---
That night, I had the dream again. I saw her—the woman who claims to be my mother. Everything was the same as before. I was running, and once again, I fell from the cliff. But this time, there was something different... I heard another voice. It sounded like my own thoughts, but I knew it wasn't me. It must have been the thoughts of the person I became in the dream.
Her—or maybe my—thoughts echoed: 'Maybe if I hadn't done that... we could still smile together.'
I felt a wave of confusion as the thought lingered, followed by another: 'I wish I had listened to you before this happened... I'm sorry, Mother.'
Then everything went black.
I jolted awake in the middle of the night, my heart pounding in my chest. Glancing at the clock, I saw the numbers glowing in the darkness: 4:25 a.m.
With a sigh, I tried to fall back asleep, but it was useless. My mind wouldn't settle, replaying the dream over and over. Resigned, I got up and quietly began my morning routine, hoping the usual familiarity of it would help clear my mind.
---
In the morning, I decided to change things up. Instead of rushing around like I usually do, I slowed down, savoring each step as I walked. The streets were quiet, the soft light of dawn casting a warm glow over everything. The atmosphere was surprisingly peaceful, more calming than I'd expected. I had thought it would be cold, but the air was warmer than I'd imagined, with just enough of a breeze to make it comfortable.
I slipped in my earphones, choosing something simple and wordless—"Luminary." The soft, melodic sound wrapped around me, no lyrics to distract me from my thoughts. Just me and the rhythm, matching the gentle pace of my steps.
For the first time in a while, I felt a sense of calm. The dream still lingered at the edges of my mind, but out here, with the sun slowly rising and the world still so quiet, it felt easier to let go of it, even if only for a little while.
---
When I arrived at school, I found myself lingering around the gates. The teacher wasn't here yet, so I had some time to kill. As I wandered, I spotted the green-haired boy from yesterday walking down the road, his face buried in a book. I don't know how he managed to read while walking, but okay.
I turned my gaze away from him just in time to see Miss Lavenior walking toward me. I greeted her with a polite smile, and she smiled back, a playful look in her eyes.
"The more I see you, the more you fit the nickname I gave you," she said with a chuckle. "E.S."
I couldn't help but laugh softly and thanked her as she unlocked the gates. Feeling a little lighter, I made my way inside, heading toward my classroom.
---
As I walked through the hallway, I heard someone call out, "Hey!"
YOU ARE READING
Echoes of Fractured Realities: The Convergence Beyond Worlds
FantasyKira Stukumi is a seemingly ordinary teenager, but her vivid dreams reveal a shocking truth: she is connected to another dimension where an alternate version of herself exists. As strange events blur the lines between her world and this parallel rea...