Dream Weaver ✓

Chapter 11

As the radiant rays of the sun enveloped her, Olivia stirred from a slumber that felt all too familiar, yet unfamiliar. Her eyes fluttered open, and she lifted her gaze, taking in her surroundings with a sense of unease. Despite the warmth of the sun on her skin, a chill ran down her spine as she searched for any sign of Sean and Emily. A gnawing feeling deep in her gut told her that something was amiss, reminding her of the gravity of their situation as dream weavers, who were bound by fate to work together.

Olivia let out an exasperated sigh as she realized she could not locate Sean or Emily. But then, a spark of inspiration struck her. With a determined gleam in her eyes, she stood tall and planted her feet firmly on the ground. She was familiar with the sensation of being pulled and tugged whenever she exercised her power to manipulate the dreamscape. However, this time, things felt different. The familiar feeling didn't take hold, leaving her to wonder what was happening.

As Olivia walked, a sudden gust of wind caught her by surprise, causing her to take a step back as the cool embrace of the breeze caressed her face. Despite her initial stumble, she quickly regained her footing and steadied herself. Intrigued, she turned her gaze toward the direction from where the wind had originated, her heart filled with a glimmer of hope that perhaps it would guide her toward Sean. With a determined step, she set off, eager to see where the wind would lead her.

Olivia's heart raced as she approached the crossroads, her eyes fixated on the unmistakable silhouette of Sean and the glint of a coin in Emily's hand. Fueled by a desperate urgency, she launched into a full-out sprint, driven by a fierce determination to intervene before any irreparable harm was done. With every pounding step, she felt a sense of fear and anxiety building within her, spurred on by the knowledge that time was of the essence. And yet, even as she drew near to her friends, her resolve never wavered, for she knew in her heart that she had to act quickly and decisively to put an end to this dangerous game.

Her piercing voice echoed through the air as she threw her arms up in the air, frustration clear in her tight jaw and furrowed brows. She stood tall, practically shaking with anger as she roared out the words, "Sean! Stop!"

Olivia charged towards the crossroad with fierce determination, her feet pounding against the pavement. Despite her best efforts, the destination seemed to elude her, retreating further and further away like a mirage. She pushed herself to the brink of exhaustion, sprinting towards the crossroad time and time again until finally, she was forced to come to a stop, her chest heaving as she struggled to catch her breath. With a mixture of frustration and confusion, she stood there, hands on her hips, wondering how it was possible that she couldn't reach a place that was so close yet so far away.

Just as raindrops danced a frenzy against her cheeks, Olivia tilted her face towards the sky. A moment before, the warm sun had embraced her, but now she was held back by an unseen force. The rain was like a curtain, blocking her view and soaking her clothes. She shook her head, her gaze fixed on the scene in front of her. Sean stood there, his hands cupped together as if holding something precious.

And there it was, the coin glistening in his palm.

Terrified and frantic, Olivia begged, "Sean, don't!" Her voice quavered as fear dripped from every syllable, like a leaky faucet.

Emily raised an eyebrow, a smirk creeping across her face. "He can't hear you, love. You've lost him," she gloated, relishing in her newfound power.

Defeated, Olivia crumpled to the ground, her knees buckling under the weight of the situation. With a quivering voice, she pleaded, "This isn't you. I don't understand. What happened? Why are you doing this?"

Emily's laughter echoed through the room, a cruel and haunting cackle. "This is me. I'm the new Emily, and you'd better get used to it."

Olivia cocked her head, confusion etched across her face. "What do you mean, the new Emily?"

With a chill, she observed the twisted smile spreading across the face of the one who had to answer her question. Her heart seized, and she struggled to draw breath into her constricted lungs. The idea of Emily causing harm to Sean ignited a fierce determination within her. The pounding rain obscured her vision, blurring the world around her and making it difficult to concentrate. But then, in an instant of clarity, the solution came to her, sharp and brilliant as a lightning bolt in the storm.

"A door isn't a door when it's ajar!"

Emily's eyes bulged in terror as she stumbled back, her body collapsing onto her knees before she could even let out a scream. Olivia, quick on her feet, sprinted towards the crossroads where Sean was still stationed, the coin clutched tightly in his grip. Before Sean could even use the coin, Olivia lunged forward with a fierce determination, her arms extending as she pushed him away from the junction.

As the brilliant rays of the sun sliced through the clouds, banishing them from the sky, the coin disappeared into the ether as if it had never existed. Sean's knees buckled beneath him, overwhelmed by the realization of what had just happened. Olivia struggled for breath, her chest heaving as she gasped for air. Despite Sean's ignorance of the danger, she had bravely stepped forward to shield him from a terrible fate.

Olivia met his gaze with a determined look. "We need to leave right now." She rose to her feet, her voice resolute and unwavering. With a nod, she extended her hand toward him. "Take my hand."

Sean hesitated for a moment before reaching out and grasping her hand firmly. "Where's Emily?" he asked, his voice cracking with anxiety.

"I don't know," Olivia replied. She could feel her stomach churning with unease. "She's been taken over, possessed by something dark and sinister."

Sean let out a sigh and rubbed his face, his eyes closing for a moment as he struggled to come to terms with the situation. "I'm sorry," he whispered. "I don't know how this happened."

Olivia furrowed her eyebrows and cast her gaze downward, her eyes meeting his in a sincere and empathetic manner. "I'm not blaming you," she said in a soft tone, her lips barely moving as she spoke. She then inhaled deeply, mustering up the courage to utter the next words. "But we need to leave now."