Adversity Knocks

The Golden Child

Waking up to an empty lot by herself, Joleyne got up to explore the barren land. Night had fallen and the horizon before her turned pitch-black. Hoping someone would tell her where she was, Joleyne turned around, but it was too dim for her to explore from where she was sitting. Trembling as she feared she was alone in the middle of nowhere, the shadows of the night seemed to be moving way too fast for her to cope. Thus, panic attacks immediately came upon her mind.

Joleyne hoped this was just a prank her fiance set up. Although, she knew her chances for that happening were quite slim once she pinched her cheek to make sure it wasn't another nightmare.

Ouch!

She called out her boyfriend's name, but nothing came out as Joleyne felt her voice was stuck in a rut. Her lips tasted like paste and felt a deep cut on her upper lip with her tongue. The residue of blood that remained on top of her mouth felt sticky and wishy-washy.

What happened to me? The last thing I remember is - umm - that's it. I don't remember what occurred before I blacked out.

Joleyne wanted to cry, scream or shout, but deep down she knew in her heart that wouldn't do any good. Her main focus was to figure out what was going on around her at the moment. Anything else would distract her from achieving her goals.

Someone is playing with my mind!

Everything remained to be a blur, until Joleyne felt the big bump on her head. She put out her hands in front of her, but felt nothing but brisk air.

Coincidentally, this was the same nightmare she dreamt a few nights before this incidence; but did not think this haunted premonition would ever come true.

She went to see a psychologist to help her calm down behind her family's back, for they would say the elite does not need that kind of help.

It's one big joke. Rich people like us don't need therapy Joleyne. If you go, you'll be considered weird. Is that what you want?

Those repetitive words echoed in her head. But she ignored them. That wasn't her. She was the person who wanted to break free from the norm.

Memories of seeing a psychologist in a past life came back. A person wearing a hooded sweater and cargo pants came to mind.

Is that me?

The Joleyne Slider she remembered always wore the fanciest dresses as if money grew on trees. But that was a flawless public facade that masked her private despair. Joleyne grew up with a silver spoon in her mouth, where she was born into a wealthy, snobbish family of high social standing.

She had an executive boyfriend, Jason Crowly, that she was about to marry. But wasn't sure if he loved her for who she was, as if money was just what he wanted since she was the daughter of a businessman. Or if money was all that Jason was after. But he was a handsome man that captured Joleyne's heart. So, she was entrapped in the relationship.

Her former therapist recommended her to think of happier thoughts rather than focus on fear itself, and believed she was doing just that to keep herself from going into shock. Joleyne tried to keep holding on, but it was of no use.

Closing her eyes, she believed every dark illusion would go away, and her fiance would be sleeping next to her again.

In her past dreams she died, and met the devil in disguise.

And once she would wake up, Joleyne would be screaming, while her fiancé calmed her down by patting her back as they slept together under a cozy blanket. That's what made her smile. However, she recalled that Jason would call her crazy behind her back, when he talked to his friends about her.

Why am I marrying him again? Oh yes, to save my father's business.

Remembering those memories indeed caused her to calm down, but now that was not the case.

As she was claustrophobic, the walls seemed to be closing in on her. It felt like it was déjà vu all over again. As she couldn't take it anymore,she had to find a way to escape this place called Hell.

There were endless hallways that went on forever as she continued walking. Joleyne had a hard time breathing and believed this was one of her night terrors.

Searching for some kind of sunlight or any sign of a window seemed endless. Feeling the need to walk through the hallways of the dark abyss felt like the only option, but fell down instead. Joleyne hesitated to get up from the ground for she wanted to give up.

And that's when she heard another person's voice mumbling in the background.

Not trying to panic, she touched her head to regain consciousness. Hoping she wasn't dead yet, she tried to focus on the last tender moments she endured with the love of her life, but couldn't. Her mind drew a blank for some reason unknown.

Come on brain, work! I think if I can recall what happened to me I know I'm still alive.

When she felt her right hand for comfort, she felt some kind of jewlery that remained on her ring finger. And that's when the important details of today's events came back to haunt her.

Oh no!!! I got a wedding to attend!

Having the urge to run away, Joleyne tried to remain serene. But it was cut too short as her anxiety symptoms came bursting right in.

Okay, Joleyne, I know now I was the bride who must have run away! I was on my way to get ready. Jason, my sweet Jason. He'll be devastated that I won't be there. Now my day has been ruined!

Feeling entrapped, she easily gave up. And that's when she heard footsteps coming toward her.