Short stories for everyone!

[The Night Faery]

Hello, my dear artists and writers! Here is a thread where you can post the short stories you've written for others to read, enjoy, and comment/critique (nicely, of course).

R U L E S : They are simple. (Yay!) And they are as follows:

i. Please refrain from quoting posts, and especially do not quote short stories. It is page-stretchy and annoying!
ii. When critiquing or commenting, please be respectful and supportive. We're in an artist environment here.
iii. The writer of a piece may request not to receive comments or criticism. If this is the case, please respect their request.
iv. There is no rule iv.
v. Have fun, learn and be inspired!

A Note:
The short stories on this page (namely, Page One) are the entries submitted to the guild's first-ever Short Story Writing Contest, hosted June 6 - August 13, 2010.  

[The Night Faery]

"Cupcake Poison," by Broken_Doll_of_Roses
Winner: Best Overall

Alice stared over the edge of the hedge as she scanned the maze for her bunny stocker. Nothing moved, Alice cringed waiting for the silence to be broken. Instead the only thing that responded was the breeze that shuffled the branches of the near by tree and the lush red rose bushes. Slowly she eased around the bush… to come face to face with Ace. She flinched back in surprise.

Ace reached for her, to steady Alice. "Alice? What are you doing here?" He smiled at her. Alice smiled back taking a step back to put some distance from her and him. She never had been completely comfortable with him after he had set his mind that he was going to kill her. Only to back out because if he did he wouldn't be able to hear her heart beat. The thought chilled her and she forced another smile.

"Sorry, Ace. I was just headed to the palace." She brushed back a strand of hair.

"Really? You looked like you were sneaking." Ace chuckled when Alice blushed.

"I was." She looked over her shoulder. "I was avoiding Pete-" The name was cut short as Peter launched over Ace in his bunny form and tackled Alice. With a yelp Alice caught Peter.

"Alice!" Peter snuggled into her arms. "I missed you!" His gaze turned sharp as he glared at Ace who smiled at Peter. "What are you doing here?"

"I bumped into Alice in the garden and was about to escort her into the palace." He smirked at the rabbit.

"I bet Alice would rather have me escort her!" Peter spat at Ace.

"Well then," Ace turned his gaze to Alice who shrunk back. "who would you rather have as your escort?" He smiled.

"Uh… w-well… ummm…" Alice stuttered. Peter jumped from Alice's arms, changing his form. Hugging Alice he scowled at Ace. Alice struggled against Peter as she tried to break free… to no avail. With a huff she gave up… he would let go, eventually, she hoped.

"Come on Alice." Ace smiled and grabbed her hand, tugging her free of Peter's grasp. "Let's go."

Without warning Ace drew his weapon. A bullet bounced off it and found a bed in a rose bush. Ace smiled and Peter scowled, his face darkening with hate. Alice backed into the wall of leaves. Peter and Ace stood staring at each other, waiting for the first move to be made… only no one moved. Alice blinked and that is the time they both attacked. Peter fired two shots at Ace as he charged. She could hear the clang off one bullet as it struck Ace's sword.

They stood several feet apart, back to back. Blood seeped from Ace's left leg and he seemed too not notice. Peter swiped blood from a tear in his shoulder where blood dripped down his right arm. Alice gasped, hand covering her mouth.

"What are you two doing now?" Alice blinked up at the figure standing a few yards away in the opening of a rose covered passageway. Sighing in relief Alice smiled at Vivaldi. "Both of you out of my maze before I decide to behead you both!"

"But Alice!" Peter whined. as he clung to Alice.

"Is coming with me." The Queens mouth lifted just the slightest to give him a challenging smile. With a scowl Peter sighed and Alice stepped out of his grasp. With a blinding ray of light Peter was suddenly a bunny.

"Please Alice." He gaze up at Alice with hope filled eyes.

"Uh…" Alice bit her lip determined to say no… only. "Y—"

"No!" The Queen glared at Peter. "Peter White you are to leave now!" Peter turned to scowl at the Queen before changing back and hopping away. He gave glances over his shoulder at the three of them but didn't turn back. "You too." Vivaldi directed to Ace.

"Of course." He smiled at the two. "I'll head to help Julius." He turned towards the closest archway and headed out… only to turn the wrong way. Alice sighed, she felt bad for Ace. Always lost. With another sigh she shook her head and smiled at Vivaldi.

