Daysleeper Part II Ch. 9
Disclaimer: Vicki, Henry, Mike and Coreen are not my characters, they belong to the amazing Tanya Huff and various networks. Please don't sue me!
Part II
Chapter 9
Vicki knew it was a dream but there was blood on her lips, from a stinging cut, and the darkness melted away she was once again in Henry’s apartment the room in shambles from the fight she’d just had with Norman when he’d stolen her form, and Henry was lying on the floor cut and bleeding from Norman’s attack.
“You’re bleeding,” He said reaching for her, though he himself was hoarse with pain.
“I’d hate to waste it.” But this time when they kissed she didn’t hear him say wait, nor did he push her away. And the kiss wasn’t urgent and hungry but slow and tender like a benediction, the same lips and same taste. She moaned she wanted more much more. But then though she wanted more his kiss was gone. And Henry himself was gone, she called out softly for him, “Henry?”
But suddenly and ever so swiftly she was no longer in the Henry’s empty apartment. That scene melting into a night so clear and blue it looked like day, but the kiss that had awakened her into this vision was still burning her lips.
Victoria was aware of a source of light just over the grassy hill, but the shimmering blue forest which she found herself in breathed with life. The trees, cypress and oaks shook with the slight breeze, and the sound of a branch cracking was not too far away. The royal blue of the night sky wasn’t dark at all, stars casting a light pure and warm, Orion, Ursa Minor and Ursa Major all outlined and clearly visible. Everything seemed illuminated more than physically possible, with the clarity of sight she didn’t ever remember possessing. The ground was covered with leaves that didn’t rustle and a layer of fog in patches over the them. She could see every detail in varying shades of blue. The beauty of the dew-filled night touched her heart but there closer was another branch cracking. It had to be someone approaching, that and Henry’s sudden absence suddenly torn away from her, put her on guard. Though this place looked peaceful enough; she knew whoever was breaking those branches with their footfall was looking for her, felt it inside, she didn’t think they meant her any harm but instinct won out. She hid behind a bush making sure to note her initial position. Breath held she waited for another sound, maybe even its direction; Vicki was made well aware of that she had no weapons. The glint of some brightly shining stones caught her eye, she quickly gathered them and a large stick that was conveniently sized for her hand. She decided to look for tracks to determine what this other presence was. This is just a dream Vicki. Though she knew the veracity of the statement, Vicki couldn’t allow her guard to be down, some internal alarm had been sounded. And that’s when she saw her.
Like divinity itself, a tall woman muscular yet utterly feminine came towards her with a bow and a quiver full of arrows at her back. She was on the hill, walking towards Vicki. The full moon had arisen slightly behind her and the woman came closer to Vicki, her movements long and languid, athletic and practiced. Before Vicki could hide deeper in the bush, it dissipated leaving no barrier between the woman and herself. Under the light of the moon she looked like she was born of the moon, glowing and white, her hair up in large bun. With a small smile of reassurance, she spoke.
“Do not be afraid Victoria, I come bearing a message: The unfaithful ones you hunt, they are connected by a powerful One, whose forceful hold on them could take them to their deaths, do not give up. But another comes for you and our time is limited. You must be strong Victoria, you must get well.” Her voice was a strong high mezzo-soprano that seemed to defy the aspects of a human voice, sounding several notes clearly, as if she spoke with many voices in unison. Her beauty was breath-taking and wore only a silk white tunic that seemed slight in the breeze. Who are you and why am I here? Thought Vicki, the woman responded, as if the words had truly been spoken.
“You are here because of the Nightwalker, he will take care of you. We meet here first but I will come to you soon. I… am simply the Huntress, you must go now he hears us. Watch for me I will come again.” The woman was gone.
Then the moon and its light began to fade and the forest became barren and she saw the blue tinge to the world drain off, the forested world slip away, and the stars wink out. Vicki knew someone or something else was coming. There were no sounds to warn of the coming presence only a pervading sense of evil. Then without warning she knew it was Astaroth she was afraid of and who was coming for her. The marks on her wrists burned. She would fight him, because even if it was a dream he might still be able to come through. Vicki threw up her arms, the tree limb in her right hand, as a light glowed red and bitter out of the marks, and she ran towards her initial position, ready for whatever attacked.
She awoke to Henry touching her face his cold fingers reminding her she was no longer dreaming. Henry was with her, she was safe. She submitted to Henry’s urging on the fluids and everything, feeling the panic recede that the Astaroth’s presence wasn’t menacing in reality. Henry made her feel safe, she didn’t have the strength to tell him to go away, and when she thought about it she didn’t want him to.
“Vicki you need to stop this you know you can’t keep pushing yourself, please for me.” When she heard those words she wanted to hit him or hug him she wasn’t sure which, but couldn’t rouse herself enough to do so. She was so very tired, and she fell back into a calmer sleep than she’d had in a very long time.
Later that day Coreen without consulting her made a follow-up appointment. She even went so far as to escort her to the doctor’s office. “You have to go Vick, they only gave you enough pills for three days.” It was blackmail pure and simple, concluded Vicki.
