The clock by the bed reads four in the morning. The sky is dark, except for the occasional strike of lightning, and I can hear thunder in the distance. I change into a pair of jeans and a black t-shirt with lace on the edges of the sleeves. It’s the first one I find. In every dream I feel comfortable with regard to the weather. Just in case, I grab a backpack. Who knows how long I’ll be gone? Sweatshirt, change of clothes, extra bra, panties, and socks. I also pack some protein bars and a few bottles of water. I even shove a small pocket knife inside, just in case.
Walking through the apartment, I make sure all of the lights are off and the door is locked. I know I locked up the store before I came upstairs yesterday. I highly doubt anyone will try to break into my place, but you never know. In reality, I’d be surprised if anyone notices when I don’t open the store today. I have no real friends here. There’s no one to miss me. This thought helps solidify my decision.
I find the new pair of sneakers I bought a few weeks ago and put them on. For all I know I’m really going to have to run when I get to the other side. With the bag thrown over my shoulder, I pick up the pewter box and withdraw the gold skeleton key. I don’t want to leave the box and letter behind, so I slip it into the bag.
Standing in the doorway of the closet, I take a few deep breaths. At the last minute, I grab the framed picture of my mom I keep on my dresser. Tucking it gently inside the bag amongst my clothes, I finally feel ready to leave this world behind.
In a few long strides I’m in front of the door. I reach out with a shaky hand and insert the key into the lock. With a gentle turn, I hear a click. I don’t want anyone to follow me and pull the wall closed when I open the door. I take one step out the door and bring the wall completely shut behind me. Once I’m fully through, I retrieve the key and the door closes on its own with a whoosh. I note that the key is still in my hand and place it in my pocket. I can go home if I want to. It didn’t disappear yet, anyway.
I’m almost nervous to turn around. What if what I find looks nothing like my dreams? What if I made a huge mistake? What if the realm doesn’t exist and I’m standing on a ledge outside of my own apartment? I watch too many movies.
Closing my eyes, I turn and feel the sun against my skin. That’s a good sign. The sun is always shining in my dreams and it was dark when I left home. I open my eyes and before me is the field of azure flowers. Lifting my hand to block out some of the sun, I notice the flowers go on for as far as I can see. I’m here. I’m really here.
Looking behind me, I see the cottage covered with vibrant ivy. I can’t believe this. I pinch myself to make sure it’s real.
“Ouch!” I call out. Maybe that wasn’t the smartest move.
I take hesitant steps and adjust my pack to rest evenly on my back. In front of me, in the distance, is the hill, but there is no man or dragon on it. I look around and realize that the cottage is at the edge of a forest line. There are dense trees behind me and the sunny field in front. Not wanting to go into the dark forest, I step forward into the field.
The miniature blue sunflowers brush against my jeans as I walk. Their brilliant color makes me smile as I remember seeing them in my sleep. I even bend down to touch them to make sure they feel the same. Silky, just as I recall. If the man were here, it would be better than the dream, because I know I won’t wake up soon. This is my new reality. Another realm, but reality all the same. Looking back, I notice the cottage still stands. It hasn’t disappeared like in so many of my dreams.
I hear a shout in the distance. Looking around, I don’t see anyone, only the forest and the azure field. I move further into the flowers, scanning the area as I go. Then I feel the ground shake. First it starts off as a gentle vibration moving from my feet up into my legs, but soon becomes a full on rumble. The ground is moving to the point that I’m having a hard time standing.
I’m too busy trying to maintain my balance to notice the men on horses charging toward me, until they are rushing past as if I’m invisible. I scream out and cover my head with my arms in an effort to protect myself.
The horses fly past. There are so many of them. When it finally seems like they have all gone past, I put my arms back by my sides and watch the large group charge toward the forest. Then I hear a voice. A deep masculine voice.
“Are you lost?”
I turn around and see a man on top of a beautiful black horse. He’s wearing a long-sleeved, black shirt with matching black pants and boots. Do I know him? It’s more of a feeling than a recognition. I think he’s the man from my dreams. No, I never saw him close up, but I know the way he made me feel when I was running toward him. I know deep within, this is him.
He seems to be studying me as well. With wide eyes, he asks on a whisper, “Is it really you?”
“I’m sorry?”
“You’re her. The woman from my dreams. I can’t believe it!” He drops down from the stallion with ease and steps until we are almost toe-to-toe.
“You…dreamt…about me?” Could he really have been dreaming about me like I have of him?
“Yes, it’s the craziest thing. Every night you were in my dreams. Except Tali was always by my side. And we were never this close. Always a distance away.” He lifts his chin toward the hill.
“Tali?” I ask.
“My dragon, of course.”
“Of course.” Sure. Tali. He says it like I should have already known it. As if dragons are common place.
“Where is Tali?” I ask while scanning the skies.
“She’s back at the castle. Today is a hunting day so she wasn’t needed.”
This has got to be the weirdest conversation I’ve ever had. You don’t need dragons on hunting days. You use horses. Yup, I knew that.
“What were you hunting?” I inquire.
“A fix.”
“A fix? Do you mean a fox?”
“No, fix. It’s a small creature with red fur and green eyes and a short, stubby tail.” He cocks his head to the side. “You’ve never seen one before?” I shake my head.
Then the ground starts rumbling again. A flash of red comes at us, and I instinctively move closer to the man. The animal stops a few feet from us. It’s the weirdest looking creature. The face of a house cat, but the body of a fox minus the tail. Its eyes are a bright, emerald green, and then it’s gone, off with speed that could rival a cheetah.
“That was a fix.”
“I’ve never seen anything like it. Why are you hunting it?”
“You haven’t?” He must think I’m from here. “He keeps stealing the fruit that our people work so hard to grow, so we decided to hunt him down. It’s been quiet lately, so I thought it would be fun to get my men out. We’re making a sport of it.”
The vibration strengthens, but this time I know what’s coming. I step even closer. I’m only a few inches from him now.
“Don’t be afraid,” he murmurs against my ear. “My men won’t harm you. You’re safe with me.”
The men and horses rush past us, leaving my hair blowing around my face. Surprisingly, the man’s horse doesn’t move as the others race by. I can’t imagine them catching the fix as fast as it is. I gaze up at the man by my side and get a good look at him. He’s got dark brown hair and light blue eyes. He has a mustache and beard that are trimmed short. He must feel my eyes on him, because he turns to look at me.