Tethered

Chapter Twelve

1

"Do you know that your dreams are sometimes triggered by your brain and the pattern of events in your life?" The soft-whisper voice spoke.

"How is that?" Sarah asked. She was standing in the woods, wearing a white sleeveless gown. She was getting a little comfortable with the mysterious voice now.

"It's simple", the voice spoke. "Find out what is triggering them."

"I don't understand", Sarah said, looking around her. The trees were withering away. She picked up a log, and it melted away in her hand, turning into dust. Sarah frowned.

"Close your eyes", the voice said. Sarah did. The woods were quiet. She couldn't hear the birds chirping or any other sound.

"Now, open them."

She did. Sarah's eyes widened in astonishment. She turned around. The woods were green, filled with life. The sun was shining above, sending rays of sunlight through the leaves. She heard birds chirping, flying from tree to tree. Everything around her was colorful—was alive—was adorable.

"But how?" Sarah asked, smiling.

"There are always two realities", the voice spoke. "And both realities live in you." And it is always up to you to make a choice.

"What do you mean?"

"It's up to you to find them, Sarah", it said. "You choose to stay or escape. You always have a choice, and choosing not to choose is also a choice."

Sarah thought about what the voice said. She didn't understand anything yet. She felt like she was playing a puzzle game, trying to connect the pieces. She turned around, sniffing the damp atmosphere of the evergreen forest. It was a sight worth watching.

2

Something moved, causing Sarah to turn. She saw him again. He wore a black suit, walking in a different direction, his back turned to her.

"Follow him", the voice whispered.

Sarah didn't hesitate. She lifted her gown to ankle length and started following him. The soft wind brushed her hair out of her face.

"Hey!" She extended her arm, trying to stop him. "Hey!"

Something didn't feel right. She didn't feel herself moving fast. Everything around her seemed a little too slowed. She looked to her left then her right. There were shadows of beings lurking among the trees. Sarah quickened her pace.

"Hey!" She called yet again. The young man turned and looked at her, half his face hidden by his thick hair. He smiled, and kept walking. Sarah started running in hope she could reach him, but she was still slow—like she was practically moving in slow motion. Her gown and hair fanned behind her in waves. The shadows of beings among the trees grew in number.

She drew nearer, and a soft smile crossed her lips. At that very moment, she was pushed to the damp forest floor. She gasped in shock as she hit the ground. When she recovered from the shock, she directly glared in the young man's direction. He turned and faced her. His eyes meeting hers. Then, he turned and left.

"No", Sarah breathed out. "Take me with you!"

But it was too late. He disappeared behind a bush. Pained, Sarah rose to her feet, only to be pushed back down in the dirt. She backed away, breathing severely through her mouth. She wished she could move fast because the other her was coming for her, emerging from behind a tree, and she was holding a knife.