Raquel walked to the front of the group, still happily giggling and having fun with the game. She started calling Belle to the front, as there was no doubt that the only person that had ever seen her in the group was standing in front of them already and calling her to go as well.
what could she do? Next time she'll ask how dangerous the games are. Was it all in Onerea about facing fears? Because Belle had just recently discovered that she was not happy in the middle of large amounts of people, especially if they're looking and pointing at her.
She felt naked and defenseless and had still to walk the walk and go to the front.
Cami was there, ready with a piece of fabric destined to be the blindfold of Belle. Even if she was so nervous, would she dare ask her?
"Hello, girl. Why are you so worried?" Cami whispered to her.
"Uh... Well, I'm not exactly magickal... or expert on weapons... and don't want to be cut in half by one of the very f
Belle immediately reacted at Cami's suspicions and jumped to deny that her interest in her story was anything related to Dominik."Oh, no, no. It's nothing related to Domi," Belle interrupted before Cami could say something that would make her blush even more, while Cami just smirked at the girl."Then why do you want me to tell you such things?" Cami asked her."Well... I might be more curious than appropriate. I do apologize for that," Belle told her."Oh, well. If you say so. Victor and I have no problem in any aspect of our relationship, and yes, there are ways in which you can learn to control when you want to wake up and when you want to stay in the dream, especially since here you're usually fully conscious that you're dreaming, or what would be called or considered, lucid dreaming.In this state of mind, and since Victor and I are mates, our connection is in different levels more tangible than other people you could meet in a dr
Cami and Victor had left already, and Belle was uncomfortably standing on Domi's right and a step behind him. In front of them, a confused Myron and a giggling Raquel talked with Dominik, who seemed to be a little worked up."So, your best idea was to bring her here? Through the invisible bridge, to a place where the food could leave her trapped in the Dreamland, for the rest of her probably short life, since she wouldn't be able to feed herself?""Domi Cat, I told her not to eat Fae food. I even told her which was theirs, and besides her first scare, she seemed to be enjoying herself, especially when your friends came in.""Raq, I'm glad that you found her, and she didn't have to roam around the place on her own while I managed to get here, but still, I find the event really dangerous for someone who isn't from here!""I still don't understand what happened. Most people come to the city alone for the first few times, and they mess it up a little, but the
The next morning came to Onerea. Belle woke up in a place she didn't remember, hugged by another lady that it took her a few minutes to recognize as Raquel.She seemed to be happily dreaming, with a big smile on her face and softly mumbling something.Belle removed her arm and slowly tried to get out of bed, forgetting that she was near the edge of it. Belle's attempt to turn her body and take it from under Raq's arm ended up in her falling to the floor.The loud thud seemed to wake up the gentlemen of the house, who both were sleeping in the room that used to be Dominik's, the door right in front of R and Myron's.He convinced Myron that he would take care of whatever had happened, so he could continue sleeping. The other one, more asleep than awake anyway just turned and continued lightly snoring.Dominik, on the other hand, seemed to have slept with an eye open all night long, making sure his pretty girl slept well.Nothing would happen t
Annabelle stood speechless on the table for a second. Dominik didn't dare to turn and see her, but he could feel her face was redder than a tomato.He was uncertain about how she was going to react and waited in that awkward silence. Nobody talked after Raquel let Myron know that she didn't remember. Nobody ate or moved. They just stood there, uncomfortably, until Myron talked again."I'm really sorry, guys. I thought she remembered. I thought she was ok with it. There's nothing wrong with it, Belle-"She had embarrassed herself, and now she didn't know how to fix it... what to do? She wasn't even sure... she couldn't remember, even if she tried. The only thing she wanted was to leave the house.Still not looking at anybody, she pushed her chair out and got up. Kept her eyes locked on the table and talked."I am truly sorry for whatever inconvenience I have caused you. I think I need to leave now. If you excuse me."Belle fast-walked t
