The Watchers Trilogy: Awakening

by Karice Bolton

I awoke but had no idea where I was or what day it was. I felt Matilda snuggling on my feet. I was so relieved that I had something somewhat familiar to me. This latest nightmare was a rough one. Shivers were running through me as I relived the nebulous talk of demons and fallen angels. This was one of the most realistic nightmares to date. My head was groggy. My entire body ached. I couldn’t remember what I was doing right before I fell asleep, but I vaguely remembered what was happening that evening. It was like a distant and foggy dream or maybe another nightmare. I’m not sure yet how I would classify it. I saw the curtains closed tightly and secured to each other to not allow any light in, and I recognized my room immediately. Then I remembered last night was not a nightmare. It was real.

  I heard Athen tell the others I had awoke, but I wasn’t sure how he knew that. Several sets of feet began walking down the hallway. I wasn’t sure what may have changed since I last saw them. They were truly my family. I didn’t want to go any longer without seeing them, especially Athen. There was no disputing that this was where I belonged. My heart began to fall a little at the terms that popped back into my head - fallen angels, demons – nothing I wanted to recognize as being in existence. It wasn’t a dream last night. It was my destiny.

  My door began to slowly open. I saw Athen. It was so good to see Athen. I needed him so badly. His eyes were piercing as ever but full of great concern. He looked tired, circles were showing slightly under his eyes, and I had never seen him with the level of stress that I saw outlining his face. Arie was peering from behind him, but I couldn’t see Cyril. I only felt him there.

  “Hey, sunshine. How are you feeling?” Athen’s calm voice made me feel better instantly.

  “I feel like I’m recovering from some horrible flu or something but other than that, great,” I said, trying to be funny, instead sounding completely worn out.

  “We have water going for some tea. It might help you feel a little better. Really, sleep is probably the best answer.”

  “How long have I been sleeping?”

  Athen came over to sit on my bed, as I tried to scoot over. I had no strength and became frustrated. Athen must have sensed it because he scooped me up and nestled me over a little bit so he could sit next to me. Arie and Cyril left to go back to the kitchen and retrieve the tea.

  “You’ve been out for about twenty-six hours. I was expecting you to be out for a few more hours. You never cease to amaze me. Karen stopped by.”

  “Oh no, she did? What did you tell her?”

  “Well, Arie opened the door and told her you had the flu. She counted on the fact that you would be so out if Karen wanted to see you that you wouldn’t wake up anyway, which of course is what happened. Karen certainly is protective of you.”

  “She saw me?”

  “Yeah, she did. She thanked us for taking such good care of you. If we hadn’t let her see you, she probably would’ve thought we’d done something with you, like with the hikers,” he said, half smirking, trying to lighten up the severity of everything I had just experienced.

  I was able to muster up enough strength to laugh because I knew that he wasn’t kidding. I could feel my body begin to respond again to my surroundings. I was beginning to realize what was making my body so tired. I could feel everything. I could feel emotion- mine and others. I could feel the air. I could feel love. I could feel the presence of thoughts. This was going to take some getting used to.

  “Is this normal? To be this tired and worn out?”

  “It is, sweetie. You have been through so much. Your body is still adjusting. There are things that you are experiencing, in this moment, that will come naturally. Right now, I’m sure it feels as if the weight of the world is on you. That feeling will go away. You’ll be able to categorize the thoughts and emotions that you’re feeling from others and only pull them out when you need them. Right now, however, your brain processing is on overload. I promise it will get better.”

  I could feel Arie getting my tea ready, so I tried to prepare myself for the possible discussion that she might have in store for me. To my surprise when she brought in the tea she was quiet. She placed the cup of tea on a coaster, patted my leg, and closed the door on her way out.

  “Wow. That is the first time ever that she didn’t have something to say.”

  “Well, in addition to you being able to read our minds eventually, we are able to read your thoughts more clearly too. She sensed that now wouldn’t be the best time. She probably figured that out once you knew she was coming in with the tea.”

  “This is going to take some getting used to. So, you’ve been able to read my thoughts this entire time?” I asked nervously.

  “Yes, partially. It will definitely take some getting used to. You’ll be amazed at how fast it all comes together, Ana. I promise.”

  “I can’t believe some of the things you must have heard me think! How absolutely mortifying. Since we are on embarrassing topics, I should probably go get washed up.”

  “I have to admit, it was kind of nice hearing some of those things you thought, though.” His smile kind, as he was moving the hair that was stuck to my face.

  I began to move but quickly realized I needed help, which he gently provided.

  “By the way, Ana, everything I heard you contemplating made me even more committed to getting you back this round. I missed you too much to let it fail again.”

  I took a couple sips of the tea as the anger began to swell about what I was told I was the last time I spoke to Athen, still not believing it.

  After I finished up trying to be presentable again, he helped me back into bed, where I definitely needed to be.

  “Am I really a white demon or was it another nightmare?” My eyelids became burdened with a heaviness, and I fell fast asleep not hearing his answer.

  CHAPTER 12