Aquatica

Chapter 16- An Unhappy Birthday

I was standing in the woods by myself. A storm was raging in the pitch black sky above me sending flashes of lightning to illuminate the area around me. On instinct I began to run, having no way of knowing where I was going. I ran and ran until it felt like my lungs would explode. Rain was pelting my face plastering my hair to my forehead but I continued to run. I only started slowing down when I got to the edge of the tree line. Catching my breath I walked out of the woods, and saw an empty road. I started walking towards the road when another bolt of lightning lit up the sky, except this time, it hit a tree, causing it to burn and fall right in the middle of the road. I continued to stare at the burning tree until the squealing of tires broke my concentration. I looked to my right and through the rain I saw a car, speeding down the road...heading straight for the tree. I tried to call out but the wind and rain drowned out my voice. It felt like it happened in slow motion. The car hit the tree, making a sickening crunch and flipping over and over until it came to a screeching stop. I tried running towards it but I wasn't getting anywhere, no matter how hard I ran. I heard a girl screaming but I still couldn't get there in time. The screaming got louder and louder until a bright light surrounded the car as it exploded.

I sat straight up in bed, cold sweat dripping off of me, and my heart pounding causing me to gasp for air. I slowly realized that I was safe in my room at the Watchtower and I slumped back onto my pillows. I looked over at my alarm clock, the bright red numbers reading 6:18. I rolled my eyes and launched myself out of bed, considering it was too late to go back to sleep. Deciding to get up for the day I grabbed my uniform and jumped in the shower, the hot water washing away the memories of my dream. I got dressed, dried my hair, and pulled my hair up into a pony tail, with a few strands framing my face.

I walked out of my room and down the hallway, still thinking about the dream. I haven't had a dream like that in years, which I was extremely grateful for. But I couldn't help but wonder what suddenly brought it on. I thought about the past few days, trying to remember something that would trigger these memories to suddenly surface. I had a feeling that I was forgetting something, but every time I felt like I had gotten close to remembering, it slipped away. I was so distracted by my thoughts that I didn't even realize I had made it to the kitchen and had already poured myself a cup of coffee. Blinking out of my daze I figured that my dream was just a dream and I shouldn't dwell on it.

Sipping my coffee I leaned against the counter, looking around the immaculately clean counters, thinking that something was out of place. I glanced around again, finally realizing what was wrong. It was quiet. Too quiet. Sure it was early in the morning, but all of us tended to get an early start on the day, except for Bats and Flash. Bats usually woke up late since he went to bed late, and Flash because he is essentially a teenager trapped in an adult's body. I pushed myself off the counter and headed towards the hallway. I peeked my head into each door, looking for anyone to ask them what was going on, but there wasn't anyone in sight.

A blur of red and a gust of wind whipped past me down the hallway and turned the hallway. I rolled my eyes at Flash and decided to follow him, maybe he knows where everyone is. I crept down the hallway and turned where Flash went. One of the hall doors was cracked open and I could hear voices inside.

"Shh, she's going to hear us..."

"That's kind of the point, she has to know where we are for it to be a surprise..."

"Would you shut up? She's right outside!"

Furrowing my brow I slowly pushed the door open stepped in and was greeted by the other seven members of the League standing around a table that held a cake and a few presents, and the floor looked like someone had thrown up balloons and confetti.

"Surprise!" everyone yelled (well, everyone except Bats who stood in the darkest corner of the room, glaring at the balloons that were touching his cape). I jumped, a little startled by the loud noise.