Cursed Beneath the Shadows

Drive And Dreams

I smiled and hopped in the car, putting my cup of coffee in the cup holder. I noticed the air conditioning was blasting and I was only wearing a black tank top and a kimono with short jean shorts, in short, I was fucking freezing! I tried to see if I could turn it down, but it was no use, this car was different than the ones we had in Italy. I sighed and wrapped the kimono as far around me I possibly could. Unfortunately, the fabric was soo thin that it wasn't helping at all.

As I sit there wrapped in my pullover, I hear a chuckle from my right side. Valen smiled and noticed my small frame shivering at the cold air blowing directly on me.

"Do you need some assistance, V?" He says charmingly.

I smile faintly and scoot over so that he could turn the air down. His body was close to my face so I turned away quickly. I'm trying to avoid the embarrassment so that the road trip isn't awkward. I heard the angry puffing stop and the air come to a slow breeze. I saw the touchscreen flash and then go black again. He turned around and plopped himself down on the leather seat next to me and closed his eyes and exhaled. He must be tired..

"Hey thanks for helping me, Valen. I appreciate it." I said softly.

"I guess I wasn't prepared for the weather as best as I thought I would be." I chuckled and slid over just a tad to give him some more room.

I hear a sigh on my left and see Leo curled up in a ball with a small blanket from the plane.

"You guys are gonna make me sick, just share the blanket with me Via, or sleep in the cold next to Valen."He said tiredly.

Jackass, I thought. Maybe you should have offered it in the first place and not watch me struggle.

I start to warm up within a few minutes and notice that Leo is already fast asleep, snoring in my ear nonetheless. I sigh and try to make myself more comfortable, knowing that we have a long ways to go, I think about Italy. The baker, my favorite restaurant, the fields of grapes and flowers. All of it. In just half an hour I was asleep with a tear sliding down my cheek.

Now Asleep...

There I stand, in a beautiful forest surrounded by the tallest trees I've ever seen, their branches sway with the wind as the dance for what seems like forever. I admire the cool breeze and crisp grass along the floor of the forest, breathing in every scent, not wanting to lose what I have here in front of me. The blue jays are chirping and the sound from the wind hitting the large body of wood surrounding me makes the most wonderful sound. I walk around until I find a small patch of grass towards the edge of the forest, overlooking the ocean. The smell of seawater hits my nose and the sound of crashing waves in the distance echo from the waters down below. Closing my eyes, I rely on my senses and relax, not wanting to leave this place. Opening my eyes I see the forest behind me and all of its life and then face front towards the ocean, the waters begging me for a swim.

My dark chocolate hair gets carried in the wind behind me and the light silver dress that I have on waves along with it. My shoes have grass tips on the sides and small dew droplets slide down the side of them when I walk. The all black ballerina shoes are now apart of the forest, and so is my hair, wild and free, dancing to a symphony I cannot hear. I feel a touch on my cheek, a gentle caress that feels warm and loving. Somehow, this feeling does not feel like I am dreaming it. It feels... real, to the point where I question if I am still dreaming or just not fully awake. I touch the area that is now warm and feel relaxed, this is now turning the tips of my fingers warm as well. I bring my hand back and see them lightly blushed, touching my thumb to each individual fingertips, I realize that they do indeed feel like they are glowing.

How strange... usually my dreams aren't this conscious. I'm not sure if I should welcome this feeling or turn it away in fear of losing this place I discovered. The woodland behind me whistles and howls for me to return, I take one last look at the ocean and it's roaring waters crash against the rocky cliff. It truly is a breathtaking view.

A few hours later..

I sense the warm caress of the sunlight hitting the side of my face, as I look towards the glare from the window, I glance to my right and see Valen sleeping peacefully. Not only that, I see my shoulder slouched against his comfortably. Wait! My shoulder? It's touching Valen? I take some quick glances between him and me and back at him again and feel the heat rise to my cheeks. Embarrassed, I sit up startled and move away from him as much as I can without sitting on Leo. Oh my gosh! How was I sleeping overlaying him like that!? Jesus I feel extremely flustered. I just hope that he didn't notice. That would be humiliating!

Peeking towards the front of the car, I see Mrs. M still soundly asleep while Mr.V drives steadily along the paved road. He notices me looking and smiles warmly, I raise my hand and wave sheepishly since I don't know any sign language. He nods and continues driving with a slight smile on his face, Leo is snoring soo loud that I'm surprised that I didn't wake up from that sooner. He is clutching the blanket that we got from the plane and hugs the corner of the car as far away from me it looks like. On the other side, Valen is slumped against the window and like Leo, is slightly snoring. I quietly grab my headphones from my tiny bag and listen to some light orchestra music in the background.