Redemption

Chapter Two: The Tracker

I woke up the following morning with my mind muddled. Although I didn't have any more nightmares, my dreams were full of intense images so lifelike, that it left my body feeling more exhausted than when I went to sleep. Clips of green-eyed men and exotic lands plagued my unconsciousness, giving little reprieve from the fatigue I was feeling.

I would've been content to lounge in bed for the remainder of the day, but I knew my mother would never let that happen.

I sat up begrudgingly, surprised to find that my muscles were rigid and objected the movements, surely a result of tension from last night's excursions.

Last night...

It felt like a century ago when I'd overheard my parents talking. Recalling the panicked tone of their voices and the frantic way they spoke, I knew that something was wrong.

I stumbled out of bed, overcome with renewed vigor at the thought of confronting them. I had the right to know what secrets they'd been keeping from me, after all.

I dressed absentmindedly in a baby blue tank top and checkered black shorts. After running a brush through my long, dark hair, I strolled out of my room, a woman on a mission.

"Good morning, Mom," I said, meandering into the kitchen.

Abigail dropped the pot she was holding with a loud clatter.

"Alexis! You know better than to sneak up on people like that," she scolded.

"Geeze, sorry. Didn't realize I had to announce myself every time I enter a room," I muttered, going to the refrigerator to pour myself a glass of orange juice.

Abigail sighed. "I'm sorry, honey. I'm just a little on edge. I barely slept a wink last night."

I scrutinized her face, and saw the dark rings that encased her eyes.

"It's okay," I said. "I had trouble sleeping, too. I had this really bizarre dream."

"Oh really? What about?" Abigail asked, her voice a little too sharp.

"I dreamed I was in a strange town. I'm not sure where it was, but I know it wasn't near here because little things were off. Even the trees and flowers had a different appearance," I explained. "There was a large crowd standing around a man and a woman; I think they were on trial."

My mother's eyes widened and she leaned forward, as though completely engrossed in my story.

"I was there, except I wasn't myself. As strange as it sounds, I think I might have been in a little girl's body," I continued. "Someone hurried to get me out of the city, but as we were leaving, I watched the couple being burned alive," I finished in a small voice.

I shuttered and my stomach gave a nervous lurch as I relived the dream. It was so real, so vivid. I took a sip of my orange juice and looked at my mother, feeling foolish.

Abigail stared at me with eyes dilated in fear. She was unsteady on her feet, accidentally knocking a glass from the counter, causing it to shatter all over the tile floor.

"Silly me, I'm so clumsy sometimes," Abigail said with an uneasy laugh.

"Are you okay, Mom?" I asked, narrowing my eyes suspiciously. Abigail was acting very odd, unlike her normally composed self.

"I'm fine, honey. Just having a klutz day," she said, refusing to look at me.

I was about to confront my mother about her anomalous behavior, to ask her what was really going on with her. But my father walked into the room at that moment, and started chattering about the weather, distracting me.