I opened my eyes to see a woman standing in front of me. I don't know who this woman is or what's wrong. She has beautiful silver hair that's matted with leaves and sticks. Her face though beautiful is distraught, her face is a very creamy pale color. Her lips are as red as blood. She has tears running down her face and a bruise just below her left eye. She's holding my necklace. The moonlight shines on the single engraved word "Noel".
"Take this." She says, "Noel! Take this and run. Put it around your neck and never, NEVER take it off. It will keep you safe."
The woman hears something and turns around to look, then looks back at me with panic and sorrow in her eyes.
I hear a male voice behind her mumbling something, I can't make out what he's saying. I can't make out the man's face as he walks up behind the woman and squeezes her shoulders. He takes the necklace, wincing, and slips it over my head. They're talking to me but I can't hear what they're saying. I only see the panic in their face.
"Noel! RUN."
I hear screams and growls as I'm running as fast as I can. I make it out of the woods and onto a street. I hear the woman's blood curdling scream before I'm blinded by a light and everything fades to darkness.
I suddenly wake up. I'm breathing hard and drenched in sweat. I groan realizing I'm going to have to wash my sheets. I throw them into the basket for dirty clothes and run my cold naked self into the bathroom. I start the shower and when the water is warm I step in and relax under the hot water.
This dream is not a dream, I don't think anyway. I think it's a memory. A memory of when I became an orphan. I can't be sure though. The only thing the doctors knew for sure was that I was hit by a car after running out of the woods. I told them about this dream and the police searched but never found anything. I really think they thought I was crazy. Most of the time when this memory/dream crosses my mind it causes me to flip out. I don't know why but I get worked up and sometimes I even hear a faint elegant voice in my head telling me to calm down. Sounds crazy, I know.
I reflect on the dream, since for once, I'm not freaking out. This time the dream was more clear. I could make out more of what the woman was trying to say. I wish I could find her. I wish I knew what happened. I suddenly started to cry, letting the tears fall freely for once. When I felt I was done with my pity party I stepped out of the shower and began getting ready.
I was still exhausted so I threw on gray sweats with a matching gray hoodie. I put my hair in a quick pony tail. Once I was satisfied that I was ready I took a deep breath and opened my door. Ready to face my new friends who I'm sure must be worried about my reaction.
Brie must've still been asleep, even though the clock above the stove said it was 11:30am. A pang of guilt ran through me as I realized it was probably because I kept them up so late looking for me. I threw some coffee on and started making biscuits and gravy. I used to make it all the time for the other kids at the group home. The adults there didn't care if we ever had a warm meal so I tried to cook one whenever I could.
Once the food was done I slipped out of our dorm and down the hall to Amy's. I lightly knocked on the door and Amy opened a few seconds later. She definitely looked tired, but she was dressed so I was thankful I didn't wake her up. I gave her a smile and told her to come over for breakfast. She returned my smile with her own and said she'd be there in a few minutes.
I walked back to my room and opened the door. There sitting at the kitchen bar was Brie. She had her mouth stuff with biscuits and gravy and the look on her face made me think of a kid getting caught stealing out of the cookie jar. I instantly busted up laughing. She swallowed and started laughing too.
"Sorry I smelt the food and I was starving! It's delicious!" She told me a little sheepishly but with no apology in her voice.
"I made it for you and Amy to apologize for yesterday. Amy will be here in a minute." I informed her and walked over to the coffee pot to pour us all cups.
"Yeah... what was all that about?" Brie questioned seriously.
"I'll explain when Amy gets here, it's hard for me but I want you guys to know." I replied sincerely. She nodded her head and went back to shoveling food into her mouth. Then we heard a knock on the door. I was on my way to get it but Brie yelled, "IT'S OPEN!" With a mouth full of food. I just chuckled, and Amy walked in.
I made everyone's coffee. Mine was with two spoons of both creamer and sugar, Brie's was two spoons of creamer and about the entire tub of sugar, Amy drank hers black. We all sat down, ate, and made small talk. Things were a tiny bit awkward, I knew they wanted to know what was up with me. When we were all done eating I cleared my throat.
