The Crown

By Aashi Purohit

I ran as fast as possible, but the thundering footsteps never stopped. My beautiful white gown, now muddy and torn, kept sticking to me like a second skin as my bare feet tried desperately to get far away from whatever chased me.

Every muscle in my body screamed in agony, but I couldn't stop—not now. The rain clouded my vision, and I could hear it snarl. It was getting closer.

I was terrified, not of what chased me but of why. Had they learned of my existence, or even worse, had they discovered the truth of the secret I have been guarding for millennia?

Suddenly, a weight crashed against my foot, and I tumbled through the dense forest. I groaned in pain, and when my eyes came back into focus, bloody rubies met my stormy sapphires, and the world stopped. I felt utter peace and safety for the first time while drowning in the sea of blood and the vowes its eyes held. 

I moved towards the darkness as if some invisible force pushed me towards that creature who allowed me serenity. The last thing I heard was a soft, pleased growl before the forest crumbled, and I jolted awake.

"Amara! Gods, you scared me," someone exclaimed, waking me from my daze.

"Must you shout?" I groaned, sitting up to face Nerissa.

"Are you alright?" she asked, her forest green eyes filled with concern and question.

"I'm fine; it's just a dream," I replied. 

I couldn't remember the dream. I haven't had such dreams since my awakening a decade ago, which scared me. What in the world could I have dreamt of?

By Aashi Purohit