T W E N T Y

T W E N T Y

How to Differ Dreams From Reality

Death stood to a side, watching gloomily with a scowl on his features as the baby in the cot stirred awake. It had been such a pity that he had to take away the life of a youngling so quickly before it could even have the opportunity to explore the wonders of the world. And yet, Death comforted himself with the thought that the world was a harsh and cruel place. This young child would not be able to survive through everything the fates will set out for it, and it was for the best to make it end quick and easy.

He bent down against the baby, placing a single hand above its face before making a pinching motion with his fingers. Instantly, the baby's soft sniffles died down to one last sigh before it all turned silent. Playing with the white wisp and allowing it to dance across his fingers, Death took one last glance at the dead body before teleporting himself away.

-----

Young Addison Pilediah had been playing in the fields again, this time, she was a little older than what Death had last remembered her to be. Golden locks that looked as if it were spun from sunlight itself tumbled down her back before kissing the base of her ribbon-tied waist, eyes glistening with mixtures of blues and greens.

When she had felt a sudden rush of cold air, she had known for sure that her best friend had finally decided to visit her again. It was to be her birthday a few months later, and yet, Addison had already begun to plan just how she would like to spend her birthday with Dimitri.

A boy appeared from past the long grasses, his pale arms parting the plants lightly before peering through just enough to find Addison grinning brightly at him.

"Dee!" She shouted with utmost glee, throwing her arms around the young boy's neck as he stumbled a few steps back before catching them both halfway through the momentum. "I knew you would be here today. And I was right."

Death smiled softly to himself, laughing as he gently peeled Addison away from his body before ruffling her glorious long hair playfully. "It's good to see you too, Andy."

For hours long, the duo played together in the fields, picking up wildflowers -- always chrysanthemums for Death -- before weaving them into large crowns and bands. Nightfall had long passed when the two finally decided to settle on the grass, eyes never leaving the stars once they were safely back in the lawn of the Pilediah household.

"Do stars shine as brightly where you come from?" Addison asked, her own set of eyes gleaming. For a while, Death thought that the only things that could even compare to the sparkle of stars, much more outshine those little bastards, were the glittering eyes of Addison Pilediah. It was always filled with wonder and excitement. And a hint of something Death couldn't quite point out. Admiration, perhaps?

"Stars shine brightly every night from where I come from, Andy. They form ever-present constellations, depicting a story within the cosmos."

Addison's nose wrinkled slightly as she pondered over the overly exaggerated vocabulary her friend had used. Nevertheless, she shook the questioning doubt away from her mind before yet another brilliant smile graced her pink lips.

"I can't wait for the day when we can finally go stargazing together. Mama said that I am not old enough. And when I am, I will definitely go with you first cause you're my best friend."

A small smile twitched at the corners of Death's lips as he watched the young girl's eyes slowly flutter close. She seemed so at peace, almost as if she had no other care in the world other than her slumber.

Easily, Death slipped his arms under Addison's knees and supported her neck before transporting them both into her little bedroom. It was decorated with an array of drawings, and Death's personal favorite one had been that of a little blonde girl and a boy with a mop of wild black hair that much too resembled that of his own. The spirit placed the little sleeping girl back into her bed before taking his own adult form back. Sparing a last glance at Addison that was identical to the one he had spared the baby from early today, Death disappeared in a puff of black smoke, unaware of the little girl's eyes trailing the spot where his body last was.

-----

I jolted awake in my bed, beads of cold sweat trailing down the sides of my temples as I wiped the sweat mustache that had formed just above my lips. The dream had been so vivid, so very real that it sent wave after wave of tremor down my nerves.

Obviously, I could easily recognize the scene in my memory. It had been one of those days where I was alone on the front lawn of my home, playing with the wreath of flowers as the sun had set. Some time through my playtime, my mother had found me out alone by myself before tucking me straight into bed.

There had been no place for Dimitri to be in my memory. Somehow, my mind had woven the current reality into the fabric of my dreams and imagination. Now, I wasn't too sure if I could differ between the two to be very honest.

The room still was in pitch darkness, a calm eeriness spreading across me as I pulled the blanket higher up my body. A figure in the dark caught my attention as my eyes trained on them, widening slightly as I stared blankly at it.

"Who's it there?"

The figure stilled slightly as if surprised that he had been caught. He took a step backward, blending further into the shadows before I abruptly stretched out a hand.

"Wait!" I exclaimed, holding my breath as the figure stopped moving once more. "Come into the light."

He was hesitant, but nevertheless, complied with my request as a single dark-colored boot stepped into the small sliver of light cast into the room by the moon. When he straightened up, I could feel my heart in my throat as flashes of the four brothers' conversation dashed through my mind.

"How much of it did you hear?" He asked, voice nearly a low lethal. Cursing silently in my mind, I bit onto my lip, offering a dazed look of confusion.

"Hear what?"

"Don't lie to me, Addison. I know that you've heard bits and pieces of our conversation. My brothers may have appeared to be oblivious, but I can assure you that it's not the same case for me." Dark brown wisps of hair fell over equally dark eyes as Fabian took another step towards my bed. "Let me ask again, how much did you hear?"

When my silence and reluctance greeted me once more, Fabian swore lightly under his breath before heading straight towards my bed, placing a single hand out and allowing it to hover just mere inches away from my face. The very second in which he had started to make a small pinching movement with his fingers, I could feel my energy drain for me, eyes rolling to the back as I fought for a chance to breathe. My stomach clenched painfully, pain piercing like a hundred needles as my body grew weaker and weaker.

As soon as it came, though, the feeling vanished, leaving me in a trembling fatigue mess before collapsing onto the bed. I was still conscious, and before my head could come into contact with the bed frame, a pair of cold hands wrapped themselves around me, supporting my weight before gently placing me down.

"You're not supposed to know of the prophecy. It would've been easier if you didn't know." Fabian murmured under his breath, the previous detachment he had always offered me in past conversations melting away into a soft endearment.

I could barely even force my lips open to make a reply, and instead, my eyes remained focused on Fabian's concerned ones. As soon as he realized that I was staring, however, his hands left me, dark eyes hardening before he took a step back into the shadows, disappearing into the dark and leaving me alone in a pool of confusion.

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