The Dreamjumper and The Dreamcatcher

Chapter 17: Endings are only new beginnings

Alora

When I wake up, I'm in a strange place. I almost fear I'm still in the dream because I'm inside another small room laying on a bed with wires hooked to my head. But I turn my head and notice two women looking at me expectantly. I have no idea who they are, but they hug me with tears in their eyes as I sit up.

"Welcome to the OSA, Alora. You're safe now," says one of them.

Being hugged by people I don't know feels awkward. The gesture is touching but at the same time I'm not sure how to react since I have no connection to these people. "Umm... Thanks. Who are you?"

They both retract from my body and give me some space. One of them seems to be a doctor by the name on her lab coat. The other woman was the one who spoke. Her joggers and sweatshirt are fully black, but she can't be part of the enemy if this is truly the OSA.

"Sorry," she continues. "I'm Genevieve, Reve's teammate. We were all so worried about you, especially him when he found out you went missing."

I'm a bit flustered about the fact that there are people who care whether I go missing, albeit them being Reve's friends. The attention is nice but what I really want is to find Reve.

"Where is Reve?" I ask.

"As far as I know, he's still in the dream," says Genevieve. "But I'm sure he'll come get you once he's out. Want something to eat in the meantime?"

I was certainly not thinking of food at a time like this, but as soon as Genevieve mentions it, my stomach reminds me that I haven't eaten for who knows how long. Too long by the sound of the grumble that escapes my belly.

"I think that's a yes," says the doctor.

"I guess I do need food." I feel so awkward and embarrassed but thankfully the two women only laugh it off and I manage a sheepish smile of my own.

Inside the cafeteria I'm finishing chowing down on my turkey and swiss sandwich when Reve shows up. He comes with no warning. He just crashes into my body, his arms encircling me from behind. His squeeze is so tight that I can barely breathe. The sound of his voice immediately lets me know it's him.

"God, I was so worried about you," he says. "I never would have thought something like this would happen to you."

He releases me from the hug and sits beside me on the bench, but still keeps a hand on my arm. "I'm so sorry Alora. I told you that you would be safe with us, but I failed to protect you."

"You don't have to apologize," I say.

"Yes. I do. I should have paid more attention to the people within your dreams. The man was in your dream, and I just left you with him there. I should have recognized him sooner. Should have thought this through more. I was trying not to take you into too many dreams to not put you into any danger. But I did anyway..."

"Reve, you're rambling again," I interject. "Everything is okay. I'm fine. You found me, and now I'm here." And I really do mean it. Being trapped within a dream in that tiny room for so long not knowing what was going to happen was one of the most terrifying things I've ever experienced. I had no idea what they could have done to me in there. But I also knew that Reve would come find me. And he did. I don't want to linger in what could have been if he hadn't. What I know now is that I'm safe and within my own body. I'm okay now.

"I know I found you. But I don't feel like everything is fine. If it weren't for me you never would have gone missing. I put you through the trauma, and I can't shake the feeling of it all being my fault."

The man is practically shaking as he says this. My heart breaks for him for how guilty he feels. I just wish he could see that it wasn't all his fault. He could have never known that "Mr. Red-Head" was an enemy dreamjumper. The muscles under his jaw twitch and I can see in his eyes that he is trying to keep his composure. So I offer him my own hug of comfort back.