Pectrals Academy - Beginnings Novella

Chapter Four: The Haunted and Hunted

Chapter Four: The Haunted and Hunted

I'm dreaming of them again but this time I can recognise Forrest and Blake's figures amongst the crowd. I suddenly realise this is the first time that I have seen more than the same five figures that I have always seen within my dreamscape. I look around myself, taking note that my surroundings are clear enough to make out the area but I know that I have never been to this a place before nor have I ever dreamt of it. Though this is the clearest dream to date despite all those around me looking to be speaking there is still not a sound to be heard and I find myself suddenly wishing that I could read lips. Beside those of the boys I have met all the other faces are blurred, I wonder if as I meet more people, more faces will become clearer. Almost as if to answer my question I spot Raina above us all, a few blurred men around her but the face of the man she is deep in discussion with belongs to none other than Mr Smith. Maybe there is good merit to my new theory.

We are on a lush green hill; there is an abundance of people I assume to be my age spread out on picnic blankets as far as the eye can see or walking around socialising between the different groupings. The grass is cut short but a few colourful flowers are sprouting in random places. Down the bottom of the hill we are on a shallow river flows creating a valley between us and the small overgrown weed riddled hill on the other side. An old beautiful railway style bridge joins the two hills across the small river that several people are currently swimming in.

I walk amongst the crowd hoping to pick up pieces of information and stray sounds, being careful not to touch or bump into those I am watching. Apparently I should have been paying more attention behind me as before I realise what is happening a person walks straight through my form. I will not freak out. I will not freak out. I see the person who had walked through me had stopped and shuddered but then brushed it off and continued on. Realising that I am not in a corporeal form I no longer feel the need to be as careful as I was and continue looking for any clues I can find.

As I make my way through a section of parted crowd I can't help but let out a small whimper when I see myself standing amongst the boys, laughing and casually touching. The other me looks back directly into my eyes and gives me a little wink. I think when I make it out of this dream I might have to look into getting a little bit of help, I don't believe this is as normal as Sister tried to tell me it was. Despite this I cannot help but feel a wonderful peace here, surrounded by so much joy in such a beautiful tranquil place. It is only then that I spot a figure in a crimson cloak above the hill opposite, a quick glance around tells me I am the only one who can see them. Are they also walking in dreams like I am?

The figure raises a hand palm open towards the sky, a small black item sitting in the centre. With their other hand they point at me, their mouth moving but I still cannot hear a word. Within a moment the sunshine disappears into the small item and the sky turns almost black. Loud thunder roars in my ears, bright lightening blinding me. I read the panic in the face of other me as she tries to speak to me and yet even now not a sound reaches my ears. This is important, why can't I hear!? I thought that I had yelled it but my lips do not move. The people nearby surround the other me forming a protective circle but the rain is growing too heavy for me to see what is happening now. Suddenly a brilliant blue bolt of lightning comes down from the sky hitting the spot I had last seen myself standing before the chaos erupted.

I jolt awake gasping for breath, my fight or flight had kicked in during the dream and I can feel the adrenalin flowing through my body. I run my hands over my body several times giving myself a couple of light pinches trying to find the reassurance that I need to calm down. I can feel myself settling but instead of the peace I would usually find at this point something new begins to take root. My skin starts to feel too tight, it also itches and the beginnings of a migraine join the sensation. I rise from bed swaying on the spot, I make my way slowly to the kitchen looking through my handbag for painkillers of any sort but there is none to be found. I realise then that I am going to have to go to the shops. I take myself for a warm shower, I think I may have passed out a time or two but it has given some relief and I feel like I might just make it to the shops. I throw my hair into a loose bun not even bothering to brush out the messy knots, I throw on loose fitting long pants and a simple long sleeve top. I may look and feel like the walking dead right now but there is still stuff to do, I huff to myself.