VESSEL

THE CAPTURED DREAMER

      Loud sounds resonate through the cinema. Middle age people, a few teen, and some couple whispering sweet words from each other are present in the said movie theater. Sidney, Janus, and Sharien are one of the young adult watching the classical-fantasy-tragedy love story. Janus, who is bawling slightly through out the movie, while Sidney constantly wiping her tears,. both were touched in the movie they watch. Sharien on the other hand, were amused but slightly annoyed by her friend's reaction.

   Ugh! can't they stay quiet?! I'm trying to focus in the movie here!

  Sharien roll her eyes when Janus tap her shoulder and ask some extra tissues.

   The extra characters are panicking, running in every direction while screaming for help. Music became more intense, making the viewers more thrilled.  The good hearted maiden who was the lover of the male protagonist was possessed with the evil spirit. Tormenting the people of the once peaceful village. The hero have to defeat the evil doer to restore the peace of their land, but cannot carry out the task for he do not want to hurt the love of his life. There's nothing he can do,. He have to fight the evil spirit residing into the maiden. When at last,he attack the possessed maiden with a blow, causing the maiden to fall down. The black energy that surrounds the maiden dim a little. The hero quickly run to the maiden's side.
" I-I shouldn't have done that.. I'm sor.."
   The maiden held her trembling fingers to the hero." You have d-done the right thing my love, b-but it is not enough..Y-you  have to kill m-me in order to kill the evil inside me..
The maiden breathes heavily, her face were contorted with pain.
  "But I can't do that! I made a promise not to hurt you. Please stay with me! We'll ask for help to remove the evil spirit!"
  The protagonist said. Tears falling from his hazel eyes.
   " Its too late.. the price of peace... Is my sacrifice..."

   The maiden softly pulling the man towards him and whispered..

  ".. even if it means dying in your hands, I'll accept it with an open arms, because meeting you is the most splendid thing that happen to me.."

The maiden who was secretly holding a dagger, stab herself while lying in the hands of her lover...

  Sharien's eyes went wide when she saw the scene.
 
What the...

  Sharien's astonishment turn to annoyed one when Janus is now wailing loudly and Sidney is sobbing furiously.

  Argh! They're ruining the scene!

Going back to their dorm, Janus and Sidney won't stop blabbing about the movie they saw. Sharien trying herself not to yell at them to stop talking just sigh mentally while looking ahead. She was quite surprise when Janus nudge her

  "Don't you agree Sharien?" Sidney ask.
"Sorry?"
"I said, the story is so amazing"
"Oh yeah, sure" Sharien reply absentmindedly.

"The price of peace is my sacrifice"...
Sharien sigh worriedly,
Why can't I keep it out of my mind?
  

...I keep squinting my eyes.. slowly getting used to this blinding lights.. why it's so light anyway?.. hello? hello? I keep on yelling.. but I'm all alone.. hmm..why?.. I have to move forward.. exit.. where the exit...oh! There's a girl up ahead..huh? What are those outfit?.. cosplayer? Hey! Hey! Can't she hear me? Hey madam! Do you know this place? I think I'm lost..she move her head sideways and look at me.. oh what a beautiful scarlet eyes..but why is she so sad? are you okay? Hmm why she keep on staring at me...
..you must stay hidden to conceal my identity...
huh? What are you talking about?... 
..the price of peace...is your sacrifice...
..what sacrifice? She just lower her head..wait.. your crying?
... you don't deserve to die..

Sidney bolt up sitting while panting heavily, confused at the dream she just had.

Die? Whose gonna die? who's that lady? She dressed so weird,also wearing a crown, a princess? queen?

Sidney lay back to her bed, sighing loudly.

what a weird dream..

Sharien and Sidney walking silently to school. Their dormitory located only a few blocks away. Sharien took notice of Sidney who is looking gloomy.

  "Is there something wrong Sid? You look exhausted."Sharien ask.

"I'm just tired. I didn't fell asleep last night."
"Why?" Sharien said.

"Good morning ladies!" The two of them turn their head hearing Janus' familiar voice.

"Yo!" Sharien replied, while Sidney only look at him tiredly.

"Wow Sid. You look perfect looking like a zombie". Janus said muffling a laugh.

  Sharien glared at Janus. Signalling him to stop messing with Sidney.

  "What was your dream about Sid?" Sharien ask.
 
  "It's about this girl. She dressed up weirdly, she's wearing a crown with three shiny stones in it. Then, she's crying, telling me I don't deserve to die. She even told me have to conceal her identity. I don't even know her. Sidney tells them weakly.

   Janus and Sharien's eyes went wide hearing about her dream.

  "You don't need to worry about it Sid.  Besides, it's just a dream right?" Janus said, smiling widely.
"Yeah, I guess your right". Sidney said, feeling a bit of relief.

  They continue walking towards their school. Sidney walking behind them scream suddenly. The two look behind them briskly and terrified about what they saw.
  Sidney, wrap in a thick smoke. Her body is slowly immersing into it. Sharien finally recovered from the shock, shout out her name.

" Sidney!!".
  
  Sidney tried to wriggle free but to no success. There's nothing she can do but to stick out her hand towards her friends. Sharien immediately grab her hand dragging her away from the smoke but it drag her also into it.

" Janus! Help us!"

Janus just stand still, petrified from what he just saw.

" What the h*ll is wrong with this idiot!"

   The last thing Sharien remembered is her gasping for air until they were completely envelope by the massive smoke and disappear with a soft pop.

  "Err, guys? Where'd 'ya go?" Janus said, still confused about what just happened. He did not notice a figure of a man leaning behind the tree, a few meters away from him, hands crossed in his chest.

  Ha! piece of cake!...