Awakening (14 page)

“
I’m so sorry, Ana. She is almost finished.”

The images continued pouring through me. I saw Athen dressed in clothes from all different eras flashing through my mind, some I didn’t even recognize. I would then see Arie and Cyril, and every so often, a picture of myself flash in. More memories continued to flood through my mind and penetrate different emotional areas. I would feel great happiness, but not before crashing down to great sadness and with every emotion came great pain. I saw us all briefly at what looked like a university during the turn of the century, and then before I could focus on that memory a new one flashed in with us all surrounding a Christmas tree, but this time it looked like it was set in the thirties. I couldn’t believe all of the pictures that were resurfacing, but with each new memory an excruciating pain whipped through my veins. Athen moved me to the couch, sitting next to me on the floor caressing my head. I couldn’t do anything other than wince from the next flash of life that would appear in my mind. I heard Cyril tell Arie that it was going to be a long night. Upon those words my body exploded into needles, and I fell into darkness.

I
awoke, but had no idea where I was or what day it was. I felt Matilda snuggling on my feet. I was so relieved that I had something somewhat familiar to me. This latest nightmare was a rough one. Shivers were running through me as I relived the nebulous talk of demons and Fallen Angels. This was one of the most realistic nightmares to date. My head was groggy. My entire body ached. I couldn’t remember what I was doing right before I fell asleep, but I vaguely remembered what was happening that evening. It was like a distant and foggy dream or maybe another nightmare. I’m not sure yet how I would classify it. I saw the curtains closed tightly and secured to each other to not allow any light in, and I recognized my room immediately. Then I remembered last night was not a nightmare. It was real.

I heard Athen tell the others I had awoke, but I wasn’t sure how he knew that. Several sets of feet began walking down the hallway. With each step, a louder echo of fear and happiness began ringing down the hall. I wasn’t sure what may have changed since I last saw them. They were truly my family. I didn’t want to go any longer without seeing them, especially Athen. There was no disputing that this was where I belonged. My heart began to fall a little at the terms that popped back into my head - fallen angels, demons – nothing I wanted to recognize as being in existence. It wasn’t a dream last night. It was my destiny.

My door began to slowly open. I saw Athen. It was so good to see Athen. I needed him so badly. His eyes were piercing as ever but full of great concern. He looked tired, circles were showing slightly under his eyes, and I had never seen him with the level of stress that I saw outlining his face. Arie was peering from behind him, but I couldn’t see Cyril. I only felt him there.

“
Hey, sunshine. How are you feeling?” Athen’s calm voice made me feel better instantly.

“
I feel like I’m recovering from some horrible flu or something but other than that great.” I said trying to be funny. Instead sounding completely worn out.

“
We have water going for some tea. It might help you feel a little better. Really, sleep is probably the best answer.”

“
How long have I been sleeping?”

Athen came over to sit on my bed as I tried to scoot over. I had no strength and became frustrated. Athen must have sensed it because he scooped me up and nestled me over a little bit so he could sit next to me. Arie and Cyril left to go back to the kitchen and retrieve the tea.

“
You’ve been out for about 26 hours. I was actually expecting you to be out for a few more hours at least. You never cease to amaze me. Karen stopped by.”

“
Oh no, she did? What did you tell her?”

“
Well, Arie opened the door and told her you had the flu. She counted on the fact that you would be so out if Karen wanted to see you that you wouldn’t wake up anyway, which of course is what happened. Karen certainly is protective of you.”

“
She saw me?”

“
Yeah, she did. She thanked us for taking such good care of you. If we hadn’t let her see you she probably would have thought we had done something with you, like with the hikers.” He said half smirking, trying to lighten up the severity of everything I had just experienced.

I was able to muster up enough strength to laugh because I knew that he wasn’t kidding. I could feel my body begin to respond again to my surroundings. I was beginning to realize what was making my body so tired. I could feel everything. I could feel emotion- mine and others. I could feel the air. I could feel love. I could feel the presence of thoughts. This was going to take some getting used to.

“
Is this normal? To be this tired and worn out?”

“
It is, sweetie. You have been through so much. Your body is still adjusting. There are things that you are experiencing in this moment that will come naturally. Right now I’m sure it feels as if the weight of the world is on you. That feeling will go away. You’ll be able to categorize the thoughts and emotions that you are feeling from others and only pull them out when you need them. Right now, however, your brain processing is on overload. I promise it will get better.”

I could feel Arie getting my tea ready so I tried to prepare myself for the possible discussion that she might have in store for me. To my surprise when she brought in the tea she was quiet. She placed the cup of tea on a coaster, patted my leg, and closed the door on her way out.

“
Wow. That is the first time ever that she didn’t have something to say.”

“
Well, in addition to you being able to read our minds eventually, we are able to read your thoughts more clearly too. She sensed that now wouldn’t be the best time. She probably figured that out once you knew she was coming in with the tea.”

“
This is going to take some getting used to. So, you have been able to read my thoughts this entire time?” I asked nervously.

“
Yes, partially. It will definitely take some getting used to. You’ll be amazed at how fast it all comes together, Ana. I promise.”

“
I can’t believe some of the things you must have heard me think! How absolutely mortifying. Since we are on embarrassing topics, I should probably go get washed up.”

“
I have to admit it was kind of nice hearing some of those things you thought, though.” His smile kind, as he was moving the hair that was stuck to my face.

I began to move but quickly realized I needed help, which he quickly provided.

“
By the way Ana, everything I heard you contemplating made me even more committed to getting you back this round. I missed you too much to let it fail again.”

