Changing Color

Nightmares

Chapter Three

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I was surrounded in a sea of red, heat crackled along the ground. I tried to run, going closer to the flickering flames. A gust blew the radiated heat in my direction, making my eyes water. I jumped back and watched as the small pathway was engulfed in the growing flickering mass of fire.

The only piece of safety was a small island I was standing on. Amongst the flickering red was a dark shadow. It slid through the fire like a snake. No sound came from its movements. The whole area was quiet in fact, save for a few faint cracks.

"Rain."

I looked around confused. A rock wall crumbled, its sound echoing in the silence. A revolting smell wafted in my direction, burning hair and flesh. I gagged at the stench as my eyes began to water. I have to do something but what.

"I'm sorry Rain, I pushed us too far."

I felt a faint pain. A constant dulled drone that slowly began to spread. The scene around me began to flicker. A shape rose from the sea of red. I barely got a glance as the ground below me fell away. I fell for what seemed like forever in a void of darkness.

"Rain, you need to wake up now."

"H-hati. Is that you?" I responded.

My falling body came to rest. I was floating in a scene of pure white. My form slowly changed from wolf to human.

"Yes Rain. Its me. I'm sorry that I pushed us too far.

I used up more energy than I should have."

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A shiver went through my body as I looked around as my blank white surroundings began to take shape as I blinked my blue eyes rapidly. A groan escaped my mouth as I moved my hand to my head, fingers running through strands of hair. Once my eyes adjusted, they were met with my dad's amber gaze.

"Oh Rain, I'm so glad your okay," Crito spoke, pulling me into a hug.

I was stiff, my mind conflicted between hugging back and pushing him away. I released a heavy sigh causing him to let go. As he stepped back, a look of worry on his face, I noticed two others in the room.

They both had dark colored skin and black hair, although one was older than the other though and had some graying strands. The older of the two had olive colored eyes; The other person had deep hazel toned eyes. They were obviously father and son. Their scent was familiar a familiar one, I did note however that they were not from out pack, and I could sense the alpha in them.

"I'm so glad your ok Rain, I hope you don't mind us coming in to check on you. Alpha Crito let us in," the older of two spoke. He glanced between me and dad as he nonchalantly fixed the collar of his white polo.

"I guess it's alright..." Rain spoke, moving the covers so she could dangle her legs from the side of the bed. After doing a quick stretch, knowing all three pairs of eyes were on me, I stood up. "If you'd excuse me, Alpha's, I'd like to go shower to wash of this hospital smell and what not."

Straightening out my shirt, I walked towards the door, my mind spinning with thoughts. Stepping into the hall, I closed the door behind me. Standing with my back against the wall, I looked to the ceiling and closed my eyes, taking a moment to calm the headache that was starting to form. Words drifted through the crack of the door as I began walking away.

My dad's voice was the first to speak up. "I apologize for Rain. She's an amazing girl, really, but she's been through a lot. Especially with what happened yesterday."

"That's understandable Crito, I would think most people would have handled it in a worse way. I think I would have," Alpha Durane spoke.

Some one heaved a heavy sigh, their Back hitting the back of the wall with a faint 'thump.' "So why are we still in this room. I'm sure you both have more stories to share and what not to talk about. I know I agree that hospital rooms have a horrible smell to them."

"Very well, I don't believe ive shown you around the fitness and training facility yet. Let's start heading in that direction..." Crito spoke as the door began to creak open. " I think ill catch up with you, see if everything is alri-"

"Cri, give the girl some space. A little time to clear her head and clean up. She's been through alot as you said. You won't be there forever for her. I have a feeling that she's not gonna like hearing about the arranged-"

I rounded the corner, the voices getting farther from me. I was still too tired to focus in and hear more. I wonder what Alpha Durane was gonna say.

"I don't know rain," Hati spoke softly.

"I can tell you're hiding something. You know that right?" my mind shot back. "I just don't feel like questioning you for it. It would take too much time"

Before long, the dull infirmary walls became forested walkways. Leaves drifted on the breeze around me. I ignored the paved walkways and walled through the grass with my bare feet. "How long were we in there?"

"We were out for almost 14 hours Rain. It was raining most of that time and only stopped a few hours ago." Hati replied, answering my mental question.

"Really, it did not feel like it. I was thinking it was only a few hours not...15. Shesh, why can't we sleep that long."

"Maybe if we were a bear instead, we would be able to during the winter months."

"That would be the dream, wouldn't it."

By now, the house was in sight. Opening the door, I was met with the warm homey smell i'm used to. I walked the cream colored halls til I reached my room. Opening the door, I watched as a photo dropped to the bed. A ghostly black outline disappeared through the window with a startled glanced.

I stepped in, glancing nervously about as I walked across the room and sat down on the lavender sheets next to the photo. A red substance smeared the glass, hiding the picture behind a red hue. Reaching to grab a tissue from the nearby nightstand, a message appeared on the floor.

I couldn't even make out the words at first. The letters, made from beams of light streaming through the window, flickered and moved. A moment later the letterers settled into a shaky writing.

Following your heart will lead to big changes, both good and bad

My head started spinning. Why in the world is all this happening now. I closed my eyes and took in a deep breath as my hand grabbed a tissue. Wiping off the glass, a tear slid down my cheek. Why this picture of all the pictures I have.

This picture was the last one I have that me and my mom took together. We had found a rock ledge overlooking a lake not to far from hear. It was fall and nobody else was around. The wind pulled at us as we climbed to the top. We stood at the top and held our arms out wide gesturing towards the beauty behind us. Our smiling faces looking into the lens.

My mom's eyes stared back at me, a mixture of dark reds and pale blues.

As I set the photo back in its place in on my nightstand. I didn't realize I had began to cry until I ran a hand across my eyes. Walking towards the bathroom, I took one more glance back at the photo and the window the 'ghost' disappeared from.

Water cascaded down as the the smell of cherry blossoms and vanilla filled the room. The water calmed my nerves, making me relax. Clear water fell around me, taking away the grime and smell from the previous day and hospital room. For the moment all my troubles were gone. It was just me and my voice singing out the random lines of songs.

"I know you're thinking about it in the corner of your mind. You wonder what would happen if you left. If you go or if you stay is your decision but it's destined to happen at some point."