Ella & Vlad at the end

# 7 - nightmare or dream

Consummated with the concept of a bona fide batty consummation Vladimir wakes in bat form. If all goes well this should make for an exciting night.

Through the darkening hall he glides towards the front door. Landing feet hard on a levered door handle Vladimir releases the door from frame.

Open and free he climbs into the night sky scanning for life below.

With nothing sensed Vlad arrives at the dead tree, rather quickly. The tree already? How long have I been flying? All's too calm.

Taking the same position as the night before Vlad keeps scanning. Nothing sensed. Not even a strange smell. And my radar feels different. He can't recall flying here just leaving the farmhouse.

At the range of his vision a bat is seen flying towards the farm.

After emitting a few waves he knows its' not flying towards him.

Amid thoughts Vladimir glides out from the tree in curious pursuit.

Moving fast he's unable to gain but gets a faint scent of Filomena.

Their flight path leads them to the farm making Vladimir uncomfortable. Pondering just that thought he again travels the distance in seconds.

First to the farmhouse Filomena further ferments returning to female form. In awe Vlad sees her transform gracefully touching toe to ground. In fluid motion she opens the farmhouse door slipping inside.

Though distant, Vlad's certain that was Ella, in bat form, further bewildering him.

Coming to the farmhouse front door it remains open but black beyond.

Passing beyond the threshold of the door all becomes bright and busy. Several young children of various ages loudly chase each other. Watching them pass like he's not even there, Vladimir can see his legs are human. Looking for a wing realizes he's somehow completely back to human form.

Ahead in the brightly lit kitchen a pregnant woman is preparing a meal over the stove. Nearby her are two toddlers playing on the floor.

Wondering if perhaps in the wrong house Vladimir takes in the décor. Seeming like the right place he turns attention to the woman. Overseeing the toddlers she turns around shocking Vlad enough to physically back up.

Framed behind a yellow scarf bonnetting her dark brown hair is Ella's face. Vlad's vision is drawn to the baby bump behind a beige blouse. What the hell? Did Ella bring all these kids back here?

The kids race past Vlad again drawing Ella's attention to his presence. Her thin lips produce a warm smile while leaning back and shrugging, "they're a bit excitable today. You ready for breakfast dear?"

"Ah?" Needing a second to take it all in Vlad closes his eyes to rub them.

Opening the eyes Vladimir's in the dark physically and mentally. Still in bed and awoken from an odd dream he sighs loudly shaking the head.

Adjusting and fluffing the pillow he ponders the odd idea of it all. Was that his inner idea of the perfect life or a backwards nightmare.

Laying back Vladimir calms envisioning Ella's face and warm smile.

***

Voices of children playing wake Ella the wolf from an afternoon catnap. Perking up ears she listens from a dusty bed in a vacated home.

Outside the two-story house two young children are racing around.

Sitting up Ella can see out the window but not the children.