<b>A/N:</b> Okay I know I promised I wouldn?t take so long, I?m working in a project throughout the summer for my postgrad and its turning out pretty tough. Even when I have free time I?m always too tired to think. I hope my writing hasn?t suffered because of my busy schedule so please drop a review and tell me what you think.
In order to make up for it, I?ve got two chapters for you. Like chapter 6, there may be allusions to the series throughout this and the next chapter so mention if you spot any.
<b>Previous Chapters:</b>
1: Moving to Kansas
<A href="http://blissfulignorance.com/phpBB/view ... 9490">Part I</a> , <A href="http://blissfulignorance.com/phpBB/view ... 9498">Part II</a>
2: Taking Him Away
<A href="http://blissfulignorance.com/phpBB/view ... 9517">Part I</a> , <A href="http://blissfulignorance.com/phpBB/view ... 9528">Part II</a>
<A href="http://blissfulignorance.com/phpBB/view ... ?t=9542">3: Good Witches and Bad Witches</a>
<A href="http://blissfulignorance.com/phpBB/view ... ?t=9646">4: The Yellow Brick Road</a>
<A href="http://blissfulignorance.com/phpBB/view ... ?t=9683">5: Glass Eyes</a>
<A href="http://blissfulignorance.com/phpBB/view ... ?t=9737">6. Hunted</a>
<A href="http://blissfulignorance.com/phpBB/view ... ?t=9769">7. The Cowardly Lion</a>
<A href="http://blissfulignorance.com/phpBB/view ... ?t=9823">8. Across The Poppy Field</a>
<hr size="1">
<center><b>CHAPTER IX ? Lost in a Mirage</b></center>
?Relena whatever is the matter?? Mrs Darlian looked down in shock at her daughter hugging her tightly around the waist.
Relena buried her head in the softness of her mother?s dress. ?I don?t know,? She sighed happily, ?I just feel very glad to see you right now.?
?You must have had a nightmare but you can?t remember,? Mrs Darlian said softly. She stroked her fingers over Relena?s hair gently, causing her to sigh again and close her eyes.
The sound of a car horn rudely blared through the room, causing Relena to open her eyes and stare through the window from which it had come. She grinned and slid off the bed; rushing over to brush aside the dark, heavy curtains; pass the already open glass doors and press against the metal railing of the balcony. The bustling streets greeted her with a roar, the buildings around her confining the noise within their walls. Her hungry eyes tried to take in everything at once; the sea of hats flooding the pavements below; the trams rattling past as they followed their tracks; the horse carriages clopping amidst the din of traffic and one angry vehicle whose obstruction at a crossing gave reason for the driver to honk his horn. Relena leaned out and inhaled the fresh morning air, tinged with the dusky smoke and fumes of the city.
?Relena!? Mrs Darlian called out in alarm, ?Someone will see you standing there in your nightdress. Come away at once!?
Relena pulled back and glanced down at the full-sleeved, pearly white nightgown that fell down to her ankles. The light material danced around her body in the breeze sifting through the bars of the railing. She wriggled her bare toes thoughtfully and delighted in the feel of the cool floor beneath her feet. A heavy robe was draped around her shoulders and her mother pulled her away from the balcony hurriedly.
?What has gotten into you?? Mrs Darlian chided.
?Sorry mother,? Relena apologised, clutching her robe tightly.
?Now your birthday is coming and you must remember that you are going to be young lady soon. I do hope you will behave appropriately at your party. ? Her mother lectured as she swept up her skirts and walked over to the wardrobe. She pulled out a smart burgundy coloured uniform and laid it out on the bed. ?Now get dressed and I?ll have your breakfast prepared for you.?
Once she had dressed, she left her room and made her way to the dining area in the main lounge of the apartment. Her hands wandered over the furniture, tracing carved designs on the wood and lingering over the ornaments. It was strange how she had simply woken up today with a greater appreciation for these things she had taken for granted before.