“Is it me or did it chillier in here?” she mumbled to Coreen when Dr. Woods walked in, with an ice cool demeanor.
“And you’re such a heart warmer yourself Vicki.” Vicki ignored that one.
“Hey doc how’s it going? You know I’m great really am, can I just get the prescriptions and I’ll let you get back to saving some more lives?” Vicki was trying to get this over and done with quickly, apparently thinking the doctor wouldn’t bring up her early escape. Dr. Woods addressed Coreen telling her Vicki needed to go down stairs and get some more x-rays done. She was gone without another look at Vicki. Vicki tried to pretend nothing had happened.
After the X-rays Dr. Woods came back to them before the results had gotten back. This time much more willing to look at Vicki, “So Coreen tells me you worked yourself into a fainting spell last night.”
“It was no big deal, she doesn’t know she wasn’t there.” Vicki’s life was becoming entirely too public.
“But Henry was there.” No response from Vicki, “So you can’t deny it happened, Victoria.”
“It’s Vicki” Vicki said through clenched teeth, damn the two of them!
“Fine, Vicki, I can tell you’re a strong person, hell you know what? let’s start over. My name is Eileithyia, so you can call me Ellie.” Vicki had to bite the insides of her mouth to keep from laughing, what kinda name was Eileithyia anyways? But before she actually did laugh she noticed that something about the Ellie’s face was familiar. “Alright Ellie,” Vicki studied the young doctor’s pale grey eyes, and her dark brown hair down in the familiar straight bob. She moved like an athlete, maybe a dancer?
The look on Dr. Woods face had deepened into concern. “Vicki, besides leaving prematurely and causing a very nice nurse a huge headache… you asked me just to give you the prescriptions so you could leave. But it’s just not that simple. The damage done to your lungs by the pneumonia was one thing, but then you caused more damage to your lungs in leaving. The recovery would have gone much faster in the hospital. You were supposed to be scheduled for some treatments yesterday you’ll get them today but… the fact is every day counts, you’ve put yourself behind schedule, and by doing that you’ll get at the best up to 90 lung function back. At the worst you’re looking at only 60 lung function.” The words hit Vicki like a surreal dream, crossing some boundary into the darkness of the unknown. Dr. Woods continued, “You could have a relapse and the next time you won’t end up with an inhaler like today. You’ll end up with 25 lung function and getting winded from a brisk walk.”
Vicki dug her nails inter her palm and remembered the words of the woman in her dream. You must get well. And fought the urge to blank out on the doctor, “What do I have to do Ellie?”
Part II
Chapter 9
Vicki knew it was a dream but there was blood on her lips, from a stinging cut, and the darkness melted away she was once again in Henry’s apartment the room in shambles from the fight she’d just had with Norman when he’d stolen her form, and Henry was lying on the floor cut and bleeding from Norman’s attack.
“You’re bleeding,” He said reaching for her, though he himself was hoarse with pain.
“I’d hate to waste it.” But this time when they kissed she didn’t hear him say wait, nor did he push her away. And the kiss wasn’t urgent and hungry but slow and tender like a benediction, the same lips and same taste. She moaned she wanted more much more. But then though she wanted more his kiss was gone. And Henry himself was gone, she called out softly for him, “Henry?”
But suddenly and ever so swiftly she was no longer in the Henry’s empty apartment. That scene melting into a night so clear and blue it looked like day, but the kiss that had awakened her into this vision was still burning her lips.
Victoria was aware of a source of light just over the grassy hill, but the shimmering blue forest which she found herself in breathed with life. The trees, cypress and oaks shook with the slight breeze, and the sound of a branch cracking was not too far away. The royal blue of the night sky wasn’t dark at all, stars casting a light pure and warm, Orion, Ursa Minor and Ursa Major all outlined and clearly visible. Everything seemed illuminated more than physically possible, with the clarity of sight she didn’t ever remember possessing. The ground was covered with leaves that didn’t rustle and a layer of fog in patches over the them. She could see every detail in varying shades of blue. The beauty of the dew-filled night touched her heart but there closer was another branch cracking. It had to be someone approaching, that and Henry’s sudden absence suddenly torn away from her, put her on guard. Though this place looked peaceful enough; she knew whoever was breaking those branches with their footfall was looking for her, felt it inside, she didn’t think they meant her any harm but instinct won out. She hid behind a bush making sure to note her initial position. Breath held she waited for another sound, maybe even its direction; Vicki was made well aware of that she had no weapons. The glint of some brightly shining stones caught her eye, she quickly gathered them and a large stick that was conveniently sized for her hand. She decided to look for tracks to determine what this other presence was. This is just a dream Vicki. Though she knew the veracity of the statement, Vicki couldn’t allow her guard to be down, some internal alarm had been sounded. And that’s when she saw her.