Belle sat in front of the scrying, crystal quartz, big, spherical artifact. The Queen explained to her how it was one of the many objects in Onerea that worked directly with energy.It was like one of the large pieces of machinery that were under the Palace in the Steam room. The same as that, but smaller.Onia was also telling her that there was not exactly a magickal process on it, but Belle was a little skeptical of that.She had heard how many ladies in London were doing this magic, usually, in their houses. It was said that those sessions involved spirits and that the spirits moved the tables, blew candles, made noises, or even knocked on walls or the same table.This, of course, was the dream world, and Belle was still not sure if spirits could make it there.When Onia started telling her truths that had happened with Domi, she was even more surprised. How was she supposed to know things like that?Anyway, for the moment, she was
She willed herself out of the dream for the first time. She wished she knew it beforehand. So many full nightmares she had to stand, but then again, they were not as lucid as the times in Onerea.It was still about four in the very early morning when Abbie woke up. It was fall, so it would be dark for a couple more hours before the sun came up.She stood in bed, processing all the Queen had told her about facing her situation, The Man From Hell, and the possibility of losing her way to Onerea.If there was anything she was sure about was that she didn't want to lose that place, even if it meant to face him."Why is it so hard for you to just accept that you like the guy?""You again? I just opened my eyes, and you're here pestering me already?"She said to her inner voice. And that voice was right. There was no big deal, right?"The big deal is, miss "smart girl know-it-all," that there's nothing I can do about
In a clinic in Sofia, Bulgaria, there's a doctor running around with a pretty red-haired nurse behind.She was left in charge of helping him in all he needed by the Clinic's director, and she's been following that order by heart.Also, because this is not the first time she sees the handsome doctor, who casually shares the same date of birth with her."Good morning, Dr. De Narra. How are you today?""I'm feeling great, Miss Agpalza. Very nice of you to ask. Have you had a good weekend?""I worked through the weekend, Doctor, but it was good here too. Patients are happy, and many are in a good way to full recovery.""Oh wow, so you don't rest?""I tend to dedicate fully to my work, sir. Doctor Stoev tried to have that conversation with me already, and still, here I am."She smiled graciously, and he felt like a ray of sun landed on him and warmed his whole being."What would your family say about you ove
Belle had been up and hiding for the last twenty-four hours. Saying she was tired was an understatement.Saying her parents were worried about her not sleeping was that as well. Her condition was worsened by the effort she was putting her heart into.Her illness still produced the old and well-known puncture pains in her chest. She almost forgot the pains and the feelings of being sick when she was at the City of Dreams.But now that she was awake for a longer period, this was taking a toll on her. Abbie was also making sure that there was someone awake with her at all times.She was starting to go paranoid too. Not only because the Man from Hell was tormenting her every time he had a chance, but also because she was not used to be sleep deprived.It was true that she normally slept short periods, but not sleeping much wasn't the same as not sleeping at all. Abbie had many ghosts on her own that were never a problem.But now that she was fol
It all came down to this moment. Annabelle had been unconscious for almost an hour when Dominik and her family arrived at the clinic, and he quickly met with the parents to get their consent for the intervention, that now was a matter of saving her life or not.“Your daughter seems to have been born with a small hole in her heart. If you try with the stethoscope, you can hear the peculiar sound it makes, very characteristic to the illness. As she grew older, the small hole got bigger, and at the point that we are, if it grows any more, it will be fatal. Besides that, her body is weakening by the minute, so the surgery is a very urgent matter now. We need to operate swiftly and carefully.”He explained the parents, and they, as the last chance, agreed, knowing that if they didn’t accept, their daughter would die any minute, if not that da
“Oh it’s true… For some reason, I thought I told you before. My name is Annabelle Archer, pleasure to meet you, Mr. Dominik Stoev,” she said, giggling and still trying to swing to the edge. “I believe, though, that we should still try to get to the edge. Do you mind if we leave the presentations for later and get out of the mirror?” Dom couldn’t believe it… And wasn’t sure if the present news was good or not. He was on the ship and less than a day away to possibly save the girl’s life. Fear was, at least for the moment, transforming into great, big hopes, and Dom was shining bright, excited and with renewed strength. “Know what? Yes, let’s try your plan, suddenly I have a feeling that it will work.” His smile
