Morpheus's Mortal

Running Down

Cassie's POV

Alex straightened his black jacket and clears his thoat,"H-Hello. It is a pleasure to meet you Miss Morce." He tries to sound bold, but his voice is still meek and quiet. I walk over and shake his hand, putting on a fake smile. He seems sweet.

Milly clears her throat, breaking the silence.

"Oh, sorry. This is my best friend, Milly. She also happens to work for me."

"Ah yes, Miss Milly and I have already had a conversation. She is pleasant and a sweet girl." Alex says while looking at blushing Milly.

I hear a a twig snap and quickly turn my head towards the sound. I see an outline of a body. As it gets closer, I realize it is my father. No doubt upset with me and will give me a lecture on proper etiquette. He approaches closer and finally coming to a halt. He probably didn't even dress up for the party. Sometimes he is more boring than a "Do Not Touch" sign. I love him but he needs to loosen up a bit.

"Cassie Lee, a word." He takes my hand and firmly pulls me away from Alex and Milly.

"What, Dad?"

"This is inappropriate behavior. A lady does not go pouncing around with other men when she already has arrangements with another." He states firmly. But then the father side of him leaks through and his expression changed into worry and relief. "I was afraid something might have happened to you."

"Oh no, Dad. It's just that Mason wanted to talk to me for a bit, to catch up and it was too loud and the party. I'm sorry, I should have told you." I gently place my hand on his back.

"Mason? No, he's trouble, stay away from him." He commands.

"Dad, you have already controlled who I am marrying. Don't control who my friends are. " I protest.

His expressions changes to anger," Cassie, I am only doing what is best for you, please understand this. Be grateful for what I have sacrificed for you."

"Oh because choosing who I have to spend the rest of my life with is such a huge 'sacrifice'". I slowly shift my body away from my father. I can't take this. Maybe it's the heat or the bottled up emotions but I am sick of everything. I am sick of being compared to someone who is dead. I am sick of being told what to do. And I am sick of being treated like a puppet that is controlled. I slip of my shoes and I dart.

I ran faster than ever. I ran over the overgrown grass and pass the garden where Mason took me earlier. My lungs burn and my legs already feel sore, but I keep pushing on and on. I just have to get away from everything. I run into a mini forest where branches choke and scratch my throat and my body. My foot gets caught in a a tree root that's above ground and I fall. A little dirt gets in my mouth and all over my dress. I struggle to get back on my feet and when I finally do, my dress get caught on a thorn bush, causing me to rip a little off, revealing a little more skin. My hair bounces up and down and the hair do eventually falls out, releasing the trapped waves that were pinned up. I start to see a clearing and try to run as fast as I can to it.

As I get closer, I realize that there are two water fountains and a sundial. The sundial is huge and a little eroded. I lean over it to get a better look. The bright moon casts my shadow over the four o'clock numeral. I hear a series of clicking noises and quickly stand back. What the heck? The sundial turns and reveals a giant hole. No way.

I kneel down and place my hands on the left and right side of it and lean in a bit. It smells pretty bad, but it almost smells a bit like tobacco. Strange.

"CASSIE!" A voice in the distant shouts out, startling me.

Could I jump?  Do I even dare? I feel so trapped and alone, perhaps this is the best way. Before I could even decide, my hands slips and dooms me to death.

It's useless. I'm going to die and I haven't even said sorry to my father. I won't see Mason or Milly. I love them so much. A few tears roll down my cheeks. I close my eyes and embrace the fall. It's no use in screaming and crying, might as well did peacefully.

My body slams against something cold and hard. I see a little light and try to walk towards it. My body won't let me move. It's in shock that I'm still alive and it's too sore from running. I roll over so that I lay on my back. I feel exhausted and weak. I call for help, but a tiny sound escapes my throat. My eyes are struggling to stay open when I hear footsteps. A figure leans over and that's when I realize who he was. The man from my dream. "Morpheus." I say weakly. His figure leans closer and that's when he asked with pure hope.

"Alyssa?"