Adieu

Lucid Dreaming (Michayla)

The stillness in the air and quiet that accompanied it usually brought Michayla peace of mind. While she had lived the majority of her life surrounded by music and melodies it was the silent spaces in between that allowed the young woman to regroup, recharge, and center herself. Now, instead of the calming reassurance, the stagnant nature of the world around rooted a chill in the base of her back that shot waves of unease up her spine. Mickey knew herself better than that. As many medications and restless nights as she had endured in the last few years, not once had she reached the point of her own mind faltering and concocting hallucinations. Returning the toothbrush to it's home and closing the medicine cabinet quietly, Michayla turned towards the conjoining hallway. She could feel her chest beginning to tighten and the echo of her heartbeat drum in her ears. It wasn't the idea of someone in her home that frightened her. It was their intent.

Michayla willed her feet to carry her forward, crossing the bathroom threshold, and stepping out into the hallway. Absently reaching to switch off the bathroom light, Mickey hesitated for a moment as she considered the number of possibilities. If she had, indeed, been seeing things then she would ultimately feel rather silly moving about her own house, fearful of the dark. Yet, the pinprick of doubt that pinged in the back of her mind reminded her that if there truly was an intruder, though it couldn't do much to defend her, the light shining to her back would offer some sense of security and comfort, despite not being very practical. Opting to leave the switch alone, Mickey's hands instead knotted at her chest, kneading themselves in an anxious tangle as she quietly moved towards her bedroom door. It was slightly ajar. Had she left it that way..?

Reaching the bedroom door, Mickey silently braced herself for whatever, or whoever may be on the other side, Carefully pushing it open. the sight that welcomed her, while consciously expected, still ripped the breath from her lungs and left the woman gasping. Across the room, seated comfortably in her armchair, was a man with an ethereal presence that caused the already weak Michayla's knees to buckle. The scene in and of itself was mind-boggling. They outwardly displayed no ill intent. The way in which he sat with one leg crossed over the other, slender fingers gracefully thumbing through a book, shoulders relaxed and back slightly slouched. It seemed natural, familiar. As if he had done this countless times before. While oddly reassuring, the confusion that replaced her initial panic sent Mickey's thoughts reeling.

"Am I dreaming?" she mused, breathless.

Michayla fell slightly forward then, her weak knees betraying her and forcing her to grab hold to the door frame. Reaching forward and quickly grabbing her phone from the nightstand, Mickey shakily raised her hand to the stranger, sure to show that her finger was ready and willing to push the emergency call button.

"Who are you and how the hell did you get into my house?"