Be My Friend

Chapter 37: Knocking On Heaven's Door

All my life, dreams always slipped my mind when I awoke. There was the very few and very rare occasions that I would actually recall a dream; and even then it was only bits and pieces.

When I climbed into bed with Damian at my side feeling unusually extra tired; I woke with a start in the middle of the night from an unexpected nightmare that was very vividly burned into my memory.

I glance around at the open field that seemed to radiate gold underneath the beaming hot sun. I could not feel it's intense rays on my skin, but I could feel the light breeze of the morning air. The sky was a clear blue with not a single cloud in sight. I kept wondering where I was. Why was I in the middle of a field? I began walking toward a structure I spotted in the distance. My feet seemed to have a mind of their own as I started moving. The closer I got the more I could see it was a hut of some sorts, with a rope tied between two large trees and clothing draping off of it. The field ended and I stepped out onto a dirt path leading up to the house.

My eyes are drawn to a little boy running around unrestrained and humming. The boys' arms stuck out wide in a T-shape and his speed suddenly picked up when out of the corner of his eye he notices a woman running after him. I watch in confusion. I must be dreaming. There was no other explanation. However, it didn't feel like a dream; it felt like a distant memory more than anything. It was a nostalgic feeling at the back of my mind.

"I'm coming for you, Alexander! Watch out!" A very feminine voice made its way over the sound of rustling grass being tossed about.

A childlike squeal of laughter tore through the air and out in the open. "No you won't, mama! I'll run faster than I ever have!" The little boys face broke out in a grin and more laughter erupted from his throat. I take note of the very strange attire the both of them were wearing; it reminded me of watching one of those old foreign films for history class.

After watching the mother and the little boy playing for a few moments, a new figure enters the scene. A man that stands six feet tall was also wearing something odd, but my eyes were drawn to the axe and pile of wood he was currently looking after.

"Alexander." The man snaps and rests the head of the axe on the ground. I assume he's the boy's dad.

"Yes, father?" A voice answers. I would've guessed it was someone entirely different if I hadn't noticed the same boyish features of the little boy that I previously saw. The same green eyes, same facial structure but more defined, and the same tan from the blazing sun. His features looked familiar but I couldn't place my finger on it. He couldn't have been more than fourteen in this new shot. My feet make there way closer. I confirm in my head that I am dreaming once I see that they don't notice me at all, even when I wave my hand in front of their faces.

The air is more crisp than previous and there is no sun shinning brightly anymore. Dark looming clouds cover the sky and the wind picks up, throwing about Alexander's dark long hair but mine remains unaffected.

"Didn't I tell you to get the wood chopped before dinner?" The man says in a sour tone. Alexander lowers his head in what I assume is shame. His father slams the axe into the the wood threateningly. "You finish this. No food until I see that you're done."

"But father, this will take all night-" the boy begins to protest but gets cut off. 

"So be it. I will get the whip if you don't obey." The father clips and stalks away into the house. I catch a figure peering her way out the window of the hut with a frown. Defeated, the boy picks up the axe and I can't help but clench my hands.

I watch him slice the axe into a piece of wood just as it starts pouring. I glance up at the sky, and brace myself to be soaked but I remain dry as the pellets of water seem to slide off of my clothing as if I was wearing plastic.

While I was distracted by the rain, I barely even notice how the scene changes so quickly. I stand in the middle of a road with many small wooden carts displayed on either side. They carried goods and trinkets I've never seen in my life. A hooded figure a little taller than myself walks passed me that catches my eye and I seem to subconsciously follow the person.

He takes twists and turns that I seem to know by heart and follow him to the outskirts of the village to a small house. My stomach drops and twists with an unknown dread. "Eugene," the cloaked figure calls out in despair. A man with a dark tan lay in the dirt with a dark puddle forming around his figure. He lay in his own puddle of blood while clutching a wound on his stomach. That voice. I think. Sounds so familiar.

"Alexander." The man wheezes out, with his face contorted into so much pain as he struggles to breath. The pit in my stomach worsens and I drop to my knees by the two figures.

"Eugene." Alexander manages to breath out; his voice wavering. He kneels down and presses his hands onto the wound. "J-just hold on. I can fix this." He whimpers. A glowing light comes from his hands; one that I've never seen from Damian himself when using magic.

He sucks in a sharp breath when nothing happens. Eugene reaches up and rests his hand on Alexanders's own. His eyes seem to glaze over and his arm falls limp at his side. The sun disappears behind thick black clouds casting a shadow over us.

"Eugene..." Alexander tries to get out but his voice breaks. Tears sting at my eyes and I clutch at my chest. Alexander holds him close to his chest. My shoulders shake as does his. Cotton seems to well into my throat as I let out a sob. My heart clenches in my chest as I wail out in grief at the same time Alexander does. Thunder booms above us and rain mercilessly pelts down, washing away the blood.