She threw a glance at the door of the study. It was made of dark wood and stood out imposingly as a place of her father?s work. There was once a time when she would run in shamelessly and climb onto her father?s lap as he worked. <i>Those times are long gone now</i>, she thought with a pang of regret.
The door opened and Mr Darlian entered the lounge. Relena?s heart soared at the sight of him and she felt a dark weight inside her, a secret longing she had not even known, suddenly lift and leave her feeling free. He had not seen her yet as he hurried across the room, a file full of papers tucked under his arm. It was so precariously positioned that it came as no surprise when he lost his grip and papers scattered all over the carpet. Relena came over to help him pick them up and he noticed her at last.
?Ah Relena, good morning,? He said, sounding rushed. ?I?m sorry but I can?t stay to talk, I have some urgent work that needs attending.?
Relena handed him the last piece of paper. ?It?s okay father,? She said brightly, ?I?m old enough to understand now how important your business is to you.?
Mr Darlian stuffed the paper into his file and nodded. ?I?ll make it up to you on your birthday,? He promised, kissing her quickly on the cheek before leaving.
The days rolled by, Relena lost in a bliss that she couldn?t describe. She walked on clouds, basking in the comfort of her home or her daily life. Once or twice during these wonderful days, she was struck by a strange sense of doubt; she was so happy it felt almost wrong. These moments never lasted, as her heart lulled her back with its fullness. <i>After all</i>, she considered, <i>what could be so wrong about this?</i>
<center>~~~+~~~</center>
Dressed for school, Relena stood by the door fixing her hat upon her head. She eyed her appearance in the mirror for a second before turning to leave.
?Relena, wait a moment please.?
The entranceway she was standing in opened out into the lounge. Her father had emerged from his study, again shuffling through a file containing various papers. He didn?t look very pleased but when he closed the file and lifted his head to Relena, the creases in his face softened out into a kindly smile.
?I have business at the Mayor?s office today Relena,? Said Mr Darlian. ?I will pass Saint Gabriel?s so you may come with me.?
Realising she was staring at him in surprise, Relena remembered her manners and gave a polite curtsey. ?Thank you father.?
?Let us get going then,? He declared and strode past. Relena brushed her skirt down in a last attempt to be immaculate before following.
The apartment Relena lived in with her parents was one of many rooms in a building that was really a hotel-type establishment. The residents were mostly permanent and of the upper class variety. The elevator rattled its way down and took them to the foyer, a grand affair of polished floors and ornate architecture. The place was full of visitors mingling on plush chairs or simply passing through.
?Wuff!?
Relena went still upon hearing the small bark, some unknown feeling stirring inside her, and tried to locate it.
?Calm down Eleanor, stop making a fuss.?
?Wuff wuff!?
There it was; a woman with a round, mesh hat covered in flowers tried to restrain her eager poodle by holding it firmly in her arms. Relena let her eyes wander over the black, curly fur of the dog and thought of nothing, feeling strangely empty and disappointed. She turned and continued to follow her father out of the hotel mechanically.
The car was waiting for them, a horseless carriage with a driver that was dedicated for the use of Mr Darlian. Standing beside the driver was a man Relena recognised as the Mayor?s aide. He looked at her curiously but didn?t venture to ask Mr Darlian about her presence. Relena took her father?s offered hand and climbed into the back, sitting near the window. Her father came and sat beside her, the aide sitting beside him.
Relena folded her hands in her lap and watched the city roll by through the window. It was lucky to be allowed a chance to ride with her father. He always took her with him on trips to other towns and cities but when he was here, she rarely spent time with him on account of his work. Some time into the journey, Mr Darlian suddenly leaned over and pointed through the window.
?Relena. Look carefully. Never forget how beautiful the world is around you. Look to the sky, the sun, and remember that there is peace to be found in life no matter what happens.? He seemed to pause and a sad expression crossed his face.
?Is something the matter?? Relena asked.
?There is more to life than this,? He said quietly, shaking his head. ?Do not look back?? He shook his head, refusing to say more.
