Sleeping Nightmare

Chapter 6: unknowing, locked | Sarah

I traipsed across the cobbled pathways that snaked across the entirety of the island; brick lines that confined the houses and cottages, keeping them in order, nothing out of line. Delmitii's infrastructure was astoundingly neat for a small region separated from the mainland. True, I hadn't visited my homeland in years, but I'd expected a less advanced society. Even the small stores selling small commodities were arranged in a way that ensured no shop ever obscured the other, and that customers were able to access any shop should they wish to. And, basking in the light of the sun, was the building of Varielie, which was supposedly the temporary home of the Narmian royals.

I couldn't help but think that this, but a billion times improved, would what Jendilya could have been if Queen Jennifer hadn't been a tyrant. If she hadn't decided to wreak havoc in half the villages she'd visited in an attempt of intimidating her people to serve her, and only her.

Then I mentally slapped myself. I hadn't even lasted a full hour on Delmitii soil, and already I was comparing my home with the home of my ancestors.

"Be nice," my mother warned me as we approached the entrance of our grandparents' home.

"I'm always nice," I argued, momentarily dazzled by the wide assortment of pearls that appeared to be everywhere - the roof, the railing, you name it. The place looked like a massive disco ball, reflecting rainbows off its milky surface.

It reminded me of Josie's eyes.

Seriously, Sarah, you have got to stop thinking about dead people.

I shook myself out of my stupor, making a face at my mother, who only pursed her lips - the indication that she didn't believe me. "I'll be polite," I tried again, and my mother sighed and nodded before knocking on the wooden door.

Almost instantly, it swung open, revealing a beaming dirty blonde haired girl. Her smile was wide, spreading across her face as naturally as waves cut across the sea, and I noticed the cute spray of freckles she had across her cheeks. To my astonishment, she bounded to me and wrapped me in a warm embrace. "You're here!"

"I...uh..." I struggled to keep a grip on the suitcases I carried, having to bear the weight of her too, and she giggled before stepping away.

"Oops! Let me help you," she offered, taking the suitcases from my hands before I could protest. "Follow me! Everyone's been waiting for you."

I raised an eyebrow at my mother, who chuckled softly. There was new colour in my mother's cheeks - the joy of being home. I recalled the innocent, bright smile on the blonde girl's face, and I wondered how different life must have been for her, growing up in a world that didn't include the Queen of Diamonds and the civil war.

The blonde led us into the lounge, where upon spotting us, the woman who had been sprawled across the sofa leapt up and enveloped my mother in a tender embrace.

"Mia," I heard her say, over and over.

My mother's cheeks were wet as she whispered, "Hey. Miss me?"

A man, much older than the two, shuffled into the room and jokingly pulled the woman away from my mother. "Doesn't the old father get a hug?" he teased, and my mother giggled as she hugged him.

I couldn't help but feel that I was intruding on a special moment. Just when I was about to slip away from the room, perhaps outside, or to anywhere else really, my mother broke apart from her father - my grandfather. "You remember Sarah, don't you?" my mother gestured to me, and I had no choice but to come forward.

My grandfather beckoned me to him, and his eyes warmed as I came close enough for him to rest a heavy hand on my shoulder. "Beautiful, as always."

I felt my face heat up. "Not true, Grandfather."