CHAPTER 11: Do you have to be sleeping to dream? (Mar'i POV)
"Come, let us make some Zorkaberry pie" My mother suggested, pulling me out of bed and into the kitchen.
She flew happily all the way to the kitchen, practically dragging me along with her. She rambled in excitement about the flavour and size of the pie we were going to make, but I couldn't concentrate, I was too jumpy. Every small noise sent me into a lock of panic. And I saw her in every dark corner that I passed. I visibly shuddered.
When we reached the kitchen, Star set to work of the pie. But I wasn't paying any attention. Instead I was glaring at the clock, watching every second pass. Each little tap of the hand bringing me closer and closer to midnight. Bringing my family closer to danger.
I bend down to the cupboards, pulling out old pots and pans. Suddenly I hear a crash and the sound of glass shattering behind me. I instinctively drop the pans and turn around at the noise.
And then I see my mom.
The front of her shirt and skirt covered in a thick red, with broken glass all over the floor. Before I even had chance to register the situation, my mind goes into shock. The scene is just too familiar for me to handle. The glass... the blood...I can't. Everything goes black.
...
"Mar'i?" I hear a faint voice calling my name. "Mar'i!" It tries again but stronger; I feel my body being shaken roughly.
Groggily I open my eyes and begin to sit up, but a pair of gentle hands pushes me back down into a laying position.
"Mar'i?" The voice repeats, "Can you hear me?" I start to see an outline of my mom kneeled down next to me.
Clearing my throat slightly I answer as my eyes begin to focus on my surroundings. "Yeah, I can hear you. What happened?" I ask, confused of why I'm laying down in the middle of the kitchen.
"Oh thank X'hal." She let out a long breath. "You fainted. I dropped the jar of Zorkaberries, turned around and you were passed out on the floor." My mom replied.
Ahhh... so the crash and broken glass was from the jar. And the red wasn't blood, it was berry. Wow I'm an idiot.
"Oh." I reply out loud in realisation, starting to pull myself up from the floor, holding onto the counter for support.
"Is something else bothering you my Bumgorf?" Star asked as she held onto my shoulder, giving me extra support. I inwardly smile at how motherly she is when the others aren't around. "It's a mother's instinct to be able to tell when something is bothering their child. What troubles you?" She finished.
I let out a long sigh, "It's just my nightmare, I'm sorry for being a little distant lately." I explain, really not wanting to talk about it, but knowing that she would understand.
"Do you want to talk about it?" She asks as expected.
"No. Thank you..." I reply. I can't risk it happening though, it can't come true. I have to stop this whilst I have the chance.
I suck in a large breath - it's now or never.
"Mom? Look...you can't come with me tonight."
"What?" Star looked at me in disbelief.
Gulping, I continue, "Blackfire killed you in the future, she can do it again!"
"This is about your night terror, am I right?" Star asked softly, closing her eyes for a moment, clearly upset.
I look down at the floor, not wanting my eyes to meet hers. In that second, I really appreciated why my dad wears a mask. Eyes cannot lie.
She found her answer in my lack of one.
"Mar'i, everyone gets bad dreams, they just show that you care for our safety. But we can handle my sister. And besides, we are prepared. You have nothing to fear." Star reassured me.
"But-!" my feeble protest is cut as she places her finger on my lips, silently signally that she wasn't finished speaking.
"Also, Robin won't let anything happen to us. He is a good leader Mar'i" She continued, pulling away her finger. "I have faith in your father." She smiled.
"Me too." I agree. If I had to hang onto anything, I'd hang onto that.
My mother pulls me into a bone crushing embrace. I rest my head on her shoulder. However, I abruptly pull away at the sound of falling paper.
Puzzled, I look behind her and see Robin standing in the door way of the kitchen, dropping a file of papers he was holding.
"F-Father?" He chokes out, his eyes wide and unmoving.
I look at my mom for support, but her expression just mimics mine.
Crap.
"I'm your...you're my..." He stammered again, swaying slightly on the spot.
He looks like he going to pass out! Double crap. There's no going back now...
"Daughter." I finish for him, stepping forward slightly.
This wasn't part of the plan.
