𝖑𝖊𝖌𝖆𝖈𝖎𝖊𝖘||𝖈𝖍𝖆𝖔𝖘

2.8

jun 29 2007

She started practicing ballet again. It was hard to get back into it because it made her think of Five, but she did it. She managed to fish out the books her brother had bought for her years ago, and Lottie was kind enough to let her have her sister's old shoes. Her powers had grown calmer and her balance had improved once more.

However, her nightmares were growing more and more intense and vivid. She began to stay awake to avoid them, just like she did in the Academy. There was no point in dreaming anymore. No matter how hard she tried she couldn't find Ophelia. What was the point of going through the torture of her memories if she couldn't see her closest friend?

The dark circles under her eyes had returned from her lack of sleep. And Thomas was becoming more and more concerned.

Even though Nakia was thankful for Lottie and her advice, she couldn't bring herself to talk to Thomas. Or anyone else for that matter.

It was just hard to think about how any of them would respond. What if they laughed at her? Or thought she was crazy, and locked her away in a nut house.

It was too risky of a chance.

✁- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -

Thomas and Nakia had gotten home from S.H.E.I.L.D, eaten dinner, played a game of chess, and watched The Lion King, and Toy Story. It was well after midnight and he was exhausted. By the time he announced he was going to sleep, the young girl was still running around.

"C'mon old man," she said jumping around. "The night is still young! I want to do so many things!"

Thomas couldn't take it anymore. He grabbed the girl and held her by her legs carrying her into her room. She was running on two hours of sleep and she was tweaking. She was laughing and giggling at absolutely nothing.

He carefully laid her in the bed, tucking her in. "Bed, you're going nuts."

"Thomas," she pleaded, frowning. "Please don't go to sleep. Let's stay awake."

"We can do whatever you want tomorrow. But you need to go to sleep. Okay?"

She nodded hesitantly. "Good night, Tip."

"Good night, kid."

It was up to her now. She didn't want to go to bed. She didn't want to go back to her wretched nightmares. But as she laid in that bed, her exhaustion got to her, and the sleep became inevitable.

✁- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -

It was so cold. And pitch black dark, she couldn't see anything. Nakia knew exactly where she was. But, this time it was different. The room began to grow brighter until it resembled a very familiar place.

"I'm home," she whispered to herself. "How did-"

She was interrupted by the sound of chattering.

"He was alone, surrounded by rubble. All they found next to him was a-"

She raced to find the sound of the voice. The hallway was getting narrower. It was getting harder to move but she finally reached the courtyard. The speaker was old, his hair was graying and he had a funny-looking mustache.

"Dad?"

"Well, you've finally found you're way back to us."

"I don't under-"

She peered behind him to see her siblings looking at her. Behind them was a black casket. She slowly walked to it, as rain began to fall.

'Stupid nightmare.'