Spectrum of Sleep

CHAPTER XIV | Why?

Things just went sideways, in the most ogrely of ways. This place – which is my mind – is just so full of surprises. But of all the surprises, dad being a giant green drunk ogre taking Brandon away to God knows where, is just the most surprising by far. It's been minutes of silence since mom revealed my relation to the giant monster who just took my man and ran. Can it get any worse? Who knows?

"I think we should start planning on how we'll get Brandon back from... well, your father." Grandma said, breaking the silence.

Mom didn't say a word but she gave Grandma an agreeing look, while I nodded to her. Still, no one tried to speak out and pitch their ideas to create a plan. We just stood there awkwardly silent for minutes.

"You know, part of uh, planning is communicating with each other and brainstorming ideas, right?" Grandma once again broke the silence. "But it seems to me, no one's trying to pitch any of theirs."

I inhaled and exhaled deeply a couple of times to try and clear my head, get myself to focus on the problem at hand. I looked at the sky to see the sun already at the west with its rays beaming down on us. I looked at the trail of destroyed trees and branches on our right and walked towards it.

Don't worry Brandon, we're coming for you, I said in my mind. I inhaled deeply once more, and exhaled it out. I finally spoke out my idea on what we should do. "We need to go where they went." I said facing Grandma and mom. They both looked at me back. "It's already afternoon, meaning we only have limited time before it gets dark. I say we follow the trail first that they left and see where it leads. Then we keep our distance from them but have them in sight. We need to know first where we're going, analyze the area and find a way to even the playing field."

"That sounds like a good plan Elliot," Grandma said cheering. "Well, what are we waiting for? You said we only have limited time before dark, so let's go!"

Fiercey began to transform into her beast form as I climbed on to her back.

Her fangs bulged out of her mouth, her claws razor sharp, and her eyes once again having black scar-like pupils. Her size doubled after she transformed as she roared. Grandma spread her wings and started to flap them.

"Get on, you're coming with us." I ordered at mom.

She chuckled and smirked at me, "Oh sweetie, I have my own ride." She replied as she slowly transformed into a large black cheetah with green spots.

"You better keep up." I said.

"Excuse me? I'm the one in the form of 'the fastest land animal on Earth' here, you better keep up."

I scoffed, "Whatever." I looked at Grandma from above and she looked back at me. "Alright, let's go get back Brandon." We were off.

Grandma wasn't really at top speed and just flew at a normal pace. We needed to stick together and be aware of our surroundings. The sun was beaming down at us as we head exactly to its direction. The trail of destruction was surprisingly long.

Wow, they actually made it that far by only a span of minutes. I thought to myself, Don't worry Brandon, we're coming for you. Hang in there. We continued to march on. There were a lot of large branches in our way, but Mom and Fiercey just leaped above them easily.

We kept going straight, took turns and curves. I looked up at Grandma flying above us. Her eyes were on the road, focused on what's ahead of us. I suddenly got a feeling, a push to face what lies ahead of us and between us, and Brandon. As I looked up at her, she stopped quickly and yelled for our attention.

"Elliot! This is where the trail stops! But there's a path up ahead." She said to us, pointing.

"Then What are we waiting for? Let's go to that path!" I responded to her, looking up.