The Phoenix Burglar

Chapter 9: You Can't Wake up, This Is Not A Dream

I blink open my small brown eyes in surprise, a quick breath is blown out. What a weird dream, I think with a shiver. I'm in a small bed, comfy and cozy, something I'm not used to. I stretch and yawn, staring up at the ceiling that's littered with plastic glow-in-the dark stars. The same ones I fell asleep looking at last night, but for some reason I feel like I haven't seen them in forever. I smile as I hear the clinking of dishes, remembering what happened yesterday. I was finally adopted! Usually every adult that came into the place wouldn't even glance at me. Especially after hearing the lies the headmistress would tell about me. That I was a brat, a down right urchin with the temper of a Tasmanian devil. I don't know why but the Miss hated me...I could never get her to like me, no matter how polite and kind I tried to be in the face of her borderline abuse. Some of what she said was true. I got into fights, and I could get frustrated and throw a tantrum, but so did all the other kids. But none of the adults wanted a kid with 'behavioral issues' as the Miss put it. So I sat there while the prospecting couples looked at us like we were pretty fish in a shop they were picking out to take home. Then yesterday, the unthinkable happened. 

"What about her?" Not 'that one' but 'her'. I lifted my head up in interest and met eyes with an angel. Beautiful green eyes stared into mine as I saw a kind face haloed with golden hair. She walked up to me as I stared in awe. "Hello, little one." She said while crouching next to me.

"H-hi.." I managed to stutter out. I saw the Miss walk up behind her hurriedly, heels clicking madly.

"Oh no, no! You don't want that one, they're a trouble maker. Absolutely a wretched little thing." The beautiful lady's brow scrunched up as the Miss said 'that one'. She stood up and faced the Miss, her aura turning stern.

"Well, I like kids with a bit of fire in them." The Miss looked taken aback, her mouth open in surprise.

"But you-"

"What's your name, sweetheart?" The lady interrupted with a hand on her hip. I tried to cover up a laugh at the Miss' face after being completely ignored.

"Mirri, Miss. My name is Mirri." I said with a smile.

"Awe, that's a lovely name, and a lovely smile." I blushed at her compliments.

"Thanks," I said quietly with my head down. She chuckled and I looked back up as she crouched next to me again.

"Would you like to have a Mommy and a Daddy, Mirri?" My eyes teared up as I looked into hers, seeing sincerity and compassion. I nodded my head.

"And a brother?" I nodded my head wildly.

"Yes, yes, yes! Please!" I jumped into her arms as I started sobbing with pure joy.

"Whoa!" She said with a chuckle. "Ssh, shh, it's OK sweetie. I got ya." She comforted as she stood up.

Now as I stood in my very own bedroom, I was bursting with excitement at the start of a new day. At the prospect of hundreds of better new days. No, thousands! I giggle and rush over to my mirrored dresser. Today I would get to meet my brother and later in the evening, my new dad. I pulled open the top drawer and gasped at all the pretty clothes. Were these really all mine? I gasped as I saw a pink sparkly shirt with a unicorn barfing rainbows. I had to wear this, hands down. I grabbed it up along with some purple tie dye leggings and the essential undergarments, making my way to my connected bathroom. I reached up, sliding the clothes onto the counter before looking around. There was a step stool by the toilet so I dragged it over to the counter. I stood on it, looking into the mirror. I made a silly face at myself before I looked down at the counter and saw the bathing essentials Ella had put for me. No, not Ella, Mom. That's what she had said to call her. I swiped up the shampoo, conditioner and soap and hopped down from the stool. I set it all on the side of the tub and twisted the faucet knob, letting water fall down from above. I turned it to warm and while I waited for it to heat up I opened up a cupboard and brought out a fluffy towel and hung it on the rung beside the shower. I stepped back over to the shower and satisfied with the water temperature, I took off my clothes and stepped in. The water washed over my scarred back with a gentle touch and I sighed. Another reason why the Miss didn't like me much. She would get scared every time she saw my scars. She didn't know where they came from, they were there since I was left at her doorstep as a baby. Everyone would always assume the worst when they saw such extensive scars on a kid, and it reflected badly on the orphanage. I finished washing up and stepped out of the shower, wrapping myself in the comfy towel and stepping back up on the stool. I hummed and grabbed my toothbrush. I reached up my hand and swiped it across the glass to clear the fog, but froze once I did. Instead of my reflection staring back at me, there was an old man with spiky blue hair glaring back at me. I jumped and screamed, falling back off the stool. I landed with a grunt and whipped my head back up.

"Goddamn stop freaking out, Mirri. Why are you a kid? Never mind, I don't give a shit." The old man said. I furrowed my brow and peeked over the counter. 

"How do you know my name?"

"REally that's what you're gonna focus on?" He burped. I watched him with confusion and nodded. He sighed and explained that I was his grandson's friend, and that this was all a dream I needed to wake up from. I glared at him, even more confused.

"Y-you're a liar!" I stuttered out. He groaned.

"For fuck's sake Mirri, none of this is real! If you don't snap out of it you're going to die!" I gulped and shivered at hearing I could die before I steeled my resolve and glared up at the old scientist.

"Listen here you old fart knocker, I don't know who you are, or why I'm seeing you, but this is not a dream. It's my life! My messy, screwed up life. And I just got the chance for it to get better. I'm not letting you get in the way of that. So go back to whatever part of my subconscious you came from!" I wiped at the mirror angrily, and just like that, he was gone. I sighed in relief. There was a knock at the door and I jumped.

"Mirri? Are you OK in there?" It was Ella.

"Yes!" I yelled over my shoulder.

"OK, well breakfast is ready! Don't take too long or it will get cold!"

"Mmhm!" I hear her footsteps fade away from the door and I drop my head, sighing in relief.

I look back up into the mirror and in the receding steam in crude writing is the message: "Wake up you idiot!" Tears build in my eyes as I gently wipe away the message. A fleeting thought goes through my head, that I don't understand. I shake my head and get dressed, exiting the bathroom.

"I can't wake up. This isn't a dream."