No Peace In Dreams

Reality

It was midnight when I woke. My entire body shaking, and in cold sweats. I put my fingers to my cheeks. They are wet, from crying. My dream; the dream I have had every night since I was 15, has come to me again. Every time this vision plagues me, it becomes worse. It has never been this bad. I pray these images go away.

There is a knock on my door, it opens slowly. I prepare to scream again. I fear it is that being come to get me.

But it is only Mother. "Ofira Honey, Are you alright?" I see Mother face, looking at me with fear and concern in her beautiful grey eyes.

"Yes Mother. It was only a bad dream."

"A premonition?"

Not wanting to worry Mother any further, I respond the simplest way I know of. "No Mom, Just an ordinary Nightmare."

My Mother looks at me skeptical. She knows her only daughter all too well. But instead of fighting me, she simply says, "Ok my Darling. Try to get some sleep then, alright?"

I try to let slumber claim me, but instead I sit there thinking, about our family and our gifts. Everyone in my family is born with a gift. Mine is the gift of dreams. Dreams that come true. People say it is a grand gift to be given. But to me it is more of a curse.

People should not know the future, that is what I think, And with The Trials going on in this new country, our family must be wary of our powers. We are never to let anyone know of them. Lest we be accused of witchcraft and burned at the stake.

Dreams are power, not all power is good.

I open my eyes and yawn. What time did I fall asleep? I wonder . For, the last thing I remember hearing is birds singing their morning songs. I stretch for a while, then, finally determined to find some food, I dress in my simplest gown and head downstairs.

But there is no food on the table. I see my father sitting at his work table in the corner. He glances up and smiles.

"What time is it?" I ask. "Well past noon. You slept for a long while"

My mouth drops open in surprise. "Don't worry your chores are waiting for you," Father said with a kind smirk. "Your mother needs black berries to make more jam. She asked me to tell you to go to the forest and get some. Just a basket full will be enough.

I start to panic, but force myself to calm down. There is nothing in the woods to fear, I tell myself.

I grab the basket hanging in the entryway and walk out the door.