There was a steady beating like someone was banging on a drum. It started off as a thump thump thump sound. Emery looked around to see what it was but all she could see was a blinding blue light. Emery held up her hand trying to see through the light. The thumping had begun to rapidly increase in tempo.
Her heart was racing falling in step with the banging noise. Emery wondered if the thumping was actually her heart threatening to explode. It was racing so rapidly her rib cage hurt. Her eyes were burning so badly she couldn't see anything. By the gods, they were watering! They were watering so much it looked like she was crying. She closed her eyes rubbing at them viciously. It didn't help at all. The light surrounding her was so bright she could still see it with her eyes closed.
Someone was calling her name. Emery tried to open her eyes to see who it was but it hurt too much. She needed to find a way out. Maybe she could ask the person calling her name. Emery shouted for help but no noise came out.
Whoever was calling for her had started chanting her name over and over again to the beat of the drums. Reaching out with both hands Emery tried to find who the voice belonged to. It was difficult to find anything when she couldn't see. The heat here was so intense Emery couldn't think straight. The heat, banging and the screaming was bearing down on her all at once.
Emery couldn't take it anymore she yelled out for the person shouting her name to stop! She choked back a sob of despair as her words fell flat dying on her tongue. It was all too much Emery could feel the panic rising up inside her. Emery did her best to fight it off but it was like somehow her panic had gotten stuck in her throat and was trying its damndest to claw its way out. Putting her hands over her ears Emery staggered forward trying to convince herself to stay calm and keep moving. Every step she took felt like she was wading through quicksand.
Focus she reminded herself trying to take a deep breath to calm herself. The air was scolding hot and burnt her throat and lungs. Emery coughed and gagged on the hot air. She had to get out of here. The panic swelling up inside her had fought its way free against Emery's will. She felt like her throat was closing in on itself and she couldn't breathe. Emery clawed at her throat like holding her throat would somehow help.
She started to sway back and forth but couldn't find anything to hold onto. She went to take a step forward but her legs felt heavy as if they were weighed down by lead. She couldn't do anything but brace for impact as she felt herself fall.
Emery's knees gave out as she collapsed in on herself. Landing hard on her knees. The moment her knees impacted the ground she heard a shattering sound. The floor all around her began to crack and splinter and then she was falling. Emery let out a silent scream as she picked up speed tumbling head over heels. Emery's whole body jerked as she slammed face-first into the ground so hard she felt her bones break on impact. Just as emery made impact with the bottom of the dismal cavern her eyes flew open. Laying on her bed covered in a cold sweat she looked around her confused and disoriented. Emery's breathing was labored as she looked around frantically. Everywhere she looked was pitch black with spots of blue and white lights floating delicately in the air. Almost as if they were taunting her with malicious intent.
She could still hear the rhythmic banging and the constant shriek of her name. Emery closed her eyes shut tight and inhaled a deep shake, breath. Her throat and lungs protesting painfully. Her whole body ached. Tears slide slowly down her cheeks. Her worst fears were coming true. Emery's dreams were coming to life. Emery exhaled carefully and slowly. "Pull yourself together," she said out loud to herself. Emery's voice sounded hoarse to her own ears. Cursing herself under her breath,"Don't be stupid. Dreams are just that dreams and don't follow you into reality…." She hoped.
Just then she heard a shrill shriek "Emery, I swear to the Goddess if you don't open this door right now I will break a window to come in there and get you." Emerys eyes flew open in shock and a wave of relief washed over her as she realized the banging was just Ari. She had never been so happy to be threatened in her whole life. Emery realized she was still curled up around her pillow and she must have fallen asleep crying.
She took another painful breath trying to force herself to relax. "That's it I'm breaking a window, Ari shouted I'll give you till the count of three." Emery pictured Ari throwing a rock through her window and yelled, Weakley" Wait I'm up, I'm up. The last thing she needed to do was explain to little miss psycho skirts how her property got damaged." Emery shivered at the thought.
Swinging her legs over the bed and sitting up. Immediately she doubled over groaning. The world was spinning around her so fast everything was blurry. Emery grabbed her head in an attempt to hold the world still. Ari was now up to five. Emery supposed she was lucky Ari didn't know how to count to three apparently.
Carefully she stood up and walked with a painstakingly slow rigidity towards her bedroom door. She felt like her entire being was one walking bruise. She stumbled halfway down the short hall outside her room so far with her hand trailing along the wall. Mostly to keep her upright but also to find the light switch. 'I swear if I hit ten I'm so throwing this through your window," Ari shouted! Emery very carefully and uncomfortably made her way down the stairs to the front door. By the time she got it open Ari was standing there glaring at her a decent size rock in her hand.
Before Emery could say anything Ari dropped the rock and pushed past her. Ari started grabbing Emery's coat and shoes from by the door. "Come on let's go we're already running behind schedule. What are we late for? Emery asked puzzledly. Rubbing her temples She groaned half in pain and half in protest. Wait what time is it. Ari made a noise of exasperation shoving the coat and shoes in Emery's arms and opening the door.
It's three and the ceremony starts at dawn. If we don't go now we'll never get you ready in time. Like three in the morning Emery replied as Ari pushed her out the door. Let's go was Ari's only reply. It was freezing, a heavy mist hung in the air and Emery was wearing the same thing she wore earlier except she didn't have any shoes on. Emery opened her mouth to protest but by the time she did she was already halfway across her yard and her stocking clad feet were soaked from the morning dew forming on her lawn.
I should probably go back and change clothes Emery said and turned to go back to the house. Oh no, you don't, Ari said turning her back around by the shoulders and pushing her the rest of the way to her car. You're not getting out of this. Emery got into the car reluctantly. She was shivering violently. At least it was slightly warmer than being outside she thought. Ari got in the driver's seat and started the car. Emery used her coat as a blanket and let her head lean against the seat belt that was strapped across her. She was startled to see that Instead of driving back into the city, Ari drove deeper into the woods.