A Shadowlander’s Dream: Book Three - Rules of the Flesh
Written by Kathryn K Williams
Chapter Thirty-nine
Melissa knelt as she studied the transparent girl that sat before her. Since Lauren’s appearance the girl would not allow anyone near Kim and although the girl had calmed down slightly since they moved everyone away from her. Amber was still in a daze off to the left, Sarah helping her with a cup of water, while Jenn paced off to the right. They managed to get Jenn to relinquish her knife, but there was still a fire in her eyes that worried Melissa. Lauren obviously had the same fears for her eyes kept jumping to Jenn and back to Kim.
“Lauren, is that your name?” Melissa asked softly, not wanting to frighten the girl.
Lauren quickly nodded, her eyes on Kim as the girl trembled before her.
“What a moment.” Natalie interrupted, “Kima mentioned someone named Lauren before. Are you the same Lauren?”
Lauren nodded again, “I could not be there when Kim needed me the most.” She admitted sadly.
“Why are you here now?” Melissa asked.
Lauren shook her head vigorously, “He told me I had to make sure she did not touch Kim.” She explained softly.
“She who?” Kris asked curiously.
Lauren looked up at Amber, “She can not come in contact with Kim.” She glanced down at Kim, “She can’t remember the past… it would kill her."
Melissa looked at Kris worriedly and turned back to Lauren, “What can’t she remember?”
Lauren gazed up at Melissa, “The truth.”
“I… I saw it…” Amber panted as she rubbed her head, “Kim’s mind is a mess. I think she is blocking something out that she doesn’t want to remember.”
Sarah glanced down at Amber, “Blocking something? Like her time with us?”
Lauren slowly nodded as she pet Kim’s head, “Something happened to her before I met her. Something so horrible that she wanted nothing more then to disappear so she erased her existence from everyone she cared for.”
“Are you trying to say she erased our memories of her?” Sarah asked in shock.
Lauren nodded, “She said is was better that you did no remember her.”
Amber struggled to knees and glared over at Lauren, “How could she believe something like that? She is such a wonderful and kind soul. What would make her think she needed to disappear?”
Lauren shook her head, “I don’t know. All I know is what she told me when I found her.”
“You don’t really believe this do you?” Jenn pointed violently at Lauren, “Why should we believe you are trying to protect Kim?” She demanded angrily, “You were the one who almost killed her before.”
Lauren slowly shook her head, “It was you who interfered, and that was not me before… not exactly.”
Natalie turned to Jenn, “What are you two talking about?”
Jenn ran a hand through her hair as she paced, “Back when Kim first appeared inside of my dreams that girl quickly followed her, but she was different. Her face was twisted and she had long sharp claws for fingers.” Jenn raised a hand and spread out her fingers.
Natalie blinked, “That isn’t a Dream Ghost. You encountered a Dream Ghoul.” She explained.
“What is the difference?” Jenn demanded irately.
Alyson was the one to answer, “A Dream Ghost is an entity that takes form inside of someone’s dream and takes on the shape of the people within the dream.” Alyson explained from her spot on a couch. “If you encounter a friend inside of a dream it is not always a real person, but a Ghost version of them created from the person’s memories. Sometimes Dream Ghost takes on the form of someone that the Dreamer needs, a fictional character in a dream story.”
Melissa nodded, “Exactly, but in some cases the Dream Ghost has been known to take on a life of their own and break free from the dream to take on a physical form outside of the dream. Usually this takes a lot of power and can kill most Dream Ghosts, but if their will is strong, their intent pure and the person need is great it is possible for them to live outside of the dream.”
“Strong will and pure intent.” Kris muttered then lifted her head in shock and she gazed down at Lauren, “You are in love with Kim.” She announced.
Lauren flinched and her eyes darted about like that of a trapped animal, “I… I did not mean to. I just wanted to protect her.” She glanced down at Kim; “She was so alone on the streets that I couldn’t stand it anymore.” She brushed a hand against Kim’s cheek; the girl appeared to have lapsed into a deep sleep.
“Kima said you were died.” Natalie remarked, “How is it possible for you to be here now?”
“Lord Mirai said I was needed. That Kim was in danger.” Lauren explained.
“Mirai?” Natalie inquired curiously.
