Heathen Series - Changed

Chapter 17

Stephanie's Pov...

I walked back to my room in pain after I spent three hours practicing with a very mean training bag and some very motivating music. I waited till the new guard left to change his shift with someone else before I snuck back in; I was getting better at this. I wonder if I can use this when I go back to school.

As I walked into my room, I felt a wave of comfort radiate outwards towards me and I smiled despite the pain running through my body. PEACE.

I felt a little relieved - home sweet home - and strolled into the bathroom. I turned on the shower as I undressed and connected my I-pod to a speaker they had brought in for me. I stepped into the shower and relished the feel of ice-cold water running down my neck and back; chasing all the pain out of my body. Easing me back into reality.

I put my head back and enjoyed every moment of it letting out a long sigh of relief. This is just what I needed.

The water was refreshing and comforting; teleporting me into another universe far away from all the pain in this current one. I dried myself off as gently as I could, trying not to disrupt any bruises on my body, then went back into my room to dress. As I stopped at my bed, I found a note displayed prominently on my pillow.

I looked around to see who had sent it or delivered it but found only shadows and walls. Hesitating before I picked it up and quickly examined it quickly before I read it.

'Good luck with your match on Monday. I hope you win but then again, I also hope you don't. This program is not what you think it is. I watched you practice today, I wanted to help but I am not allowed to be seen by you yet.

Be careful.

–M.'

"Okay, thanks... –M, a bit creepy but sweet at the same time I guess... And now I am speaking... aloud... to myself; great!"

I folded the note carefully and left it on my nightstand before turning back to slip on my pajamas and snuggle limply into my bed. My thoughts were like a herd of wild horses, stampeding over the land, looking for the best place to eat and rest. I had no control over them even though I tried my best. When the dreams came, I could not stop or change them despite all my hard efforts.

I tossed and turned, trying to fight them off but I couldn't; my voice went mute and my heart raced frantically.

***

'I was being chased across a long ominous hallway and through different dark rooms that never seemed to end. I screamed but no sound came out other than quiet whispers, not of my own. I looked for somewhere to hide within and I spotted an old closet; before I could get to it, I suddenly found myself in a dry field; my school's field.

Again, my dreams chased me into a desert where the lands were drier and barren beyond the fields of my school.

It changed again into something else; abnormal to any human; my nightmare had somehow managed to morph itself into some hideous creature that I couldn't name but was still familiar to me. This creature leapt into the air with leathery wings of dark shadows spread wide; so wide was it that it blotted out the sun.

I ran as fast as I could to try and get away when I stopped at the edge of a cliff where the ocean was dark and in an uproar.

I turned; I had to make a choice, but how would I do that when my choices were face it or jump into darkness.

I waited; my breath fogged the air around me as a tear rolled down my already damp cheek. I watched myself turn and look back at me, with one word: CHOOSE echoing between us before I jumped... The lasting thing I heard from it was "Choice Made."