First Impressions (James Norrington) (Book 1)

Chapter 5: Dreams

The horrifying scene of Will falling to his death vanished when Elizabeth's eyes snapped open, panic and fear etched across her ghost-white face. Her body was tense as she stared unseeingly at the wall at the opposite side of the candle-lit room, heart pounding erratically within her breast. For a moment, all she could think about was what had nearly taken place. She could still see Will's impending demise inside of her mind as gravity pulled him towards the earth.

To try to calm herself and catch her bearings, she decided to take in her new surroundings.

Elizabeth was sitting in a bed with her back propped against the soft pillows. She became conscious of the movement of her body as she felt herself sway left then right, and the sensation lulled her into a sense of security. It was the familiar feeling of rolling ocean waves as they rocked her to and fro, bringing into sharp relief the fact Elizabeth was still on the Dauntless.

Nevertheless, a part of her was terrified something dreadful had happened whilst she was asleep. Elizabeth lifted her hand with bated breath to feel for the gold chain of the medallion that had been around her neck when she began her slumber. As soon as her fingertips touched the warm metal, she pulled it out from underneath her chemise to see the trinket with her very own eyes.

The skull on the face of the medallion grinned sinisterly at her as it had the moment she'd laid her eyes on it.

A quiet, shaky sigh of relief came from her lips as her shoulders slumped and exhaustion took its hold. It was the proof she needed to feel assured nothing untoward had transpired. No one had discovered the medallion, and Will was safe. It had only been a terrible dream.

Elizabeth allowed herself to sink deeper into the pillows and tucked the medallion underneath her shift once more. Her focus moved to a thick leather-bound book she found resting in her lap. She could recall reading one of the many myths and legends it contained within its pages just before dozing off. It was open to a particularly fascinating story, the legend of the shining city of Zerzura.

The tale stated Zerzura was located on the magical island of Kerma, which was hidden by magic and illusions to ward off anyone who dared approach it. A glorious treasure was stowed away within the gigantic maze just underneath the city. As yet, no one has been able to find it. Many have spent their entire lives obsessing over its legend, some never to return from their search.

She grabbed the book and brought her knees closer to her chest before her eyes began to move over the words on the page. She found comfort in the story as her thoughts shifted away from the terrifying dream she'd just experienced, and she forgot the world around her. Elizabeth's eyes made it halfway down the page when an all too familiar sliver of white light brightened up the cream-colored paper. Her eyes widened in alarm as her gaze snapped to the red silk curtains covering the small round windows to her left, reminded of her dream. She let out a startled yelp and jumped in surprise when a violent explosion of thunder followed only moments later.

A distinct frown came to her lips as Elizabeth gently closed the book and held it to her chest. An uneasiness and deep-rooted fear had taken over her senses once more as she thought of what might be on the other side of the curtains.

Elizabeth was terrified she would face the sight of Will standing on a platform with a noose around his neck for a second time. It was an irrational fear, especially since she had enough sense to realize she still possessed the medallion. Howbeit, it was hard not to imagine the scenario when Will falling to his death had been the last time she'd heard the unsettling sound.

To find out and hopefully put her mind at rest, she rose from the bed and slowly approached the windows. Her heartbeat began to quicken until it was thumping loud enough she could almost hear it, fear and anxiety weighing down upon her. Elizabeth stopped when she made it to the curtains then, with great reluctance, reached out and gripped one of them tightly enough her knuckles turned white as her hand shook. She paused again, gathering up all the courage she could muster before throwing it open in one fell swoop.