Tired from another day, Renna trudged into her small apartment and plopped onto the bed that creaked in complaint to the sudden weight upon it. With a soft groan, she dropped back and rested a hand upon her face. Silence lingered for some time before Renna rolled over to assess the empty room. Very few belongings littered the mediocre space; shameful considering the rent she paid. A nightstand with a couple of pictures tossed onto it and a lantern. A dresser, a mirror. A couple of boxes in the corner, a desk littered with books, maps and notes. A few pictures upon the wall; one of a little girl and one of her sister. In a futile attempt to drown out her thoughts, heavy lids focused on the little girl until she’d unwittingly drifted off.
Flicker. Crackle. Pop. The sound of the fire, the heat of the flame; they felt undeniably real against her skin. Rennalyss pushed herself to an upright position propped upon her elbow. “When did I fall asleep?” She wondered and rubbed at her face groggily. A sense of unfamiliarity kicked in. After steadying her breathing heightened from sudden alarm, Renalyss surveyed her surroundings. It couldn’t be....... Closing her eyes momentarily, blonde locks shifted as her head pivoted to look to her right where an empty sleeping bag lay.
Confused, Rennalyss pushed back the covers, her beige nightgown sliding over her body as she started forward. Cracking open the tent just enough to see outside, only Gergrian, another member of their group, patrolled the grounds; the rest sound asleep. Various tents littered the campground and the wind carried embers from the dying fire off into the night. “Gwennalyn?”
Nothing. Had something happened to her? Unable to shake the feeling that something was wrong, the mercenary slid on her boots and stuck a dagger in the concealed slot within. Renna stepped out of the tent twisting the silver trinket on her left ring finger in a nervous gesture. “Gwennalyn?” She called out and moved towards Gergrian. “Have you seen Gwen?”
Gergrian stopped pacing long enough to address her question. “Headed off to the woods about an hour ago,” Gergrian said as he pointed off into the distance. “Said it was important and not to bother her, but I doubt she’d have much to say about ya joinin’ her Renns.” A quick bob of her blonde head was offered in a Curt nod before she took hold of a nearby lantern and began her trek into the woods. In the distance she could hear the howling of wolves but continued to look for a way. Lo and behold Gwen had marked the path like she was expecting company, or simply didn’t want to get lost. They didn’t call her cautious for no reason, after all.
Closer and closer she drew to the sound of running water, a small stream separating the two pieces of land but no bridge. Tying her nightgown just above her knees, she waded through the knee length waves until she touched solid ground once more. Finally, she’d reached a clearing. A small fire was still going in a small stone circle. “Gwen?” Holding the lantern high, she looked for any sign that someone was still here, but if they’d gone it hadn’t been long. Maybe she could still......
Hairs standing on end, Renna turned just in time to feel the sharp pain of a knife piercing her skin. Letting out a sharp cry, Renna’s head reared back to see Gwen driving the dagger deeper. Gwen’s older features were masked with a look of pure hatred. “Why....?”
Shooting upright in her bed, sweat clung to Renna while she assured herself she wasn’t on those campgrounds anymore. She was in the false security her own space provided. “Shit...I thought I got rid of those dreams a long time ago.”
{Thanks for the ask @scorned-priestess!}
