I was going to tell you. When I awoke, Jeremy was there. We had… an altercation… then he fled. I’m fine and the baby’s fine. I’m sorry I let him get away.”

  Orion’s face was tense with an impotent anger, “I hate that I can’t protect you!”

  “I hate that you need to,” I responded.

  A light breeze swept by and I shivered.

  “Here, I brought along some gear for you.”

  He handed me a pair of boots and a white snowsuit, which I gladly slipped on over my clothes. Leyland pulled out his new sword and was watching the sunbeams dance off the sharp blade, pretending not to hear the awkward conversation.

  “Nice sword,” I pretended to admire, attempting to change the topic.

  “Thanks. Still got my cleaver too,” he grinned and pointed to his belt.

  I tried to fake a grin.

  “Where are we?” I asked Orion.

  “Kyro, a little over a thousand kilometers north of Onasius. We should be able to see Mount Kalloni in an hour.”

  “Wow, how’d you get here so fast?”

  “We traveled by air. There are faster ways of transportation if the situation calls for it,” Orion explained.

  Leyland chucked, probably at my lack of understanding of this world. I ignored him and joined them on the hike.

  The hours danced by, but I wouldn’t have known it. Fatigue never came even though we shuffled through the snow. We continued to push our way through the forest until we entered a small clearing that led to the base of a grand snow-covered mountain made of stone and ice. The base of the mountain was wrapped in cascading water and wildflowers.

  “Mount Kalloni. It has the largest glacier system on any peak on this continent,” Orion stated.

  I watched in awe as the sunlight shimmered off the ice-covered rocks scattered across the mountain, like tiny diamonds dancing in the sky.

  “The mountain itself is over 14,000 feet tall. It’s the tallest of the great volcanoes that make up the foundation of the Sierra Range - a network of mountains extending over two thousands kilometers across many lands. The peaks are part of an arc that surrounds the ocean with volcanoes and oceanic trenches. It houses over 400 volcanoes and 80% of the world’s largest earthquakes,” he continued.

  I giggled softly at his lecture. He had the natural gift of teaching. I liked it. Leyland seemed uninterested in the geology lesson.

  “Nice place of choice,” I commented.

  Part of me was speaking facetiously and part was admiring his selection.

  We continued forward until we reached the lake below. Blankets of powdered snow draped the nearby rock beds. The clear water of the lake imitated a mirror, casting a flawless reflection of the mountains and sky. It was almost hard to tell which scene was authentic. The surrounding land was untouched by devastation. I wondered if there was a view as untainted and stunning in my world. I walked over to the foot of the lake and dipped my hand in the icy water. Small ripples drifted out across the placid water.

  “Maybe we beat him here?” Leyland questioned as he circled the area.

  “You’re too late,” called a soprano voice from behind.

  “Stella!” Orion beamed.

  He ran over and embraced her, lifting her off her feet. A pang of jealousy crept through my chest. I took a deep breath and pushed it away. I watched a genuine smile spread across her dimpled cheeks as Orion set her back on her feet. She was slight with delicate features. Her honey colored hair fell in tight curls around her face. It complimented her fair skin and bright blue eyes that were speckled with flakes of caramel. I stood th
ere uncomfortably, until Orion motioned me closer.

  “This must be Alexis,” she sang and gave me a warm hug.

  “Um, hi,” I replied.

  “Alexis, this is my cousin, Stella,” he introduced, “and this is Leyland.”

  “Hi Ma’am,” Leyland extended his hand in introduction.

  Stella ignored the jester, leaping up and wrapping her thin arms around Leyland neck. I fought back the urge to giggle as I watched the shocked expression spread across Leyland’s red cheeks.

  “Orion,” called another voice, as a sinewy lad appeared from behind the trees.

  “Apollo,” Orion smiled as he approached.

  Apollo flashed an identical smile in return. He gave Orion a quick hug then turned toward me for an introduction.

  “Alexis, this is my younger brother, Apollo.”

  “Only by a year,” Apollo clarified smugly, straightening his stance.

  “Brother…” I muttered. “Um, nice to meet you,” I extended my hand in salutation.

