Awake in Dreams

Chapter 3

Chapter 3

“No way! This is insane! Have they lost their mind?” 

Anger was the last thing she had expected from Amelia. She was sure her best friend would be sad, anxious, or even sorry for her, but she looked so mad right now — she was yelling and her silver-blue eyes were filled with fire. She had never seen her like this and if she didn’t know, it might look like she was going to kill her right there right then. 

But then Natalie had grown up in a harmonious household; her parents had never lost their temper even when she or Dennis had done something wrong.

Her mother had taught her well: a lady was always pleasant, and she would never be angry.

The only time in her life Natalie had allowed herself to feel as well as express rage, it had resulted in three days locked in her bedroom with only water and mashed potato.

When the village heads told her what they were going to do with her, she felt miserable, and then angry, then remembering anger would only bring more misfortunes, she felt hopeless. 

However, she had to admit that Amelia’s reaction made her feel better. Although she wasn't allowed show it, she was somewhat grateful.

“It’s okay,” she said in a voice so calm that surprised even herself. “I’ve got a plan. Don’t worry about me.”

“You’ve got a plan.” Amelia repeated, glaring at her like she had said something incredibly stupid.

“Um, yes,”  she answered, not sure why her friend was reacting like that now. 

Amelia sighed and her shoulders slumped. “Are you going to tell me you have your clothes in that huge purse of yours and you’re going to make an excuse after our dinner and leave the village hoping no one will notice you?”

Natalie just stared at her, completely lost for words. How did she know?

“Because I know you, Nat. Remember that time when we were kids, your parents once grounded you for three days and after that you decided to run away. You came to me and pulled me out of my house like we could just leave like that, two 10 years olds with no money or food, and we didn’t even know where to go.”

“I’m not 10 anymore.”

“So how are you going to survive? What do you have? Where are you going to go?”

Natalie blinked. Well, she hadn’t thought about that... yet. It had only been two days since they told her about the ritual and she was too miserable to think properly. But she was sure she could survive, maybe get a job or something. After all, she was almost an adult. She could do it.

“No, you can’t.”

“Huh? I can’t what?”

“You said you could do it, and I’m saying you can’t.”

“Oh,” she didn’t realized she had said that out loud, but what made Mia so sure that she couldn’t do it? She was 17 and within a month she would be —

“An adult, I know, Natalie. But this has little to do with that. There’s a war going on all over Europe, even my father can’t work right now, how are you going to get a job? That is, if you can reach one of the cities around on foot. No, Nat, you can’t do that, it’s too dangerous.”

Her friend looked genuinely concerned about her well-being but, “I don’t have a choice. It’s either that or death.”

“You mean it’s either death or death.”

Natalie rolled her eyes, “listen, Mia, I know you’re worried. I don’t want to do this either but I’d rather take a risk.”

“Can Sebastian pick you up or something? Since you’re engaged already, he may let you stay at his place?”