Dreams

Continuing on with the actual writing of the story, here's the next chapter. I might make it longer, or I might keep it short, as a refreshing break after that last monster of a chapter. Enjoy.


That night Atrianna dreamed.

Bare tree trunks, bleached bone white from a lifetime of sun, emerged out of a mirror-topped lake. Their slender white branches reaching out toward the horizon brought to mind a woman reaching out for her lost lover, rooted in place but wanting so badly to run to her beloved. Something of familiarity nagged at Atrianna's mind, but through the dream's haze she could not figure out what it was. A warm breeze whispered through the trees, creating gentle waves on the smooth surface of the lake, and the sunlight dappled the forest walks. A woman wandered along the shore, singing softly to herself. She walked along the shore until she came to a faint trail leading into the surrounding forest. The trail led to the doorway of a cabin. The woman went in, and the forest was silent.

Atrianna awoke. The dream left her with an eerie feeling, almost as if she knew the woman and the lake. Looking through her window, Atrianna could see a few bright stars and many dimmer ones. It was still late at night. Trying to shake off the unsettling dream, she rolled over to go back to sleep. Just before she slipped out of consciousness, a faint green glow caught her attention. How odd, she thought sleepily. But before the thought made any more progress, exhaustion claimed her, and her eyes closed.