Freedom

{Chapter one}

Tick.

Tick.

Tick.

Breathe, Persephone, breathe.

I took three steps towards the green light.

One. Two. Three.

I stopped and sniffed the air. Everything around me was beautiful and in full bloom. The petunias gave off a slight aroma while the marigolds gave off more of an odor. I took one more step, this time, not controlling it.

One.

The delicate things around me slowly started dripping. The air temp climbed and suddenly seemed to sky rocket. My face felt like it was pouring water.

I hated this part.

Now the plants and greenery around me began to shatter. Cracking, I tried backing away from the glass-like shards falling before me. As I placed my toes on the ground and attempted balancing my weight, my heels kept falling. No, it wasn't just my heels. I was falling. I began to pick up speed as well. I saw the ground now, but it wasn't just ground, it was cold, hard cement. I would hit in about three seconds.

Three. Two.

Caught.

It was him. He was here again. It was a third. I loved the thirds the most because this figure was always here to help me. I call my every third dream I have a third. I only know it's a third if he shows up. Now it was the favorite part of these dreams.

He made me feel warm. Well most of all, he made me feel. I don't remember the last time I had felt happy, or even felt anything. That's what depression does to you. But he takes it all away.

This was actually the first time I'd ever seen his face, or even realized it was a him.

He held me tightly in his arms and walked over to a rock covered in moss. He set me down gently as the environment around us morphed into a meadow. His smile sparkled as he moved the hair from my eyes. I gazed up longingly into his dull grey eyes. He slowly trickled his finger along the frame of my face. His red hair waved a little in the calm breeze.

I giggled a little and then quickly shut up. I don't giggle. Idiots giggle, only they giggle. He laughed a little at me.

This was the first time I'd heard him. We'd made a lot of progress in this third. I think I'm even enjoying this. I haven't enjoyed anything in a while.

He fixed my jacket and grabbed my hand. He led me to a willow tree and sat down with eyes that said, "you too". I did so and could feel the dream ending.

"What's your name?", I asked quickly.

"It's Rayle.", he replied with his to die for smile.

I smiled back at him and was pulled away.

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"Persephone! Get out of bed! You're going to be late! Now get out of bed!", screamed my mother as I tried to scoop myself from my glorious slumber.

"Rayle." I whispered as I pulled on my oversized, yet light sweater. I didn't care if I was late for my first day at a new school. I knew Rayle's name and that was all that mattered.