The Faerie Key

Chapter Eight

Selcouth awoke in the forest. She was running away from something. Her heart was beating so loud that it seemed to echo in her ears. She wanted to stop but a tug in her gut told her to keep running. The fog chased her but this time it had a red hue. The tree trunks tried to trip her. She was by a lake the fog was coming from the water too. She heard a voice, "this way."

Selcouth ran towards the voice, it sounded familiar. The fog was glowing. Her lungs hurt from all the running. She turned to see the fog it was inches away and radiated heat. It felt like it would burn her alive. Then she saw an out stretched hand she grabbed it and it pulled her into a hollow tree trunk. She looked up at the owner of the hand and it was Fionn. He grinned.

She nearly fell off her bed. Her heart beat was still fast. Ever since she was little she had nightmares, especially about school, but they seemed to be getting more intense and vivid.

Selcouth had once asked Risa about dreams and nightmares she had replied, "the place where the dark and light combine."

"I don't understand," Selcouth had replied.

She had smiled and stroked her hair, "but you will."

"I don't like the scary dreams," Selcouth said.

"I'm sure they don't like you either even though they are attracted to you," she whispered barely loud enough for Selcouth to hear as she fell asleep.

Selcouth felt her throat tighten. She still missed Risa.

A knock on the hotel door stopped the tears from coming. She looked at the alarm clock with a groan. She felt jet lagged or maybe hung over. The knocking grew louder. She answered the door.

"Sorry wrong room," a room steward said.

Selcouth got back in bed. The peaking light from a crack in the curtains illuminated the room. She sighed knowing she wouldn't be able to go back to sleep.

She walked to the curtains and opened them. Blinding light filled the room. Selcouth covered her eyes with her hand. It was a hangover. She ran to the bathroom and gagged but her stomach was empty.

Since when had she become such a light weight? In her younger years she could drink two cases of beer no problem but now she felt her body ache. Her head pounded with each heartbeat.

"Getting old sucks," she muttered as she got up to drink water.

She rummaged through her bag and took out her dry herbs. She poured some angostura into her water. It helped settle her stomach.

Selcouth's phone vibrated. A text from Tanya.

"What happened with the rude guy?"

Selcouth's cheeks warmed. She didn't want to admit that she had been rejected by a guy without scruples.

"I paid him back with a kick =P"

"Selly you can't go around kicking people even if they deserve it. How did he take it?"

"He seemed fine even bought me a drink."

Fionn had seemed interested in her but I guess she might have been wrong. She was glad he did because who knew how many STDs the guy had.

"Fell for the old Selly charm, did he?"

"No, he rejected me."

She couldn't hide anything from Tanya.

"Screw him, or maybe not =)," Selcouth laughed.

"I've gone over the hill =( without even noticing"