A Hidden World

Chapter 4: Night lock

My hand trembled as I reached out to the branch and clasped my hand loosely around the handerchief. Slowly I pulled back into my bedroom. How was it possible that this ended up here I thought? I haven't seen it in years and why is it covered in blood? I was amazed at how calm I was reacting to this. Suddenly I felt a slight bump underneath my thumb which was resting on top of the hankercheif and I realized that there was something inside. I unfolded it and found myself staring at a small, dark berry that had bright green potent leaves. I furrowed my eyebrows in confusion. Next to it was a illuminate yellow flower that turned a fiery reddish - orange at the tips of the petals. I heard footsteps bumping up the stairs to my room and hastily shoved the napkin in my drawer, tightly locking it.

My father peeked his head in shyly and sighing I motionted that he could come in. Closing the door softly behind ,he sat down on my bed and looked around uncertaintly. 

" So, your mother and I were talking and we've decided that we want to tell you something."

I felt something awkard coming so I tried to make him feel like he could tell me anything. So I said ; " Dad, how about I share something first and then you?" Looking relieved  my dad nodded and said " Yes, that would be nice." I smiled nervously, making sure I was ready for this. 

Its ok I thought. Its just a hankerchief... that i lost...2 years ago...covered in blood. STOP THINKING LIKE THAT 

I breathed in deeply, scooted off the bed and went to my drawer where I pulled out the sweet smelling hankercheif. Sitting back down I care fully unfolded it and took out its contents. However only the berry was there not the flower. It must've fallen when I shoved it in the drawer. Oh well. 

" Well, what is it? " My father asked moving closer to get a better look at it.  I picked up the berry, my palms a bit sweaty from anticipation and held it out to him. My father jumped back, alarmed, and I saw fear flash through his eyes. His hand were shaking and he wiped sweat away from his fore head while breathing quickly and heavily. 

What the heck I thought? 

" Dad?" I asked, shaking his shoulder gently " Is everything ok? You and mom seem really jumpy today."

" Do you know what that berry is?" My dad cried nervously, looking at me instensely as if he thought I had a clue as to what he was rambling about. I shook my head.

" Thats a NIGHT LOCK berry!" He said incredulously as if I should've known this. 

" Oh! I think I remember now , they're deadly poisonous right?" I asked. He nodded quckly. 

" Exactly!"  my father exclaimed " POISONOUS" He stretched out the word , ephasizing each letter carefully.

" Yeah, but only if you eat them!" I protested confusedly. I had no idea what the big deal was. So what if it was poisonous? I knew better then to eat some random berries! Did he think I was dumb or something? 

" T-that's not the point!" My father stuttered. " Just -ugh" He never finished his sentence because he swiflty plucked the Night lock out of hand, strided to the window and flung it outside. I jumped up immediatly and pushed him away angrily.

" What the crap dad?" I yelled. " I have no idea what is going on with you guys today but I've been having a pretty rough time and so far I have gotten absolutely nowhere with finding answers! You guys usually support me but today when I ask you about things its no eye contact and subject change! Whats up with that? Seriously, if you're not going to tell me anything than you can just leave!" I shouted, pointing my finger to the door a tad bit dramatically. " NOW!" 

My father blinked a couple of times in shock , then anger flashed through his eyes and he half stumbled out of room, slamming the door with strength that I never knew he had. I noticed that when he left he had a huge red whelt on his hand where he had touched the berry. Thats strange I thought.

I bit my lip in frustation as I paced back and forth. The berry was part of the evidence I had found in my hankerchief and now it was gone, probably lost under the thousands of leaves lying in our driveway! At least I still had the flower. I opened my drawer and took it out, softly stroking its fragile petals. Alright I thought. Thats enought drama for today, I need to get my sleep if I'm going to continue to cope with all of this tomorrow. The moment my head hit the pillow I felt my droop and my mind fall into eternal darkness.

                                                                       In my dream.

I was standing in a meadow, wearing a dress that was half white and half black. One side of the meadow was planted full of those plump night locks and the other side glowed like fire with the bright yellow and orange flowers. I was staring on the bright side.I turned around and suddenly the boy was there. Not the boy who I had seen his memories but the boy that had been staring at me. " I'm sorry." I smiled seductively at him. " But I still don't have an answer to your earlier question.  I have no idea who I am. " I giggled twirling around like a little girl. " Thats ok" He murmured moving a bit closer, " I can wait"  

" And just how long are you willing to wait" I asked. " However long it takes." He replied and suddenly he lunged at me, his eys slit black pupils and his fingers turning to talons. I screamed hysterically and stumbled back. I found myself no longer standing on the bright side of the meadow but I was now surrounded by the deadly berries.  Snow started falling and stained my black hair and eyelash. Suddenly everything was beautiful. I closed my eyes and let the soft flakes fall on my skin like a cold kiss. I felt them get thicker and heavier with a strange yet familiar metallic smell. I open my eyes and sreech in horror. Thick, red blood was falling from the now pitch black sky. Thunder boomed over head, lightning crackled above me and the darkened cloud threatened and twisted.  Falling everywhere, it seeped into everything. My hair was wet with it, my dress tattered, torn and red, the berres drooping so that they almost touched the ground with the weight of the blood. I could no longer see the bright yello flowers that had cast joy and happiness into the air. Into my heart.

I sat up quickly in my bed and wiped sweat from my drenching forehead. Quickly flinging the covers off my body I walked to my closet and pulled out an outfit. Teal green sweater with jeans and black boots. I made my bed and lifted up my pillow to fluff it up. I froze as my eyes settled on my desk. Right on top of the drawer was the small Night lock berry. Dark, seemingly innocent and perfect. Like a dark star  illuminated on a white moon.