"Thank you." Alice smiled to her.

Vivaldi moved forward to take her hand. "My pleasure, it's not often I get to save you." She giggled, a childish sound that if anyone besides Alice heard they would think the Queen mad. Smiling at Alice Vivaldi started to lead her through the maze.

"So what did you need me for?" Alice asked as the older women led her to the exit of the maze and the castle towered over them. Pink and red heart covered the gigantic building and Alice couldn't help but feel in awe at the huge building.

Servants met them at the door and ushered them inside. With a wave of her hand Vivaldi sent them scattering. "Bring tea for us to my room." She called after them as she led the younger girl to her room.

The walls covered in stuffed animals never seemed to grow less amazing as time past. The Queen found herself a stuffed animal and hugged it to her chest as she guided Alice to the middle of the room where the window towered over all and held the perfect view of the garden and maze beyond. The lush bushes of the garden and the pastel colors of the flowers filled the whole scene from the window.

A table was set up in front of the window. A chair on either side. A crisp white table cloth hung over the edge and cup of pink and gold sat on china plates. Cherry blossoms danced along the side of the cups and across the plates.

Alice giggled as she picked up a dark blue teddy bear. "So you wanted me to have a tea party with you." Alice smiled at the older women who smiled back.

"I wanted to spend time with you. I barely ever do. Compared to the others I hardly see you." The Queen giggled lightly. "I'm a little jealous." A knock at the door made Vivaldi look away from Alice as she sat at the table. "Yes?"

"Tea." A soft voice said from the other side of the door.

"Ah yes." The Queen smiled at Alice who was smoothing a napkin in her lap. "Bring it in." She smiled as she lowered herself to the chair across for Alice. Blond hair bounced around Alice's shoulders as she watched the servant bring the tea into the room. In the light her hair sparkled a gold so brilliant all the other colors in the room seemed to be dimmed. With a sigh Vivaldi stared into her tea that had been set before her.

"Thank you for having me over." Alice said as she stirred her tea and lifted the cup to her mouth. Vivaldi stared at Alice for several minutes over the rim of her cup. The other girl smiled as she bit into a cupcake that had also been brought in by the servant.

"It's my pleasure." Vivaldi smiled and Alice blinked and blushed. What was she thinking?, Alice thought as she stared into the warm liquid in her hand. "Is something the matter? You look troubled." Vivaldi asked softly, concern warm in her voice. The warmth seemed to slip over Alice's skin, raising gooseflesh on her arms.

"Nothing." She spook quickly. "It's nothing." Alice smiled, her face darkening as the Queens expression softened.

"That's good. I wouldn't want Alice feeling down during a tea party that was meant to raise her spirits." Vivaldi smiled.

"F-feeling down?" Alice stuttered, the blush slowly leaving her face. "Why would that be?" She looked down at the teas cup in her hands and brought it to her lip. Why was she so nervous?

"You don't seem to be yourself." Vivaldi reached across the table to take Alice's chin lightly by her fingertips. The feel of Vivaldi's soft touch on Alice's skin sent shivers down her spine. Alice froze looking into the other woman's eyes. A blush seemed to crawl up Alice's neck and settle in her cheeks. "I don't want you to be sad." Alice blinked the words sent more shivers down her spine. Vivaldi moved her hand to brush her knuckles against Alice's cheeks. Even that light touch seemed to suck all the air from her lungs. The only thing she could do was stare, breath and blush.

"I'm fine." Alice finally managed to croak. Though couldn't find the strength to pull away the Queen's gentle touch. With a sigh Vivaldi pulled back and Alice suddenly felt an ache her chest for the woman to touch her again.

Vivaldi pulled her cut to her lips again and smiled. "As long as you're sure." Vivladi's hand still tingled from touching Alice's cool skin. The girl's cheek still showed traces of red and Vivaldi couldn't help but smile at it. Alice was so innocent. Vivaldi longed to touch Alice's smooth skin again but knew that she had probably pushed the limits with that.

"Thank you." Alice's voice was soft and for a brief second Vivaldi had thought that she had only imagined it. "Thank you, for cheering me up." Vivaldi looked up from the tea in her cup to meet Alice's eyes. There was something there… something that Vivaldi couldn't quite indentify and yet it sent shivers through her body.

