35 DARKNESS IN DREAMS

Where am I? That's the first thing that comes into my mind as I look into complete darkness. The coldness that I felt made me shivered. Dark, Cold, and lonely, that's what I feel.

"Hello!'

"Hello!" 

I shouted desperately so many times, but all I can hear was nothing. All I can hear was the desperation in my voice echoing in this darkness, yearning for hope. 

The feeling is bearable yet suffocating. I look side by side, anticipating a solution, a way to leave this darkness, but to my disappointment, I found nothing. All I found was the cold air, huffing my body.

A blinding light went up, depriving my vision. I used my hands to cover my eyes as it is too much to take in. When the light became bearable, I slowly lowered my hand, seeing a ball of light dancing in the air.

As I got curious by the light, I didn't notice that I am slowly walking to nowhere, following it, only to see that I am not in the place full of darkness anymore. 

"Lianno!" I shouted when I saw him walking outside.

The place is old and rusty, you can see spiders on the side walking silently. I shivered, the coldness of the place is still there. I looked at my clothes when I noticed that this is not what I'm wearing when I've gone to bed earlier.

A Black V-neck dress is hugging the upper part of my body as the rest of it is flowing freely down my feet. Golden beads were put on top until the middle, creating a gradient effect going to the bottom. A slit lined on the left side is partly revealing my legs.

"Lianno!" I called again, wanting to get his attention, but to no avail, he just walks straight not even bothering to look in my direction.

"Argh!" I groaned in frustration, gathering up the bottom part of my dress, for me to be able to walk in these black stilettos I'm currently standing on. I don't even know where did I get these clothes.

I followed his steps, half walking even if it's hard for me to do, as the ground was rocky. Lianno arrived at an abandoned house that is made out of old looking wood, half of it was already starting to break. 

I followed him as he walks in, straight ahead. But I fell in shock when I look at his black pants. Its' side is bulging out. A gun! I shouted in my mind, getting nervous about where is he going to use that.

Going up the second floor, I noticed a painting hanging on the corner. The Three dolphins that I painted is on the side, hanging disoriented. W-why is that in here? I shuttered, pointing at the painting in disbelief.

"Lianno why is the pain-"

*Bang *Bang

My words got interrupted by two loud bangs. No! I shouted, running just to get to the 2nd floor quickly. 

I covered my mouth when I saw my friend, Isabela lying down on the ground, bathe in her own blood. Isabela glazing upon me, help is shouting in her closing eyes. 

My eyes watered as I stare at Lianno in disbelief. H-How can he do such things? My hand shaking in fear as I go closer at Isabela, unable to utter some words.

I was about to hug Isabela's bloody body when I heard 2 gunfire again. My back arched as I felt a pang of pain on my back slowly making my whole body numb.

"NOOO!!" I shouted loudly, releasing my last remaining strength. Falling down on the cold ground, beside Isabela as I heard beads from a bracelet falling down on the ground as well.

My eyes widened as I opened it completely, sitting up on my bed while my heart is beating loudly and fast. I wiped out the cold sweats that formed earlier, putting my right hand on my chest, calming myself.

It's just a dream, It's just a dream, I said to myself for how many times now. Repeating it words by words, even if I'm slowly losing my breath. 

It's just a dream, I reminded myself one last time, getting up and walking towards the circular table where a jar and a glass of water is located at. I took a gulp down, consuming 2 glasses of water as my throat felt dry. That dream felt like reality. I-It's too much to take in.

"Celestina!" I went back to reality. I have not been on my own self these past few days.

"Huh?" I answered without knowing what they are talking about.

"Are you really okay? You've been like this for days already." Jea asked me worriedly. 

"Um… yes" I answered, trying to smile to show that I am really okay.

All I can think about in these past few days where that dream as it keeps repeating in my mind, even though I'm trying to avoid it now.

"You're not eating your food, Celestina" She scolded me.

"I'm sorry, my mind is just occupied these past few days" I looked at her apologetically trying to chew the food on my plate even if I don't have any appetite.

I'm also avoiding Lianno these past few days. And I think it is the right decision to do so as he already has a girl to be with and Mary is now alright. She left the palace and went home, that's what Isabela told me yesterday.

"Celestina, where are you going?" Isabella shouted getting my attention.

"I'm going back to the room," I told them nonchalantly furrowing my brows.

"You didn't even finish half of your food," She told me, her index finger is pointing at the food on the table.

"I'm full now" I answered, sighing. Going up on my seat again.

"What really happened, Celestina," Jea asked me, stopping her eating as she looked straightly into my eyes, fishing for answers.

"Nothing," In a low voice, I answered them trying to avoid their stare at me.

"Then why are you being like this?" Isabela is the one now to ask me.

"I just missed my family" I answered them, making up a white lie as it is somehow true. 

They both sighed, nodding at me, giving me permission to finally leave the garden where we three are eating at.

I am staring blankly at the way when I bumped into a hard thing making my head went up.

In there I saw Lianno, staring at me intently, but I ignored it and walk again straightly without minding him, but I'm not even far away from him when I felt a sudden force, pulling me back to my place, making our eyes met on the way.

"Are you avoiding me" His words were ruthless, looking at me with daggers in both of his fiery eyes.