Kat remembered much from her early childhood. But, she did remember two things.
The first memory was she had a dream.
Her dream consisted of an otherworldly entrance, floating islands, imaginary creatures, magic, and unfamiliar faces that were difficult to recognize.
Any dream to a three-year-old would feel like reality. Almost tangible if the child tried thinking hard enough.
Although, maybe that was what was supposed to happen.
Maybe there was magic at play. The dream was to be the ticket to an unknown world. But, perhaps that was wishful thinking.
That morning, she woke up. Kat was heartbroken when she realized that the fantasy world was not a reality.
Kat was so sure that it was all real. She was even destined to prove it.
The second memory was more intricate.
It was the day that she would leave her old life behind. Her home was to be put up for rent. She would be in a new state with new people.
Her father and two younger siblings were out getting their last groceries, taking a break from packing. Kat and her mother stayed behind.
Her mother was sitting outside the porch, making a white and yellow flower crown as seven-year-old Kat ran around the yard.
At some point, Kat had gotten exhausted and watched intently as her mother made the flower crown.
Her crown was so well made. The flowers Kat collected herself were looped firmly with every flowers' stems. Her mother's hand worked gracefully on the flower crown as if she was a sorceress herself, creating a magical tool.
The child looked up to her mother. She was indeed beautiful, but she looked tired. But even the young Kat knew better than to ask if her mother was okay.
Her mother did not like talking about her well-being.
In an attempt to break the silence, Kat questioned what dreams her mother would have. Were they as magical as her own?
Her mother seemed reluctant to answer, but she smiled with sincerity. Her eyes were still glued to the unfinished crown.
"My dreams are a little bit scarier than yours," Mother admitted. "There are really bad ghosts that come and sometimes hurt your mommy."
"Nightmares?"
"Yes, but they feel real..."
Kat felt saddened all of a sudden. How terrible! Has her mother been suffering all this time?
"Why couldn't you ask for help?" Kat asked her mother.
Her mother looked at her dubiously. "Who would I get help from?" she asked Kat.
"I dunno... Maybe a witch?" Kat shrugged, not knowing the solution either.
"Now, where would I find a witch?"
"In your dreams!"
"Interesting..."
When the crown seemed to be almost done, her mother sighed.
"You know Mina," her mother said, using Kat's family nickname. "There will be a time where nobody will be there to help you."
"What does that mean?" Kat asked curiously.
Her mother pondered, treading her words carefully.
"Sometimes," she started softly. "People will leave you. And you will be left alone. And I promise you, it will hurt when you realize there's nobody left but yourself."
YOU ARE READING
The Realities Squad
Fantasy"It's nice to live. Right?" *** Kat lives in two worlds. Reality, where she lives her normal life as a human being and deals with only school and family. And Artopia, where she lives as a ruler for many races of people and deals with monsters, mythi...