"I'm glad it worked." Vivaldi answered, trying to hide how breathless she was. "Anything for Alice." She hadn't meant to voice it and now that she had her face heated and she stared down at her cup in one of her hands, the other drawing idly on the table cloth. Alice reached out, her hand lying on Vivaldi's. It seemed to startle them both before Vivaldi looked up and smiled warmheartedly at Alice, the girl returning the smile.

With a giggle Alice picked up her unfinished cupcake and took a bite. Frosting clung to her upper lip and Vivaldi laughed. Alice gave her a questioning glance.

"You have frosting…" Vivaldi trailed off as she giggled and pointed to her top lip. Alice blinked, far from understanding. As Vivaldi's giggles subsided she got to her feet. "You have frosting on your lip."

Alice blinked standing quickly turning to find the closest mirror. "Where?"

"Here." Vivaldi took Alice's chin turning her face towards her. Before Alice could react Vivaldi pulled the girl towards her, her lips pressing against hers. There was only a moment of hesitation before Alice opened to Vivaldi, returning the kiss. The Queen tasted of sugar, sweet, sweet cherries and something for fierce, sharper, cinnamon. Alice found herself, even though she did not initiate the kiss, wishing that it would last longer even as Vivaldi pulled away.

Vivaldi's mouth hovered over Alice's, leaving only millimeters between their mouths. Alice licked her lips, finishing any frosting Vivaldi didn't get then leaning towards the older woman to lick the rest of the frosting from her lips.

Vivaldi found herself at a loss for breath. Alice had tasted like strawberries, ever fresh rose's and something that Vivaldi couldn't quite decide what it was. The only noise came from their breathing, Alice's heartbeat and the tick of Vivaldi's clock in her chest. Alice's hand rested against her face and the other was entwined with Vivaldi's.

At a knock at the door the pair jumped and separated. Alice's collapsing into her chair and Vivaldi staring at the door.

"Come in." Vivaldi said still breathless. Clearing her throat she stared expectantly at the door.

"Your Majesty," A servant appeared at the door and Vivaldi felt pure hate at the fact that he had ruined her moment with Alice. "Blood Dupre has requested you're presence at the Clock Tower." Seeing the rage in Vivaldi's eyes he back slowly out of the room.

With a sigh Vivaldi turned back to Alice. The young girl was staring into her tea. Out the picture window the sunset was just beginning. "I'm sorry, but I must leave." Vivaldi mumbled, displeasure soaking through every word.

"I'll come with you." Alice said as she pushed to her feet. Vivaldi couldn't help but feel a little hurt. Whenever Alice left she wouldn't come back for an extended time.

Never the less Vivaldi nodded and stared out the window. Slowly she brushed off her skirts and headed towards the door. The walk through the garden was a quiet one and Vivaldi tried to walk slowly to extent the time with Alice. As they approached the maze Vivaldi turn right towards the Clock Tower. Alice, however stopped.

"What's the matter?" Vivaldi stopped and looked over at her love.

"I was wondering how Ace gets lost in the maze." Alice smiled up at Vivaldi and she smiled a sigh escaping through her lips.

"We can find out." Alice blushed but smiled. "I'm sure it would be fine if we got lost in the maze for a few minutes." Vivaldi mumbled as she led Alice further in.

"He's a patient man." Alice smiled as Vivaldi took her chin. The sunset blazed behind them as slowly lowered into the sky. Red, orange and pink painting themselves across their skin.  

[The Night Faery]

"The Third Alice," by himekaleafninja
Winner: Best Overall (Runner-Up)

Where…am I? the curious girl asked herself.

Around her she felt the wet grass, inhaling the fresh aroma as she slowly opened her eyes. Her vision was blurred with sleep. A hand reached up to wipe away the tears as she sat up. Looking around, she saw a marvelous forest before her.

The trees were knotted and gnarled, twisted into shapes that made them come alive. There were flowers of every variety, of every color….The colors. The colors were so vivid and bright that it hurt her delicate blue eyes to glance at them.

What…is this place?

Around and around she looked, slowly beginning to panic at the unfamiliar surroundings. Suddenly, she sprang from the ground and stood on her feet. This helped none, though it was a sort of comfort to do something. The entire clearing was silent, the only sounds were the animals that lay beyond the edges of the dark forest.

