I turn my body towards her, just as intrigued. We didn’t get a chance to really talk about the details so I’m more than curious to hear them now.
“Silly things really. It’s always the same two girls, though I’ve seen them at different ages. Best friends from what I can tell.”
“Why do you say they’re silly?” I ask. Earlier she said something about them doing dangerous things so now I’m confused on the description. It’s almost as though she’s trying to downplay it. My gut tells me this isn’t something to ignore or brush off.
Millie’s shoulders go up to her ears in a shrug before she drops them. “Because it’s just two girls playing around. Nothing really ever happens.”
“Does it feel like you’re there with them?”
Millie’s eyes snap over to Lily’s. “How did you know that?”
“Just a hunch.” Lily’s worried eyes dart over to mine before quickly returning to the pretty girl next to me.
“But it’s not like I’m observing. It’s like I’m Lucy.” She swallows thickly before continuing, “I feel all of her emotions, her fear, joy and her affection for her best friend, Anna.”
Luka holds both his hands up as he shakes his head. “Wait, so what are you saying? That you feel like you’re one of the girls in the dreams but it’s just a bunch of mundane stuff they’re doing?”
“Yes, basically.”
“But you said it was dangerous stuff earlier.”
Luka and Lily both sit up straighter at that.
Millie shakes her head. “It’s stupid kid stuff though. Anna is the daredevil of the two, constantly pushing Lucy to do things she doesn’t want to. Things that she thinks might get them in trouble or worse, hurt. The strangest part is that I feel Lucy’s panic as though it’s my own.”
“It’s not uncommon to associate yourself as someone else in dreams. Is there anyway your subconscious is equating this to memories of your past? Maybe it wasn’t you directly but kids that you did know?”
The same thoughts have run through my mind as well but Millie was pretty adamant she didn’t know anyone that fit the bill and that doesn’t explain the voice she heard. That part is what I’m most uneasy about. I’m also hoping Lily can shed some light on that as well, having her own experience with hearing someone that wasn’t technically there.
“I didn’t really have friends growing up. Not with—” she looks over to me, a moment of uncertainty flashing across her face.
I tighten my grip on her hand in encouragement.
Lily’s smile is understanding and patient. “Because of your health issues?” she gently prompts.
Millie closes her eyes for one brief moment before opening them. I hate to think I’m the cause for that hesitation but it’shard not to when I was the last person she told and that didn’t go as great as it should have.
“Yes, I had a heart transplant.”
Luka’s eyes widen with surprise, but Lily simply nods going into doctor mode. “How have you been feeling?”
Millie looks over to me before turning back to Lily. “Great, really. At first it was hard but now I barely even notice it. It is when all of this started though. The dreams, the voice, the sensations. All of it.”
“Voice?” Luka asks, choking for a second before clearing his throat and looking at Lily. I know what he’s thinking because I’m thinking the same thing. There’s no way this could be a coincidence.
“I’ve only heard it call my name. A female voice.”
Lily sits back in the booth, silently assessing the situation before she asks, “Can you tell me about the sensations?”
“It feels like I’m being watched or someone is in the room with me but I’m usually alone.”
“Interesting, very interesting,” Lily says.
Just then the waitress comes and sets the behemoth sized plates in front of us. I’ve forgotten just how big their portions are here. I gulp realizing just how much I’m going to have to put back.
“Wow," Millie says in awe, “It smells delicious.”
“Which one do you want?” I ask, still mentally preparing myself to stuff my face. I ordered too much.
