Sleepless Night

The Night was still, only sounds that could be heard were the chirping of crickets and the ticking of the clock.

"Charlene you're a gift, born with a powerful destiny. But beware, a dark fate looms, threatening to claim your life. One misstep and your destiny will be twisted." Shaman Dean's voice echoed in her head as she tossed from one side of her bed to the other.

"What did he mean? What destiny?" Charlene sighed, unable to find any suitable answer, she took her gaze to Hazel, who seemed to be in a deep slumber, then slowly her eyes darted to the wall Clock and a frustrated hiss left her lips.

Since the last time she checked it's been One O'clock a.m, just as the night was still, time too, seemed still.

"Be patient Charlene" A comforting voice rang in her head "Time will reveal it all. But for now, sleep" As if hypnotised, Charlene drifted off to sleep immediately.

***

As the clock ticked, Ava's (Melanie's roommate) soft breath could be heard, but for Melanie, sleep seemed to have deserted her as she sat on her bed, counting the seconds.

Dreame College was dead silent and Melanie was certain that if a pin dropped it'd be loud enough for everyone else, but her mind wasn't that peaceful, as a lot of thoughts ran through her mind.

'I should really confront him ' she thought and glanced at Ava,before teleporting out of the room.

She materialised in a Classy Villa, somewhere very close to nature; beside a waterfalls.

"You're here earlier than expected" An old man, seated legs crossed on a couch said with a sly smirk, apparently she was there to see him.

"Greetings..." She said with a respectful bow "your words wouldn't leave my head..I couldn't sleep"

The man chuckled and shook his head "I see.." He trailed off staring intently at her "why are you here"

Melanie totally avoided his gaze as she felt rather uncomfortable under his piercing stare which sort of reminded her of her step mum. "Why ask when you already know?" She blurted out, before she could restrict herself.

The man smiled lazily before his expression turned stern, sensing his gestures no one needed to tell Melanie what to do.

"I'm sorry" she bowed apologetically "I just lost control over my emotions"

"I tolerate anything but disrespect" he said calmly and nudged at her, ready to listen to the reason for her visit.

"I'm here to find out what you meant, and why I was chosen instead of someone else" She mumbled slightly fidgeting.

"Mel..Lanie" he called, and her gaze snapped to him instantly a she tried to find her dad in him, but recalling her dad's human she shrugged the thoughts off, as she stared at the old man.

"It's your destiny. I'll keep in touch, because on your own you can't handle it... You must leave now, your roommate is almost awake" He said dismissively and Melanie nodded slowly, her thoughts occupied.

"Who exactly is he?"

****

Blake's heart raced as he stared pleadingly at his mum who had him on his knees, with a Silver dagger on her right hand. He tried to utter some words but they came out as muffled sounds.

A smirk found its way to her lips "Finally I get to see you in real pains huh" She chuckled bitterly and raised the dagger to Blake whose eyes widened in horror.

"You don't deserve to live.., tell me why I should spare you?" She glared.

"I didn't kill him" Blake muttered, surprisingly the words were out clearly "please just let me go, I'm no longer under your roof"

The middle-aged woman stared at him as her mind wandered, her full lips masked with red lipstick seemed to be passing a message to Blake.

She suddenly screamed, her eyes holding emotions that Blake couldn't tell "I hate you!!" Were her next words, she brought the dagger closer to Blake and just as she was about to stab him, his eyes snapped open.

"Another Nightmare" he muttered visibly trembling as cold sweat dripped down his body, and his heart pounding frantically.

"I didn't kill him" He muttered with quivering lips, his heart tightened and he clenched his jaw, but before he could stop himself, a tear slid down his face, then another and another, involuntarily he began sobbing.

Louis, whose bed's directly opposite Blake's, stirred slowly in his sleep, half awake, he heard sounds and fluttering his eyes open, he sighted Blake crying.

"Strange" Louis mumbled his gaze lingering on Blake for a while, to be sure he wasn't hallucinating, when he was sure that he wasn't, he got off his bed and moved to Blake's.

"You're crying" He started, wondering how to comfort him, considering his uptight nature "what's wrong?"

"I'm not crying" Blake replied stubbornly "something got into my eyes"

"Blake it's 2:00 a.m, am I supposed to believe your excuse?" Louis scoffed "mahn, you're visibly trembling I'm not a kid"

Blake sighed and wiped his tears with the back of his palm "I'm fine"

Louis shook his head and sighed "it's okay if you don't want to talk about it, but lying about it...?"

Blake just stared at him, not uttering a word.

"Maybe Aiden's right after all, I'm the only one interested in our friendship" Louis muttered and walked back to his bed "I'm sorry for sticking my face in your business" he mumbled and laid on his bed covering his head with the duvet.

Blake stared shortly at him, with a lot of thoughts running through his mind, that didn't change how hurt he was, neither did it stop his tears.

Meanwhile, a sting in her heart and piercing sense of unease woke Hazel up.

"Oh no, another nightmare" she mumbled her eyes growing Misty, she didn't even bother with struggling to stay awake. Whenever she woke up at night feeling this way, something was definitely wrong with Blake and almost always it had to do with nightmares.

She sat up in her bed, her heart racing with concern. The connection she shared with Blake was inexplicable and intense, they could literally feel each other's pains.

"For me Blake" she whispered into the darkness."if not for anything else, please be fine. I love you so much".

As she spoke, deep within her, she wished her words would somehow reach him. The universe seemed to be on her side, because the uneasiness began to subside and was suddenly replaced by a sense of calm. Hazel smiled lightly, knowing Blake was finally okay.

"It's funny how he always tries to act tough" she chuckled and settled back into bed, picking up a novel to read until dawn.

Meanwhile, in another room, a student suddenly awoke, like a jolt of electricity and sat still on her bed.

"Finally Shaman is gone" she whispered, her voice barely audible "no more stupid rules. Good radiance."

The words felt like a liberation, like a weight was being lifted from her shoulder.

Her mind drifted to the farewell ceremony, where she shed tears alongside others, pretending to mourn the shaman's departure. Now alone in darkness, her true intention illuminated and a sly smirk spread across her face.

An idea, sinister and thrilling popped in her mind as her grin widened "let's see who will try to stop me" she whispered her heart palpitating and she explored the excitement and idea of freedom.

She took a deep breath, savouring the thrill and began to weave a plan that she was sure will change everything.

****

It was finally dawn, the rather long night was over and to the Amazons, it's a new day, an opportunity to explore dreams and aspirations and a door opened to embrace endless possibilities.

Dreame College felt rather cold and silent, not the ideal silence though, but one that holds so much secret and tension simply waiting to be broken and unleashed.

The activities of the night replayed in Melanie's head as she prepared for classes.

"Where were you last night?" Ava asked walking out of her closet.

Melanie froze, her hands trembling slightly before she regained composure "mind your own business"

"I was here before you Melanie..I know how things work around here" Ava said sternly as she walked to Melanie who stood uncomfortably on a spot "you're here on a mission and I can perceive it, I should just expose you..."