Phantom Dreams

<3

 

      The cemetery was surrounded with mist as a small Nikolae stood before a grave. The night air was warm against his skin and the moon lit the scene around him. He stood there, tears rolling from his hazel eyes.

      Mother, he thought.

      The wind waved his sandy hair about his face. The night was silent, except for the sound of crows in the distant. Nothing could draw Nikolae's attention away from the headstone. He felt as if the weight of the world was resting on his shoulders.

      I'm all alone, now...

      A few large crows came swooping down onto his mother's grave. They made loud noises that disturbed Nikolae's thoughts. He wiped away the tears in his eyes and clenched his fists.

      “Go away!” he yelled at the birds.

      They flew of into the night sky. He began to cry again, feeling so lost inside.

      “Are you alright?” a voice whispered.

      He looked up, seeing a tall girl with burgundy hair and green eyes. He stared at her, wiping the tears from his face with the back of his right hand, before placing it by his side.

      “Are you alright, small child?” her voice chimed as she bent down before him.

      The girl left Nikolae speechless. Her green eyes were so stunning, brighter than anything he'd ever seen. He looked up to her, his eyes wide.

      “I'm alright,” he sniffled.

      The girl frowned, her face still flawless, “Are you sure? Are you in trouble?”

      Nikolae stared into those green eyes, captured by their depth. A piece of burgundy hair fell slightly in front of one, snapping him out of the trance.

      “I'm Nikolae; I'm not in trouble, I just wanted to go for a walk.”

      Another sniffle emitted from his throat and his face blushed from embarrassment. He didn't want this girl to see him cry; he wanted to seem strong.

      “How old are you?” the girl asked, raising an eyebrow at his words.

      “I'm six years old,” he answered, smiling with a pride that reached his hazel eyes.

      The girl smile as well and took his hand, standing up. She brushed the dirt from her long black skirt and Nikolae watched her. As her fingers wrapped around his small hand, pain shot through her green eyes. He jumped, startled, as the girl cried out in agony. He released his hand from hers and backed away, fear coursing in his veins.

      “Are you okay, lady?” he asked as she shook with pain.

      “Protect Alexiana,” her voice whispered.

      “Who?” his voice was filled with confusion.

      “Protect my sister...”

      Nikolae stomped his foot in frustration, “What are you talking about, miss?”

      The girl with burgundy hair just looked at him, her eyes filled with a deep, painful sadness. She tilted her head, as if listening to a distant sound and placed her gaze back on him.

      “I must go. Be careful, Nikolae. Things are going to change for you soon enough,” she said, turning away into the darkness.

     He watched her walk away, confusion racing through his mind, “What did she mean?”

 

* * *

 

      Nikolae awoke with a start, “Alexiana!”

      His heart raced within his chest as he wiped the sweat off his forehead. I remember, he thought. Alexiana's familiarity hit him with a great force. He was to protect her. But...why? From what? Nikolae needed answers. That girl from his past knew about this girl in his present and it confused him. Nothing was making sense to his tired mind.

      “What the hell is going on...?” he whispered into the darkness.

      The wind howled outside in response ans Nikolae sat in bed, his eyes wide. He remembered the pain that was in those green eyes when the girl took his hand. Did I do that? His thoughts were racing. Standing, he walked to the window, trusting the window open. Images of pale blond hair and brilliant blue eyes played across his psyche. Her soft, sparkling smile made him shiver.

      Alexiana...

 

* * *

 

      Alexiana opened her eyes to the sound of her name being whispered across the night. Her body was covered in a cold sweat. It was just a dream, she told herself. Sitting, she replayed what she had just witnessed moments before.

 

* * *

 

      “By night awake, by day asleep; Trapped in the shadows you shall always be,” a voice echoed in the darkness.

      “That is the curse I must bare?” a girl asked, her voice shaking.

      Her burgundy hair fell in front of her face but didn't mask her green eyes filled with fear. A man walked out of the shadows, his smile cruel. The moonlight glowed across his face, reveling eyes as black as the night sky.

      “Yes,” he replied calmly, “You have been mine even before your birth.”

      “What...?” her voice stammered, the word sticking in her throat.

      “You're my possession,” he replied, walking towards her.

      The girl backed up until she was against the wall of the cave, “How could I be yours? You don't even know my name!”

      “Oh, but I do,” the man smiled, “Crystal. I know all about you.”

      “Leave me alone…” she whispered, feeling trapped, “I can’t be yours.”

      Tear spilled from her eyes as the man touched her face gently, “Don’t touch me,” she winced, “…who are you?”

      “My name is Vlad...”

      The night turned black as he sunk his teeth into Crystal's pale skin...

 

* * *

 

      Alexiana wiped the tears falling from her eyes. She stood from her bed and walked to the window, opening it. The wind was cool on her face and she took in the smell of fresh air. Why was I shown that? She thought.

      “Nikolae...what am I to do...?” she whispered into the night.

 

* * *

 

      Nikolae shut his window with a sigh, “Alexiana...I will protect you...”