by M. K. ROZE
At school, I had to use the restroom. After I finished, I walked over to the sink to wash my hands. Sharp burning pains rushed through my head. I gasped. “What the hell.” I gripped the sink until it stopped and blinked away my tears. I was now in an open field surrounded by white shimmering grass and pastel pink trees. I stared in disbelief as I narrowed my eyes on the left side of the sky. It looked like the Northern Lights, mostly turquoise and light green, with larger than usual gold stars. The other side was blood red, with black clouds that moved faster than usual.
I rubbed my eyes and opened them up slowly. I was still there. “Hello,” I said.
“Divinity,” a woman’s voice screamed with the same unfamiliar accent Savina had.
My body jerked, and I whipped around. She was running toward me wearing a long purple dress. Beyond her was a tall gold castle on top of a hill.
“Viata,” another girl said, but it was muffled.
“No, the unknown woman screamed out as she reached her hands out for me.
Maria’s face came into focus, and a new girl I didn’t know was standing next to me.
“Are you okay,” Maria asked.
I blinked a few times. “Yes,” I think so.”
Maria turned to the girl. “You better get back to class. I got this.”
The girl left without saying anything.
“What happened? You looked like you were in a trance with your eyes open.”
“They were?” I said, confused.
“Yes.”
“I got a burning feeling in my head. Then I must have blacked out. Is it possible to be knocked out with your eyes open?”
“Yes, do you remember anything after that?”
I nodded.
Her eyes widened. “What?”
I told her about what just happened, and a quick rundown of my dreams.
“That’s strange. Did the woman say anything else to you?” she asked.
I washed my hands. “No, but I felt like I stepped into another realm. Isn’t that weird?”
She smirked. “That’s not possible. It sounds like you had another dream.”
I gave her a sour look. “It was only a few minutes?”
Maria pulled out a paper towel and handed it to me. “Last year, I got hit in my head by a football, and it knocked me out. While unconscious, I had the same dream from the week before. But a short version. It happens.” She laughed and continued. “Some of the people thought I was dead because my eyes were wide open, while I was knocked out cold.”
I sighed with relief. “I’m glad I’m not the only one with this problem, and I hope it doesn’t happen again, especially here.”
“It won’t as long as you stop thinking about it. You don’t believe your dreams are real, do you?” she asked.
“No.”
“Good. Come on let’s get out of here before we get in trouble.”
Maria opened the door.
“Thank you for waking me up and talking to me.”
She smiled. “You’re welcome! If you can, see a doctor and get some medicine. It will help.”
“I will. Thank you.”
“No problem,” she said and walked away.
I kept telling myself it was only a dream and to forget about it. It helped me get through the first four periods.
Kaylee and I met up in the cafeteria for lunch. We ended up sitting across from some popular boys our age. When one of them looked at me and smiled, I turned away.
Kaylee kicked me under the table. “Are you nuts? He’s hot.”
“Not interested,” I replied, peeling all the skin off my apple.
“Are you okay?”
I gave in and told her about my episode in the bathroom.
Her jaw dropped. “I’m kind of jealous that the new girl was there for you and I wasn’t.”
“Really? That’s all you have to say?”
“I’m kidding. I think Maria’s right about you falling asleep. I just don’t know about you dreaming with your eyes open. Did you get the results from the sleep study yet?”
“No, but my aunt did some weird therapy on me to forget.”
“Well, it’s not working.”
“She only did it once. I’m supposed to go back in tomorrow for another session.”
“If it doesn’t work, have her give you a pill to help with your headaches and your daydreams.”
“I will.”
“How is your head?”
“Normal. It doesn’t hurt anymore.”
“Good, now let’s eat before the annoying bell rings.”
I giggled.
Right after school, I went home and called my aunt on her cell phone like she asked me to. She picked up on the first ring.
“Hello, V.”
“Hi, I’m so sorry to bother you, but I just had a dream at school while I was in the bathroom. And I was wide awake.”
“Someone canceled today. I have an opening this afternoon at 5:00. Does that work for you?”
“Yes. Please don’t tell Mom.”
“I won’t. See you then,” she said and ended the call.
I did some errands around the house and drove to my aunt’s office. On the way, traffic was terrible. When I arrived, I rushed out of my car and ran inside.
Aunt Jessica and a woman turned to me.
“Sorry,” I said and sat down.
My aunt walked her to the door, and the woman left.
“Step inside my office.”
I followed her in and sat in the same hard chair.
She sat at her desk this time. “What’s going on, V?”
“I got a bad headache, followed by a vision or a dream. The girl who found me said my eyes were open. Is that normal?”
She was taking notes. “Like I said last week. I think you’re having Hypnagogic hallucinations. I honestly don’t think the therapy session we did yesterday is going to help you. I know you’re against medicine, but I would like to start you on a sleeping pill.”
I shook my head.
“V, it will help with your headaches and the hallucinations your having.”
“Will this all stop?”
“It should help you sleep through the night.”
“Will this pill make me drowsy like some people say it does?”