Relena tilted her head at him, concerned. When he did not respond, she turned and stared up at the sky. The sun glared dimly beyond the clouds that dominated the blue expanse. A bright light pierced through them and engulfed the carriage, seeping in to mute out all sound and surround her completely. She felt a warm caress on her face and the smell of fresh fields assaulted her nose.
<i>?Relena!?</i>
A lost voice, tinged with desperation was calling out to her. She blinked and the blare of traffic erupted back into full flow. She fought back a startled noise and mentally calmed herself as her brain readjusted to the understanding that she was still in the car. She had never experienced such an intense daydream before. Mr Darlian was leaning back in his seat beside her with his eyes closed, noticing nothing. The aide was staring out the window. Relena swallowed her embarrassment, thankful that both of them had been preoccupied. She sat in silence for the rest of the journey, burying her troubles away and simply enjoying her father?s presence beside her. Soon, the building of Saint Gabriel?s came in sight somewhere off the main street.
?Take us there,? Mr Darlian instructed the driver.
?Sir, we cannot waste time turning down that way. We should proceed quickly.? The aide cut in quickly. ?If your daughter could perhaps make her own way??
?This won?t do,? Mr Darlian furrowed his brows, ?I would like to drop her off at school.?
?Don?t trouble yourself about me father. It?s only a short walk from here and I?m quite capable of finding my way.?
?Relena?? Mr Darlian looked at her with regret as the driver pulled to the side of the road. Relena opened the door, stepping gracefully out.
?You can promise to make up for it on my birthday,? She joked.
?Of course,? Mr Darlian nodded, looking relieved that she was taking it so lightly.
Relena shut the door and watched the car pull away before heading down the side street to Saint Gabriel?s. ?Some things never change eh father?? She sighed ruefully.
Walking down the empty street in the early hours of the morning created a feeling of loneliness. After a while, the isolation began to affect her because she fancied that someone was following her. She couldn?t help throwing glances casually to her left and right, trying to alleviate the fear by reassuring herself that there was nothing behind her. It didn?t reassure her much when the figure of a man was captured by the corner of her eye. It felt strange, like a minor distortion that stretched against the very space around it. Her heart began to beat faster as she quickened her step, preferring to reach her destination rather than stop and confront whatever it was. The seconds dragged before she finally reached the gates of the school. She ducked through them quickly?
?and was confronted by fire.
Saint Gabriel?s was burning; the flames licking against the buildings and climbing higher. Relena opened her mouth in shock. From here she could see the students fleeing in all directions and the horrible screams of those burning inside. Two girls she recognised as her classmates scattered from the fray and started running in her direction. ?Relena!? They cried as an explosion suddenly rocked the main building and sent them tumbling into her arms. Relena squeezed her eyes shut against the resounding crash of rubble against the ground.
?What happened?? She asked but the two girls simply shook their heads, indicating that they had no idea.
?Everything will be okay,? She said faintly, empty reassurances all she could think of. She helped them up. ?Stop crying and run!?
?O-okay,? They stammered, rubbing at their eyes.
?It?ll be all right,? Relena urged them on, ?Just hurry.?
?We will,? They chorused and rushed towards the gate. Relena watched in horror as it burst into flames with an intensity that swallowed the two girls whole. ?Oh God!? She screamed, rushing forward. Flames surrounded her, trapping her in a fiery circle. Her skin felt like it was melting and the pain forced her to cry out. She collapsed and curled up into a ball, squeezing her eyes to shut the pain out. Someone was laughing; it was a thin, sinister sound that echoed through her bones. Relena whimpered.
?Don?t give him the satisfaction,? A voice whispered in her ear, cooling her with icy breath. ?Be quiet.?
?Can?t?hurts.? Relena could barely hear her own voice.
?Then listen,? It commanded. ?There isn?t really a fire.?
?How??
?Can it be possible? I?m sure you?d like me to explain while you?re writhing in pain,? The voice snorted. ?Just believe it for now. I need you to imagine Saint Gabriel?s as it was before it was burning.?
