Do you ever wonder what happens after death? Or how many lives you've lived before this one? What waits beyond the astral plains?
I used to see things that no one else could, think in ways many couldn't comprehend.
One night, I dreamt of a quiet, content life as a baker. I could feel the flour dusting my fingertips, inhale the irresistible warmth of fresh doughnuts and croissants resting on the counter. My husband adored me—he cherished every moment we spent together. In that dream, I was loved completely. It was peaceful, bright, filled with laughter and tenderness. I smiled in my sleep.
But reality came crashing back. My run-down dorm room greeted me, the snores of my roommate filling the stale air. I sighed, turning toward the window where the moon's silver glow offered a silent comfort.
Then, a vision.
A woman in a flowing white gown appeared before me, followed by seven shadowed figures. She reached toward me, her face hidden by a delicate lace veil. Slowly, she lifted it—just enough for me to glimpse her pale lips moving, forming words I couldn't understand.
I stood frozen, stunned, unsure of what she had said. She began to fade. Desperate, I stepped forward, reaching for her.
"Wait! Where are you going? I didn't hear you—wait!"
But she was gone.
Suddenly, my door slammed open, jolting me awake. My roommate stirred below, grumbling at the rude intrusion.
Leila, our dorm mother, stood in the doorway, fists resting on her hips, her expression a mix of frustration and concern.
"Elora, are you alright?" Her voice was sharp, cutting through the remnants of my dream.
Still caught between sleep and wakefulness, I stammered, but she held up a hand, stopping me.
"I don't need an explanation. Get up and come to the dining room for roll call and breakfast."
There was no room for protest.
I hurried to get ready and slipped into the dining hall just as Denise, the matron, was calling names. She spotted me and smiled, though there was a hint of disapproval in her eyes.
"Elora, good morning! Try to be on time—breakfast is the most important meal of the day," she chided warmly.
I nodded, taking the nearest seat. Denise was always kind. Elda, the headmistress, was the opposite.
After breakfast, chores followed. I was tasked with sweeping the courtyard with Danny, the boy who had been here since infancy and had stayed past eighteen to guide the younger ones. He was like an older brother to everyone.
As we worked, I noticed Elda, Leila, and Denise talking beneath the archways, their faces etched with concern. The conversation looked serious.
Danny noticed my distraction. "What's got your attention?"
I grunted quietly. "I don't know… They seem worried about something."
Danny glanced toward them, intrigued. "What do you think it is?"
"I'm not sure, but whatever it is, it looks important."
Suddenly, their eyes flicked toward us, realizing we were watching.
Danny and I exchanged looks and quickly resumed sweeping, suppressing grins. We'd gotten caught snooping—but it was worth the curiosity.
Once the chores were done, we collapsed onto a bench.
Danny noticed the sudden shift in my mood. "What's wrong?"
I sat upright. "I had a strange dream last night."
"Like what?"
"There was a woman in a lilac-silver gown, her arms draped in jewels that belonged in a fantasy. Her face was veiled, but she reached out to me, followed by seven figures… She said something, but I couldn't understand it. It's been bothering me ever since."
Danny considered this. "You're probably overthinking it."
"But it felt real," I countered. "Like she was there… I could feel her, almost touch her—"
"Stop worrying about it," Danny interrupted gently. "Forget about it. Let's eat—I heard they're serving honey cake."
I hesitated but nodded.
Danny grinned. "Last one to return the brooms is a lousy looper!"
Before I could react, he bolted, laughing.
"Wait—that's not fair!" I sprinted after him, refusing to lose.
Meanwhile, at the headmistress's office…
Leila's voice was strained. "Elda, the Seven Councils are threatening to cut our funding if we don't address our debts. We can't lose this home—what about the children?"
Denise nodded, her voice rising in distress. "We have to do something, or—"
Elda, cold and unyielding, simply folded her arms. "We will sort something out before we reach that point." Her tone remained sharp. "As for the children… they don't need to know. Just continue as usual."
Leila and Denise exchanged worried glances but nodded in reluctant agreement.
Later that evening…
Dusk had settled, casting a deep orange glow over the orphanage. As the others prepared for bed, I realized my bracelet was missing—the one given to me when I was sent here.
I whispered to Danny that I'd be back, and he nodded before ushering the younger ones inside.
Retracing my steps, I wandered into the forest, near the patch of delicate blue flowers I had admired earlier.
"I swear I left it here…"
Then, a glow caught my eye.
Turning, I saw a pale light—a phosphorescent shimmer within the dark woods.
I stepped forward, my pulse quickening.
My bracelet.
It was glowing.
I reached down, fingers brushing against its warmth, but a sudden chill swept through the trees.
From the mist, a figure emerged.
Tall. Ethereal.
The woman from my dream.
She stood among the trees, her presence both soothing and terrifying.
Without thinking, I ran toward her.
"Wait! Where are you going?! I need to talk to you—"
She turned and fled.
Desperation overtook me, my feet moving faster, chasing her into the depths of the forest.
Finally, she stopped.
Floating.
Before a towering willow tree.
A door was carved into its trunk, glowing white through its cracks.
The woman drifted backward, passing effortlessly through the door—vanishing as though she were never there.
The door creaked open.
The light was inviting, almost whispering for me to step inside.
I obeyed.
Beyond the threshold lay a lounge—dimly lit, warmed by a flickering fireplace.
I wandered inside, fingers grazing the leather of a sofa.
On the coffee table, a plate of croissants and cake sat, untouched, as if waiting for me.
Footsteps sounded behind me.
I turned sharply—heart pounding.
A tall woman stood before me.
Her attire was regal, adorned with jewels.
Her hair, black as night, cascaded like silk.
Her eyes, deep and knowing, held me captive.
A simple smile crossed her lips.
And yet, all I could think was—
Who are you?