I took a couple sips of the tea as the anger began to swell about what I was told I was the last time I spoke to Athen, still not believing it.

After I finished up trying to be presentable again he helped me back into bed where I definitely needed to be.

“
Am I really a white demon or was it another nightmare?” My eyelids became burdened with a heaviness, and I fell fast asleep not hearing his answer.

I
was told that days had gone by, how many I didn’t even care about it. I only faintly remember being carried from one room to another right before passing out again. What I was concerned with was how I was going to continue on with this newfound information. The entire time I was out of consciousness, I struggled with the images that were flooding back into my memory. I never seemed to actually sleep. It was more like a movie that was on fast forward. I never got to that next level of sleep. Every time I awoke, I was as exhausted as the time before. My family, thankfully, was at my side the entire time. The few times I was alert enough to notice I saw that Athen looked as if he hadn’t slept for days either, but before I could talk to him I would drift back to the foggy state.

This last time that I awoke, I had a feeling of strength and certainty, a feeling that I hadn’t grasped for a very long time. My days of sleeping, if that is what it could be called, were behind me. I could begin living again. I knew questions would come up, but, unlike before, this time they would be answered.

I looked up at Athen who was already by my side with a cup of tea, smiling. I was the happiest girl in the world. My life had been given back to me, the greatest gift of all. I had to fight the uncertainties that kept creeping into my mind about what I was told, but I didn’t have the strength to fight anything at this point.

“
Hey, how are you feeling? You were out for quite awhile.” Athen said to me while helping me up in my bed.

“
I’m feeling like the weight of the world has been lifted, like anything is possible. That being said, though, I’m exhausted, but can’t stand the thought of sleeping anymore.”

“
I’m sure. The good news is the next time you go to sleep it will be for real, no more memory overload. The worst is over.” Athen’s eyes were sparkling. It must have been even harder on him than I knew. At least for me I was completely out of it. He had to be alert the entire time.

“
Do you think the nightmares will be over now?” I asked hopeful beyond belief.

“
Not necessarily.” Athen ruffled my hair. “It’s a bit complicated.”

“
Isn’t it always?” I murmured rolling my eyes.

“
How are you sleepy head?” I heard Cyril’s voice ringing down the hall.

“
Very funny.” I said and threw a pillow at him before he managed to catch it around the corner.

“
Not bad,” He chucked it back, “Did you tell her the good news?”

“
No, can’t say that I had the chance yet.” Athen said shaking his head.

“
What good news?” I asked thinking that things were beginning to be pretty wonderful already.

“
Well, we uh, put your notice in at the pub since so much time had gone by. I was pretty sure you wouldn’t need to go back there, for a job at least. Always best to not call attention to our existence and follow the proper etiquette.” He seemed kind of hesitant as he looked at me waiting for a reaction.

“
Oh thank goodness. I didn’t even think about that! I appreciate that so much. I was starting to worry about doing it before finding everything out and being talked into staying and all. How did you do it?”

“
We sent Karen in with a letter explaining about your flu and the holidays. I don’t know. They seemed kind of relieved, almost.”

“
Huh, well I was kind of screwing up a bit at the end. It seemed I could only focus on one thing.” I said laughing.

“
Oh God, that’s my cue to exit. I’m glad you are up, Ana. It’s been painful hanging around with Athen so much.” He waved and trudged back down the hallway. I could hear him talking to Arie on the phone letting her know that I was up for good this time.

“
So do you think you are up to maybe walking around the village a little bit?” Athen’s eyes sparkling with hope.

“
I don’t want to be in this bed a minute longer.”

Athen helped me get ready for my first evening out since the long process began introducing me to my new life. He turned on the shower, got jeans and a sweater laid out for me, and let me know when the water temp was perfect. Even though I was hopelessly exhausted there was a part of me that hoped he would help me into the shower, but being the gentleman that he was he backed out of the bathroom when that time came. Truthfully, it was probably for the better. I doubt I was up for much more than holding onto him let alone feeling his lips on mine. The water pelted me endlessly in the same nonstop way that the images kept flooding through me, giving me no reprieve as I saw Athen’s body crumpled on the ground once more. I frantically massaged the suds in my hair hoping to rinse away the overwhelming feelings of despair.

“
How’s it going in there? Are you doing ok?” Athen must have gotten Arie to come and check on me. How she got here so fast from across the village, I definitely couldn’t figure out.

“
I’m doing quite well. This shower feels so wonderful, but I will be out in a second. Tell Athen that I appreciate him checking up on me.” I couldn’t tell her the truth.

“
Will do.” Arie’s voice sang out.

I turned off the shower and wrapped my hair in the towel that Athen had thrown over the shower door. I put my clothes on that Athen had laid out for me and quickly grabbed the hair dryer. The last thing I wanted to do was catch a cold from wet hair. I flipped the towel off my hair feeling the slap of wet strands against my neck, looking in the mirror my knees began to give out. Grabbing the sink vanity to stabilize myself, I looked closer in the mirror. My eyes had changed color. They were green now. Almost as green as Athen’s and my hair was no longer the store bought color. It shined its glorious deep auburn brown and with the green eyes, certainly changed the complexion of things quite a bit. I couldn’t understand how that could be. I couldn’t stop looking in the mirror. I didn’t even care if I put any makeup on. This newfound confidence was nice. I grabbed a brush, ran the blow dryer and decided that was it. I left the bathroom, turned off the light, and Matilda followed me out to meet the others. I couldn’t believe I now had green eyes.