From the Mists

Chapter 02: The Spirit and the Dream

(Hey there everyone! Audiobook is in the video above, but it would also mean a lot to me if you could subscribe to the channel on YouTube. The DeCA channel is a collab between myself and a friend, and we are doing our best to try and be heard by the world! Thanks everyone! Now, back to the story...) Also, quick warning: This chapter contains elements of fantasy cruelty, the likes of which might be a little unsettling (nothing too overly dramatic). Just wanted to give a quick disclaimer before jumping in.

CHAPTER 02: The Spirt and the Dream

As Annabelle nestled herself comfortably at the foot of Isabelle's bed, she steeled herself, unsure of what to expect. Her sister had vanished into her bedroom at roughly the same time she did, after all, and she didn't recall seeing her at all between the time that this happened and the time she had approached her and her mother. What could she possibly have been doing within those two precious hours that had gotten her so riled up? What had happened?

The conversation that followed was a long one, full of many questions on Annabelle's part, but not sealed up with much in terms of resolution, much to both girl's frustration. But, rather than detailing how the conversation had gone, I'll simply tell the tale from Isabelle's point of view, so that you may draw your own conclusions. That said, it had began shortly after the two girls retired. Bickering and arguing still resounded from the kitchen, causing Isabelle and Annabelle to recoil from the scene, wanting nothing to do with the fight.

"Looks like we'll be spending the day in our rooms," Annabelle had said with a deep sigh. Isabelle agreed instantly. "And so much for our talk about the blue mist. Not that I think either of them believed us anyhow."

"Yep, you can say that again," Isabelle responded. "We'll just have to try and bring it up again when things have settled down."

A short conversation then followed where both girls agreed to put the idea of the mists on the back burner for a later time, as truth be told, Isabelle was exhausted just at the mention of the mists. They had little recovery time, after all, ever since returning to the home, and Isabelle felt as if she could lie down and take a long nap, something that she felt her body needed at the time. So, after insisting to make the matter a problem for the following day, Isabelle made the short trip down the hall and into her bedroom. Never in her life had she felt more grateful to be there, as her cozy cabin room seemed like the only safe place against the chaos that was going on outside of it.

So, heaving a contented sigh, she sank into her bed, feeling as if sleep would arrive swiftly. Unfortunately for her, the fates had other plans, as she ended up tossing and turning for a time, kept awake by her racing thoughts and theories. Despite not wanting to think about the mists, the mists were in truth all she could think about, and the events that had transpired replayed themselves over and over in her head, fresh on her mind as if they were occurring for the very first time. Just where had they come from? And why had they affected her and her sister in such a way? The feeling of peace she had felt within their presence was one that couldn't be described, but the feeling of pure terror that had followed thereafter was equally as indescribable.

The ticking of the grandfather clock from down the hall was her only distraction as she lied upon her bed, feeling frustrated and confused. On any normal day, this ticking would help her fall asleep with ease, but in this particular case, it served more as a mere annoyance than anything. Isabelle lied upon her back, staring up at the ceiling for a time. She just couldn't understand why she couldn't just rest – she was perfectly okay and comfortable, after all, and she did feel immensely tired... yet she remained awake and alert for what felt like several long hours.

"Maybe it's just because it's midday, my internal clock just won't let me sleep, "she said to herself, though that had never stopped her before. She had taken several naps during the day in the past, many of which in that very bed. But, it was the only excuse that made sense to her at the time.