Dream Wakers: The Veiled Prophecy (Book One)

Chapter 10

The grass was high above their five year old heads as they ran with laughter bubbling from their throat. Lillian had grown fond of her dream counterpart. The heat of the day struck her more intensely than she was used to. Lillian could hear heavy footsteps just out of sight and worked her short legs toward the sound. Familiar, leathered hands appeared and lifted her to the soft muzzle of horses. Her fingers were small and innocent as she reached for them, but instead of touching their soft coats, she grabbed a handful of herbs instead. Yarrow, dandelion, sage, chicory, frankincense. A mix for self-transformation. She looked up and grew. The woman grew with her. In their adult height she could see far in the distance. He stood there. His dark, clipped hair shone in the afternoon. The man who'd burned down the barn had been watching them.

The other woman was still with fear and Lillian could feel the string of light break from her wrists as she separated herself from the woman and walked towards him. She was determined to find answers. There was a dull pressure on her forehead.

"Find me."

It lingered in her ears. The accent was thick and strange. The sky turned black around her and she lost sight. Lillian stood her ground, she had to know who these people were. Lines of dancing silver light twisted and softened, curling around her until she could feel the damp air of England. The walls of the church formed on her sides and Lillian's dark hair fell near her waist. The ghost waited at the other end of the room, smiling, waiting for her to follow. She trailed behind him, studying his remarkable appearance. They walked to the garden that once was her only refuge from the world she had been given. He showed her plants, and walked next to her as they explored their old playground. He turned, grabbing her hand.

"Remember me," he whispered.

Her feet rooted themselves into the ground, forcing her to stay in the moment. Green light danced in the grass they stood in and she could feel the breath of the tree give life to her lungs.

...........

The morning was cooler than normal as she walked to work. She could feel a serenity that wasn't entirely hers. She'd spent the night lucidly experiencing the shadow man. Lillian could remember more memories of him than she had ever recalled before. She wondered idly how many stories she had told Sister Roy before she learned to stay quiet.

She shrugged and focused on what was tangibly in front of her. Her client list had grown rapidly since opening and there were plenty of packages to assemble. There wasn't time to indulge in imaginary friends; or Sister Roy's damaging influence.

As she approached her storefront, Lillian stopped and glared into the distance. Her heart dropped to her stomach and she sighed. Dougal was waiting outside the shop. The last thing she wanted to do was ruin the mood she'd woken up in, but she couldn't avoid him. She had to unlock the door. Lillian straightened her back and continued forward. Dougal had come for a reason and it was her duty as a healer to help pained souls regardless of her own opinions. Even if it might mean that she would be reliving Aillig's death.

"I wanted to apologize to ye," Dougal said as she approached. "It was not right of me to surprise ye like that yesterday."

"I don't think there could be a delicate announcement for it," she replied through a stiff smile.

She unlocked the door and invited Dougal in.

"I've an hour before official opening. Perhaps we can sit and talk for a while."

"I'd like that, lass."

Crammed in between shelves in the back corner of the shop was an antique table for consultation. She motioned him to sit, allowing his bulk to settle before speaking.