OUT OF THIS WORLD [2] ✓ (AVENGERS FF) [RE-WRITTEN]

[2] DREAMS & FEARS

DREAMS & FEARS

I wake up with a start, my chest heaving up and down as I sit up on my bed.

It wasn't real. I tell myself, sighing in relief. It was just a dream.

After calming myself down, I lay back on my bed, blankly staring at the ceiling as I wait for sleep to come, but all I see, are flashes of the dream.

Unable to sleep, I sigh and sit back up, dragging my hands down my face out of frustration.

The room is mostly dark, with a bit of moonlight seeping in through the blinds.

For a moment, I am tempted to go back to my world and see how things are going in my universe, but then I shake my head at the thought.

No. You made your choice.

Still, there is something bothering me about the dream.

After debating it for a while, I get up and head towards a person I know can help.

"Wanda?" I call out. "Are you there?"

The door opens in response.

"Come in."

"Hey, sorry to bother you so late, or early, depending on how you see it."

"It's alright. I couldn't sleep anyway." She says, offering a small smile.

A sit com plays in the background as I sit next to her, fidgeting with her blanket until she speaks up.

"So," she begins, turning towards me, "what's on your mind?"

"I don't know. I just had a really odd dream and I can't seem to shake it off."

After a pause, I stop fidgeting and continue,

"It felt so real Wands, so, so real."

She nods in understanding.

"Want to tell me about this dream of yours?"

I let out a shaky breath before nodding. Perhaps talking about it will help to put it into perspective.

"Well, in my dream, we are in outer space," I begin, unsure of how to proceed.

Now that I'm trying to recall the dream, it seems to be far away, blurred by a veil.

"But the thing is that I don't remember much."

"I keep seeing bits and pieces, but I feel like they are all connected."

"I see." She says, quietly nodding as she takes a sip from her tea.

"Wanda, can you look into my mind?"

This takes her by surprise.

"A-are you sure?"

"Please?"

Wanda gives me a hesitant look, nodding after a few seconds.

"Alright. I'll try my best. Close your eyes."

Relaxing my body, I do as she says, taking in a deep breath as I feel a surge of energy in my body, fragments of the dream becoming clearer.

One image in particular makes me frown.

"It's him." I say in a whisper, a tear rolling down my cheek as Wanda tilts her head to the side in confusion.

"What happened? Did you find what you were looking for?"

"It's nothing." I reassure.

"Just someone I had forgotten about."

But there is something else.

I can't get the look on his face out of my head.

"Is there anything else I can do?" Wanda asks, placing a hand on my knee.

"That was all." I say, pressing my lips together into a tight smile. "I just needed some clarity. It's silly, but I think I have a better idea now."

There is a slight frown on her face but she doesn't press.

"Okay, but if there is anything else..."

"I'll let you know." I say, taking her hand. "Thanks for your help Wands."

"Anytime."

"Goodnight."

As soon as I get back to my room, I grab a notebook and a pen and write down what I saw.

It's not much. Just words and phrases but it all has to be connected somehow.

If only I could put them together.

I wonder if he's doing okay. Hopefully I'm worried for nothing.

Reaching for my phone, I fidget with my bottom lip as the call echoes and rings until he finally picks up.

"Hello?" He says, his voice muffled.

"Hey."

"Ness? Is everything okay?"

"Yeah..." I say, sighing.

"I'm sorry. I shouldn't have called."

"Hey, no, no, no. It's alright. I don't mind."

"I just needed to hear a familiar voice."

"Did something happen?"

"No." I lie. "I just couldn't sleep."

"Have you told the team?"

"Well, I don't want to bother them."

"Tell you what," Peter says, "I'll swing by tomorrow and maybe we can hang out and go for a walk to help you clear your head."

"Thank you Peter, that would be really nice."

"Sounds like a plan. I'll see you then."

"Bye."

The room is silent as I lay back on my bed, a million thoughts filling my head.

(July 8, 2022)