Seen or Unseen

Millaenyia Parker

The Vibe:

Something has been calling me for days. First, it came as an echo in a dream, an afterthought really.

I was walking along a beach of white sand and clear blue water. The lush vegetation around me had such a vibrant green, that if I unfocused my eyes ever so slightly, I'd see nothing but emeralds and jades through the haze. I could feel the grains of sand move between my toes with each step. The sea spray hits me with the ever-passing gust of wind, cooling off my dark skin from the abrasive sun.

The smell in the air was fresh from the ocean, with sweet undertones woven in between. As I keep walking along the beach I hone in on the sounds of the waves and the water hitting the shore, not realizing I was approaching what seems to be an entrance. I take my final steps and stand in front of this opening in the earth.

Looking closer I see that this was an entrance to a cave submerged underwater; one more step and I could sink. Crouching down to my hands and knees, I hold my head closer to the pool of water in front of me trying to see what I can of the cave. I mostly see nothing but water and rock; I notice a shine of light coming from straight ahead in the water but I can't see much from outside.

Maybe...

"Girl you are not Jacques Gusteau don't even think about getting your ass in that water."

You right.

I get up, brush myself off and turn around to continue my walk. As I walk away I swear the wind started to pick up; it was making long breathy noises. It wasn't the wind. It was whispers of my name echoing from the cave:

"Millaenya.." (Mee-lane-ya)

Before I could fully comprehend the hushed sounds, a loud pound jolts me awake. Within a blink, I quickly sat up in my bed. I was covered in a layer of cold sweat, gasping for air as if I held my breath for hours. My body was vibrating with anxiety, I started to feel myself unravel again. The last time this happened, Is when I felt Tony Die.

Recenter yourself

Trying to relax my breathing, I close my eyes and chant, "I am real, I am in control. I am real, I am in Control. I am REAL, I am in CONTROL!"

The items in my room began to shake and move, my bed starts to rise upward. I feel myself slipping further away. It would have gotten way worse but fortunately, the two knocks at the door stole back my focus and if that didn't fully bring me back then my bed slamming to the floor sure did.

"Saved by the bell. I'm coming!!"

I unravel myself from the mountains of blankets on my bed and throw on a robe on the way to my door. I open the door and see my roommate peter holding a cup of coffee and ibuprofen.

"Good morning Mills. Figured you'd need this"

I grab the items from his hands, "Ya know," I take 4 pills and take a sip of the cheap coffee, "I'll never get used to that"

"Used to what?"

"Your fancy schmancy spidey senses. Can't even wig out in a separate room without your 'peter tingle' giving me up."

"Why does everyone call it that?!"

"Because our sweet Aunt May, may she rest in peace, was a comedian and I refuse to let that joke die"