Fantasy World

Four

I was still there, I could tell. My fantasy place was still softly lit with the fields of color. The wind was smooth, and the branches were swaying. Yet it was different. There was a sound I wasn't thinking of, and I heard it.

"Mariah," it called again.

I sighed, believing it was my reality calling back. Someone outside this dream must be shaking me awake. I struggled momentarily, dragging my mind away from the sweet place I loved to be. It took a little bit but I managed to stir back into the real world.

It was like I was startled awake. I gasped lightly, eyes shooting open. I forced the bond between my dreams and stone cold reality to break. Reaching over, I grabbed my pillow and flipped.

No one was present in my dark room. There was no fluttering of the papers from my ceiling fan, so I assume it was never on. Yet, the lights were off. And the door was tightly closed.

Assuming I was too tired, I closed my eyes and thought of my beautiful world. The pinks and purples where in my mind again, and my heart was finally content.

"Mariah," it called again.

It didn't feel like I was asleep long. I fought against opening my eyes again and leaving this world in fear I wouldn't be able to come back for awhile. So I scrunched them tighter and thought of the little fairies I wanted to touch.

"How long will it be before you finally see me?"

The voice was soothing. It was a strong male voice coaxing over my ears, nearly taunting me after saying my name. My heart had thumped at the strange new sound. It was unfamiliar and quite frankly, frightening.

Everything in my dreams is led by me.

So what was this voice? A sound I didn't create. One I didn't know where it came from or who spoke. So I twirler around, thinking of a pale blue dress coming down to my knees.

How pretty it would be.

"That's a nice addition. What would you think of next?"

I pondered on what to say or do. Should I respond to the magical sound I quite possibly created? Or ignore it for it might lead me back to reality; my heart was not ready for that yet.

"You're stressing yourself out with that pretty little head of yours, you know."

I looked to my side again, where the fields where open and looked to run for miles. On the other side was the same. Only the two trees beside me could be seen.

"I'm surprised you haven't created your lover in here yet. You've become quite fond of him."

The voice spoke words of truth and knowledge.

"Why haven't you imagined me yet? If he is not on your mind, for once, then create me an appearance to fit this voice."

I shook my head. If I kept imaging this voice, I would drive myself to hell and back for being crazy. If I responded, I would only be talking to myself. I'd rather be caught having a fake world than caught making up lines to say to voices in my head.

"I'm only here, this dream world, so you must think of me. I cannot appear if you don't give me a form you seek to see. It is your world, Mariah, that you comfort yourself in. Let me help you."

I closed my eyes briefly. I felt a little chill as the winds suddenly picked up. There was a deep breath that ran through me before my thoughts took over. I gave a face I had seen before to the voice. One of handsome features that had sharp jawline and defined cheeks. It was familiar and comforting.

When I opened my eyes, he stood in the fields, smiling so sweetly to me. "I appreciate the attempt at thinking of me. Now what do you see?"

"Hyunjin," I finally told him. "You are someone I know well and find normal."

He shakes his head, the smile curling slightly. "You can call me that all you want, but I'm not him. How unfortunate it is that humans cannot create new faces."

"Then who are you if not him?"

"I am someone to make your pleasant dreams and worst nightmares come true."