The last time I was here was before my parents died. I guess I didn’t really have a way to get out here after that, and my foster families would never have taken me. They were never the most caring. And I was never adopted either. No family wanted a teenager. I was too old.
When I get out of my prison, I should come here again.
Hmmm, where did that thought come from? I’m not in a prison, am I? I am here. In this forest. Surrounded by green tranquility. Maybe I should take up yoga. This would be the perfect place.
The trail leads me along a gently bubbling stream, and then over a wooden bridge that looks like something out of a fairytale. I think about Charlie. My sweet Charlie. I wonder if he’d like it here? He doesn’t seem like the outdoorsy type, but he likes calm and quiet. So he might like this.
If I’m ever free again, I’ll bring him here.
Everything around me is a little hazy around the edges. Like I’m looking through some type of filter. I realize now that the sounds aren’t as clear as I thought they were. The chirping of the birds is muffled, as well as the shuffling of small animals over the ground.
The world doesn’t feel quite right. But I pay that thought no mind as I keep meandering along the trail. I’m too content, too full of serenity to focus on the prickling thought that everything isn’t as it seems.
The trees open up to reveal a clearing in the middle of the forest. The grass is tall, and wildflowers dot the landscape. Colors swirl, greens, browns, blues, yellows and pinks. Beautiful.
There in the middle of the clearing, someone is spread out on a blanket. Their back is on the ground, and though I can’t see their face, I can see that their head is tilted to the sky. Sunlight plays over their pale skin. The breeze ripples their dark hair.
I step closer. “Hello?” I whisper, not wanting to spook them.
As I walk closer, I see their eyelashes flutter open to reveal whiskey colored eyes. The person sits up, and looks at me over their shoulder.
Charlie.
A look of confusion and surprise flits over his face, before being replaced by a smile.
“You’re here.” I gasp. My sweet Charlie is here. “How are you here? How did you know about this place?”
“My grandma.” Charlie sighs, reminiscing. “She was my best friend. When I was young, she’d bring me here, to this clearing, and we’d have picnics. She’d read books to me about fantastical places with magic and dragons. And when I’m sad, I come here in my dreams. But I’m too scared to come back while I’m awake, afraid of it hurting too much now that she’s gone.”
“But you’re here right now.” My brow furrows.
“Haven’t you figured it out yet? This is a dream, Kip. We aren’t really here.” Charlie’s smile turns sad. “Come sit with me for a while? Who knows when we’ll wake up.”
I take my place beside him on the green and black plaid blanket that’s laid out across the grass. We’re pressed together, from our shoulders to our thighs.
“How did you do this? How are we both here?” I ask. “Shit, you’re not like a witch or anything are you? You would’ve told me that by now, right?”
Charlie giggles, his cheeks turning pink. “No, I’m not a witch. That would be super cool though. No…I think this is your doing. I’ve seen this in some vampy TV shows, where a vamp could go into the dreams of humans.” Charlie nudges his shoulder against me. “You must’ve missed me a lot to creep into my dream like this.”
I scoff, acting offended. “Are you calling me creepy?”
Charlie throws his head back and laughs. “If anything, that’s a compliment. Have you met me? I love creepy shit. I mean, I’m dating a vampire.”
“Dating…I like that.” I grow quiet, looking down at my legs and plucking at a loose thread on my shorts. “Hey, uh…I’m sorry that I worried you. I hate that you thought I was ghosting you again.”
Charlie lays down on his side, pulling me with him until we’re facing each other. “Don’t apologize. I know now that you weren’t ignoring me. At least I know where you are now, even if I hate it. But that just means you have to get out of there as soon as possible, so we can actually try this whole dating thing in real life. Not just in a dream.”
My fingers brush through his soft black hair, tucking some loose strands behind his ear. The sunlight hits his whiskey eyes, coloring them amber, and it’s almost like they’re glowing. “I’m trying my best. I promise.”
I lean in, brushing my lips softly over his. He tastes sweet, like vanilla and cinnamon. Every small breath that escapes his mouth, I breathe in. We share air and tender kisses. Even though this isn’t real life, and we aren’t really touching, it feels just about real enough, for now.
“We should spend every dream like this.” I rasp between light kisses and swipes of our tongues. “I might not want to wake up then.”
Kip.
A shiver rolls through me.Suddenly, I’m overcome by a chill. Even the sunshine isn’t enough to stifle it. I shake against Charlie.
“Are you okay, Kip?” Charlie pauses, pulling away to look me over.