"Okay, I'll tell you guys but I don't want a pity party. Okay?" I started and they both nodded their heads. I went on to explain how I grew up and about the dreams/memory that I have. It was hard but they both listened intently. No one but Thomas knew all of this about me. I even told them about the crazy run in that happened in the woods, though I admitted I wasn't sure if all of it really happened. When I was finished with everything I could tell they both felt sad for me. So I continued, "I just told you guys everything cause I feel like I can trust you, I don't want anyone's pity and I really don't want anyone else to know. Im really sorry that I scared everyone and I promise it won't happen again."
They both hugged me and smiled.
"Could I see your necklace?" Amy asked. I could tell she was very interested. I rarely took my necklace off but agreed to for her. I reached the necklace out to her, she took in it her hand with a towel. She looked at it in amazement. Rolling it over she saw the symbols on the back. It was just a pretty design and didn't mean anything as far as I knew. Her eyes widened, before quickly flipping it over and handing it back.
"Any clue what that is on the back?" She asked a little too innocently.
"No." I shrugged. "It's always been there but even searching online I never came up with anything so figured it was just a neat design." She just nodded her head in response.
We spent the rest of the day watching movies and talking. I found myself very comfortable with these girls. I really felt happy. I hadn't ever felt that way, not for as long as I can remember. So I relished in it until it was time to go downstairs for dinner. As we were walking Brie casually dropped a bomb on us.
"My boyfriend said he'd try to make it to supper with us." Brie declared out of nowhere, leaving both Amy and I staring at her.
"Since when do you have a boyfriend?!" Amy and I both questioned at the same time.
"Well," Brie blushed slightly, then continued, "I actually met him last night when we were looking for you Noel, I'm not one of those girls who fall head over heels for every boy who bats an eye at her, but I'm telling you, there's something about him. I feel... complete with him."
Brie blushed big time but I could tell she was being honest. Made me curious who could steal her heart that quickly, she really seemed to have a tough shell. Here for all of one day and already found her soulmate. Lucky brat. We continued discussing this mystery man until we got to the cafeteria. We grabbed our plates and made our way to the table. Brie leads the way and plops down next to a man. By the deep blush covering her this is said mystery man. He turns to look at us and my breath catches in my throat. Her boyfriend is Brian. He notices me and has a slight look of embarrassment on his face. 'Big baby should be embarrassed' I think to myself.
"Um hi... Noel right?" He questions and Brie looks back and forth between us. She stops and looks me dead in the eyes.
"Oh don't tell me!" She exclaims, "Brian, you're the big baby who flipped his lid over getting shocked?!"
"Hey! it hurt!" He mumbled and looked at Brie, she just smiled in return and chuckled.
"Go figure, I always fall for the saps." Brie said with a wink before turning to talk to Brian.
I chuckled to myself and ate my food. I hoped he would be nice to Brie, she deserved a good man. Before the whole 'shock thing' Brian seemed pretty nice so hopefully that would continue. I was happy that my friend was happy and just wanted that to continue for her.
"I guess you and I are the third wheels now." I nudged Amy. She just shook her head staring at her plate somewhat hunched over. She didn't look comfortable at all and I was about to ask why when Brian spoke up.
"Why don't you guys come to a bonfire at my pa- uh dorm tonight? Meet some of my friends?" Brian excitedly proposed. I was not keen on that idea. I knew at least one person in his group of friends that I did NOT want to willing run in to.
"I think I'll decline. No offense but I'd rather not be around Loren when I don't have to be." Surprisingly, or not so surprising considering how brash She can be, this came out of Brie's mouth.
"Aw come on, Loren's not that bad! She just thinks she's high and mighty. Her big brother will keep her in check." He smiled a big, goofy, and confident grin at Brie and she just seemed to melt. She nodded her head in agreement to go. I sighed but resigned to going as well.
Amy just stood up and quietly said she didn't want to, before walking back into the kitchen. I expected her to come back but she didn't. Brie texted her (apparently they exchanged numbers while looking for me) and it took a while for her to respond. When Amy responded she just said she wasn't feeling well and was in her room going to bed. Brie kept trying to talk her into going but she didn't respond so Brie gave up.
Brian was basically buzzing with excitement about this bonfire. I was still pretty nervous. I didn't want to become a bigger target for Loren, Brie said she'd protect me with a wink. Brian ran ahead to get his truck to start and bring it to us. He pulled up in his rusty old blue truck and we piled in. Here goes nothing.