She began to shiver as she realized how cold she really was. Arms now wrapped around her, her teeth began to chatter. So very cold it was…startlingly cold…

Out of the corner of her eye, she sensed movement. She whipped her head around, her short brown hair following with it. “W-who’s there!?” she shouted into the empty forest.

How silly of her it was to think that there was some sort of life in this place that could understand her. With a sad expression still on in her eyes, she allowed herself a smirk at the thought of such a thing.

Again she heard a rustle and, despite her previous reaction to her doing so, she whipped her head around. This time, however, there sat a white rabbit with pink eyes. It’s whiskers twitched as it sniffed the air, moving it’s small head around in the air. Finally, the rabbit’s pink eyes landed on the girl, startling her half to death.

“Wh-….What are you!?” she asked the animal, fright clearly present in her voice.

She scolded herself inwardly once again for talking to a thing that would not speak back. Though her eyes shot open as she heard:

“Are you Alice?” asked a voice.

Terror filled her eyes. How did the voice know her name? Where was it coming from?....Could it be?

“Answer me, silly child.”

“Er…y-yes I am…wh-who are you?...Where are you?” Alice questioned insistently.

The white rabbit stood on its hind legs and slowly began to change. It’s white fur retreated to reveal tan flesh. It’s body grew in size. And the more these changes occurred, the more the rabbit seemed to resemble a human. No. The more it became human.

Finally the rabbit was no longer a rabbit. It was a tall boy with white hair and half-lidded pink eyes, dressed in a black waistcoat and trousers.

The terror in Alice’s eyes grew further as she fell back onto the soft, dewy grass. The cold that was present in the clearing was no longer the reason she was shaking. This rabbit—no, this thing—had just transformed itself into what resembled a human. Never could she be fully sure if it was human or not…

“My name is of no current importance. What is important at this time is you.” The thing now stated bluntly.

The fear kept the words in her head. Alice could not bring herself to speak. At this moment it seemed impossible that she would ever speak again.

His expression still unreadable, the thing reached out his ‘hand’, “Get up. You appear quite unseemly just gaping on the forest floor in such a way…”

Her gaze now drifted to the gloved white hand before her. She hesitantly took the thing’s ‘hand’, her own feeble hands shaking terribly.

As she stood, the thing continued to speak, “Do you know who you are, Miss Alice?”

Slowly she brought herself to speak, “…Me?”

The thing scoffed, “Who else would I be speaking to?”

She shook even more, “…Who are you…How do you know my name?...Why do I matter so much?”

“If you do not know who you are, then it is a tragic thing indeed. For the one who knows the most about one’s self is, in fact, one’s self.”

“…”

The thing let out an agrivated sigh, “I will tell you this much. This forest. This island. This entire world all depend on you. Their existence hangs in the balance, and the only person who can even attempt to correct it is none other than the shaking girl who stands before me….”

“…”

“…What a future our world has.” The thing stated sarcasticly.

Being the stubborn girl she was, Alice’s head shot up, “Shut up!! If I’m the future of this world then I wouldn’t be talking to myself so lowly, otherwise there truly will be no hope.”

Slightly taken aback, the rabbit’s half-lidded eyes widened. After a few moments of silence, however, a smile tugged at the corners of his pale lips, “Now that’s the girl that we can depend on.”

“Pardon?” Alice asked quizzically.

“Come,” The thing said, “If you wish to help the ground on which you now stand stay that beautiful shade of green, and that sky the towers above you to stay that rich shade of blue, then follow me.”

At this speech, Alice stared with awe at the thing before her. She smiled and stretched, the sleep still present in her muscles. “Then I guess I have no choice.”

With that the two began to walk off into the deep, dark forest together, to begin a journey that would change the very fabric of existence for this small, secluded world.  

[The Night Faery]

"Ring of Death," by Amrielle
Winner: Best Horror

Jane stood there in the pouring rain. She nervously checked her watch and surveyed the forest surrounding her. She shivered slightly as she felt a familiar cold breeze come over her. She heard footsteps behind her and quickly turned around. She saw the familiar dark brown hair and pale skin. She began to walk his way and stopped five feet away from him. She eyed him suspiciously and waited for him to talk.

“Do you have it?” He asked.

