Entwined Destinies - Morpheus/Sandman Part 1

15/ Secrets in Silver

Selena was back into the waking world seeking a reprieve, a moment to herself to process the whirlwind of emotions and revelations she had experienced in the Dreaming. She needed to ground herself in the familiarity of her everyday life, to find a sense of normalcy amidst the storm of feelings that had been stirred within her. Yet, despite her efforts, the Dreaming lingered at the edges of her thoughts—especially the moments she had shared with Morpheus. The kiss, the unspoken promises, and the weight of what they meant played on a loop in her mind, both exhilarating and unsettling her as she tried to make sense of it all.

One evening, as the sun dipped below the horizon, casting the city in a soft, golden hue, Selena walked through the quiet streets on her way home. The air was cool, carrying the scent of freshly fallen leaves, and the distant hum of traffic created a soothing backdrop. As she approached her building, she noticed a figure lingering near the entrance, partially obscured by the long shadows cast by the streetlights.

Her steps slowed as she recognized the boy from Mrs. Henderson's apartment—the one who had opened the door when she first visited. He was leaning against the brick wall, his small frame almost lost in the oversized jacket he wore, his hands nervously fidgeting with something in his pocket.

"Selena?" the boy called out hesitantly as she drew closer, his voice carrying a mix of uncertainty and hope.

"Hey, I remember you," Selena replied with a warm smile, her curiosity piqued. "What are you doing here?"

The boy shifted his weight from one foot to the other, glancing around as if ensuring they were alone. His eyes, a shade of brown that reflected the fading light, were wide with a sincerity that tugged at Selena's heart. "I'm sorry to bother you, but... I found something. After you left that day, Mrs. Henderson was acting strange, like she was hiding something. I wanted to help you... because I know what it's like to be searching for your past."

Touched by his words, Selena's smile softened. "That's really thoughtful of you. What did you find?"

The boy hesitated for a moment before reaching into his pocket and pulling out a small, delicate bracelet. The metal gleamed faintly in the dim light, its surface adorned with intricate, almost otherworldly patterns etched into the silver. A small, weathered charm dangled from it, shaped like a crescent moon, its edges worn smooth with age. The bracelet seemed to hum with a quiet energy, as though it held within it the echoes of a distant past.

"I think it belonged to your mom," the boy said, holding it out to her with both hands, as if it were something sacred. "Mrs. Henderson had it hidden away, but I knew it wasn't hers. When she fell asleep, I took it. I thought you should have it."

Selena's breath caught in her throat as she gingerly took the bracelet from him. The metal was cool against her skin, yet as she held it, she felt a strange, almost imperceptible warmth emanating from the charm. It was as though the bracelet was alive, its energy pulsing in time with her heartbeat. Tears welled up in her eyes as the significance of this small object dawned on her—another piece of her mother, another connection to the past she had been desperate to uncover.

"Thank you," she whispered, her voice thick with emotion. "This means so much to me."

The boy nodded, a shy smile tugging at the corners of his lips. "I'm glad you like it. I just thought... well, maybe it could help you figure things out. You deserve to know where you come from."

Selena's heart swelled with gratitude. She reached out and gently squeezed the boy's hand, her touch conveying the depth of her appreciation. "You have no idea how much this means to me," she said, her voice soft but full of emotion. "Thank you for going out of your way to help."