Relena nodded. She filled her mind with her beloved school, the proud white building standing tall. The laughter and talk of students within its walls. The fresh smell of the kept gardens in its grounds. An invisible force blew softly into her ear and a chill seeped into her body, numbing the pain as the heat faded away.
?Open your eyes,? Said the voice.
Relena cracked her eyes wide open and gasped as fresh air touched her body. She pushed herself up and drank in the sight of Saint Gabriel?s, untouched before her. It was exactly that which had been in her thoughts. She brought her arms forward, expecting to see terrible burns but her skin was unmarred. There was no evidence of soot clinging to her clothes or any other trace of the havoc caused by the fire.
?What happened Relena? Oh you look so pale!? The very same friends she had seen swallowed by flames had come to her in concern. Relena stared at them in a daze. ?The fire???
The one with cropped blond hair helped her up and held her arms gently. ?What fire??
They didn?t know. Of course, from the look on their faces, Relena had doubted they would know. They were devoid of the terror she had seen in them before. Was she imagining things again? The very thought made her stomach curl, how could an imagining be so vivid? So real? Even now, she felt light-headed from confusion and a surreal detachment of reality. She pulled away from her friend?s arms, ?It?s nothing.?
?Tell us what?s wrong Relena?? Her brunette friend pleaded. ?You walked through the school gates and fell to the ground, just like that.?
Relena shook herself and gave an apologetic smile. ?Please don?t worry. It?s nothing to be concerned about; I felt a little faint for a moment but it?s passed now.?
The explanation seemed to satisfy her friends and they looked relieved. Relena looked away to hide the scattered thoughts that were clearly showing on her face. She spotted another student sitting on a bench, staring at her quite intently.
?The bell for class will ring soon, we should get going.? The blond one glanced at the large clock on the main building.
?Go on without me,? Relena clasped her hands together, ?I still feel a little dazed and need to gather myself together first.?
Her friends shared a glance and Relena held her breath. ?You?re so delicate and genteel Relena,? They gushed in admiration. ?Are you sure you don?t want us to wait with you??
Relena let out her breath quietly. ?No, that won?t be necessary thank you.?
?See you in class then!? They called and left for the main building.
Relena walked over to the bench where the student sat. She stood out quite clearly on the account of her uniform but there was also a strange aura around her, like she didn?t belong. Her jacket was a lighter burgundy than Relena?s and the skirt was white, with more flare to it. The girl smiled broadly at Relena and noticed her gaze on the outfit she wore. ?I like to be different.? She said by way of explanation.
It was unmistakeably the voice that had saved her from the fire. ?You know what just happened to me, don?t you?? Relena said quietly.
The girl?s grey eyes flickered in appreciation. ?It was a nightmare,? She replied simply.
Relena shuddered, ?I was sure I was going to die.?
?Eventually you would have,? The girl agreed. ?You are in a vulnerable place here; you hurt but your physical body remains untouched. If you?re not careful, your mind could die of the manifestations it believes you are physically receiving. If this happens, your real body would become lifeless and all would be lost.?
Relena looked at her as if she were crazy, ?What are you talking about??
?This is a dream my dear,? The girl said slowly, as if she were talking to a child. The tone of mockery in her voice did not go unnoticed by Relena.
?How can this be a dream?? Relena said dubiously, ?Why don?t I just wake up??
?If things were that easy angel,? She purred, ?I don?t think I would have to be here.?
That mocking tone was starting to get on Relena?s nerves. ?Who exactly are you?? She said shortly.
Dorothy gave a wide smile. ?You may call me Dorothy; it?s a privilege I don?t grant to many.?
?I?m honoured,? Relena said sarcastically. ?I?m Relena.?
Dorothy?s eyebrows rose a little. ?Well well, there?s a little spark in there after all. Good, it?ll help against Quinze.?
Relena?s irritation faded away, ?Who?s Quinze??
?Your executioner,? Dorothy replied casually.
