The Gift of Dreams

prologue

September,

Eloise was not able to recall the first time she 'dreamed'. For as long as she could remember, she had always visited the same dreamscape. She can, however, remember the day that she felt she was truly alone.

The whole of Eloise's grade five class was asked to draw their closest friend, so bursts of coloured pencils and pens floated around the room when free time came. A gap-toothed ten year old Eloise bounced with excitement to show off her drawing to the teacher, Miss Potts. Her purple flowy skirts floated as she moved and Eloise thought it looked like something a princess would wear.

"Oh that's lovely Emily!" Miss Potts exclaimed as she bent over a girl's table. Emily beamed up at her as she explained her drawing with elaborate gestures and expressions.

"Thass Lilly, she hass a green dress becauss green is her favourite colour. And that'ss Zoe. She's wearing pink becauss that'ss what sshe always wearss. But they don't go here becausse they go to a different school." Emily's lisp made it to understand what she was saying, her texta-stained fingers drifted across her coloured cardboard.

Miss Potts praised her once more before she came over to the right of Eloise. "And what do we have here, Elo-" Her face paled dramatically as she cut herself off with a gasp.

"They're my friends!" Eloise grinned. She looked down to the drawing she had made; three children with brightly coloured green skin stood next to a miniature version of herself. One of the children had a tail and the other two had tiny horns that protruded from the top of their heads.

"Imaginary friends?" Miss Potts asked.

"No." Eloise's face scrunched in confusion. "They're my real friends. I play with them when I sleep." Maybe Miss Potts doesn't play with her friends. Eloise thought, lip pouting at the idea.

"I see." The teacher's hand clutched at her chest, as if she would flutter away if she had nothing to hold on to. "I think I'll talk to your mummy about this at the end of the day. She'll love to hear about your...friends." Miss Potts attempted to regain her composure, but the fake smile she plastered on her face had Eloise shivering.

"Mummy already knows! She says that it's very special." Eloise was proud of that, her mother was always telling her how special she was.

***

"Alright kiddies, it's home time. Go grab your bags!" Miss Potts called out.

There was a great rush of children as they all filed into the hallway, reaching for their bags with grubby little fingers. But Eloise knew better, she held back and waited patiently for the others to leave the building before she grabbed hers.

The last boy to leave had left in such a hurry that he tripped over his sneakers, sending him sprawling over the floor. Eloise ignored him and skipped over to her backpack, hearing the distant cries of other children. As she reached for her water bottle she overheard a familiar voice; her mother. Based on the raised tone she seemed to be in a heated conversation with another, more hushed-toned, person.

"How dare you?" She sounded furious. "There is nothing wrong with my child."

"No, no. I'm afraid you misunderstand..." It was Miss Potts! Her voice trailed off and Eloise strained to hear what she was saying. "...Concerned...scaring the kids...drawings...friends..." Oh, she was talking about her drawing. I can't wait to show mummy! Thought Eloise excitedly. She yanked on her bag and rushed to greet her mother, still adjusting the straps as her feet met the dirt.

"Mummy look what I made!" She held the drawing in both hands to show off her masterpiece but the grin on her face faded slowly as she took in the scene before her. Standing next to her mother and her terrifying glory was Miss Potts pleading desperately with her.