Chapter 13: Lucid Dream

Third Person's POV

Astra's shift didn't unfold as she had anticipated; a flurry of customers kept her busy when morning arrived. Despite the bustling activity, she maintained a facade of normalcy. As she changed into her regular clothes, she couldn't shake off the anxiety gnawing at her, evident in the reflective surface of the mirror hanging on the wall. Worries about whether her emotional turmoil during the shift would be discovered lingered in her mind until she reached home.

Upon entering the house, her attention was drawn to a letter resting on the table in the kitchen. Curious, she picked it up and read its contents:

[Hello, my dear. Thank you for cooking last night. It's your rest day today, am I right? I'll come home early today, so we can eat together. PS: Set your alarm, so you can eat lunch. Love you.]

A wave of mixed emotions washed over her as she absorbed the message of care and affection from Aunt Morph. The realization that she had someone who cared deeply for her, even in her moments of vulnerability, brought a bittersweet smile to her lips.

Tucking the letter into her pocket as a cherished reminder, Astra proceeded to the refrigerator for some water. The sight of prepared bacon and scrambled eggs waiting for her reaffirmed Aunt Morph's thoughtfulness and love. With gratitude in her heart, Astra retrieved her water bottle and ascended the stairs, looking forward to enjoying the meal later on.

As she made her way upstairs, she paused to take a sip of water. Upon reaching her room, she deposited her bag on the table and headed straight for bed, feeling the weight of exhaustion settle upon her. Intent on resting briefly and changing her clothes, she found herself succumbing to drowsiness unexpectedly.

Her mind eased into a state of relaxation, her breathing growing steady. Despite the encroaching sleep, she remained partially aware of her surroundings—the hum of the bathroom fan, the rhythmic ticking of the wall clock, and the faint condensation on the window pane. Surrendering to her subconscious, she drifted into an uncertain slumber, unsure of precisely when sleep overtook her.

Intermittently, she found herself rousing from brief bouts of sleep, momentarily conscious before slipping back into unconsciousness. Each time, she questioned the nature of her dreams, briefly glimpsing her room before the darkness of sleep enveloped her once more.

With the third descent into sleep, her surroundings shifted abruptly. She awoke to find herself in an expansive, shadowy void, disoriented and apprehensive. Doubts plagued her mind as she grappled with the surreal experience—was she dreaming, or had reality taken an unforeseen turn?

Suddenly, the scene transformed again, morphing into a desolate village cloaked in darkness, devoid of any signs of life. As she surveyed the eerie setting, it became apparent that the village lay silent and still, its inhabitants seemingly dormant within their homes.

She found herself standing before a broken fountain, the sole source of illumination emanating from a single light pole behind her. Gazing at the fractured structure, she noticed her own diminutive shadow cast upon the ground.

As she marveled at the play of light and shadow, a sudden footstep shattered the silence.

"ASTRA!" The voice, deep and menacing, called out her name, its echo amplifying the sense of dread that enveloped her.

Startled by the unexpected summons, she frantically scanned her surroundings, her breath quickening with each passing moment. The eerie atmosphere weighed heavily upon her, intensifying her apprehension.

1,2,3,4,....

Counting the approaching footsteps, she tensed as the voice called out once more, drawing nearer with each repetition of her name. Unable to move, she felt a surge of panic grip her as the voice grew louder, its proximity unsettling.

Moments later, the footsteps ceased, leaving behind an oppressive silence. Slowly, she shifted her gaze forward, only to be met with a chilling sight. Before her stood a looming shadow, casting a pall over her senses. Realization dawned as she discerned the figure's immense size, a foreboding presence that loomed ominously behind her own shadow.

The fading footsteps signaled his approach, causing a surge of panic to course through her veins. Trapped in place, she longed to flee but found herself immobilized by fear, unable to even glance back. Paralyzed with dread, she trembled uncontrollably, the cold seeping into her bones, draining the color from her cheeks.

As he drew near, his breath whispered against her ear, sending a shiver down her spine. "Found you," his voice hissed, igniting a wave of intense discomfort that left her drenched in sweat despite the lack of heat or wind. Even her shadow seemed to quiver in fear.

Summoning her courage, she turned to face him, her heart pounding in her chest. "W-who are you?" she stammered, recoiling from his imposing figure. Before her stood a tall man cloaked in darkness, his features obscured by the light behind him.

"It's remarkable that you can lucid dream in such circumstances. You're truly extraordinary, much like your father," he remarked, his voice tinged with admiration.

"My father? How do you know about my dad?" she demanded, her fear giving way to confusion. Memories of her father were scarce, his face a blur even in her dreams.

"We used to work together. Don't you remember him?" he replied, his tone puzzled.

"No, I haven't seen him since birth," she replied, her mind reeling with questions. Why was he mentioning her father, someone she barely knew? And how did he know him when even she, his own child, had scant memories of him?

"But he died for you," he calmly asserts.

"No! You're lying. He left my mom before she gave birth to me!" Astra's head begins to throb as memories flood her mind, the cacophony of laughter and conversation overwhelming her senses.

"NO! NO! IT'S NOT TRUE." She clutches her head, desperate to silence the voices echoing in her mind. 'Please stop,' she pleads silently, willing the onslaught of memories to cease. "This is just a dream! You and this are all fake! STOP!" she shouts, the noise abruptly fading away as a familiar voice cuts through the chaos.

"ASTRA!" a gentle voice calls out, devoid of the earlier terror. It carries warmth and concern, wrapping around her like a comforting embrace.

Startled, both Astra and the man in the black hat turn towards the source of the voice.

"ASTRA!"

"It's Aunt Morph," Astra murmurs instinctively, the surreal surroundings melting away as reality asserts itself once more. She searches for the man, but he has vanished without a trace.

Before she fully awakens, she feels his presence lingering near, his parting words echoing in her ear. "We will meet again, my little angel," he whispers, a haunting promise that lingers as she opens her eyes to the waking world.

Astra quickly sits up in bed, her chest heaving as if she's just emerged from a deep dive. Aunt Morph rushes to her side, concern etched on her face as she tries to comfort the shaken girl.

"Astra? What happened, honey?" Aunt Morph's voice is gentle, her eyes searching Astra's face for answers. Sitting beside her on the bed, she wraps an arm around Astra's shoulders, offering reassurance. "I was worried when you didn't respond to my knocking, and then I heard you shouting in your sleep. It's okay, sweetheart. It was just a dream. Don't worry."

Astra remains silent, lost in the echoes of her nightmare. Aunt Morph continues to comfort her, rubbing her back in soothing circles. Eventually, Astra gathers her thoughts, the details of her dream crystallizing in her mind.

"I had a bad dream," Astra finally speaks, her voice trembling slightly. "There was a man, and he was looking for me. I was scared, and then he mentioned my dad." As she recounts the details, Aunt Morph's expression shifts, concern deepening into something more serious.

"Do you recognize him?" Aunt Morph's question is urgent, her eyes searching Astra's face for any sign of recognition. Astra shakes her head, her brow furrowed with worry. "What's wrong?" she asks, sensing the gravity of Aunt Morph's reaction.

"I didn't see his face," Astra admitted, her voice barely above a whisper. She waited for Aunt Morph's response, but the room fell silent, heavy with unspoken truths.

"Do you know anything?" Astra's question hung in the air, laden with desperation. She sensed Aunt Morph's hesitation, a silent admission of withheld knowledge.

"I'm sorry," Aunt Morph's voice trembled with emotion, her words a fragile barrier against the tide of tears threatening to overwhelm her. With a heavy heart, she broke down, the weight of her silence finally too much to bear.

~ To be Continued ~