Unable to return to the soup kitchen, I sunk my teeth in the book Celeste had passed on to me. It wasn't the most riveting read, but it provided the basic information that I needed.
If her assumption that I was a dreamwalker was accurate, I needed to find out which kind I was. Was I an observer? A weaver? A bender or visitor? Maybe, a wanderer?
It was difficult to determine since I had no control over the environment while I was there, so maybe a visitor. Maybe, I needed to practice. As it turns out, I was a witch. I had no idea if Celeste had knowingly lied to me, or maybe she just didn't bother to read the book.
Maybe, I wasn't a witch, since I didn't need any potions or incantations to access the dream world. I had so many questions and no answers. I hoped that Celeste would be able to offer me some, in three months' time.
Taking my eyes off the sinking sun, I turned my attention to the book. Thankfully, my arm was better, and the bruising had begun to fade away.
I was one day away from my interview with Aldo. I dreaded the day, but I was excited to begin a new chapter. After spending days cooked up in the Northenhay library, trying to decide what to do about Mason and my newly discovered abilities, I had finally come to a final conclusion.
If I were to succeed, I needed to let go of some things off my chore list. Dreamworld needed to wait until I finished my studies. So did, Mason.
Placing the book back on the shelf, I wasn't exactly content with my own decision, but it had to be done. If what I had heard and read about the academy up until that point was true then I needed to put my best efforts into it.
Stepping inside the bathroom, I opened the cabinet door and looked at the medicine bottle like I had done for many days. I knew I was prolonging the inevitable, but I couldn't quite gather enough strength to follow through.
Glancing up the starry sky, I slipped under the covers fully aware that the night might bring some unwanted surprises.
The moment, ai dozed off to sleep, I found myself on the same white plains. I looked around puzzled. Where was the tropical paradise? Why was I in the white plains again?
Exasperated, I plopped myself on the ground, mumbling to myself.
The cold pricked at my skin through the thin nightgown I was wearing, and the cold breeze that swept over the land wasn't any kinder either.
I was afraid to voice my thoughts out loud, unsure of what I would get if I did. The last time I did it, I ended up with a dislocated shoulder, and a lot of bruises.
Did I need to be specific? I shook my head, at my question. Maybe start small.
I scrunched my eyes closed, " Apple," I whispered and opened one eye to see if by any chance I was able to conjure an apple.
" Nothing," I sighed, when there was nothing in front of me.
" What now?" I absently asked myself out loud, scribbling in the snow in front of me.
" Hello,"
At the sound of the small voice, I sprung on the bed and looked around.
I wasn't alone. I was excited, worried, terrified, but I wasn't alone. There was someone in there with me. How did I miss it before?
Plopping myself on the bed I closed my eyes and thought of the white plains hoping that once I fall asleep I would return there.
After a good thirty minutes, I opened my eyes, " Nothing," I grumbled, and closed my eyes again.
Irked to no end, I pushed myself up on the bed and glanced out the window. Not much time had passed in the real world. It was still late evening, at the beginning of September.
Puffing my cheeks, I buried my head in the pillow determined to try again. The small voice sounded as if it was a small boy, but again the dream world had deceived me before.
Disappointment washed over me when I opened my eyes the next morning. I hadn't been able to go back, and I had no clue if it was me who chose to go there or if it just happened, arbitrarily.
Pushing myself off the bed, I went through my morning routine, religiously. I need it to keep me sane. It kept me in touch with reality.
Glancing through the wardrobe, I began choosing what I needed to wear to the interview. The small things in my routine helped me stay levelled, grounded.
Glancing at the black dress, and the blazer and skirt, I pondered which one of them would make me look more professional, and less like a secretary.
After a good half an hour, I chose the skirt and the blazer, and hung them on the wardrobe door, ready for the next day.
Satisfied with my decision, I began getting ready for the day. Mason had kept his distance as promised for which I was more than grateful.
It hadn't been an easy decision to make. I didn't love him any less than I did before, but I need to stay focused on the matter at hand. I hoped he would understand since he shared my views when it came to my studies. After all, he was the one to insist that I should attend the academy.