Ethereal

Final Submission

Ethereal 

The sun is as bright as the joyful contagious smiles coming through the neighbor's side of the area although, the next block seems to be hiding under the gloomy cloudy sky. To who might be hiding under those cloudy skies, the neighborhood daily questioned. Under those gloomy skies lies a quiet house and inside those doors live a mom, a dad, and their kid. Meet the Desha's house it's rarely up and alive like it's been rejected. However, their kid, Afriel is usually alone in the house. When she's alone at her house she tends to isolate herself in her room. Her parents are hard-working busy people and tend to encourage Afriel to keep the business running but unfortunately failed. Afriel's parents didn't give up and motivated her to find a good job but once again failed. Both just settled on the decision that she just has no interest in her future whatsoever.

Afriel is poor when dealing with communicating or collaborating. Being independent is more of her specialty. Her appearance lacks a proper and healthy diet, her hair is black as an endless abyss, eyes that seem like they've never shut. Her clothing looks dull and improper for her 5-foot figure. Sadly Afriel is pretty much on her own and her entertainment is fictional fandoms. Day and night she would be found in her room on her laptop going through her fandoms.

Today was a weekday for Afriel. Her classmates depend on Afriel for help but besides that, she's left by herself. When the bell rings at 3:00 pm, Afriel is out of the campus. Usually, she takes a shortcut to her house but wanted to stop by a drugstore for some sleeping pills. Insomnia was a struggle for this teen.

As she arrived back home, Afriel saw a sticky note stuck onto the doorway. Not bothered but disappointed she took the note and sighed. As expected by the note the door will be welcoming only one visitor till night. The warm heat from the morning sun was contained in the Desha's house making Afriel weaker than before she arrived from that long walk. Tiredly she stumbled upstairs to seek cool air. She flung the door wide open and plopped herself onto her soft fluffy cozy bed. The long walk, the cold dry air filling the room and her comfort, and the dim lights in the room that were a huge contrast to the bright outdoors had Afriel ready to sleep. She took her sleeping pills and went on her phone to look for today's movie marathon. As she surfs through her youtube recommendation page she came across this video called, "Lucid Dreams."

Curiosity struck and so the video played. The video claimed about dreaming of whatever you wish for. Intrigued by the works of it and along with her list of expectations, she grabbed her earphones, dimmed the lights even more, and shut her eyes shut.

Minutes later weird sensation took over almost like she was falling in a spiral pit. Afterward, a landscape appeared. "What is this place?" She questioned. "This? This is your world! You created everything you see!" A guy's voice appeared. Afriel looked in the back of her to see a young guy about her age. He kneels and bows as he greets the creator of this ethereal world.

"Surely you must be confused, let's start small. My name is Gabriel, the guardian of your world." He stands up and dusted his left knee. Afriel still in disbelief looked around. The sky complimented her eye color, the scent of fresh wet grass filled the air, and the radiant of sweet plumped fruits swayed with the rhythm of the wind. The moment of silence got interrupted with her pleased laugh. She felt at home. "Allow me to show you around, Ms. Desha." Gabriel grabbed Afriel's hand and sprinted.

Time passed and Afriel seemed to lose track of reality. She easily adapted to this new dimension that her emotion and behavior took over.

Afriel wanted to stay like this forever and turned to Gabriel. Just before she was about to say a word. "BEEP" Everything lit so brightly. So bright it can strain someone's eyes. She slowly opened her eyes "The hospital?" She questioned slowly getting up. Her mother and father both looked at her with relief and worriedness. The dad rushed to get the doctor. "Honey, how are you feeling? You've been out for three days. I thought you were gone." Her mom grasps her in her arms and lets off little sniffles. Afriel looks around with weary eyes. "Mom...I don't feel so good-" Afriel plunked down onto the white fluffed pillow.