The dream kept replaying in Veronica's mind. It was really a weird dream. Veronica was not able to sleep properly after that. She spent the rest of the night thinking about the dream.
The next morning she was feeling tired and restless. She looked weary from the past night's events. Though it was the first day of her summer vacation, she seemed least interested in enjoying it. When she joined her family for breakfast, her father inquired,"Why do you look so tired? Did you not sleep properly?" Veronica debated in her mind whether or not she should tell her Dad the truth and finally said "Yeah, no, I mean I was studying. Can you please pass me the food, Dad?" "Vee, don't stress yourself",Veronica's Dad said, "I know school is hard but ple-" Suddenly her phone rang. It was Uncle calling. "Hello", she started. After yesterday's dream, she couldn't shake off the odd feeling and she wanted to know that meaning behind her dream. "Vee, how are you?" Her Uncle replied in his cheery self."Uncle Jonathan! I'm fine. How are you?" Her uncle replied,"Same as always. Now, I called you for a reason. I want you to come over to my house during your summer vacation which I hope has started", he said. "Uh-yes but I gotta ask Mom and Dad first." "Oh, they won't stop you. And don't you wanna visit your favorite Uncle?" Veronica rolled her eyes. At first Veronica was reluctant, but she agreed at last. "Okay my 'favorite Uncle', I'll go!" Jonathan laughed. "I'll be waiting! Goodbye!" "Goodbye!"
"Mom, Dad, I'll be going to Uncle John's house tomorrow! Is that okay?" "Yes, sweetheart, you can go." She went to pack her bags, the thoughts about her dream not bothering her for that moment.
VERONICA'S POV -
Early morning next day, I left for my Uncle's house. I started to drive. The more close I came to Uncle's house, the thoughts about my dreams resurfaced. This is not the first time, I have had a dream. Previously I would see fragments of my dream, but this is the first time, I saw a full dream. The fragmented dreams started when I was in Sophomore year and now when I am in high school, this is the first I saw a complete yet weird dream. And it seemed so realistic but I can't understand the meaning of it. What did it mean? Why did it include my Uncle. But the woman I saw, was not my Aunt. Then what exactly was the meaning? I tried to clear my head and concentrate on my driving.
~END OF POV~
At last Veronica reached her uncle's cottage. The house was far away from the hustle bustle of town. She always dreamt of a place like this. When she reached there she was welcomed by her aunt. As soon as she saw her uncle, the memories of her dream came rushing to her. Although she made a smiling face and greeted everyone, deep down inside she had this weird feeling which she couldn't shake off. Her little cousin, Amanda came running to Veronica and hugged her tightly. She exclaimed, "
I missed you soooo much, Vee!" Veronica picked her up and kissed her cheek . "I missed you too cupcake". The day was spent in laughter and joy. At night, Veronica thought of asking her uncle about the meaning of her dream. But she ignored the feeling, thinking that it might just be her mind which is playing ill games with her.
That night Veronica slept well until near about 4am, she felt thirsty and she had went out of her room to get some water. After fetching the bottle, when she was returning to her room, she saw someone sitting at the dining table. Because of the darkness, she was not able to see properly but she was able to figure out that a male was sitting there. Veronica asked ,"Uncle John? Why are you sitting here at this hour of time? And oh-uh- I need to speak to you in the morning. It's uh-important". Suddenly her Uncle said," I know!" but Veronica was shocked because the voice - the voice was not of her uncle's. Veronica terrified, asked," Who are you? And what are doing here?" Suddenly there was this faint whisper - "I'm coming, I'm coming, I'm--" "Vee, what are you doing here?" it was her aunt. "S-someone is o-over there!" She somehow managed to squeak. "Where?" Veronica pointed at the direction but to her surprise no one was there. "There is no one sweetie". She said to her aunt " Oh. Uhm-maybe I had mistaken. Sorry!" "Okay now Vee, no more talking and go to sleep!"
Veronica went to her room though she told her aunt there was nothing but there was something no, SOMEONE! And what about the whisper? Who is coming? This question haunted Veronica for the rest of the night.
The next day she was determined that she will talk with her uncle about her dream. She inquired," Where is Uncle John, Aunt?" . "He is outside, cutting woods in the backyard" . Veronica went outside to see her uncle busy chopping woods. Jonathan noticed Veronica's pale face. He asked " Are you okay. I heard you saw someone last night?" "Uh-yeah. I don't know, I-I mean I really saw someone but then also there was no one. And I had seen a dream." She started to say about her dream.
"Oh my God!" he exclaimed, "Is-Vee, it i-is not a dream. It's real! Oh God!"
It was not a dream. It was her Uncle's past - the past from which he was running for all this years or what he thought so. But now it has came back to haunt him. At last Jonathan was able to accept the fact and said, "Vee, it's all real. It is my dreadful past, I don't know how you saw that dream came to you , but this incident continues to haunt me still now".
Veronica, suddenly said, "Uncle, who else stays in this locality?" Jonathan picked up the chopped logs and while leaving he said, "No one. Why?"
Veronica was not able to move as she continued to stare at the shadow standing underneath the tree, and heard that faint whisper - "I'M COMING! I'M COMING!"
