Strange Dreams

There I was.

In the middle of a dense forest surrounded by complete darkness, looking up at a moonless sky.

My heart was pounding in anticipation. I allowed myself to venture deeper, to find my way back to the lakeside cottage, that I called home.

But as I delve into the forest, it grew darker and darker. The folding branches merge together, forming an impenetrable canopy. A howl sounds from behind me, inducing a state of fear that I couldn't shake off.

I took off running.

In my panicked state, I hadn't noticed what I was running away from.

With each passing second, I could hear the sound of paws padding closer.

Mustering courage, I turn around to see the most magical, mystical beast I have ever seen in my entire life. A faint growl brought me back to my senses. I look up to find that overbearing wolf looming over my comparatively small body.

The light that fell on its pitch-black fur, is refracted into tiny beams, as if the stars themselves had abandoned their home in the vast sky above, to cling to the hide of this fearsome creature.

Those glowing orbs slice through the darkness of the night, just as my mesmerised form is reflected in those green, topaz eyes.

He moved towards me slowly.

I bring my hand near him, thinking that he wants me to pat him. And he snuggles into my outstretched hand. Tingles erupt from this slight touch. The wolf purrs in satisfaction and tries to snuggle even more.

His body being larger than mine, the wolf climbs on top of me. But I have no fear. All I feel is a strange attraction towards him.

I close my eyes and just inhale as if carving his features in my memories. My flayed nerves gradually relax.

And that's when I feel excruciating pain in the meeting point of my neck and shoulder.

I scream at the top of my voice, the pain unbearable.

Dream Ends

...

When my eyes finally open, I find myself out of the forest. My clothes are drenched from sweat.

Lots and lots of sweat!

I can't help but cringe in disgust. I look about and let my eyes slowly adjust. I'm in my bedroom, lying on this dingy, albeit comfortable bed- at least that's what I tell myself.

Through the box- like window, I can see that it's still fairly dark. The stars are reflected beautifully on the surface of the lake that lies just outside my little cottage.

This was the fifth time this month that I'd seen the same dream. And the strangest thing of all is that every time I see that wolf, I can sense a strange connection between us.

Still restless, and ever-so-sticky from my midnight sweating, I decided to take a quick dip in the lake before the sun rises, and before the daily chores that plague my small-town life steal away these precious moments of freedom.

The lake water is a little cold but felt refreshing on coming in contact with my hot skin. While relaxing, I thought about what I needed to do in the coming day.

I had to take care of all the household chores that Mrs Brown had prepared for me, as her dutiful househelp. But before that, I needed to go to the bakery and prepare the 3-tier cake for Michael and Ronn's wedding, that was slated for the morrow.

After completing this task, I still had to play the role of a guitarist at the nearby pub.

In short, I'm busy. As busy as I can be.

Oh, that reminds me.

My father liked to play the guitar. He would often show off his talent in front of others. After his death, my mother was left broken and dispirited. Taking care of me by herself and earning a living was more than she could handle.

Eventually, she succumbed to the frailty of her own body. It was an ordinary illness, at least that's what the doctor said.

But I know she couldn't truly live without my father.

He was her other half. Her life partner. Her soul.

Till this day I don't know the reasons behind his death, and all I was left with was the fear and sadness my mother felt in the wake of his demise.

I was only nine when this all happened. But as I grew, I understood her grief. Being separated from her partner, the person she had meant to spend her entire life with, wasn't easy at all.

In their absence, I didn't have any other relatives.

The village people were the only family I had left. They cared for me and provided for the bare necessities I needed to survive.

I had food, clothing and a warm shelter. But most important of all 'a family' is what I missed the most.

But... I wanted to be independent, so I decided to live alone in the home which my parents had made for us… for me, anyway.

And as I got older, I started to work and provide for my own food and other necessities. I could feel the tears welling up as I emerge from these recollections of the distant past.

I should really start my day. It was almost time for work.

As the sky's ink blue slowly faded into a pale orange hue, nature herself, churned to life, as if she too, was eager to get away from the silent, lifeless, night.

The sound of water splashing is heard as I emerge from the lake. My pale white skin shone in the bright light of the peeking sun. And a few crystal clear tears appear around my eyes.

Thankfully, my vision is as sharp as that of a lioness. And though I felt rejuvenated enough, the bluish bags under my eyes said otherwise. And the tears that could be seen earlier had dried long ago.

It was to be seen but not touched.

Even though I had a tiring day ahead of me, I decided to meet with Fiona and her friends after work and maybe go for a long swim with them.

On that note, I've never felt comfortable telling people about my past- and mermaids were quite nosy anyway, and we're always looking for new topics to engage in frivolous gossip.

Fiona on the other hand, was my one and only true friend, even as a mermaid. The only difference between her and the rest of the village community is that she knew all about my past and she also knew how to keep her mouth shut.

Finally, I went back into my cottage, got my work clothes ready and left for the village near the entrance of the forest.