ACROSS WORLDS

Part 4

The seventeen-hour flight to Mindira had been nothing short of torture for Dominique. Nathan had offered his private jet, but Stacey had refused, insisting that they experience the trip like a regular holiday. Dominique had regretted not pushing harder for the jet. She loved her luxury as much as she loved working hard, and she saw no problem in indulging in comfort when she'd earned it. A six-figure salary plus bonuses meant she never felt guilty about treating herself to the finer things in life. But here she was, crammed into economy class, enduring the chaos of a long-haul flight.

The in-flight entertainment did little to distract her from the cries of babies scattered throughout the cabin. To make matters worse, she was squished between an irritatingly loud snorer and a mother with an inconsolable infant. To top it all off, the toddler seated behind her kept kicking her seat despite her earlier complaints. This was Stacey's idea of an "experience."

Dominique had never been one to regret her decisions. A perfectionist by nature, she meticulously planned every detail of her life, and when things didn't go according to plan, it was enough to unravel her. But this? This was a nightmare she hadn't prepared for. She tried to stay awake, to fight off sleep, but exhaustion from the chaotic journey finally won.

In her sleep, a dream unfolded.

A man lay on an enormous, ornately crafted bed. His right hand rested on his chest, the other by his side, his face etched with a deep, unshakable worry. The bed was more like a royal throne, its intricate carvings highlighted by gold inlays that gleamed even in the dimly lit room. Heavy curtains hung around the bed, framing the figure like a portrait of some long-forgotten king.

His features were flawless—too flawless to be human. His pale, angular face and square jaw gave him an otherworldly appearance. His crystal-blue eyes darted beneath his closed lids as though battling unseen terrors. Dressed in a loose shirt that revealed a strong, muscular chest and a golden crown placed beside him, the man radiated power and authority.

Suddenly, his eyes snapped open, sharp and focused. He whispered one word, "Dominique."

Dominique woke abruptly, her heart racing, her mind trying to piece together the vividness of what had just happened. It hadn't felt like a dream—it was too real, too intense. She looked around the cabin, disoriented. The mother beside her was asleep, the snorer to her left was still in his loud rhythm, but Dominique's thoughts were only on the king in her dream. His eyes, his voice calling her name, still echoed in her mind.

She shuddered, trying to shake off the unease that had settled into her bones. Something about this trip wasn't right, and that feeling had intensified the moment she boarded the plane. Now, it felt like it was about to bubble over.

Across the aisle, Stacey caught her friend's eye. She had noticed Dominique's anxiety from the moment they boarded, and her concern had only grown. Stacey could only hope that this journey would help Dominique find some peace.

Once they landed, Dominique's anxiety persisted as they retrieved their luggage. The drive to the hotel was filled with an uncomfortable silence. Finally, Dominique broke it, telling Stacey about the dream.

"Are you sure he said your name?" Stacey asked, wide-eyed.

"Positive," Dominique replied. "But he pronounced it strangely—like four syllables. Do-mi-ni-ke. It was so clear, so real."

"Wow," Stacey whispered, at a loss for words.

"The question is, why me? Why am I having these dreams? The coincidences are piling up, and I hate not being in control of my own life. This guy—this king—is messing everything up."

Stacey knew Dominique was struggling, and it hurt her to see her friend like this. They had been close since college, despite Dominique's perfectionism and aloofness. To most people, Dominique was intimidating, but Stacey saw the vulnerability beneath her tough exterior. Over time, they had become like sisters.

When Dominique first mentioned her dreams, Stacey had sought advice from her grandmother, a woman known for her wisdom and connection to the spiritual world. Her grandmother had assured her that Dominique was destined for something great, but that she needed help unlocking her true potential. She suggested that they visit Mindira, her ancestral village, where she could guide Dominique through whatever was happening to her. And so, here they were.

Stacey only hoped it would be enough.

"How far is the hotel?" Dominique asked, her voice laced with frustration.

"We're almost there," Stacey said, pulling out her phone to show the map.

Dominique sighed, the weight of the day pressing down on her. She needed a bath—a long one. The heat was unbearable, sweat trickling down her back, and she didn't dare sniff her armpits for fear of what she might smell. Her stomach churned with an uneasy tension that had been growing since they left the plane.

As the car slowed, Dominique peered out the window. The road had narrowed to a single lane, lined with small homes and people going about their daily lives. Children played on the dirt paths while women in loose gowns carried baskets and jugs on their heads. The villagers' simple, faded clothing stood in stark contrast to the vibrant greenery of their surroundings.

To Dominique's surprise, a few villagers waved at their taxi, and she found herself waving back, a smile tugging at her lips. Maybe, just maybe, this trip wouldn't be a complete disaster after all.

For the first time since the flight, Dominique allowed herself to hope that there was something here for her. Something beyond the dreams, beyond the unease—a purpose.

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Hey guys, the description of this village  and the country are strictly my imagination. I do not know if such a place exists in our world.  The culture of the people is also my imagination. If it resembles any other culture, it is just a coincidence.

We are gradually moving close to the other universe, please note that every description of that universe will be completely fantasy; from my hyperactive imagination.

Thank you, please don't forget to vote, comment, and share this book.