“Depends, do you have her?” She replied. He smiled slightly and walked away. He returned dragging with him a little girl. “Jane!” The little girl shrieked.

“Lacie, are you okay?” Jane asked. The girl nodded slightly. The man squeezed the girl’s arm harder. “Where’s the ring?” He asked coldly. Jane digged out a velvet case from her pea coat’s pocket. She flipped open the case revealing a Lapis lazuli, tear drop ring. The man smiled some more and pushed the little girl Jane’s way. “Jane! No!” Lacie shrieked. The man twisted Lacie’s arm and produced a sickening crunch. “Shut it, vampire.” He growled. Lacie winced in pain. “Colin, stop it.” Jane ordered. “Make me, vampire.” Colin replied, his amber eyes shining.

“Listen you good for nothing, lycan. Let my sister go or I’ll rip your heart out!” Jane growled.

“Good then I’ll get the chance to rip you to shreds,” he hissed. Colin’s hair began to get longer and shaggier. His pupil’s became slits and his teeth turned into fangs. “Give me the ring and I won’t hurt any of you,” he barked. Jane’s eyes turned from brown to a startling purple. She tossed him the velvet case and watched as he let go of her sister. Lacie raced to Jane and hid behind her. Then Jane attacked Colin. She tackled him to the ground and grabbed the case. She tossed it to Lacie. “RUN!” Jane yelled as Colin struggled to get up. Lacie ran away from the fight. Jane and Colin both bared their fangs at each other. Then Colin threw Jane off of him. She hit a tree with loud thud. He began to change into werewolf form. His skin ripped off leaving only brown wolf fur. He stood on his hind legs and pounced at Jane. She dodged and grabbed his throat. But he slashed her face with his claws. Blood flew from her face to the ground. She lay on the ground and watched as Colin began to pursue Lacie. Jane stood up and ran after Colin. She saw his brown fur from afar and began to go faster. Then she tackled him again. She bit into his neck and ripped off a chunk of fur. His black blood began to ooze out of him as he struggled to breathe. Jane licked her lips happily as she stood up and watched him struggle to his feet. He started to scream and his fur began to disintegrate into ash. Then he turned into bones and blood. Jane wiped her mouth off and raced to find Lacie. “LACIE!” She called out. There was no reply. “LACIE!” Jane began to shriek. She began grow worried. Then she saw the familiar black hair lying down under a tree. She silently walked towards it, her dead heart pounding. She looked down and saw the blood rushing from her sister’s head. She poked her. “Lacie,” she whispered. Her sister’s eyes fluttered open. “Someone hit me,” Lacie whispered. Jane’s eyes immediately moved from her sister to the surrounding area. Then footsteps came and she quickly turned around. She stared at a pistol.

“Hello, parasite.” A vampire hunter smiled. His finger hovered over the trigger as he aimed the gun at Jane.

“Look, my sister and I had a pretty crappy day. It’s pouring rain and we just want to go home.” Jane replied.

“Sorry, I can’t do that. The others would like you dead.” He said as his finger came closer to the trigger. Jane ripped the gun out of his hand. “You’re an amateur hunter since you won’t shut up,” she said. Then she shot him in the heart and saw the blood spray out of him. But a horrible stench quickly followed. It smelled like garlic. She threw the gun across the forest and turned towards her sister. Lacie began to breathe heavily. Jane put her sister on her shoulders and ran away from the forest.

“Do you still have the ring?” Jane asked. Lacie pulled the case out of her sleeve and passed it to Jane. Finally, they reached a cavern. Jane set her sister down and started to make a fire. She looked at her sister’s wound and quickly healed it with an herb. “Lacie, you okay?” Jane asked.

“Yeah…but why did he want the ring?” She asked.

“Because…the holder of this ring becomes invulnerable to any attack, but at a cost. They have to kill a person they love,” Jane answered. After a couple of minutes Lacie fell asleep, Jane stood in front of the fire and pulled out the case. She tossed it into the fire and watched as it melted into nothing.  

[The Night Faery]

"A Double Dream Life," by Xanaduhaz
Winner: Best Fantasy

Have you ever wondered what it is like to have all your dreams come true? Are you imagining wealth, harmony, fantasy walking among reality? Well yes, it could involve all this but it would involve so much more. Imagine if ALL your dreams that you dreamt night after night could come true, not just the good but maybe your darkest nightmares too. What if you walked down the street then a three-headed, drooling monster jumps out of nowhere, or dark spirits rise out of the ground to take you with them. What are you going to do about it?

