Acteon Syndicate

Chapter 2: Annalee

Now that the halls had emptied, Allis was able to move freely past the rows of lockers and pictures of former valedictorians smiling from the walls. She imagined those students on stage, graduating, as she'd be less than a year. Lost in her thoughts, she bumped into another student, dressed in leather, sneering at her.
"Watch where you're going, prep." He said and shoved her aside. As she rushed away, she still felt his glare piercing through her, as if those blue eyes could see into her soul. She shuddered at the thought and continued on.

"I found three books on dream analysis." Annalee Stern pushed her glasses into her hair, tangling them in wild strands of red as she did so. It didn't seem to bother her as she sat in a wooden chair, surrounded by full bookshelves.
"Two of these are credible sources, they read 'It may be a "visitation" dream. She may just be letting you know there is no need to worry about her because she is okay on the other side. It may be a result of you missing her and wishing she were still here with you, especially if you are still grieving her loss and think about her often while you are awake.' Your mother died when you were young, you may be imagining her now."
"Ann, she didn't die, she disappeared." Allis bartered.
"That's what you believe to have happened." Annalee argued.
Allis dropped into the chair across from her best friend. "I know what happened. You were supposed to help me find information on repressed memories, not examples of my craziness."
Annalee dropped a book on the table. "They say hypnosis can draw the repressed memories out. If you believe in that."
"At least I believe in you." Allis snapped. "You don't believe that my mother is still alive. You always say: take your time and look at all the facts, before you come to a decision."
"That's what I'm doing!" Annalee yelled. "The facts say she's dead. You have one recurring dream about her and you can't let it go! She's dead, Lissi! Dead!"
Each word stung Allis, like a slap in the face, as she sunk further and further into her chair. Tears welled at the back of her eyes, promising to flow fast and hard. She wouldn't give Annalee the satisfaction of watching her cry. As the bell rang, she ran from the library as fast as she could.

A/N Above picture is of Annalee