“Part of her is there,” Millie answered him, strolling across the foyer to meet him.
“I know,” Damien answered. “It helps to realize that.”
Millie eyed him for a moment before returning her gaze to the portrait. “Have you decided against the nap?”
“No,” he sighed. “Just didn’t make it there yet.”
“Will you be able to sleep?”
“I hope so. I am exhausted. I ache all over.”
“Tension can do strange things to the body, Damien,” Millie noted. “You must try to get proper rest. If you need a sleep aid, just ask.”
“I don’t. At least, I hope I don’t. Let me try the nap. If I can’t sleep, I’ll let you know.”
“All right. I hope you sleep. Pleasant dreams,” Millie wished him as he trudged up the stairs.
Damien crawled into bed. Dreams, he scoffed as he considered Millie’s last statement. Yes, perhaps he could have another dream of Celine for everyone to ignore. Their rebuke of his dream as meaningful annoyed him. Michael believed him. At least that’s what he said. His musings turned from his annoyance with his housemates to brooding over Celine’s disappearance. He had no ideas, no clues on proceeding. It frustrated him. He always had a plan. This time, when Celine needed him the most, he had nothing.
He tossed and turned, frustrated with himself and his situation. He stared out of the window. Bright sunlight shone in. The light dimmed. A cloud must be passing over the sun, he surmised. He closed his eyes for a moment, drifting away.
Damien glanced around, rubbing his eyes. He failed to recognize his surroundings. Had he sleepwalked? He pushed up to sitting. Where was he? Trees soared overhead, standing motionless. Their leaves, normally bright with color this time of year, were colorless. Even the pine trees were gray. Eerie silence surrounded him. He stood, glancing around. He shrugged his hoodie closer around him. A shiver shot through his body. He rubbed his hands together, blowing on them to warm them. Why was it so cold, he wondered?
A strange reverberating sound drew his attention. He swiveled his head in its direction. “Hello?” He received no answer. “Hello? Is someone there?”
The noise sounded again. Damien inched toward it. “Hello?” he called again, shivering. He crossed his arms, trying to keep warm. The noise rang out again. This time it was discernible. “Damien,” Celine’s voice echoed.
“Celine?” Damien responded, his heart racing. “Celine, where are you?”
“Here,” her voice answered, echoing all around him. “Focus, Damien, focus on my voice.”
“Celine?” he cried, panic filling him as he gawked around to spot her.
“Focus, Damien. Deep breaths,” Celine advised.
Damien swallowed hard. He fought to steady his breath. Closing his eyes, he focused on her voice. When his breath was steady, he opened his eyes. Celine stood in front of him, a few feet away. “You found me,” she stated. She smiled at him.
His eyes grew wide, and he reached for her. “Celine!” he exclaimed, his heart skipping a beat. Then the world melted away. His body jolted. “No!” he cried as the scene faded.
Damien opened his eyes. “No! No!” he shouted.
“Damien, Damien!” Michael said, shaking him. “Are you all right?”
Millie rushed into the room along with Alexander. “Huh? What?” Damien asked, confused.
“I overheard a noise when I passed your door,” Michael replied. “I popped my head in to check. Your breathing was erratic, and you were shaking. I called for Millie, I assumed something was wrong.”
Damien caught his breath. “I was dreaming, I guess.”
“About Celine?” Alexander inquired.
Damien nodded. “Yes, about Celine.”
“Would you mind if I checked your vitals?” Millie asked. Damien shook his head. “Tell us about the dream,” Millie prodded as she checked Damien’s pulse.
Damien furrowed his brow, recalling the details. “I was in a place I didn’t recognize. It was a strange place. I remember being cold, freezing, in fact. Then I heard Celine’s voice calling to me. At first, I couldn’t recognize or understand it. But then it became clearer. I couldn’t see her. She told me to focus. So, I did and then she was there. She said, ‘You found me’ and I reached for her. But then everything faded away, and I woke up. It didn’t seem like a dream. It was so real. It was like she was with me.”
“I have no doubt it was,” Millie admitted. “Your pulse is elevated a bit, nothing to be concerned about. I’m glad you slept.”
Damien scoffed. “I’m still exhausted. In fact, I feel worse.”
“I’m sorry to hear that,” Millie answered. “You should retire early this evening. The stress is undoubtedly overwhelming.”
Damien nodded. “I doubt I’ll make it far past dinner, to be honest.”
Alexander chimed in, “How about a chess game to pass the time until dinner, Damien? It may relax your mind.”
“Sure. I am not sure how great of an opponent I’ll be. I am not sure I can concentrate.”
“I’ll go easy on you,” Alexander promised.
“Thanks,” Damien answered, standing.
“You sure you don’t want to try another nap?” Michael asked.
“I’m sure. I’m exhausted, but I’m afraid I won’t sleep tonight.” He chuckled for a moment.
“What’s funny?” Michael inquired.
“I was just remembering Celine used to say that all the time when she was Josie. Remember?”
Michael grinned at him. “Yep, I remember. She’d get so mad at us for suggesting she nap.”
“Yep,” Damien answered, returning the grin. “Life’s weird, huh?”
“We have no shortage of weird,” Michael agreed.
Celine opened her eyes, smiling to herself. She attempted a second contact with Damien. This time, he had spotted her. His mind, jumbled with stress and panic, had focused enough to find her. The result of the latest contact pleased her. Perhaps soon she could speak with him and pass along information. She must be careful. Too long of an exposure to the environment could prove fatal. Particularly for a human.