Relena paled slightly. ?That?s absurd! What reason could anyone have to kill me??
?Now there?s the thing,? Dorothy tapped her finger against her chin idly. ?There?s plenty of reason to kill you but you <i>don?t</i> remember. Unless you remember what you?ve forgotten you won?t wake up.?
?But can?t you just tell me what I need to know?? Relena said curiously.
?Uh-uh,? Dorothy wagged her finger at Relena as if she were a naughty child, ?That won?t work here. I could tell you that you are at this moment lying prone in a poppy field at the whim of a nasty witch who can?t do anything to you directly while there is still life in your body. I could also explain that she has sent a servant, who is also a traitor and a deserter, to come and do the job for her. Does any of this ring a bell??
Relena shook her head, no.
?Exactly,? Dorothy said smugly. ?And now, what did I just tell you??
Relena?s expression went blank. She frowned, ?You said I?d forgotten something?? She shrugged helplessly.
?I thought so,? Dorothy nodded knowingly. ?Sneaky place this is. You can?t be told, you must discover it by yourself and remember.?
?But what exactly am I to remember??
The school bell began to ring, the dull reverberation echoing across the grounds to them. Dorothy grabbed Relena?s arm as she turned to go, summoned by its sound. ?You must remember where you are supposed to be.? She said clearly, and vanished.
<center>~~~+~~~</center>
Throughout the day Relena found herself distracted. There was a part of her that was terribly frightened of what was happening and another that was calm and composed. She was doubtful of what Dorothy had said and just couldn?t bring herself to believe it. Quietly, she had pinched herself just to make sure this wasn?t really a dream and it had hurt. But what about the fire and the burning? That had seemed so real but then it had disappeared like it was never there. She found herself wondering what was real?or whether someone was really trying to kill her.
When the bell rang for the end of school, she followed the other students aimlessly, still troubled.
Dorothy had mysteriously vanished but her words remained and drifted in Relena?s mind, the riddle of their meaning constantly eluding her. <i>Remember where you are supposed to be?</i>What did that mean? She was where she was supposed to be. Where she had always been.
?Miss??
She looked up and saw the horse carriages lined up and waiting to take the children home in droves. The driver of one was looking down at her, questioning her delay at getting inside. Relena shook her head, the thought of cramming her thoughts inside the stifling carriage unbearable.
?I?ll walk today thank you,? She declared and left before he could protest. There had once been a time when she would have cringed at such an action. It was unbecoming for her to walk all the way home on her own through the busy streets and her mother would have told her so. For Relena, it was gratifying to become lost among the crowd, wandering where they took her.
The small body of a young boy pushed past her roughly, causing her to stumble. When she righted herself, she was facing a toy store the child was eagerly trying to enter. Relena was captured by the toys arrayed in the windowsill. Among the teddy bears and dolls, a row of painted tin soldiers stood guard. Her eyes traced over their rosy cheeks and their red uniforms.
<i>Where are you supposed to be?</i>
Relena touched the glass gingerly and traced the length of one soldier with her finger. Her eyes unfocused. ?Poor, heartless little tin man.? She intoned and put a hand over her mouth, widening her eyes. Where had that come from? Her head began whirling and she spun away, pressing her back against the glass.
<i>?Relena!?</i>
Like before, the din of the city became strangely muted, as if she had become deaf. She could smell fresh grass and the sun broke through the clouds. On the far side of the road, a shadow wandered in the dark. It called her and others repeated in an echo of different voices. Strange shapes flitted across her eyes. She made out a small terrier barking at her urgently but no sound came out of his mouth; a great beast lumbered past her and growled; indistinct figures waved to her and called to her desperately. She had to go to them.
The shadow moved away but before she could give chase, a hand clamped down on her shoulder and pulled her back. At once everything snapped back into focus again and the shadow was gone.
?What are you trying to tell me?? Relena whispered mournfully after it.
?I?m very sorry Miss but you were about to step onto the road. I had to stop you or you could have been hurt.?