Well, this is what one person has had to deal with for all her life. Oneira, a fairly average fourteen year old girl; from a fairly average street; living with a fairly average family. However to most of us, she lives a far from an average life. Ever since she can remember clowns have been trespassing into the family house, vampire bats have lived in the loft and toys have been regularly delivered to their front door from anonymous donors.

Every person can dream many dreams a night, Oneira is no different. The only problem with dreaming so many dreams is she cannot know which part of which dream will show up when; however, some dreams can give an indicator.

I will give you an insight into a not so average day of her not so average life.

Oneira is sleeping; she tosses and turns, tomorrows not going to be a good day….

The sun once again creeps through the cotton curtains. Oneira isn’t relieved to be awakened from the dreams and nightmares like most people; she knows she will have to relive it again at some point today. Yet this was not what frustrated her most, she was used to the dreams coming true. A certain dream was troubling her. That dream that recently she has been having rather frequently. Not her average dream, this dream has never come true; also she cannot remember in the vivid detail that she does with the other dreams. All she knows is the dream will always come after the nightmares; like a light after the darkness.

Sunday morning is a leisurely affair in the family’s household, sitting down drinking tea and eating toast. Yet Oneira is on edge, she is constantly on edge with every right to be as her dreams will come true at anytime and today is no different. As the postman makes a delivery… on a Sunday? As the doorbell rings Oneira is rooted to the spot, her mind racing trying to predict what the postman was bringing. Her questions are soon answered as a rather flustered and confused father hands over a large package and a bouquet of flowers to her. So as not disturb her family anymore she rushes upstairs with heart pounding to see what lay in that package. As she tore into it, white lace and silk spilled out of the box; holding up the mass of materials reveals a fairytale wedding dress with diamonds scattered over the silk bodice and white lace flowing creating a veil.

‘Oh no’ cried Oneira cursing at the dress, this could only mean one thing, yet another wedding. As do most young teenagers, she too has crushes on cute boys and hot actors and can occasionally dream about them. This means she has married quite a few people at the tender age of fourteen. Off the top of her head she can count at least three marriages to actors and seven to boys she had met.

You are probably wondering how this is possible, people surely must notice. However as dreams are forgotten by most of us when we wake, so are the things of Oneira’s dreams when the people involved sleep. Only she can remember them all, to the rest of the world all they will remember is a typical day as if none of Oneira’s dreams had come to life.

Oneira is left to decide whether to ignore the dress and leave the poor groom standing, or at least attend; if no one can remember the wedding surely it can’t be a real wedding, though the stack of marriage certificates are growing underneath her bed. The thought that no one remembers is what keeps Oneira sane, well as sane as you could be with all the crazy things that appear day to day in her life. Though no one remembers you don’t want a heart broken man on your conscience; slipping into the perfectly fitted wedding dress she is ready to face another day, Oneira style. At the precise moment that she is prepared, a horse drawn carriage pulls up outside her grand house. Even though her family are on a low income, it is a large house fitted with all the mod-cons due to the random windfall of money that occurs in the family’s accounts every so often; one of the perks of having dreams come true. The family and everyone else assume that they must have won the lottery though no one can remember when.

Stepping into the white carriage she can feel the tension in the heavy air as if thunder and lightning would occur at any moment yet the sky was a blanket of blue. Going down the street she notices a house with a large hole in the side of it, she remembers the giant beast, one of her nightmares that had chased her had crashed into the side of the house as she killed it. Most people seem to think a lorry drove into the side of the house. Unlike her nightmares she has never been killed or caught by the monster, beasts, aliens or criminals, she may find this type of existence hard but she doesn’t ever want to die.

The carriage slowly moves along; with every step the air becomes denser, unbearably so. Frantically looking round she can feel something getting closer. The fact of the matter is the thing she feels has been close for quite sometime, the moment she descended into the first stages of her dream reality it was waiting just like any nightmare. Under the carriage lies the dark creature, eyes glowing waiting to pounce on the not so non expectant victim. Just in time Oneira jumps out the carriage penknife in hand, she has learnt to be prepared, no matter the occasion. As she looks under the carriage it jumps at her eight arms all aiming at her face, in a split second she could feel the furry arms crushing her body, its fangs waiting to dig into her delicate flesh, however she had made her move, clutching the blade of the penknife the creature had lunged straight into it. Her fairytale dress was ruined as thick fluid oozed out of the creature, but she had lived to fight another nightmare.

