I peace the floor between Nora and her mother. I'm in complete shock and disbelief at what I'm hearing. So many questions are racing through my mind making it nearly impossible to grab at just one. I bend over and lean towards Nora's mother as if my life (shhh I know) depended on her every word. I stay completely motionless as she explains. "Nora I'm a medium, I can communicate with people who have passed on to the other side. My mother before me was also a medium. Her mother was a link. And, my dear sweet daughter, so are you"
Nora's color drained as her mother continued. "Links are a power source for the wandering spirits. The ones who refuse to cross over. These spirits are drawn to links like a ship to a lighthouse"
suddenly everything makes sense, my need to be with her, my obsession with her. It's otherworldly. I'm a moth to her flame. I look over to Nora desperate for her to say something, anything. I had to know what she was feeling. I saw her posture change. She walked closer to where her mother was sitting and said
"Mom have you completely lost your mind!? Wait, are you drunk?"
Her mom leaned back in her chair and shook her head. Her bright red curls barely moved. "You haven't been feeling extra bouncy lately? No weird dreams?" She asked looking at Nora sideways.
My eyes dart back and forth between both women and it feels like ages before Nora replies to her mother's questions.
"Ok fine mom, but how did you know about that, and why after 24 years of life has this started!?" She asked.
Her mother goes on the tell her it could have happened at any time. She said most spirits move on without issues. Nora happened to be at the right place at the right time and came in to contact with one who hadn't. She told Nora she felt when her daughter's ability was switched on. I didn't know what to think. Was my attachment to her because of this and this alone? Were links important to spirits like me? Just then Nora nodded her head shrugged her shoulders in acceptance and continued to ask questions.
"So this spirit, the one in my dreams, what does he want?" She asked.
Her mom stiffened in her chair.
"Some want help moving on, others want help...well, never mind."
she stops herself from continuing. Nora threw her hands up and impatiently asked
"others want help with what mother!?"
Her mom scoots closer towards Nora and whispered
"help to live again"
my body jolted from the shock of her last words. That has to be impossible! Dead is dead....isn't it!? Could any of this be true? And if so at what cost?
Noras POV:
My head spun with information. I'm slowly starting to see everything with absolute clarity. I've always known there was something idling inside me waiting to be explored. This man in my dreams was a real person. Or at least he was? Either way, I haven't been able to shake the intoxicating feeling that came with him. I had more questions and only my mother could answer them.
"What do you mean some want help living again? I could bring him back to life is that what you're saying?" I asked eagerly for her reply.
"Shhh!" She scoffs, "I will never allow you to attempt such a dangerous test of your ability. Understood?" She said with a dark tone to her voice.
I've never seen her so absolute about anything, ever. I knew not to press that question further. But eventually, I will find out what she meant by that. Ok I have more questions for her
"who could he have been? In my dream, he's romantic and warm"
She quickly answers
"he could be anyone, my girl. He has the ability to manipulate your dream from the color of your eyes to the surrounding he's placed you in. Everything you see in the dream is a manifestation of his."
She took a deep breath and continued to speak
"you could be encountering a very dangerous spirit and you need to be on guard" she warned.
Ok, I needed to know this. And I also needed to know one more thing
"did dad know," I asked.
"No, he didn't know and your brother doesn't know either. I'd like to keep it that way. No need to muddy the waters" she said as she rose from her seat.
"Nora, I need to head home. Please think long and hard about continuing to allow him access to your dreams. I love you so much and always will" she said as she hugged me tightly before heading for the door.
Hmmm seems like the only questions I have left can only be answered by one person. "Looks like it's time for bed," I say as I exhale and head towards my bedroom.