Cupid's Daydream

As Daydream walked towards her destination, her thoughts began to drift back to Tragedy. The letter from Pitch weighed on her mind. Pitch admitting to falling in love with Tragedy as she grew up confused Day Dream but she understood the power love had over people. She wondered about the kind of person Pitch was, she had, of course, heard stories of the Boogieman when she lived but she never believed them. Although, finding out the Boogeyman is real now, did not seem so strange. Still, Tragedy was tormented by this man for years and then left to fend for herself in a world she did not understand.

Day Dream remembered what the Moon did to her; promising her that she would find Daniel and be with him; all she had to do was do all Moon asked. It seemed to her that maybe Pitch and the Man in the Moon were different sides of the same person or idea. Pitch used people to spread fear and pain, never repaying those who helped him. The Man in the Moon used people to bring joy and hope to the world but never the guardians or spirits that helped.

Daydream shook her head trying to get her thoughts together she arrived at a home and gazed upon her surroundings. A small one story brick house in a decent neighborhood stood before her. Someone in there needed her help she sighed and tried to focus. A delicious smell of meatloaf entered her nostrils as she entered the house through the front door, and the sound of children giggling as they watched a cartoon about a talking dog that solved mysteries filled her ears. She smiled at how innocent children were and a tear fell down her cheek. She had always hoped to have children with Daniel; to raise them in a home of compassion and happiness. Now, she knew it would never be possible. How can the dead conceive? The Moon never told her those things and she never asked. Focus, she thought, There is a person here who needs me to be here and not with Tragedy and Bad Dream.

Daydream loved what she did more than anything, helping people achieve their dreams of a better future. Helping young folks achieve their career dreams. Of course, they always had the choice to ignore her but she still enjoyed seeing the look of joy on their faces when they were living out their dreams. Her true happiness came from her work, it had become her life, it kept her going. Yet now with Tragedy upset, slowly giving up on Moon, and meeting Bad Dream and Cupid she was having trouble focusing. She would not let that keep her from helping people though; she would not let anyone down. She walked down a hallway lined with pictures of people smiling. No, don't think about families, she thought, I am here to help someone.

She finally found a room with a young woman staring at her computer. "I can't do this, I am not ready," the girl mumbled putting her face in her hands. Daydream walked over to the girl seeing the computer screen covered in financial aid applications for college. This room, unlike the rest of the house, was lined in pictures of faraway places and a camera sat on the desk by the computer.

Maybe she wants to be a photographer or something, Daydream thought, if she doesn't go to college, she won't see all these places. I need to help her, Daydream decided. "April," Daydream whispered. The top of the first screen held the name April Keeler, so it must have been her name. Photography was listed as her major. "You are ready, you know this stuff just fill it out. College will be good for you; it can help you achieve your dreams. You looked at pictures of these magical places and now you have a chance to see them in person. Don't be afraid follow your dream," Daydream whispered.

April smiled, her fear fading, "I can do this, college can help me reach my goal," she began to fill out the forms on the computer.

Daydream smiled as she left the house, heading back to Tragedy and the cave. Suddenly, rose petals and tiny hearts started to float in front of her in a whirlwind, parting ways for Cupid.

"Ah lovely Daydream, what a pleasure seeing you here," he said bowing to her.

"Hello Cupid," she said politely, "I am afraid you caught me leaving, so I bid you fairwell." She began to leave when he snapped his fingers presenting her with a bouquet of flowers.

"Mind me asking, what brings such a goddess like you here?" he asked handing her the extravagant flowers.

"Cupid, I told you I am married," she firmly said giving him back the flowers. She couldn't remember if she told him but hoped if she did he would leave her alone.

Cupid stood straighter and an amused look spread on his face, snapping his fingers again to make the flowers disappear. "I see and where is the lucky man, that captured your heart," he said feeling proud, like he had something to do with it.

"His name was Daniel and he died same day I did, I thought we went over this," she told him fighting tears.

"Well then if he is not with you then you are free to move on," Cupid said. Daydream froze with shock, she never even pictured being with any man but Daniel. Even if he wasn't here now, she would find him. "Maybe this Daniel forgot about you and moved on. Maybe you should find someone who will be here for you now, someone like, I don't know, me?" Cupid said smiling his naturally charming smile.

"Daniel would never forget about me, he loves me," Daydream said clenching her hands into fists, "Aren't you the one who said something about Tragedy's husband being a cheater for marring another woman after she died? So, what do you call trying to romance a woman who is already married?" Daydream tried to breath calmly, not letting him know how angry he made her.

"Oh no Daydream, you misunderstood me, I would never pursue a married woman. You, my darling are not married, marriage is until death do you part and if I remember correctly, you died after the marriage, so, by all the rules you are single," Cupid said his smile growing, "in order to be married now you would have had to marry someone after your death."

"Well I am sorry to disappoint you but my heart belongs to Daniel. I will not be seeking any romance from anyone. Now if you would excuse me, I really have to go," Daydream said concentrating on the cave.

"Fair enough Daydream, but I will not give up easily, I plan on winning your heart, and showing you how a true man loves a woman like you," Cupid said blowing her a kiss and heading to the house Daydream had left, "I have a young girl to convince to run away with her sweetheart."

Daydream shook her head, "Let her go to college, she has dreams of more than some romance that might not last!" Daydream yelled.

Cupid looked shocked but he smiled, "Anything for you, my dear. I will let this one go."

She sighed knowing that she had just made it harder on herself and slowly disappeared into her mist.

When she reached the cave she heard Tragedy yelling and ran as fast as she could to see what happened. Once she reached the entrance Bad Dream, who looked terrified, ran to her and hid her behind him. "You don't want to go in there," he said voice shaking. A Nightmare nipped at him and more stood around him licking him with sandy tongues.

"Um, what did I miss?" Daydream asked trying to look over Bad Dreams shoulder.