Entwined Destinies - Morpheus/Sandman Part 1

8/ Shrouded in Mystery

Oopsie, Sorry, I was busy yesterday and I didn't realise it was Saturday! To make it up to you, I'm sharing not ONE but TWO chapters! 

Selena struggled through the days, each one stretching into the next without any word from the Dreaming. The weight of her newfound knowledge, coupled with the mystery surrounding her lineage, clung to her like a shadow she couldn't shake. She went through her daily routines mechanically, but her mind was often elsewhere—drawn back to the Dreaming, to Morpheus, and to the unresolved questions that haunted her.

Every now and then, she would spot a raven perched nearby, its dark eyes locked onto her with an unnerving intensity. She knew it was Matthew, ever watchful, but she hesitated to approach him, afraid of the strange looks she might get for talking to a bird. Yet, his presence was a constant reminder of the otherworldly realm she had glimpsed, a world she now longed to understand more deeply, even as it remained tantalizingly out of reach.

One evening, as the sun dipped below the horizon and cast long, lingering shadows across her room, Selena sat by her window, staring out at the city lights. The sky was a deepening blue, the first stars beginning to twinkle faintly against the encroaching night. The faint, familiar flutter of wings caught her attention, and she turned to see a raven perched on the ledge outside her window. Her heart skipped a beat. Unable to resist the urge any longer, she cracked the window open and whispered, "Matthew, is that you?"

The raven tilted his head slightly, his eyes gleaming in the fading light. "Yes, it's me, Selena."

A surge of hope quickened Selena's pulse. "Do you have news? From me? From Morpheus?"

Matthew hesitated, his wings ruffling slightly as he shifted his weight. "Well... not really."

Selena's anticipation faltered, and she glanced around nervously, making sure no one was nearby to see her conversing with a bird. "Come in, quickly."

With a swift, silent motion, Matthew flew inside, landing gracefully on the edge of her desk. His feathers gleamed with an iridescent sheen under the dim light, a stark contrast to the heavy mood that hung in the air. She sat down across from him, her voice tinged with disappointment. "It's nice to see you, Matthew. But... what's going on?"

Matthew regarded her with a mixture of concern and determination. "Lucienne and Morpheus have been searching tirelessly, but they haven't uncovered much that's new. What is becoming increasingly clear, however—if it wasn't already—is that someone, or something, has done an exceptional job of erasing you from history.Have you managed to recall anything during this time? Anything at all?"

Selena sighed, frustration seeping into her voice. "No... absolutely nothing. Even in my dreams, I try to focus on the photograph of my mother, hoping it will trigger something. But nothing happens. It's like there's a wall blocking me."

Matthew's gaze softened, his tone reassuring. "We'll find out the truth, Selena. Don't worry. It might take time—longer than we'd like—but we're on the right path. That, I can promise you."

Selena nodded, a flicker of determination reigniting in her eyes. "Thank you, Matthew," she said softly. After a brief pause, she continued, her voice firm. "Please tell Morpheus I'll be ready for whatever comes."

Matthew gave a slight, respectful bow of his head. "I will. And Selena, remember, you're not alone, you have allies in the Dreaming, and we'll stand by you. But please, remain cautious."

With that, he took off, his wings brushing past her as he flew back out the window, disappearing into the night. Selena watched him go, then slowly closed the window, shutting out the cool evening air. She sat back in her chair, her mind racing with thoughts of the dangers ahead and the mysteries that still lay hidden in the shadows, waiting to be unraveled.