She turned abruptly, causing the stranger to let go of her shoulder. He was an old man with wispy, white hair. He gave a quick bow, his body hanging limply for a few seconds before he raised it. Relena looked down and saw that one more step forward would have indeed taken her off the edge of the pavement. In her haste to follow the shadow she had been oblivious to her surroundings. She stared across the road vacantly, a sense of loss washing over her. She had come close to some understanding but now it was far gone, fluttering beyond her reach.
?Is everything all right Miss??
?Can you hear?? She whispered faintly, ?Someone calls to me and yet I don?t know who or why.?
?Perhaps it is a ghost,? The man offered.
She gave him a funny look and he smiled thinly, ?Ghosts often haunt us. You should not let yourself be plagued by them. Forget their call and heed to the world around you. Do not let them drag you into theirs.?
Relena stared thoughtfully where the shadow had been. ?You?re right,? She acknowledged and immediately felt lighter. ?I will not listen,? She asserted and some of the confusion inside her faded away. She smiled brightly, feeling like her former self again. ?Thank you.? She turned to the old man only to find him watching her carefully. She suddenly noticed that his presence was very prominent, like Dorothy?s. A small doubt formed in the back of her mind.
The man quickly inclined his head gratefully in a way that revealed he was pleased to have helped her. ?Perhaps there is another way in which I can help??
Relena opened her mouth and then closed it again before asking. ?Are you Quinze??
?How do you know of that name?? He said, taken aback. Relena stepped away and sought for an opportunity to flee for her life. This man was apparently out to kill her after all.
Quinze spread his hands out to show he meant no harm. ?Why are you afraid??
The gesture didn?t give any comfort to Relena and simply caused her to take another step back uncertainly. ?Because I don?t trust you,? She uttered and ran. Weaving among the people passing down the street, Relena hoped she could lose him. She would be protected if she could just make it back to the hotel. A quick glance at the street signs told her she needed to make a turn at the next corner. Her hat flew off behind her but she couldn?t stop for it. If Quinze found it then she could only hope he would think she had kept straight ahead instead of turning.
She swerved round the corner and slowed to avoid colliding with anyone coming from the opposite direction. The street was completely empty in front of her. Startled, she spun to look behind her and found the street corner had disappeared and the street she was on now stretched until it faded away into the mist. The buildings stood silently, anonymous except for the building she was standing in front of. It was a toy shop and in the window sat the same assortment of tin soldiers she had seen only moments ago.
Relena groaned and made a mental note that turning corners was not a good thing for her. Was this another nightmare like before? Her body succumbed to chills at the thought.
?You really seem frightened of me,? Quinze spoke from her left. His hands were cupped into a ball, his fingers moving in the intricate pattern. Blue threads of light were woven by their movements and swirled mysteriously in the air.
Relena recoiled and pressed herself against the glass window. ?Please go away,? She begged.
?Maybe you?re not as clueless as I thought,? Quinze continued, ignoring her plea. ?How can that be? Someone must be helping you because you couldn?t have dispelled my weavings on your own. But who??
Relena made no reply but her mind was desperately seeking a way to escape. Running was useless here, she knew that, but there was nothing else she could do. Feeling helpless, she bit her lip and glared at Quinze.
?You still don?t remember anything though,? He frowned, concentrating on the movement of his fingers. ?But you?re trying to aren?t you? Well that?s a real pity since you don?t realise what a beautiful thing you have here. Why would you ever want to leave? I will show you.?
He freed one hand and pointed across the street where the mist was thicker. The rattling of a vehicle could be heard, growing louder as it approached. A clatter of hooves began to accompany it. Suddenly there were shouts and the shrill whinny of horses was accompanied by a clash of noise and the terrible screeching of tyres. Two orbs of light appeared, dancing wildly towards them. Relena barely jumped out of the way before the car went hurtling past and careened into the wall of the toy shop. Glass splintered and toys came tumbling out. Relena got to her feet just as the engine burst into flames. The smell of oil and burning rubber was everywhere.