“Captain Nankov, I found him!” Lazar yelled from one side of the ship’s deck, near the stern.In front of him was Dominik, sleeping like a log, in a half-sitting position.“I don’t know how he does it. The last few days, he sleeps wherever he falls, and not even an hour later he’s walking around again… Come on guys, I think this is the good one, let’s take him back to the cabin!”“Do you think this time he’ll sleep for longer?” Lazar asked, looking at the man deeply breathing, and now frowning.“I believe so. And I hope, because we’re soon to arrive at our destination, and what he said he had to do, will need him to be awake and ready. He’s saving a girl’s life yo
The Man From Hell finally appeared near Belle. He was standing right next to her body, intently looking at her, while Dom looked at him as if saying “I’ll kill you if you do anything to her,” and, as if he knew, the Man looked up and smiled widely, showing all of his needle-like teeth. “Calm down a little, my dear, it is still good that we can see him. I tell you again, he is not what people think he is…” Onia reassured Dom, who took a seat and watched, compass still in hand. “I’ll just feel better when she’s out of that place.” “I believe that she will be very soon. Although, remember, he might be protecting her from something else, so when she’s out there, make sure that her condition hasn’t worsened.” Onia’s words hit Dom hard. He really wanted to go look for her
Belle knew that the intentions of the Wishmaster couldn’ have been for her to die trying. If anything it was part of her test.Finally it was looking like a trial, and she kind of regretted not taking her weapons with her, but maybe she was not supposed to kill the creature that was now moving fast towards her.Then, she felt something grabbing her and pulling her strongly, just in time to get her out of the water.Her body slammed against the floor as the force used to take her out of the pool was that much, and right after she fell, she saw the white-rainbowy scales of the large, round monster that closed its mouth with a loud snap up in the air and fell back to the water.“I have to say, I am impressed,” the Wishmaster said, and the smile on his face
“Possibilities and fears don’t make life. Life is made of choices,” suddenly Annabelle said.“True… Partially.”As the very, very big, white fish swam slightly closer, a white mist could be seen swimming, or maybe, more like floating, around the young woman, that could easily go unnoticed. It had not been noticed by Annabelle herself, since it was not exactly physical, but…Could a shadow be white?“But you can’t tell me, that I have known you for so long that you don’t want to take what has been offered to you. Make your family happy, and be happy yourself,” the voice said once more, and then, Belle noticed something very interesting…That thing that
Belle closed her eyes. It was not the first time that she heard the voice in her head telling her all the things that could go wrong.But now, she didn’t care much about what could happen, mistakes were made and trouble happened as part of life. Her new life in Onerea had taught her that, and, maybe her physical heart was getting weaker, but her will and character were getting stronger.An image started showing up in front of her eyes.“Do you remember, dear, when we were kids, and you met the son of our governess? I remember you liking the boy, and that boy liked you too. It took a lot from you to forget about that, even if you were just a kid.”Annabelle sat in one of the chairs of the library, where she was taught every day by her governess, a
Belle was sleeping. Her breathing was deep and calm. Her chest raised often enough, and not even the disturbances around her, people talking or even accidentally moving her, thinking that she was awake, had changed that.It was many, many hours already too, that she had been asleep. More than twelve. Almost a day, actually, of continuous sleeping, and she didn’t seem to be close to waking up. A few days before, her father received a telegram from Dr. Stoev, letting him know that, if everything went well, he’d be arriving in a week and a half to two weeks, from the day he sent the note, that was about three, four days before.Being too optimistic, in a week the doctor, specialized in his daughter’s disease, would arrive…But was it possible that she resisted for that long?
Belle felt herself falling, and falling, for quite a while. Around her, growling could be heard, but nothing could be seen. The pitch black space that surrounded her made her unsure about the speed in which she precipitated, and where she was precipitating into.“Remember what I said,” he told her, and she remembered indeed.“Eyes wide open, be ready for whatever it is,”she said to herself. “Weapons,” she remembered, checking the different places where she got the holsters, back then at the store.Happy to see that everything was in place, she wondered if that was a mirror.“He said it would be a trial… and to remember what I believe in… cryptic crazy guy… I like him haha.”