Looking up she saw the driver and horses run off in fear and the street was silent. Taking off her crystal high heels a bedraggled Oneira takes the long walk towards the church. Yet the heavy feeling was still there, growing stronger still. The church seemed to drift off into the distance, no matter how long she walked; for the spire was still on the horizon. Giving up, Oneira stopped and collapsed to the ground in annoyance and exhaustion.

As she lay there, a sea breeze developed and the lapping of the tide sounded gently. Looking up she could see her town submerged in the turquoise liquid. She saw a large ship’s billowing sails coming towards her, a Pirates ship, and another dream descended. The huge vessel stopped meters before her lowering down a battered rope ladder. The ragged crew call to her, inviting her onto their grand ship to ride with them. Looking down on deck she glimpses her new attire. A town dress rather suited to the pirate era. At least it is easier to walk in than the wedding dress. As the crew haul up the anchor and sail towards the horizon the church spire eventually starts to draw closer. With no warning Oneira found herself at the wheel of the ship, the weight of the ship pulled at the wheel, the stiff breeze veering the ship in the opposite direction to the spire. With all her strength Oneira manages to get the vessel under some sort of control though the resistance was as if the ship had a mind of its own. Oneira was feeling physically sick with the physical exhaustion and the swelling of the sea. But she just has to get to that church, she has no idea but she knows she just needs to get to that church coincidently the sight of the base of the church.

Once at the church the buzz and nerves of the wedding loomed, she doesn’t even know who she is about to get married to. She opens the heavy oak door, with a load creak ringing in the idyllic silence of the church. Looking around she sees the sheer white marble surround and an empty church apart from the back of the groom, the priest and the mob of pirates entering around her. No wedding march plays but the overwhelming silence, not even the noise of shuffling feet can be heard. A booming voice echoes
“Please come here my dear Oneira” his voice velvety and inviting. Each step down the aisle was muffled. She reaches her future husband, his face in a shimmering shadow from the stain glass window, but he reassures her with the gentle touch from his hand. The wedding flows with no hitch, the formalities and ‘I do’s’ flowed off the tongue and no sooner than it had begun Oneira could find out who the stranger is as they seal their marriage with a kiss. As their face’s draw closer Oneira’s heart begins to race, she looks up into the stranger’s face, not to be greeted by a loving familiar face but an emotionless face, which was until he opened his eyes….

Light streams from where his eyes should be; a Familiar light. An eerie scream comes from within is body and quakes through the building. But is too late Oneira’s lips reach his face before she has time to realise what is happening apart from overwhelming fear.

As her lips touch his stone cold skin he evaporates into light surrounding her and engulfing her. She feels something lift from her something that weighs heavily but she has known all her life, is this death, is this what happens when a nightmare catches you? She accepts her fate she has tried so hard to evade death by nightmares but now it is finally done. She no longer fears death or life. She embraces the peace and turns her back on the double dream life she has been living.

She opens her eyes and warm light enters her consciousness, the priest looks down at her.

“I think you fainted, are you alright?” concerned he helps her up to her feet. “Do you need escorting home?” Declining his offer, Oneira heads to the door her mind confused, surely he can’t have not just seen what had happened. Her husband evaporated and she was some how engulfed and in a pirate dress. Going down the street there was no sea only a few puddles and people going about there business. Her carriage that was meant to take her to the wedding was in the distance and the crystal heels lay in the middle of the road in pieces as cars drove over them.

She makes it home, something is missing. She looks round her family are still here; her house is exactly how she left it, right down to the marriage certificates under the bed. But no more dreams come true today. A sense of normality enters her life, something that she has never truly felt before.

She has been able to feel this normality since then, she still dreams at night but none have ever come true ever again, that weight she lost that day took away the nightmares and dreams that had possessed and haunted her. Though they will never be forgotten, Oneira looks at her possessions from her dreams with a fondness and nostalgia. She still has her ambitions and hopes and there is nothing to stop her fulfilling them.