Four
Suddenly aware of the dim light now casting a shadow across her books, Myra Wolff glances out of the window. The sun has dissolved into an amber haze, while night fights the horizon sending streaks of pink and purple shooting across the sky.
“Oh shoot!” she mutters, hastily slamming shut the array of books strewn across the table in front of her. She grabs her navy blue rucksack and begins to stuff the books in, throwing on her black jacket.
The sound of her footsteps echo through the basement level of the library. Not another soul is in sight. She nods at the librarian and hurries out the door, her bag banging against her shins. Pulling her hood over her head, she navigates her way through the cobblestoned path, keeping to the shadows.
“Whoops! Sorry miss," exclaims a little boy as he runs right into her, dropping his little bag of groceries.
“Stupid kid,” Myra mutters as she hurries on, not even bothering to turn around. Her thoughts drift to the events scheduled for that night.
“The rest of them better be prepared for the meeting,” she thinks, relishing the thought of what would happen to them if they weren’t.
The DreamCatchers had already failed once, years ago. A defeat so bad, that the very existence of the DreamCatchers was denied. No way is that going to happen again. And definitely not while she is in charge.
As soon as the guard sees her tall, cloaked frame approaching the gates, he hastily throws them open, saluting her as she strode past him without so much as a glance. She glides into the Oval room and turned to face the table seating three of her trusted underlings.
“What first?” she says, her voice just audible as she glances around the table her dark eyes searching for anything they could be trying to hide.
“Tomorrow is recruitment day,” pipes up Ivy, “We’ve compiled a list of the stronger contenders already, and they will go through some preliminary tests before being sent to you.”
Myra nods.
“I presume all of you will be involved in this preliminary testing? Select only the best. We need strong dedicated people on our side. There must be no doubts as to exactly what each is capable of doing.”
The others nod solemnly.
“The reports of nightmares have also been increasing," says Hunter. “People are beginning to talk about them more, especially since they are getting even worse. Some can’t even sleep at night fearing what they will see.”
Myra turns, her eyes piercing through him.
“Are they beginning to suspect anything?” she asks.
Hunter shakes his head, “Nope. Nothing close to the truth anyway. Psychologists attribute it to repressed memories that the subconscious mind is trying to remember.”
Myra's face remains impassive. “Where is Byron?” she asks.
“We haven’t heard anything from him since he left this afternoon,” replies Phoenix.
“Where is Byron?” Myra repeats.
Nobody dares to break the silence following her words.
“Ivy,” Myra snaps, “Where is Byron?”
Ivy swallows.
“He didn’t tell us where he was going..”
Myra rises and storms out of the room.
Phoenix gives an awkward titter in her wake.
“Whoops,” he jokes.
“Shut up Phoenix," Ivy snaps.
Phoenix beams.
“Hunter, are you saying that the humans have no clue as to what is causing their nightmares? They still haven’t figured it out?” Ivy asks disbelievingly.
Hunter shakes his head, “They don’t have a clue.”
[image - amaris@TDA]