ETHEREAL | Tyler Owens

03

CHAPTER THREE

AURORA SHOT AWAKE, drenched in a cold sweat. Her breathing was heavy. The nightmares were getting worse now that she was back in Oklahoma. Every night it felt like she was reliving that day from all those years ago.

It was early, her phone read 5:47 am when she picked it up. She hated calling early in the morning, but the time zone wasn't different from Chicago so it wasn't as early for her. She pulled up her contacts and clicked on Kate's, calling her.

Aurora waited as the phone rang and rang. For a moment, she thought Kate wasn't going to pick up. After another ring, the call finally connected.

"Aurora, you okay?" Kate asked in a concerned tone. Aurora didn't usually call this early in the morning, it was only an hour later in the day for Kate.

"I'm sorry for calling you. I just really need someone to talk to." Aurora said, careful not to talk to loud to respect the motel guests in the rooms around her.

"No it's fine. What's wrong?"

"I did something stupid. I'm back in Oklahoma."

"Seriously. What are you doing back there?"

"Javi came to my work a couple days ago. He said that he got back into tornado chasing and needed my help." Aurora explained, "But my nightmares have gotten worse. They're so life-like. It's like living through it all over again."

"Oh Aurora." Kate comforted, "I'm sorry." There wasn't much to say. They both had nightmares about that day. They both knew what it was like. Aurora wiped the beads of sweat from her forehead.

"I mean, it's nice to be back. I think I really did miss it but it's all too much."

"You're never going to feel ready. It's what happens when you live through something like that. It'll get better, I know it." Kate said.

"I feel like I'm in over my head. I messed up yesterday, made the wrong call."

"What, Aurora Barnes making the wrong call? That's unheard of." Kate joked. Aurora laughed lightly.

"I know, right." Aurora said.

"Did the call hurt anybody? Did it cause someone to be in harms way?" Kate asked. Aurora heard the sounds of New York in the background. She was probably out for a walk.

"Well not exactly. But Javi's was pretty mad at me."

"So? When does Javi stay mad at you for more than an hour?"

"I just feel bad. I made a mistake."

"It's going to be hard at first. It's been a while since you've done this." Kate sighed.

"I know. It's just frustrating. Javi told his team I was an amazing chaser and I cost them good data."

"So show them how good you are. There's going to be more tornados which means more opportunities for you to make up for the mistake. Now, I have to go to work. Are you going to be okay?"

"Yeah, I think I'm okay now. Bye, I miss you." Aurora said. She missed Kate. It was like being separated from her sister.

"I miss you too. Bye!" Kate hung up the phone. Aurora did feel better. She had calmed down. Today was a new day, she told herself. A fresh start.

Aurora pulled herself out of bed and made her way into the small bathroom. She looked at herself in the dirty mirror. Her black hair was knotted and eyes looked tired. She took her time getting ready, combing out her hair and putting it in two French braids to keep it out of the way.