I'm standing in the entrance of a large garden, the canopy of flowers and leaves hanging above me. The smell of wet earth and blossoming flowers lingers in the air.
The dream always begins the same way.
I begin to wander through the garden, my finger tips grazing roses, tulips, and daffodils. I breathe in the sweet aroma and spread my arms, welcoming the humidity and warm sunlight. Its only then that I look down and realize what i'm wearing.
"Why am I wearing a dress?" These are always the first words out of my mouth, and each time I am surprised by the way my voice sounds. Clear and beautiful, like wind chimes. I look down and examine the intricate piece that adorns my body. A strapless, floor length gown. I run my hands down the soft white fabric, admiring the intricacy of the lace that flows down the dress. I spin with my arms stretched out, admiring the way the dress flows around my bare feet.
And each time, a laugh in the distance pulls me out of my stupor.
I turn towards the sound of the laughter, and begin walking down a cobblestone path, deeper into the garden. I ignore the rough stones against my bare feet when the voice calls out again.
"Well are you coming or going?" I hear the melodious voice call out.
I come to a halt, before me is a large white gazebo. The wood is pristine and new, as if it had just been built. The sun hitting the white wood, making it look as if its glowing. Its only then that I notice the figure standing under the carved arches of the gazebo. A boy stands under the arches of the gazebo, his arm stretched out as if to take my hand. I could tell the boy is around my age, but the aura of power pulsing around him makes him seem older, almost ancient. A mop of chocolate hair covers his head, lifting gently with the warm breeze. My eyes find his face, and make their way down his body. His eyes are what draw me in first. Pools of brown, as if his very essence was made from the earth. His skin a flawless ivory, his face young and boyish. Wearing nothing but brown slacks, and an unbuttoned blue shirt. The urge to approach him, feel his skin under my fingertips rushed over me. I found myself blushing at the very thought of him talking to me.
"Are you coming? I've been waiting long enough." His voice pulls me away from my thoughts.
"Are you talking to me?" I ask, my voice sounding like a lovely song.
He smiled at me, his teeth as white as the gazebo he stands under, "Who else would I be waiting for?".
"I don't belong here, I don't even know where I am." I laugh, gesturing to the beautiful garden.
"Why, my dear, you're meant to be here. Come, let me show you." He replies, shooting a dazzling smile my way. Stretching his arm out he motions for me to come forward.
Just as i'm about to take his hand, I hear the rustling of branches. The sound of branches snapping pulled my attention away from the boy with the earth in his eyes. I turned my gaze, where I met another.
"Marina, what are you doing?" The boy under the gazebo asks, his voice sounding of steel.
The eyes I met resembled my own, the clear blue of the sky, the waves crashing on the shores of the beach. Another boy, making his way out of the bushes, his eyes locked on mine. He was the exact opposite as the boy in the gazebo, the only similarity was their unusual beauty and the aura of power surrounding them. This boy has shoulder length blonde hair and a strong angular face to match his muscular body. He wore a black shirt, and a pair of faded blue jeans. It was this moment that I realized how at home I felt. I had never been to this garden, that I was sure of, but I couldn't help feeling that I belonged here, as if this place was the beginning and ending of many things.
"Don't listen to him Marina, come with me." The boy, now fully emerged from the bushes began to approach me.
"Who are you?" I forced myself to say, feeling the same urge to run my fingers over his skin, to feel his golden hair as it captured the suns rays.
"Marina, you have to choose. Come with me, please." The boy under the gazebo called out, making his way down the steps, not once taking his gaze off of the other boy.
"No Marina, he's dangerous. Come with me." The blonde boy pleaded, a glare making its way on his perfect face as his eyes met the boy in the gazebo.
Waves of power, danger, safety and other emotions washed over me. I could feel each boy pulling me to them, willing me to choose them, to follow them into the unknown. My own thoughts became a jumbled mess, burrowing into the deepest corners of my mind, as if to protect themselves from the assault of emotions. Each boy, each beautiful boy standing before me, arms stretched out, hands beckoning for me to choose them. As I begin to feel myself move, a new voice calls out. A familiar voice.
"Marina! No! Don't go with them!" The familiar voice yells.
I feel thoughts come out of hiding, remembering the face that goes with the familiar voice. I spin around, facing the only thing in this dream that I know is safe.
"Mom? What are you doing here?" I ask confused, grabbing fist fulls of my lace gown only to release them.
My mother appears in front of me, looking the same each time I have this dream. The only thing that concerns me is the look of utter terror on her face.
"Marina, you need to listen to me. Don't go with them, don't trust them!" She says frantically, grabbing my hand.
It's always at this moment that the darkness comes. Out of the shadows of the beautiful garden, a dark wall of smoke appears. Snaking its way towards me and my mother, bringing the humid breeze to a halt and replacing it with stillness. The blooming flowers closest to the smoke begin to sag and crumble. And each time I am powerless to stop the darkness from wrapping itself around my mothers legs, pulling her away from me.
"Mom!" I scream as shes torn from my grasp, her feet pulling up grass and mud as shes dragged away.
"Marina, you have to choose." The boy on the steps of the gazebo calls out to me, but I cant focus on anything other than my mom.
I scream for my mother and try to run after her, but the once gentle breeze becomes harsh, pushing me back. The breeze holds me in place as I watch the darkness steal my mother, and drag her away into nothingness.
It's always at this point where I finally wake up, still hearing the plea's of the beautiful boys in the background.