ONE HUNDRED AND FIFTEEN

~ Emmy ~

I awoke with a start, my heart pounding in my chest, my body drenched in sweat. The darkness around me felt oppressive, the dream lingering like a heavy fog in my mind. I could still see my mother’s haunted eyes, and hear her desperate pleas. But what had she whispered? What was it that I wasn’t supposed to know?

Rae stirred within me, sensing my turmoil.

“What’s wrong?” she asked, her voice echoing softly in my mind.

“I saw her, Rae,” I whispered, my voice shaking. “I saw my mother. She was running from something, a creature... and she handed me over to the Ma who raised me. She said I must never know what I am, that I am in danger. But she whispered something I couldn’t hear.” Rae was silent for a moment, processing my words.

“Dreams can be powerful, Emmy. They can show us things from our past, our deepest fears, or even glimpses of the future. Whatever it is your mother whispered, it’s important. When we are out of this cave we will work it out, I promise.” I took a deep