the shadows the phantoms left behind

chapter five

I'm dreaming, that much I can tell.

I float at the bottom of a lake. I don't struggle. I can breathe.

I inhale deeply, flexing my fingers in front of my face. I look down at my arms, the wounds from last night completely gone.

Was that only last night?

Couldn't have been.

I move seamlessly through the water, my long hair flowing behind me. I feel...strangely peaceful.

I hear a giggle from nearby. A woman. I whip around, my eyes darting around for the source.

My eyes land on a young girl, probably not much older than me. Her dark hair floats around her shoulders. She's human, like me, her pale skin glowing from the sunlight filtering in from above the water.

Her emerald eyes gleam as she looks behind her.

My emerald eyes.

I gasp, my eyes widening with realization.

That's my mother.

This isn't a dream.

This is a memory.

A being plunges into the water after her, and she grabs his hands, pulling him to her. I don't see his face, just his longer than normal hair and lean body.

He leans in, whispering something in her ear that makes her laugh again.

I miss her laugh.

The person grabs her hips, pulling her into him. I can see her shiver.

My mom reaches up, bringing her lips to his...

My eyes open. I find myself...

Where am I??

My mouth feels dry, sticky, gross. I grimace as I try to move my arms. They sting, even though my wounds are now covered in bandages.

A groan escapes my lips as I sit up, every part of my body feeling sore. I sigh deeply, flexing and popping my fingers.

I look around. I'm on a bed, a nice bed, but the rest of the room is unlike anything I've ever seen before.

Strange substances and plants line the walls top to bottom, the only light source the multiple lanterns lit by fire around the room. There's a faint aroma of lavender and other herbs around. It reminds me of my tea cabinet at home.

This place feels eerily like home.

"Hey! Don't get up!"

I freeze, glancing around for the tiny voice. I don't see a thing. I continue trying to get up.

"Did you hear me?? Don't get up!! You're going to worsen your injuries!!"

Out of nowhere, a little being of light begins to float in front of my face. I widen my eyes, realizing it's a little person. With wings.

"You...you're what I saw in the forest!" I say, my mind spinning with possibilities. "You're a...fairy?? That's not possible."

The little being scoffs. "I'm a pixie. Fairies are horrible little creatures." She looks away with disdain, her high-pitched voice pouring with annoyance. "And no, it wasn't me you saw in the forest that night. Dealing with Wraiths is not my job."

I slump back against the bed. "I have so many questions."

The pixie lands on my lap, her wings fluttering behind her. "Elysium wanted me to take care of you, for some reason. Your name is- Andromeda, right? I'm Cordelia."