A soft breeze brushed against my cheek, as if caressing me. My eyes were closed, but I could tell how bright it was by how the lights danced behind them. I could feel the grass beneath my bare feet. I could feel something tickling my arms as I reached in front of me. Slowly I opened my eyes, trying to adjust them to the sunlight.
Where am I?
I was standing in the middle of a meadow filled with wildflowers. It stretched as far a I could see with no structures anywhere in sight. It was beautiful. The flowers danced as if welcoming me to their home. It's peaceful here, I thought.
A shadow came up from behind me, but I didn't feel any fear towards it. Instead I felt calm and safe in the presence in it. Large, firm arms wrapped around my waist, tugging me against the shadow. It felt like the most natural thing in the world to place my hands on top of those firm yet gentle hands. Sighing in happiness, I leaned back into those arms, wanting to feel the heat of whoever was behind me.
"Please hurry," the stranger whispered softly in my ear. "My heart, my love, my wildflower. I'm waiting." Waiting? For what? His breath tickled my ear as he spoke and I suddenly wanted to see his face. I tried to turn around in his arms to no avail. He locked his arms making it impossible to move. "Not yet. Soon. Come to me."
I tried to speak, but try as I did no words came out. Eventually I gave up on the idea, but instead traced flower patterns on his hands. I wanted to stay like this forever. It was the haven that I've always dreamt of everyday since my parents past. It was the haven that I knew wasn't real because everyday it disappeared as I woke up and today was no different.
***
It was like every other morning. I could feel the morning breeze coming from the window and as I lay there I could almost pretend that I was still dreaming. I wanted to keep dreaming, but I didn't know what of. I never remembered my dreams. The only thing that I was sure of was the cool breeze and feeling the glimmer of serenity left over from the dream. It almost feels like a blanket of tranquility surrounds me each morning, preparing me for the day.
It's time to get up for the day, I thought. Glaring against the light, I looked out the window next to my bed. The sky was clear with no clouds in sight. It was a new day, time to start fresh. I walked through my normal daily routine, getting ready for my job. I was excited to go to work because I loved it. I was surgical nurse at a large hospital and everyday felt like an adventure.
Closing the door of my apartment, I headed to the train line. This was the day the doctor had a valve replacement scheduled. I was excited because the doctor specifically asked for me as their nurse. I pored my heart and soul into my schooling. I must have spent hundreds and thousands of hours in the skills lab and finally its paying off.
I was walking up the steps to get to the waiting dock. It was unusually busy. Something must be going on. The higher I went the more commotion I could hear.
"Catch that man!"
Surprised, I looked around and saw a man running towards the staircase I was on. He had a purse buried underneath his elbow. Oh, this is new. I was about to get out of the way when I saw the thief push a pregnant woman as he ran down the stairs.
I don't know why I did it. I must have subconsciously knew it was gonna end this way. But I didn't have time to debate in my head what the right thing to do was. I instinctively reached out my hands and wrapped my arms around the woman. I hoped she would be alright. I hoped I could save her and her unborn baby. The last thing I remember was a throbbing pain that traveled throughout my entire body and then a burning warmth as I was enveloped in the darkness.