  He took my hand and placed a gentle kiss on its back. The similar soft lips and charming demeanor made my heart speed up. Abashed, I quickly pulled my hand away. He was a tad shorter than Orion but had many similar features; the same build, identical smile and sculpted face, and that thick wavy hair, but a few shades darker. His skin was lighter, more of a beige tone with light-chocolate freckles sprinkled across his nose and under his jade green eyes.

  “Pleasure,” he replied in a smooth voice.

  “Leyland Balli,” Orion announced as he turned toward Apollo toward Leyland. They exchanged a firm handshake.

  “You said we’re too late… what did you see?” Orion asked Stella.

  “He was here when we arrived. His back was toward us and the water was…” she paused, searching for the right words, “separated… and raised into the air ten feet high, exposing the bottom of the lake. The earth below shook, then a small golden canister broke through the mud and flew into Erebus’ arms. Once he grabbed it, the water crashed back down and he disappeared.”

  “How long ago was this?” asked Orion.

  “About an hour.”

  “How did you know he was here?” Leyland prodded.

  “We’d been in contact with Orion since Erebus first re-surfaced and were searching for him, but… since Orion disclosed the location…” Apollo stated and flashed a scowl at Orion, “our anonymity is no longer required. Unification is now essential.”

  “He didn’t have a choice,” I asserted.

  “Everyone has a choice, Sleep Walker… besides, the circumstances are irrelevant,” Apollo interjected while glaring at Orion.

  I didn’t care for his tone. “Sleep Walker? How does he know…?” I turned toward Orion for an answer.

  “Oh, Orion didn’t tell you?” Apollo laughed. “We’ve been in contact with you Sleep Walkers for generations. Did you think you were the only one?”

  “That’s enough Apollo!” Orion rushed over and grabbed him by the collar.

  “No wait! Let him talk,” I interrupted with a distrusting glare at Orion.

  Orion let him go and reached out for my shoulder. I pulled it away and took a step back, “You knew all along about me? About my family?” I gasped.

  “When you first came I knew you were a Sleep Walker, and I knew there were others before you, but that’s all I knew, nothing else… I promise,” Orion explained.

  “How many others are there?”

  “Not many. I’ve only encountered a few. Besides protecting the location of Erebus’ powers, our family, and a group of others, helps protect and guide any Sleep Walkers who enter our world.”

  “Were you… assigned to me? Is that why I always appear near you?” my swallowed hard, nervous of his response.

  Was the intense connection I felt for him merely that of a sheep and his herder?

  “No, Alexis! I don’t know why that happens. We usually just keep an eye out for them. They are… different. When you meet one, you can tell they are not from here. They don’t… feel the same. It’s hard to explain…”

  “Do I feel different?”

  “You did when you first came… but now, I don’t feel the difference,” he said.

  “Can we discuss this later, love birds? We need to get moving!” Apollo charged.

  “Apollo’s right,” Stella jumped in, “we need to gather everyone and head back South. We received word that he was spotted traveling in that direction.”

  “With Erebus in full form, we’re going to have to act fast before he gathers an army again,” Apollo added.

  “I agree,” said Orion. He looked up at the sky then down at me. “You’ll wake soon. I need you to do something for me.”

  “What’s that?”

  “Try to stay awake as long as you can,” he requested.

  “What? Why?” I took a moment to register his request.

  “You know why, Alexis. I can’t put you and the baby at risk. Who knows when you’ll show up? It’s too dangerous.”

  “Then don’t go,” I begged. “Let your family take care of Erebus.”

  “I can’t do that,” he whispered.

  “Don’t leave your child fatherless,” I implored and watched the anguish flash across his face. I immediately regretted my words and was ashamed of my selfishness. “I’m sorry,” I quickly rebutted. “I will do as you ask and stay away.”

  Orion took me in his arms, “Thank you. I love you with my entire soul,” he whispered.

  “I love you more than that,” I whispered back and held him tight.

  I glanced over at my audience, suddenly abashed by my weakness. Stella’s expression was a mixture of sympathy and compassion. Apollo gave a look of reproach and shook his head. Leyland appeared indifferent, probably used to my outbursts.

