Power (Book 1 in SRMTHFG Series)

6- Dreams

  I wake up, my vision blurry and my heartbeat in my ears. I feel something underneath me. It's warm and brushes my back. I sit up, my eyesight clearing. How did I get here?

  I'm in a forest clearing. There's a cozy log cabin nearby, and a small lake beside it. Pine, maple, and oak trees surround the clearing. A full moon is out beside a lot of stars. Am I back on Earth? Was it all a dream?

  Is this a dream?

  I see something in the water. I start to try and move towards it, but it feels like I'm in water. I move slow, and I'm floating a little. My hair is down and it floats all around me. It's difficult to get to the water, and I'm only a little way towards it when I hear Mandarin's voice.

  "Siren...Siren...Siren..." he echoes. I turn around, but he's not there. He's nowhere.

  "Monkey got your tongue, Siren? What's wrong, Siren? Let me refresh your memory... Siren...Siren..."

  "Stop it!" I yell out. "Where are you? What are you doing?"

  "Siren...Siren...Siren..."

  "Why do you keep calling me-"

  "Siren?!" I yell. I shoot up, chest heaving. I'm on a metal table, an IV needle in my wrist. I hear a moniter beeping beside me. I'm in a hospital room. A doctor walks in with a clipboard.

  "What am I doing here?" I ask.

  The doctor doesn't look at me as he scribbles on his clipboard. "You took quite a hit from some mean girls, then you were run over by a car. It's a miracle you're alive. You've been asleep for two months."

  "What? Two months? But- but I-"

  "You were in a coma for a while, Siren, and you must have had some crazy dreams."

  "Did you just say-"

  "What happened in your dreams? With those filthy monkeys? What about the boy?" His voice becomes deeper and more menacing. He takes off the doctor's outfit and mask to reveal-

  "Skeleton King!" I scream.

  "Yes, child," he cackles. "I've come to claim what is mine. Give me your voice, girl, and all will be fine."

  "I don't know what you're talking about!"

  "Don't act foolish!" he snaps, coming closer and reaching for my neck. "Shuggazoom's downfall will just come quicker!"

  "Get away from me!" I yell. "GET AWAY!"

  I blink and I'm on another metal table. Another IV is in my wrist, but I'm not in a hospital room. My vision is blurry and I feel weak, but this feels real. I hope it is.

  Computers are lined up on a wall. Gibson is by them. Otto is sitting in the corner, staring at his saws. Sparx is using his magnets on the computers, like he's giving them power. He looks tired. Antauri, Chiro, and Jinmay are talking in the corner. Nova is sitting nearby, staring glumly at a tray with juice and food.

  "She's waking up!" Gibson says. Everyone shoots up and looks my way. They rush over to me.

  "Stand by, would you?" Gibson snaps. "Give her some air, for Shuggazoom's sake."

  "Chelsea?" Antauri asks. "Can you tell me your name? Do you know where you are?"

  "Chelsea...Mariana," I groan. My throat's dry. "Shuggazoom?"

  They let out a sigh of relief. "Alright, she's okay," Gibson says.

  "Here," Nova says, setting the tray by my bed. "We got you a hoverburger and fries and some juice. You kinda got a little dehydrated and you need to eat."

  I make myself sit up and eat the burger. It has to be the best meal I've ever eaten. And I know it's real.