Nightmare...and Another Nightmare

I found myself standing in the middle of a dark forest. Whether it was dark due to the time of day or due to the deep, rich color of the colossal trees around me, I couldn’t be sure. Twisting around, I took in my surroundings. All around me were trees of different sorts; oaks, maples, ashes, even pine trees. Every single one was at least as tall as a skyscraper, reaching up to the heavens and blocking out any light from celestial bodies. Spread out all over the soft ground full, green bushes and vines of ivy, enough that one step could ensnare you in a leafy trap. Scattered here and there were delicate, tiny, white flowers of a variety I’d never seen. Bending to pluck one from its stem, I noticed the total silence of the wood; not even the sound of a soft breeze stirred the quiet.

            And then in a moment, that silence was shattered by the sound of heavy footsteps pounding the ground.

Turning, I saw them. Giant wolves with sleek coats of fur colored silver, ebony or chestnut and long legs stretched out over the undergrowth. Their eyes were blazing gold and each giant maw hung open in a vicious grin, as if they were excited and pleased by the hunt. Terror filled my entire being as I realized I was their prey. Spinning around, I took off in the opposite direction. I scrambled to weave my way through the emerald vines and moss that seemed to reach out and grab at my ankles, almost as if they were trying to capture me for my hunters. Somewhere in the back of my mind, a little voice wondered why the wolves were chasing me but I ignored it and pushed myself to run faster.                                    

Out of nowhere, I heard someone calling my name.

            “Alese,” said the whisper, “Run this way, Alese.”
            I raised my head and searched the horizon before of me for the source of the whisper. That voice, it sounded so familiar. There! Ahead, I saw a figure standing in the shadow of one of the giant maple trees. Whoever it was held a lantern of some kind up high, the light blurring out their features. I didn’t care. It was someone who knew my name, who could possibly help me. I pushed myself harder, the muscles in my legs burning in protest but not giving up on me yet. Glancing over my shoulder, I saw the great beasts chasing me and realized they were drawing closer. That little voice wondered yet again why they were chasing me and how did they manage to catch up so fast. The logical part of my mind argued that they were made to lope through the forest and over underbrush while I was made for walking on city streets. But the terrified part of my mind ordered both to shut up and concentrate on running.

“Hurry, Alese, they’re coming!” the voice said, no longer a whisper but an urgent plea.

Faster and faster I ran, my feet flying now over the vines extending their fingers towards my feet. But the wolves did not give up and surged after me.

“Hurry, Alese!” the voice screamed, terror now evident in its tone.

Closer. Closer still. Almost there. Then one of the creeping plants achieved its goal and wrapped itself securely around my ankle, pulling me to the ground. I tore at it, trying to rip it away. My savior was so close, just mere yards to go. The thudding of the wolves’ paws grew louder as they grew nearer and I knew it was too late. I crossed my arms over my face, trying to protect myself with what little I had. The first wolf to reach me, a giant beast with fur the color of a night sky, leaped into the air, snarling and dripping saliva from its pointed canines. I tensed, waiting to feel claws and teeth ripping at my flesh. But there was nothing.

I lowered my arms and looked around me, shocked at the complete change in surroundings. Where the forest had been dark and full of impossibly tall trees, the meadow I now occupied was more blue than green due to the wide expanse of azure sky stretching out above it. Not a single cloud spoiled the bright blue color. The sun was high in the sky and I could feel the warmth of its light on my skin but it wasn’t an uncomfortable sort of heat. I spun in circles, stretching out my arms and throwing my head back, simply enjoying the peacefulness now welling up inside me. Gone were the gigantic trees. Gone was the dark shrubbery. Gone were the tiny white flowers. Gone were the monstrous wolves that preyed upon me. Even my savior, my light, was gone. Nothing was left except the sun, the meadow, and me. And I was basking in that knowledge. I felt like nothing could hurt me here. I was finally safe.

A gentle breeze brought the scent of wildflowers to my attention. I wandered through the tall grass that bent and swayed in the waft of air, searching for the blooms. Walking over a small crest, I saw that the green grass had turned to brightly colored blossoms. A little-girl giddiness overwhelmed me and I ran, squealing, for the flowers. Gathering as many as I could in my arms at once, I inhaled their heavenly scent. Glorious. I glanced about looking for more magnificent blooms to add to my bouquet. Raising my head, I saw the most remarkable daisy I’d ever seen in my life. Numerous white petals surrounded a sunshine yellow center. The entire flower was as big as my two out-stretched hands placed next to each other. I dropped the bouquet in my arms and reached out to yank the marvelous blossom from its thick, olive stem.

Clasping it to my chest, I rubbed the soft petals against my cheek. Remembering a game I used to play as a child, I began to pluck off petals one by one, all the while saying, “He loves me. He loves me not. He loves me. He loves me not.” Playing this game was like riding a rollercoaster. With each “He loves me”; lightness would lift your heart up to the sky. But with each “He loves me not”; a dizzying sensation would send you plummeting back to reality. I slowly worked my way around the daisy, pulling off petals and muttering the little verse. In my mind was the picture of my savior, surprisingly, as I wondered if he loved me or loved me not. I hoped he did. My hand started shaking as I got closer to the last petal, the one that would give me the final answer. Just five petals left. Now four. Now three. Just two more…and it’s…

“He loves me…not?”

Desperation stole my voice as my body shook with sobs. No. It can’t be. He has to love me. Because I love him.

            It wasn’t until those last few petals that I realized just how much I hoped for the positive outcome and why. I loved him. I loved him because he cared enough to be my light in the darkness. I loved him because he tried to save me. I loved him because he was my hero. I loved him and needed him and it wasn’t until the last petal that I understood that. And now my hope was crushed. He didn’t love me. Now, someone who thinks too much would tell me that listening to what the daisy said would be ridiculous and he could very possibly love me too. But even when I was a little girl, the word of the flower was law. Sobs shook my body as a great depression overcame me. I laid back on the wildflowers around me and cried. Tears gushed from my eyes, pouring down my cheeks and soaking my clothes. Hopelessness. Utter hopelessness. How could this happen to me? I loved him. Why didn’t he love me back? What did I do?

With my arms over my eyes and sobs wracking my body, I didn’t even realize that the swaying grass and flowers were gone; I was back home in my bed. Everything had just been a dream. 

Author's note: This was actually separated into two pieces and have been submitted and accepted to TeenInk.com. But it was the first short story I wrote and finished for my creative writing class in high school and is still one of my favorites. Hope you enjoyed it!