Once Upon A Dream

She spent much of her time dreaming, remembering her time in the cozy little cabin deep in the heart of the woods where Flora, Fauna, and Merryweather, her three fairy godmothers, had raised her, the gentle trickle of the nearby stream and the carefree chorus of playful birds soothed her soul, and, for those brief moments, it made her forget where she truly was.

But other times she was aware of the grim stone walls, the cold bitter air that entered through the open window of the tower. Even though she was in deep slumber, she could still sense her surroundings, somehow. It must be an effect of her enchanted sleep.

She couldn't regret something that she couldn't control, and the way the cursed spindle had beckoned her with its perfect tip that seemed to taper off into an infinitely small point in space and time, catching the occasional glimmer of light, like a tiny black hole emitting Hawking radiation, well, it had been far out of her control. She had always been destined to prick herself.

And so now she lay there in her miserable chamber on a bed made of gold, like a trophy forgotten in an old attic, her body shackled in slumber and frozen in time, her mind traveling between different levels of awareness, her heart impatient, waiting for a miracle in the form of a handsome prince to come to her and wake her.

At least when she began to feel sorry for herself she could return to her little cabin by the stream. She would sing with the birds, and, for a moment, she'd forget again, drifting in a dream.

"She's so beautiful. She--she looks so peaceful, as if she's dreaming."

Phillip brushed away the tear trailing down his cheek as he looked at his love longingly.

"I think--I think I am ready Flor. I've been dreading this moment, and wishing for it at the same time. For her sake. When she started becoming delusional--when she attempted--they were the hardest moments in my life. But this is harder. Now I'm making the decision for her."

"My dear, I can't imagine how you must feel. You love her so much. She knows it. 7 years is a long time to hold out Phillip. You should take some time off work, be with family, I'm sure your clients will understand.

Anyways, I'll tell nurse Merryweather to get Dr. Malefstra. I will give you a moment with her alone before we disconnect. Take all the time you need."

As he looked down at his sleeping beauty, his dearest wife, Phillip could feel individual heartstrings being torn, endless love and eternal sorrow were pulling at his heart in opposite directions. He took a moment to cherrish the sound of her heart monitor, her beat was slow, but it was steady. Then, he bent down towards her, and time stood still for that second, as he kissed her.

"I love you, Aurora. I'll see you again one day. Goodbye."

She wasn't dreaming anymore, but she was not inside of the tower either. In front of her were beautiful trees, greener than any other tree. There was a little cabin, and right next to it, a gentle stream.

She felt so awake, she had felt the kiss, it must have worked! She had felt those lips before, once upon a dream. She didn't know how she had gotten there, or where her prince was, but she was awake, away from that dreaded tower, and it filled her with joy.

As she walked towards the cabin, she could she a bright golden light shining from under the door, welcoming her.

The same sensation that had drawn her to the spindle was now calling her towards the door. But this was different, she felt warm, safe. She felt free.

"Flora, Fauna, Merryweather, my loves, I'm home!"

>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>

From afar, she watched as Aurora walked towards the light, her right arm outstretched, reaching for something only she could see. Lucifer knew this one didn't need leading, she had been ready for the light a long time ago.

#twistedtales