Blurred Memories

CHAPTER TWENTY-SEVEN: DARK MYSTERY

I turn around to face the door. I walk towards it and slowly turn the doorknob. As I open the door a gush of cool air rushes in. Past the door is... a forest? How did I get here?

I step on the grass on the ground and work my way deeper into the forest. It is dark and cold. Why would I be wearing a dress in this weather? I turn around and I see the door washroom that I just came from. There is only one door, no walls around the washroom.

I continue to walk deeper into the forest by myself. It is probably not a good idea to call out for anyone since there could be dangerous people or even werewolves in this forest. I am glad that I somehow still have my combat boots on.

I can see a building in the distance. I do not care what is inside that building, I need warmth. My nose feels like it has icicles hanging from it and my ears are completely frozen. It hurts to bend my fingers to make a fist. I walk up to the one story, mini building and grab the bar in front of the door. I push it open and walk in.  Instantly I feel my body getting warmer.

I see Ethan and Grayson at the end of this room. It looks like we are in a funeral service room. I jog down the carpet to meet up with the two boys. I stop in front of a casket and look at Ethan. I feel a warmth inside me just by seeing him.

"Ethan," I say catching my breath. I am speechless. I don't know what to say to him.

"Where did you get the red dress?" Ethan asks looking at me with a small smile.

I look down at my dress and shrug. I look up at the boys and ask, "Suits?"

"We have them on for the funeral," Ethan says to me. Grayson is not saying anything at the moment. He is just walking around the room now, not making a sound. I wonder why.

"Who's funeral?" I ask.

"I don't know. We tried opening it but it's locked?" Ethan adds.

Reality is starting to hit me. I have so much to ask.

"Why are we in the middle of the forest? Why a funeral home? Who died? Is someone going to die?" I ask. Maybe this is my mother's funeral from many years ago, and this could be a connection with the boys.

"I do not know how we are here but it is probably a dream that you are having. That is the only thing that makes sense. Funeral home," he says walking around, "I don't know why we are here."

My heart starts to get heavy. I am the only one wearing red, the same color of blood. Is this my funeral?

"Hanna stop thinking that," Ethan says. He was reading my mind.

I look over at Grayson who has not talked in a while. It's a horrible assumption but maybe the reason why he isn't talk is because...

"STOP!" Ethan yells.

"What-"

"Stop trying to find me. This funeral is going to be your reality if you come find me... if they find you."

"Who? Who is going to find us?"

Ethan walks up to me and grabs holds my hands with his. His touch flusters me. His hands are warm which surprises me since this is probably a dream.

"I told you to break our promise and go home," Ethan says shining his eyes at me. I can see his pain through his eyes.

"Are they telling you to tell me this?"

"No, I promise. It is not safe here they-"

"If it is not safe there then I am going to get you."

"No Johanna!" Ethan drop my hands and starts to walk backgrounds. "The casket Johanna."

"What?"

"Look inside it," he says quietly as if he is hiding something from me.

I step up to the casket and place my hands on top. My heart starts to pound and my mind starts to fill with possibilities.

"You said it was locked," I said to Ethan not looking at him.

"Open it," he says.

I take a deep breath in and out. I slowly life the lid to expose who lays underneath. I look down and see...

... no one. It's empty.

"Why would you say it was locked if no one was inside it. There is nothing to hide," I say to him.

I turn and he is gone. I look around the room and Ethan is gone, he left me. Did he leave because... because this is his casket? I can't see him lying in it?

"Grayson?!" I yell. I haven't seen him around for a while.

I close the casket and run out the building back into the forest. I sprint as fast as I can through the forest back. I hear all different noises around me in the forest. Cries of pain. Laughter. Children playing. Someone telling me to run.

I run back to the washroom. I enter the visible door that is standing in the middle of this forest. I walk through it and close it behind me. I walk up to the mirror and look at myself.

How did this happen?