?These are no mere nightmares,? Quinze remarked, ?They are truth. Look and remember.? He ordered.
Relena shook her head in denial but she could see who was inside that car. The driver was draped over the steering wheel, his body completely crushed. The two passengers in the back were also dead, their lifeless eyes imprinting itself into her mind all over again. She choked back a cry.
?It is the death of your parents,? Quinze finished coldly.
?No!? Relena buried her face in her hands, tears falling down her face. ?Father! Mother!? She ran forward, pulling at the broken car door and throwing it open.
Mr Darlian was slumped against his wife, his arms hanging loosely around her. She was lying against him, one hand outstretched on the seat. Blood pooled around them and the gashes from the collision bled like rivers down their faces. Relena pushed halfway in and reached for them desperately. The flames burned dangerously near but had not reached the back where they sat. Relena touched them and shook them but there was no response. She threw her head back and cried out to the heavens of her grief before clutching them. ?Don?t die on me.? She pleaded, ?Father?Mother??
?Sometimes, the truth makes the most painful nightmare,? Quinze remarked.
Relena lifted her head and glared at Quinze. She slipped back out from the open doorway and stormed towards him, her tear-filled eyes blazing. ?Stop this at once! Take it away!? She ordered in a voice filled with fiery passion.
It had no effect on Quinze. She had no ruby slippers here to threaten him and her mind was his to play with. Here, she was just a young girl, nothing more. He watched her approach with amusement, his fingers continuing to weave.
?I wouldn?t advise it,? Dorothy suddenly whispered in her ear. ?Stop.?
Relena ignored her. The anger and frustration was building up in her and she was willing to use nails, hands and anything painful to stop Quinze. She didn?t care anymore and had to end this torture somehow. She threw her arm out to hit him but her vision was blurred with tears and she was too slow. Quinze dodged her attempt easily and his fingers began moving faster causing the blue streams between his hands to turn purple. Relena gasped as the space between them distorted and the ground began to crumble away beneath her. She stepped away, trying to keep her balance as the ground tilted dangerously, threatening to topple her into a black abyss. Her foot stumbled over a crack and she fell towards nothingness. She screamed, her voice cutting out into a gasp as someone yanked her arm roughly, pulling her away, and let go. She fell against the hard surface of the street and lifted her head up to see Dorothy standing in front of her like a guard. She was facing Quinze with her arms crossed in annoyance.
?That is enough.?
Quinze?s eyes became so wide, it looked as if they may fall out. ?Dor?Dorothy!? He stammered, stumbling back. ?It?it was you!??
?Hello traitor,? Dorothy gave a playful smile. ?It has been long hasn?t it??
He dropped his hands away and broke the weaving. At once, the nightmare shattered. This time, it wasn?t a smooth transition brought about by the soft, icy breath of Dorothy. The world twisted and Relena cried out as her mind felt like it was being stretched too far.
She swayed with dizziness as the street corner she was supposed to have been on began to materialise around her. Trying to focus, she heard Dorothy?s voice in the distance.
?Well, that didn?t go so well??
Relena closed her eyes and blacked out.
<center>~~~+~~~</center>
When Relena awoke, she was back in her bed feeling completely drained. Turning her head to the window, she observed that night had fallen. A rustle from the opposite side betrayed a movement. She whipped her head back round to find Mr Darlian shifting from a chair positioned beside her bed. He moved towards her, his face full of worry.
Tired as she was, Relena could not stop her mind from the thousand thoughts conjured up by his presence. She found herself questioning her own sanity now. Here stood her father, unharmed and alive, the car crash another nightmare that had plagued her. She didn?t know what to believe. Was this real? What was real?
?Are you all right Relena?? Mr Darlian asked gently.
Relena shook her head truthfully. ?What happened?? She asked.
?You fainted and someone kindly brought you back to the hotel.? He replied. ?Your mother was quite upset that you walked alone from school. What were you thinking??
