Tears formed in Eliana’s eyes. “Now isn’t the time for those kinds of jokes Travy. You have to trust me! I promise your gonna be okay.” Eliana tried her best to sound confident. “Your too strong to not make it.” “Not this time Lia. I can’t fight anymore.” Travis whispered back. “Cancer hurts. Ya know? How long until I’m not okay anymore? A year or a day? I don’t want to find out.” His breathing became more labored the longer he spoke. “Come on. Don’t talk like that! You can’t leave me here alone!” Her voice started to crack and soon became a mere whisper. “It’s scary here alone. Who will protect me from the monsters?” “You’ll fight them on your own Lia. Your strong, beautiful and amazing.” Travis smiled as he spoke. “I’m glad I got to meet you. I wish that you were right on this one. That I trusted you were right… Lia… I love you.” And with that last admission Travis’ eyes closed for the last time. “But what am I supposed to do when my biggest monster was living life without you Travy?”
She walked the halls confident. Her black stilettos clicking against the tile floor. Not a thing felt out of place. Even the teapot in her hand felt natural. However nothing about Cami was natural. She saw things no one else did. Heard things. You see, the shadows speak. They tell her things. That’s how she wound up here. Completely unqualified for her managerial position yet she pretends it’s too easy. You may wonder how, wonder why she ended up here. To sum it all up it started with a bulldozer. The last person that held this position was involved in an accident with a bulldozer. A few weeks later they quit without warning and the company was in a tight spot. The shadows helped Cami and now she was a rising star. Well to everyone else. She knows that without her shadows nothing like this would be possible, after all they were the ones that gave her life.
I walked through the darkened house. Everyone else was already asleep. Only I would be awake at 2 am. I could find a book to read, but that would make me tired. I can’t risk it. I don’t have time for sleep and the fear that travels with it. One dream. That’s all I see. I don’t want to see it anymore and my teenage brain came up with a “simple solution,” just don’t sleep. I stopped my movement through the house as I noticed a shadow in the window. A shadow that didn’t belong, yet it was familiar. I knew this shadow. It was not welcoming, in fact it was the opposite. I remained frozen praying it was simply my eyes playing tricks on me and it was not my nightmares becoming reality. These prayers were in vain however because the shadow did not leave. It was his shadow. I closed my eyes but I could feel him near. The distance between us becoming smaller by the second. I began to back away quickly but in my panic I tripped and tumbled towards the ground. My vision became blurry and eventually turned black. My last image was of his smug grin. When I opened my eyes again I was in bed. I frantically looked at the clock to see it reading 12:30 am. I gave a small sigh of relief knowing at least this time it wasn’t real. Everyone says follow your dreams or dreams are an amazing thing. I see them as a curse. Granted when nightmares are all you have ever known dreams would be terrifying.
Bella ran through the forest Jemma not far behind. They could hear feet thundering behind them as they pushed past the branches. Both knew if they stopped running they would meet a fate worse than death. The path opened up leading to false hope as the two faced a large stone wall. Panic crossed their faces as they frantically looked for a solution only to be met with the grinning soldiers emerging from the tree line. “Come now princess, it’s time to come home,” stated the leader with a smirk on his face. Bella felt tears streaming down her face. Home? She thought bitterly. That place is a prison. Jemma however voiced her thoughts, “yeah right! You took us away from our real family! That will never be my home!” Bella looked at her sister with panic. Pleading eyes to be quiet. They would be in enough trouble already. Jemma missed the hint and kept going, “It’s all a lie! I’m never going back!” Bella remained silent knowing that anything she did would make it worse. The soldiers merely chuckled and turned towards their leader, “Zion how many children did they say to return with?” He smirked in response, “only one.” Bella looked up quickly, fear evident in her face. “Isabella Grace come here.” Zion stated in a cold tone. She stole a glance at Jemma before slowly making her way towards Zion. Her betrothed was not one to argue with and she didn’t want another reason for his anger. He smiled and grabbed her arm harshly before turning to his men, “get rid of the other one. She’s unnessicary.” Jemma looked to her sister for help only to see her restrained by Zion. She held tears in her eyes for both of their fates. The soldiers were closing in fast and she knew there was no hope left. “I love you Bells,” and with those words she was gone. Her body lay cold against the grass. Isabella was thrown up onto a horse with Zion before she had time to process her loss. Her sister was gone along with her hopes of freedom. She sat numbly with her betrothed not noticing her surroundings. Silent tears traveled her face, yet she made no move to wipe them away. Zion smiled knowing he had succeeded in his mission and the knowledge that his future bride had no escape. He rested his arm possessivly around her waist as they rode through the castle gates and Isabella made no move to fight it. “Awwww baby. No fight this time?” Zion teased sliding down from his mount. Bella remained silent, unmoving. “Come on. Don’t be a baby. You brought it upon yourself. Now get down. Your parents want to talk to you and after that we have some things to discuss in private.” When she had still yet to move Zion grew impatient and roughly pulled her down from the horse. He kept a frim grip on her arm and dragged her to the solar. When they arrived the butler explained the king and queen had to leave for an urgent meeting three towns away and would be gone for the week. “They have left the princess in you care Sir Zion” With those words he exited to room. Bella quivered in fear. I’m really in for it now, she thought. Zion pulled her over to the sofa and started talking but Bella wasn’t listening. Her mind kept returning to the image of her sister lifeless against the forest floor. She felt a stinging pain on her hand and returned to the present to hear Zion yelling. “Listen when I am speaking!” Tears flooded her eyes and she backed away from him. She tripped over the carpet in her attempt to create more distance between them. Zion simply sighed and started walking towards her. Her shaking increased with every step until he was right in front of her. Zion silently picked her up and left the room. Bella remained silent afraid of what he might do. Zion continued walking until he reached his room. He laid Bella upon the bed and walked to the balcony opening the doors and stepping out. Bella laid on the bed crying silently, missing her sisters comfort. “Go to bed Grace.” Zion stated from the balcony. “Don’t call me that” mumbled Bella. “Only mom called me that” However her words were only a whisper and never reached Zion’s ear. She felt her eyes droop until she finally succumbed to sleep her sisters lifeless face sill stuck in her mind.