“No, it shouldn’t. It’s a mild dose. You will feel a little fatigued, so make sure you take them only when going to bed. And don’t ever drink or drive while on them,” she insisted.
I couldn’t help but giggle when she said drink. I never drank before and had no desire to do so. I was scared, but I knew I had to take them to be normal again—like I was before. I wanted my life back, and I was sick of seeing things and being taunted by Savina.
Aunt Jessica got up and hugged me.
“Thanks again,” I said.
She smiled and walked me to the door. “Take care of yourself and get those pills, but don’t take any before I talk to your mom.”
“But you said you weren’t going to tell her.”
“V, I have to call your mother and tell her I’m sending in a prescription for you. You’re a minor still.”
“Can you leave out what happened to me today at school? I will tell her tomorrow.”
“Yes, but make sure you talk to your parents about what’s going on. No one can help you if you don’t.”
“I will, I promise.”
She smiled. “Bye, she said and closed the door.
I got in my car feeling better but worried the new pills might not work.
I stopped at Kaylee’s house and told her what happened at my aunt’s office. She was happy I was getting help.
When I arrived home, Mom hugged me and handed me the pills.
“I see you spoke with Aunt Jessica.”
“Yes, she told me you saw her today because you were having headaches again.”
“Yeah, I had a bad one all day at school.”
I waited to see if she was going to ask me about the vision I had, but she didn’t.
“Make sure you take one tonight.”
“I will.”
“I’m going to bed. Tell Dad I said good night.”
She kissed my cheek. “I will. Night, honey.”
“Night.”
I went to my room and took the small white pill. I placed it on my tongue, ready to swallow it, but was a little hesitant, then swallowed it anyway. After a half hour, I started to feel light-headed, so I staggered to my bed.
CHAPTER EIGHT
A NEW BEGINNING
A few months had passed without any dreams. The pills Aunt Jessica had prescribed for me worked, except I wished they were stronger because every night, I still heard wild animals growling and fighting outside my window. It scared me and made it nearly impossible to sleep.
Kaylee couldn’t wait to get a place together. We hung out every day, and I loved it, especially at the Halloween party her mother held at her house. People dressed up as zombies and Marvel characters. Liam showed up as a vampire of all things. He was scary, but he looked great.
Kaylee and I decided to wear Victorian gowns. My dress was maroon and black, and Kaylee’s was gold with black trim. She complained about how tight hers was, but I loved wearing mine. We got a lot of compliments.
Thanksgiving wasn’t great. I ended up with the stomach virus. It was horrible.
A few days after Thanksgiving, I woke up on Kaylee’s couch in her room. “See you in class,” I said and rushed out.
I had to see Aunt Jessica because when I had the bug, I threw up the pill right after taking it. I tried taking it three more times, and again I got sick. With no more pills left, I had no choice but to make another appointment.
At her office, I told Aunt Jessica that I didn’t have any more dreams or visions, but she didn’t want to chance it and told me to keep taking the medication.
After the hour-long visit, I decided to get my medication later. On the way to school, I thought about how Christmas and apartment hunting was getting close. I was thrilled, but I needed to start looking for a job so I could afford my other bills and half of my rent.
At school, I went to the office again for what seemed like my tenth slip in the last few months. When I opened the classroom door, Kaylee was in the back, waving for me to sit next to her. I did.
The teacher cleared his throat. “Ms. Vandell, this is becoming a bad habit.”
“I’m sorry,” I replied and sunk in my seat.
When class was over, Kaylee turned to me and smiled.
“What are you so happy about?”
“I found a house for us.”
“A house? I thought we were getting an apartment?”
“It’s the same price as an apartment, so why not.”
“That’s awesome, but it’s only December 1st. I still have to wait a month.”
She shrugged. “I want to get a place so we can move in on my birthday.”
“I can’t. I’m not eighteen yet.”
“The landlord is wicked cool. She said she would allow you to move in if you have your parents sign the lease.”
“She did? Where did you find it?”
She nodded. “On the way here, I saw a woman placing a for rent sign out front, so I stopped and asked to look at it. It’s right down the street from the college.”
“Okay, let’s go look when we get out,” I said.
After school, we rushed out and got into Kaylee’s car.
“Slow down,” I shouted, reaching over to grab the passenger door.
“Relax, this is how you're supposed to drive.”
“Hell no, my parents would kill me if I dared to go past fifty miles per hour.”
She laughed and drove even faster.
When I heard sirens behind us, I glanced at the passenger’s side mirror, and there was a cop car with its lights on.
“Pull over!” I yelled.
“Oh crap!” she shouted, grabbing her chest.
“It’s only the cops. Tell them you have to use the restroom or something.”
“Viata, are you serious? He won’t believe that.”
“Shh,” I said, looking forward.
Kaylee rolled down her window. “Sorry, officer, I was trying to get my friend home. She was about to throw up in my car.”
I looked over at her and rolled my eyes.
“Well,” he said, sternly. “It doesn’t mean you can drive over the speed limit. I will need your driver’s license and registration, please.”
Kaylee started frantically digging through her green duffle bag, looking for it while tossing everything on my lap.
