Imagination

Ninth Encounter

"If you can see them, then how are they not real?" Navin demanded.

"I don't know!" Aviva threw up her hands in frustration, "I'm trying to tell you that I am seeing Figments of your imagination."

"Figments." Navin said, tasting the word, "Is that what you call them?"

"Yes. But then I divide them into Dreams and Nightmares."

"They have to be real! How can you and I touch and see them otherwise?"

"I think it is because you have such a powerful imagination."

At that moment, Corda came swooping down and landed beside Navin.

"Did you think about her coming?" Aviva demanded.

"Yes." Navin admitted reluctantly.

"And you know dragons aren't real! It's your imagination!" Aviva was almost in tears. Why won't he believe me? Then she thought of an idea.

"Here, I'll prove it to you." She sat on the ground and focused on making a forcefield. Aviva made sure to add color to her mental picture so Navin could distinctly see it. When she opened her eyes, she was surrounded by blue.

"See?" she said triumphantly.

"I don't see anything." he responded.

"What?" Aviva was astonished.

"I don't see anything." Navin repeated.

"Try to touch me." Aviva ordered.

Navin reached out and tapped her head. Aviva sat there, speechless.

"Aviva?" Navin asked tentatively.

"Go to bed, Navin."

"Aviva?"

"Go to bed!" Aviva stood up quickly, but collapsed on the ground when her head made contact with her forcefield.

"Aviva!" Navin dashed forward to help her.

"I'm fine! Just tripped." Aviva lied, and quickly dissipated her forcefield so she could stand up. What is going on? she wondered desperately.