“My brother.” Kris answered nonchalantly, “The Lord of Things to Come. He keeps track of those who have died and tells the Sisters of Death when a spirit has gone astray.”
“He’s very kind.” Melissa added, “And although his intensions are not always clear they are for the good of everyone.”
“If he is so grand.” Sarah seethed, “Why doesn’t he want my sister to go near Kim?”
Kris shrugged, “That is part of the mystery.”
Melissa paused in thought, “It isn’t possible.” She looked from Kim to Amber and back again.
Kris glanced down at her aunt, “What is it? Do you know something?”
Melissa rubbed her forehead and stood, “I’m not sure.” She turned to Lauren, “Lauren do you know the connection these two girls hold?”
Lauren shook her head; “All I know is something happened to her at the foster home and she ended up wandering the streets of the dreamlands, jumping from one dream to another with no direction in mind. I don’t even think she was aware of the fact that she was traveling between dreams. That is how I was able to take form in the first place.”
“That explains a lot.” Alyson stated and she slumped on the couch in shock.
“We were right then.” Jenn said in awe of the situation, “She really has been trapped inside of a dream for years.”
“Not just one dream” Melissa corrected, “Many dreams. It must have been rough on her and that explains why being outside of a dream is tearing her apart like this.”
“I’m fine.” Kim muttered as she struggled to push herself into a seated position, wiping the vomit from her mouth.
“Kim!?!” Jenn rushed towards the girl and abruptly stopped at the glare from Lauren.
Melissa stepped closer to Lauren, “You have to let us help you.” She said soothingly, “We don’t want to hurt Kim. You can trust us.”
Lauren glanced nervously over at Amber, “What about her?”
“I’ll stay away.” Amber promised as she wobbly stood with the help of Sarah, “I want to help her too, but if staying away helps then I’ll do that.”
“Alright then?” Melissa asked of Lauren, “Would you let us help?” She offered the girl her hand.
Lauren cautiously took Melissa’s hand and the act of doing so appeared to cause the girl to solidify. Lauren glanced down at her body in amazement, “I… I’m alive again?!?”
“As long as you are inside the dorm you will be.” Melissa explained, “We don’t want a ghost wandering around the halls. Consider it a gift, you will be able to protect Kim better this way.”
Lauren stood and hugged Melissa, “Thank you, thank you so much!!”
Melissa looked up at the girl in surprise, “My you are a tall one are you not?” She said in astonishment.
Standing at her full height Lauren towered over Melissa and most of the other girls. Kris stepped up to the girl to find Lauren was even taller then her.
“Just how tall are you?” Kris inquired curiously.
“I don’t know?” Lauren shrugged.
Kris looked over at Alyson, “Alyson come over here.” She signalled to the girl.
Alyson hobbled over, leaning heavily on her crutch with Natalie close beside her, “What?” She asked curiously, looking at Lauren who appeared to be slightly taller then herself.
“Stand up straight.” Kris politely asked.
Alyson did the best she could, hopping on one foot, and Kris looked between the two girls, “She must be an inch taller then you.” She said looking Lauren over then turning to Alyson, “How tall are you exactly?”
Alyson shrugged, “Five-Nine.” She stated simply.
“Geez.” Kris breathed, “I’m only five-eight and I thought I was tall. Lauren here must be Five-ten or taller.” She shook her head in dismay; “If it wasn’t for that hair she could almost pass for a boy even.”
Lauren shuffled in her place, “I could not.” She said with a blush that stood out brightly against her pale skin and white hair.
Jessica stepped forward, “Its alright. We could always use another boi around here.” She said with a grin as she glanced around at the three tall girls. She patted Lauren on the shoulder, “Welcome to the bois club.” She announced with a chuckle and several others laughed along with her.
“The what?” Lauren looked around in confusion.
*****
To be Continued . . .
*****
Note: The world of the Shadowlands, Its stories, Characters and ideas are a copyright of Kathryn K Williams.
This story is based upon my manga of the same name. If you wish to view art from this series please visit my deviant arts site at: http://shinigami-shimai.deviantart.com/
For more of my stories visit my deviant hearts site at: http://www.devianthearts.com/viewuser.php?uid=159
Also if you spot any typos or other errors please contact me at katwilliams @ rogers.com
Deviant Hearts Archive | Back to main index