Relena bowed her head, ?I needed to think about?some things and clear my head.?
Mr Darlian stared at her for a long moment. ?I see,? He grabbed the arms of his chair and stood. ?Just get some rest dear. Tomorrow is your special day after all.?
?Father,? Relena stopped him. She looked at him hesitantly for a moment. ?Are?are you real??
Mr Darlian gave her a serious look, ?That?s a strange question to ask Relena.?
She nodded, ?I guess I?m in a strange mood.?
He leaned down and kissed her forehead, his brown beard tickling her skin. She smiled warmly at the sensation. ?I?m as real as you want me to be,? He said softly.
Relena?s smile faded and she grabbed his hand to hold him fast. ?This morning,? She started hesitantly. ?Tell me what was troubling you.? She pleaded.
Mr Darlian gently tugged his hand free and placed hers back upon the bed. ?I was just worried about you,? He said honestly. ?You?re stronger than you believe yourself to be and I don?t think you?ve realised it yet. But you will,? He added softly as he left Relena alone in the room.
Not alone, she realised, she could make out someone sitting in a wooden armchair at the foot of her bed. She recognised Dorothy?s presence immediately.
?How long have you been there??
?Long enough,? Dorothy answered.
?What happened to Quinze??
?He got away,? Dorothy sighed regretfully. ?Everything went a little crazy when his weaving broke. The dreamscape reset itself and it was a strain on your consciousness. I got distracted and he escaped.
?Oh. Is he gone??
?No.? Dorothy stared out across the open window. ?He?ll be back. His master will be very, very angry if he fails and he fears that.? There was silence between them for a moment.
?I think my parents died,? Relena said hollowly, ?Quinze said it was the truth. I shouldn?t believe him but you know, it <i>does</i> feel like I?d lost them for a very long time.? Relena closed her eyes, ?I?m pretty sure. And now that I think about it, the nightmare about Saint Gabriel?s might be true too. I can remember that the school did burn and many students died. It was never rebuilt.?
?Quinze thinks he knows what?s he?s doing.? Dorothy said slowly. ?You were getting too close to unlocking your memories and he had to intervene. So he showed you the one memory that created your need of this place and now, as I?m sure he anticipated, you have stopped listening to the voices that you need to listen to.
?The ghosts,? Relena whispered.
?Is that what he called them?? She scoffed. ?They?re the things you?ve forgotten that you must remember.? The tips of her fingers glowed as she raised them and a gust of wind blew through the curtains, voices calling her name could be heard among it for a faint second before it died out.
?I?m no dream spirit,? Dorothy looked at her fingers disappointedly. ?I?m a keeper and dream weaving can only be done by someone like Quinze. I do however, understand this place and his kind better than anyone so I?ll give you an explanation. ?Ghosts? are actually memories from your inner consciousness trying to reach through to you.? She frowned, her dark eyebrows knitting together, ?They can?t break through the spell of the dream you?re in but their whispers can be heard. If you follow, you might be able to find a key memory that will unlock the rest. It won?t be easy though, Quinze needs you to remain trapped and now that he has shown you what you must leave behind, there is a part of you that will not want to leave. I?ve seen it happen to many others who have entered here.? She took a deep breath, ?But there is no time for you Miss Relena, to waste on this conflict. Hundreds have been lost for years in the dream realm before they manage to leave but you must be quick because the fate of Oz rests in your hands. Here,? She pressed her palms together and opened them outwards as a shining object appeared between them. She handed this to Relena. ?Take this; it is a ward against Quinze?s weavings. Let it also serve as a symbol of those you have forgotten; their love, friendship, and need.?
Relena enclosed the object in her palm and brought it close to her. Opening her hand slowly, she observed the toy lying there.
It was an unpainted tin soldier.
<center><b>TBC</b></center>
<hr size="1">
<b>A/N:</b>
Character equivalents:
<i>Mr and Mrs Darlian:</i> As themselves
<i>Relena?s friends:</i> As themselves
