Pulse (On Hold)

Chapter Four

Chapter Four

I’m lying in a bed of rose petals. Thousands of them are scattered across the ground, coating the grass like a sheet of red snow. I stretch out my arms and I can feel how delicate they are between my fingers; their warmth heating up the blood coursing through my veins.

I stand up slowly in awe of this secret world and sigh at the spectacular view. The meadow is almost entirely red: the autumn leaves on the trees, the birds flying in the wind, the wild flowers surrounding me, even the clouds. The pale blue sky is the only contrasting facet here.

I take one step, feeling something brush against my thigh. I look down and realise I’m wearing a strapless crimson dress. The torso is complemented by a sequin corset, a long train of material dragging across the ground behind me.

My hair is out in curls, cascading down my back like teased ribbons. Each lock is tinted red, no longer the dull blond I’m familiar with. I must look beautiful.

I take another stride and smile when I realise I’m not alone. There are two small children: a girl chasing a scarlet butterfly and a boy flying a ruby kite. I think they might be siblings.

Their faces hold so much happiness, like nothing I have ever seen before. There is no fear or uncertainty like in the real world, just innocence and hope.

I notice a man and a woman walking far in the distance. The woman is twirling her fiery red hair around her index finger, before she finally sweeps it all to one side. The couple don’t look like they belong here. Maybe it’s their white clothing?

I see their faces on profile as they exchange a loving glance and I can’t help but feel their passion just by watching them. If there were ever an image of the perfect couple, this would be it.

Then everything changes. All the rose petals on the ground are thrown into the air by the suddenly freezing wind, swirling around the couple and I. I struggle to see them through the thick cloud of red, wanting to preserve my happy memory of them. Eventually the petals settle back on the grass and everything looks the way it should.

But the couple are nowhere to be found and their two children are left grieving.

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Salty tears spill down my cheeks when I awaken from that dream. I don’t understand how something so beautiful can change so quickly. That private world was so full of warmth and happiness, yet without warning sadness just decided to freeze over everything.

I wonder what the meaning of it all was.

Red roses obviously link back to my mysterious stranger. But what does he have to do with the couple and their two children? It seems dreadfully ironic that I picture him to be so beautiful, so kind. But he attacked me and had every intention to murder me.

Maybe he has harmed the couple in some way… Wait. Why am I analysing a dream? I mean it’s not like it’s real. Dreams are just products of the subconscious.

Then perhaps my subconscious is trying to prepare me for the real world. I’ve known little of anger, sadness and anger so far. I’ve been luckier than most, but not as lucky as some.

My life’s not perfect, but I’m happy enough. My parents may not be the most protective or affectionate in the world, but they put food on the table and pay for my education.

I do wish they were more involved in my life though. Of course there are some advantages of having the house all to my self most of the time. I’m sure my previous boyfriends appreciated not having to sneak through the window when they wanted to see me in the late hours of the night.