Chapter Eighteen: Shattered Reflections

Author's POV

The following morning, Selene awoke with a heavy heart. The dream from the night before lingered in her thoughts like a dark cloud, casting shadows over her every move. She could still hear her father's voice, cold and unyielding, warning her of the dangers that lay ahead. It was a stark contrast to the warmth and love she felt whenever she was with Callista.

As she prepared for the day, Selene found herself moving through the motions mechanically, her mind elsewhere. The apartment felt unusually quiet, the silence amplifying her worries. She knew she needed to talk to Callista about what she had seen in the dream, but the words seemed to escape her.

When Callista finally emerged from the bedroom, Selene forced a smile, hoping to hide the turmoil within her. But Callista knew her too well to be fooled.

"Selene, is something wrong?" Callista asked, her brow furrowing with concern.

Selene hesitated for a moment, then shook her head. "I'm just a little tired, that's all. Maybe it's the stress from work."

Callista studied her for a moment, clearly unconvinced, but didn't press the issue. "If you say so. Just know that I'm here if you want to talk."

Selene nodded, grateful for Callista's understanding. She knew she couldn't keep her feelings bottled up forever, but for now, she needed to process what had happened on her own.

---

Later That Day

At work, Selene's mind was in a haze. The tasks that usually occupied her attention seemed trivial in comparison to the questions swirling in her mind. She couldn't shake the feeling that her father's appearance in the dream was more than just a figment of her imagination.

As she sat at her desk, staring blankly at her computer screen, her phone buzzed with a message from Theo.

*Theo:* "Lunch break? You seem like you could use a breather."

Selene sighed, realizing that a break might be exactly what she needed. She replied with a quick affirmative, and soon she found herself sitting across from Theo in their usual café.

Theo studied her closely, his sharp eyes missing nothing. "You've been off lately, Selene. Is something going on?"

Selene debated whether to tell him about the dream, but ultimately decided against it. Instead, she offered a half-truth. "It's just been a lot of pressure at work. And, you know, family stuff."

Theo nodded, his expression sympathetic. "Family stuff can be tough. But don't let it get to you too much. You've got a good head on your shoulders, Selene. Whatever it is, you'll figure it out."

Selene smiled weakly. "Thanks, Theo. I appreciate it."

As they talked, Selene found herself opening up more, sharing some of her concerns about her father's expectations and the strain it had put on her over the years. It was a relief to get it off her chest, even if she didn't reveal the full extent of what was bothering her.

---

That Evening

Back at the apartment, the atmosphere felt charged with unspoken words. Callista had sensed the tension in Selene all day and was growing increasingly worried. As they sat down to dinner, she decided it was time to address the elephant in the room.

"Selene, I know you said you're just tired, but I can tell something else is going on. Please, talk to me," Callista urged, her voice soft but insistent.

Selene looked at Callista, the weight of her emotions suddenly feeling too heavy to bear alone. She took a deep breath, deciding it was time to be honest.

"I had another dream last night," Selene began, her voice trembling slightly. "But this one was different. My father was there… and he wasn't just a memory or a shadow. It felt like he was really there, warning me about the dream world and telling me to stay away."

Callista's eyes widened in surprise. "Your father? But how…?"

"I don't know," Selene admitted, her hands trembling slightly as she spoke. "It felt so real, like he was trying to reach out to me from… somewhere. He said the dream world is dangerous, that it's not meant for us."

Callista reached across the table, taking Selene's hand in hers. "Selene, I don't know what this means, but I do know that we're in this together. We'll figure it out, no matter what."

Selene squeezed Callista's hand, finding comfort in her words. But deep down, the fear remained. The dream world had once been a place of connection and solace for them, but now it felt like it was hiding something—something that could tear them apart if they weren't careful.

As the evening wore on, they both tried to push the thoughts of the dream aside, focusing instead on the mundane tasks of daily life. But the shadows of doubt lingered, casting a pall over their once bright and hopeful future.

Author's POV

That night, as they lay in bed, neither of them could sleep. The silence between them was thick with tension, their minds racing with questions and uncertainties.

Selene stared up at the ceiling, her thoughts spinning in circles. She couldn't shake the feeling that her father's warning was more than just a dream—it was a premonition, a glimpse into a future she wasn't sure she wanted to face.

Beside her, Callista shifted restlessly, her own thoughts mirroring Selene's. They had fought so hard to be together, to overcome the obstacles that had been thrown in their path. But now, the biggest challenge of all seemed to be looming on the horizon, and neither of them knew how to face it.

As the clock ticked on, they lay there in silence, their hands entwined, seeking comfort in each other's presence. But the shadows of doubt continued to creep in, threatening to pull them apart.

And somewhere, in the distance, the dream world beckoned, its secrets still hidden in the mist.