Like divinity itself, a tall woman muscular yet utterly feminine came towards her with a bow and a quiver full of arrows at her back. She was on the hill, walking towards Vicki. The full moon had arisen slightly behind her and the woman came closer to Vicki, her movements long and languid, athletic and practiced. Before Vicki could hide deeper in the bush, it dissipated leaving no barrier between the woman and herself. Under the light of the moon she looked like she was born of the moon, glowing and white, her hair up in large bun. With a small smile of reassurance, she spoke.
“Do not be afraid Victoria, I come bearing a message: The unfaithful ones you hunt, they are connected by a powerful One, whose forceful hold on them could take them to their deaths, do not give up. But another comes for you and our time is limited. You must be strong Victoria, you must get well.” Her voice was a strong high mezzo-soprano that seemed to defy the aspects of a human voice, sounding several notes clearly, as if she spoke with many voices in unison. Her beauty was breath-taking and wore only a silk white tunic that seemed slight in the breeze. Who are you and why am I here? Thought Vicki, the woman responded, as if the words had truly been spoken.
“You are here because of the Nightwalker, he will take care of you. We meet here first but I will come to you soon. I… am simply the Huntress, you must go now he hears us. Watch for me I will come again.” The woman was gone.
Then the moon and its light began to fade and the forest became barren and she saw the blue tinge to the world drain off, the forested world slip away, and the stars wink out. Vicki knew someone or something else was coming. There were no sounds to warn of the coming presence only a pervading sense of evil. Then without warning she knew it was Astaroth she was afraid of and who was coming for her. The marks on her wrists burned. She would fight him, because even if it was a dream he might still be able to come through. Vicki threw up her arms, the tree limb in her right hand, as a light glowed red and bitter out of the marks, and she ran towards her initial position, ready for whatever attacked.
She awoke to Henry touching her face his cold fingers reminding her she was no longer dreaming. Henry was with her, she was safe. She submitted to Henry’s urging on the fluids and everything, feeling the panic recede that the Astaroth’s presence wasn’t menacing in reality. Henry made her feel safe, she didn’t have the strength to tell him to go away, and when she thought about it she didn’t want him to.
“Vicki you need to stop this you know you can’t keep pushing yourself, please for me.” When she heard those words she wanted to hit him or hug him she wasn’t sure which, but couldn’t rouse herself enough to do so. She was so very tired, and she fell back into a calmer sleep than she’d had in a very long time.
Later that day Coreen without consulting her made a follow-up appointment. She even went so far as to escort her to the doctor’s office. “You have to go Vick, they only gave you enough pills for three days.” It was blackmail pure and simple, concluded Vicki.
“Is it me or did it chillier in here?” she mumbled to Coreen when Dr. Woods walked in, with an ice cool demeanor.
“And you’re such a heart warmer yourself Vicki.” Vicki ignored that one.
“Hey doc how’s it going? You know I’m great really am, can I just get the prescriptions and I’ll let you get back to saving some more lives?” Vicki was trying to get this over and done with quickly, apparently thinking the doctor wouldn’t bring up her early escape. Dr. Woods addressed Coreen telling her Vicki needed to go down stairs and get some more x-rays done. She was gone without another look at Vicki. Vicki tried to pretend nothing had happened.
After the X-rays Dr. Woods came back to them before the results had gotten back. This time much more willing to look at Vicki, “So Coreen tells me you worked yourself into a fainting spell last night.”
“It was no big deal, she doesn’t know she wasn’t there.” Vicki’s life was becoming entirely too public.
“But Henry was there.” No response from Vicki, “So you can’t deny it happened, Victoria.”
“It’s Vicki” Vicki said through clenched teeth, damn the two of them!
“Fine, Vicki, I can tell you’re a strong person, hell you know what? let’s start over. My name is Eileithyia, so you can call me Ellie.” Vicki had to bite the insides of her mouth to keep from laughing, what kinda name was Eileithyia anyways? But before she actually did laugh she noticed that something about the Ellie’s face was familiar. “Alright Ellie,” Vicki studied the young doctor’s pale grey eyes, and her dark brown hair down in the familiar straight bob. She moved like an athlete, maybe a dancer?
The look on Dr. Woods face had deepened into concern. “Vicki, besides leaving prematurely and causing a very nice nurse a huge headache… you asked me just to give you the prescriptions so you could leave. But it’s just not that simple. The damage done to your lungs by the pneumonia was one thing, but then you caused more damage to your lungs in leaving. The recovery would have gone much faster in the hospital. You were supposed to be scheduled for some treatments yesterday you’ll get them today but… the fact is every day counts, you’ve put yourself behind schedule, and by doing that you’ll get at the best up to 90 lung function back. At the worst you’re looking at only 60 lung function.” The words hit Vicki like a surreal dream, crossing some boundary into the darkness of the unknown. Dr. Woods continued, “You could have a relapse and the next time you won’t end up with an inhaler like today. You’ll end up with 25 lung function and getting winded from a brisk walk.”
Vicki dug her nails inter her palm and remembered the words of the woman in her dream. You must get well. And fought the urge to blank out on the doctor, “What do I have to do Ellie?”