  I released Orion and looked out across the land. The gloaming sky held a soft glow as the faded sun shone through the needles of the trees. I couldn’t help but think how ironically similar the scene was to my own life; stuck in twilight, somewhere between daylight and darkness. Constantly pulled between my new world and my birth world… between Orion and Erebus.

  Chapter 17

  I awoke midday on the gloomy winter Saturday. Rain pounded against the window of the hotel room. My stomach growled fervently and I felt a light flutter. The hotel did not offer room service, which meant I had to venture into the world. I dragged myself to the bathroom and stripped off my clothes. I stopped in front of the mirror. My face appeared silken smooth. In fact, my skin looked better than before, glowing perhaps. I smiled and rubbed my belly.

  “Thank you, my little protector,” I whispered.

  After a bite to eat, I headed home to face the reality of last night. The thought of walking back into that empty place filled me with anxiety. I was sure Jeremy wouldn’t be waiting there, but just to be safe I called in reinforcements. I called a handyman to replace the window and a locksmith to replace the locks. With a little extra cash, I convinced them to come by today. They were scheduled to show up several hours apart, starting with the handyman who should be there by the time I got home. Men in my home gave me some comfort but I still wasn’t sure how I would get through tonight. My bed felt like bait - my safe sanctuary was a crime scene. Last night was proof that I needed to be more prepared next time. At least I got some comfort knowing that I wouldn’t be sleeping tonight.

  I pulled off the freeway and into a nearby gun shop. After a disappointing debate with the shop owner, I discovered I couldn’t obtain a handgun without a ten day waiting period, according to state law. Even a crying pregnant young woman with cash couldn’t be persuasive. I contemplated driving to the less fortunate nearby city, where money and discretion could get you practically anything, but decided against it. I filled out the necessary paperwork and walked out empty-handed.

  Once home, I rummaged through the house, making sure there was at least one type of lethal weapon per room. It took most of the day for all the repairs and safety preparation to be co
mpleted. Once nightfall came and the condo was quiet and secure, I sat on the couch, turned on the television and waited.

  The hours flew by and my eyes grew heavy but I managed to stay awake. One o’clock, two o’clock, three o’clock in the morning. I rested my head on the back of the couch and felt the room began to blur. I snapped my head up.

  “Stay awake!” I demanded.

  The pregnancy was making this harder than I had anticipated. I rose to my feet and made a late-night snack. I settled back on the couch. Four o’clock. This was going to be a long night. I put on a movie and stretched out on the couch. The next thing I knew, the room was lit by the rising sun and I peeled open my tired eyes.

  Oh my God, I fell asleep!

  What was more shocking was that I didn’t dream. Panic sunk in as I realized what this could mean.

  Oh no, Orion!

  I jumped to my feet and paced around the house, unsure what to do. I knew I shouldn’t have stayed awake. I should have listened to my instincts to stay with Orion.

  I hurried to the bedroom and hopped into bed. I needed to see him. I needed to see my world. I laid in bed, my heart racing and my hands shaking. I closed my eyes and focused on the forest, but I couldn’t fall asleep. I took in deep breaths of air and tried to relax, concentrating on my breathing - nothing.

  The day ticked slowly by. I stayed in bed and watched the red glow on the clock painfully change one long minute after the next. I gulped down herbal tea in an attempt to fall back asleep, but it didn’t work. I finally climbed out of bed and began to do the essentials of showering and eating. A few hours later, I crawled back in bed and stared again at the clock, waiting for time to sweep me into slumber. The longer I lay there, the slower time crept by. I rubbed my stomach and thought about what my life would be like if I was stuck alone in this world. Tears rolled down my face and soaked the pillowcase. I knew I should be happy that I had my baby, but I couldn’t imagine life without Orion. The whole idea of being a mom still seemed unreal and artificial. I didn’t want to live if I couldn’t have Orion. I knew I shouldn’t feel this way, but I couldn’t help what I felt. I stared out the window at the twilit world and closed my eyes in desolation.