Ch. 10 "Realms"

I came to with a sharp pain in my head. It felt as if I had been hit by a train. The pain sharpened as I sat up. A large hand firmly pressed my chest back into the soft, sweet smelling grass. Grass? Where am I? I couldn't see well, my vision was blurred or obstructed. By what, I had no clue. Chase. The memory of him straddling a corpse covered in what appeared to be blood, pointed teeth and face covered in blood, and those piercing green eyes... my head throbbed even more. I opened my eyes and was met by a lavendar sky. This place again. The place I first met Chase. I looked around without picking my head up.

There were trees, long and short grasses, flowers, rocks, stumps; things I hadn't seen in this place before. I finally looked at the hand holding me firmly to the ground. Dark, caramel colored skin attached to a hand that was entirely black as it led up to the golden skin. Mud? I followed the hand to the arm and finally to a face. I didn't think I'd ever meet anyone as beautiful as Chase, but this man was a close second. Jet black, long hair streaked his face and trailed down his back in a sloppy braid. He had strong features, a sharp jaw, deep cheekbones and eye sockets, a chiseled nose rolling muscles; like an example out of one of my figure drawing books. He was positively stunning. He looked down at me with eyes the color of the lavendar sky. Such sharp, yet soft eyes. I took a ragged breath in and even breathing made my head hurt. I attempted to sit up again. He removed his hand from my chest and gestured out across the field. I propped myself up on my elbows, wincing at the pain in my skull.

Chase was battling something and winning. It was small in body, but with spindly legs taller than Chase. Blacker than a summer night sky, the creature swiped massive claws at Chase, easily evaded. It eventually fell to the ground, letting out a rattling growl. Smoke rose from the carcass like a fire. I again felt a hand on my chest, pushing me down.

"He won't be happy if he sees you up and about just yet. He blames himself for your injuries", this mystery person said, with a voice as deep as the creatures growl. His eyes were emotionless but I dared not try his patience. I laid back down and closed my eyes. The pain subsided momentarily. I heard footsteps approaching, crinkling the grass.

"Is she awake yet? Is she okay?", Chase asked absolutely breathless, his hands on his knees as he bent over to catch some air.

"She's come to, but she's in incredible pain. I saw it in her soul", he said with disdain. Chase dropped to his knees next to me in the grass. I felt a hand cup the side of my face, followed by a sigh. My eyes fluttered open. Chase was covered in black splatters. The black liquid smelled like dead leaves, like autumn. Chase had a normal human face again. I started to sit up again, Chase placing an arm around my shoulders supporting me.

"What happened... I remember being on the street, and then I woke up here, with him", I said, clenching a closed fist against my forehead.

"Gray", the strange man said.

"That's my human side name. Gray", he explained, unbraiding his hair and letting it fall around his naked torso. His hair was longer than mine. What connection do he and Chase have? Am I in danger here, anywhere? What is going on? I have so many questions.

"I guess there's no point in keeping a secret any longer...", Chase trailed off. He looked at Gray. Gray crossed his arms and looked away as if admitting defeat.

"Jasmine, you know I'm not entirely human, right?", Chase asked. His eyes pleaded with me more than his words. I was shocked he used my name. I soaked it up like a sponge.

"Of course I know that. There's too much you can't explain", I said. I dropped my hand into my lap. My head hurt less and less the more we talked.

"Okay, so how do I explain this well", he said. He took a moment to collect himself. I sat, staring at him expectantly. He spoke after a couple minutes.

"I cross the threshold of dreams and reality. Gray does too. There's probably thousands of us, but Gray and I ended up in the same dreamscape. It's like alternate dimensions of the same universe, each of us getting our own. We have to share. More importantly... There are demons, nightmare bringers here as well, like that one", he pointed at the plume of black billowing smoke across the field, thousands of feet away. I didn't say anything, I didn't have to. He continued.

"So the nightmares prey on innocent human subconscious and make a home there. Gray and I are like gatekeepers of the human subconscious. We're called dreamwalkers", he said, taking my hand in his. He gently patted it.

"So this... is a physical realm? I didn't just dream it up, then?", I asked.

"Yes, it's a real realm. A physical realm, as you described it. The danger here threatens your life just like in your world. We can transport your physical body here, but not necessarily your... worldly possessions", Gray interrupted, staring down at my chest suspiciously. I looked down myself and I was naked, but with Chase's hoodie laid on top of me as a blanket. My cheeks went red yet again, for the umpteenth time today. I clenched it tighter to my chest.

"I took you here in an attempt to protect you", Chase said.

"Thank you", I blurted out. They both looked at me in surprise.

"I told you, the first time I met you, didn't I? The more truthful you are, the more I'll trust you", I explained. Both of their faces softened.

"I can't express my gratitude for you saving me Chase. And you Gray, for keeping me safe after we came here", I went on. They were both eager to hear what I had to say.

"This is definitely a lot to take in, so please forgive me if I have seemingly stupid or ignorant questions. But I do want to learn more. About both of you. About this world. About me, too. There's more of a reason than sympathy for Chase choosing me. I can feel it. So I want to learn", I finished. The boys exchanged looks, and nodded.

"She can be trusted. I'll gladly help protect her subconscious by your side, brother", Gray said definitively. He stretched an arm out, and Chase grabbed his forearm. They held each other's arms for a matter of seconds. Then Chase looked at me, as if seeing me for the first time.

"You're right. There's something off about you. The nightmares, as well as Gray and I, seem to be able to enter and exit your subconscious without having to put you to sleep or you being asleep already. It's a magnetic power, it's like a drug. I can't get enough of your mind. I wander it for hours and never seem to have my fill. I want to know how and why, and so does he", Chase said, grabbing my hand with his free one. Gray nodded.

"It's perplexing indeed. No one has heard of it from this realm. Maybe someone in your realm has an explanation, or at least a direction to point us in to find answers", Gray said, his eyes softening by the second. His smile took my absolute breath away. It was crooked, but bared the same pointy teeth as Chase had our first meeting. It didn't shock me. So they are the same 'species' then. Interesting. But I wanted more answers before I asked any more questions.

"So, that thing, it didn't steal my phone obviously. So we're still on the look out for the guy, right?", I asked, insecure.

"I'm sure humans can sense your energy too. It truly is like gravity, I'm drawn to you even right now", Gray said, closing his eyes part way and inhaling deep. He exhaled and the same magical, glittery smoke exited his mouth. His was a deep, royal purple.

"So you can enter and exit my subconscious, put me to sleep, wake me up.... How do you do that?", I asked, playing with the string of the hoodie. I looked between both of them. They looked at each other cheekily and both got within inches of my face. I started to lean back in shock; but before I could escape, both of them exhaled directly into my face. The last thing I saw was swirls of green and purple glitter before my eyes closed and my mind went black.