The officer leaned down, gawking at me. “Hello, what’s your name?” he asked me in a gentle tone. He was a hefty older man with the whitest hair and a beard that matched.
“Viata Vandell.”
In a split second, his face altered into the man from the train station. Behind him, were hundreds of people crying. “We need to come back,” he said in the same unfamiliar accent. It sounded like he was talking into a can.
“Kaylee!” I screamed, wondering how he was here. I took off my seatbelt and tried to open the car door, but I couldn’t.
She grabbed my arm. “Viata, what’s wrong?”
“Didn’t you see his face change, or hear what he said? Let m-me out,” I yelled, eyeing the officer. His face turned back to normal.
“No. Are you on drugs?” Kaylee replied
I closed my eyes and told myself to calm down. I was freaked out but knew I needed to keep it together before he locked me up.
The officer lost his balance and rubbed his eyes like he blacked out. He placed his hand on his holster and stepped back. “Ms. Vandell are you okay?”
I nodded. “Are you?”
Kaylee nudged me with her elbow.
“Yes, I just got light headed, that’s all. Do you need an ambulance?” He asked.
I shook my head. “Sorry officer, I-I thought you were someone else. I haven’t been sleeping well lately.”
“Are you sure there’s not something else going on?” he asked. “Are you taking any drugs?”
“No. I don’t take drugs.”
Kaylee handed him her ID and registration, and he walked away to run her information.
“What the hell. You scared the crap out of me.”
I sighed. “You didn’t hear what he said or see his face change?”
She shook her head while staring at me like I had four heads. “Are you sure you’re not on any street drugs?”
“No, Kaylee, I’m not. Just drop it, okay?”
The officer came back. “This is your lucky day. You can thank Ms. Vandell for you not getting a ticket,” he said and handed Kaylee her license.
Kaylee and I looked at each other confused, then back at him.
He rambled on, telling me my father had represented him for something in the past, and he owed him a favor. I wondered what he did.
“Thank you, officer. Please don’t tell my father about me freaking out.”
“It’s Officer Walters, and I won’t say a word,” he said, winking at me. “Get some rest.”
“I will. Thank you.”
He stood tall and raised his finger, pointing at Kaylee. “Slow down, Ms. Ashfield.”
“I will. Thank you, Officer Walters!” Kaylee replied.
“No problem,” he said and walked back to his car.
Kaylee pulled out. “Do you want me to take you home? We can look at the place another time.”
“No. I’m fine.”
“Are you sure?” she asked me carefully.
“Yes.”
Still in shock, I couldn’t understand why I saw that man’s face. Maybe it was because I missed a few pills and I was seeing things again. I didn’t know, but I did know I wasn’t about to lose my best friend over it. I had to keep it together and try to act normal.
We drove down a few side streets and pulled up in front of a brick house.
“Kaylee, is this it?” I said, looking across the street at the other
huge, upscale homes.
“Yes, it is.”
“Oh, where’s the for-rent sign then?”
She grinned. “I asked her to take it down this morning.”
“Smart thinking.”
“I know,” she said, being cocky as she walked up the steps and knocked on the door.
After a minute, a petite Chinese woman answered. “Hi,” she said, “You’re back already. Is this your roommate?”
“Yes, it is. Kim, this is my best friend, Viata Vandell.”
Kim smiled. “Hello.”
“Hi,” I replied. I reached to shake her hand.
Kim shook mine. “Nice to meet you. Are you okay? You look sad,” she said.
“Yes. I’m just a little tired.”
“Sorry to hear that. Please, come inside,” she insisted in the sweetest voice.
Kaylee pushed me in gently. “Go look around and make sure you like it. I like the bedroom facing the backyard, but we can flip a coin if you like it too.”
“Okay.” As I walked down the short hallway, I ran my fingers down the yellow walls. “Wow! this is beautiful,” I said looking ahead.
To my left was an arched entryway that led to the large living room. I walked in and admired the open floor plan with three bay windows. I continued to the kitchen in the back of the house. My mouth dropped as I looked at the beautiful granite countertops and stainless steel appliances. Through the kitchen was a small hallway, so I walked down it. On my right was a bedroom. I stepped in but didn’t like how it faced the back of the house. I walked back and continued to the next room. As I entered the big room, there was a bay window with a built-in bench. I rushed over to it and sat down, looking out the window at the enormous oak trees in front. I started to cry because I wasn’t over Officers Walters face changing in front of me. I couldn’t think straight.
After a few deep breaths, I wiped my tears and told myself to suck it up and stay strong.
“You can take the small room you like,” I yelled.
“Sweet,” Kaylee hollered back.
I walked into the huge closet and imagined my clothes hanging there. I noticed another door in the room, so I opened it. “Wow!” I have my very own bathroom,” I said aloud, smiling ear to ear.
I walked out of the room, and I found another door to my right. It was another bathroom with a full bath in it.
I continued into the kitchen to check out the yard. Opening the door, I stepped outside onto the small patio. Again, I imagined a grill off to my right and a patio set in front of me, leaving us plenty of room for a fire pit and lounge chairs. I rushed back inside and sprinted upstairs.