Altered Bloodlines: Escape from Reality (Prologue; Updated version of Alteration of Bloodlines)

I saw the world in chaos; cities were in flames, tiny ants scattered about, some were fighting as others were killing and running, and then there was those just watching the world fall apart right in front of them: me. The scene itself would leave me speechless, but this was not the reason I remained quiet, and still, it was where I was watching this happen. I looked all around me and saw nothing but space, nor anything that held me to ground, yet here I was, standing there.

“Such a tragedy to befall the world, I pity those unfortunates,” a lady said walking towards me. She donned a white dress with some smooth cloth that wrapped around her left shoulder and came back to where she held up some of the cloth with her right hand which complemented her copper red hair, an ancient kind of attire.

“What is this? Why am I up here and not down there with the rest?”

“You speak as if you wished to be amongst them, yet our concern for you prohibited your stay.”

“Aren’t you going to thank us? We got you out of that dump before you hell really breaks loose,” another girl who approached me tipped her top hat. She dressed as a circus ringmaster, dressed mostly in white with golden bands around her hat and outlining her outfit.

She smirked and continued before I could respond, “Now don’t be selfish this time, make the right choice ’kay?”

“Why only save me though? What do you mean? Wait—“I paused as a name engraved itself in my thoughts, and was writing itself all over my skin.

“Where’s Mal? I swear if she dies while I’m up here in a place where I can’t save her from whatever chaos is going on down there, I’ll kill you!”

Mallory is a dear friend of mine, the only friend I’ve had for most of my life, seeing her down there where buildings are ablaze, where people die in batches, among those that are running away from the bloodthirsty world I now see before me, it sets my body on fire.

“Get me out of whatever this place is, I have to go back! Take me to where she is! Let me at least save Mal!” I sprinted back to my home, the place where the day before I was laughing and smiling with my family and friends. I soon ran out of breath, only to see I’m still as far away from Earth as I was before as if I were only running in place, a treadmill that never let me get any closer to my home.

I turn around to see not only two but several girls that stood there, staring at my futile attempt to run away. I felt my fists clench, and I lashed out at them only to be stopped by some invisible chains I felt on my feet that didn’t let me get any closer.

“How can you all watch this happen? Why did you force me to leave her? I’d rather be dead by her side then be with a bunch of strange people who took everything from me!”

“Cease your tongue, for we have taken nothing of value from you. I also assure you that those you care for will be fine,” the lady said as she adjusted the cloth on her arm.

“Time is running out, I cannot maintain the stability of this place any longer, it’s starting to put a strain on me to hold this for even a minute longer,” a girl shouted as cracks bean forming around the space we occupied.

“My apologies Akire, but we must take our leave. We shall be waiting on your response to your calling, for you must decide this all transpires.”

“My response to what? What do you mean my calling? Hey!” I shouted after them.

“Join us Aki, and fulfill your purpose,” the lady said as she began fading.

“We’ve reached critical stability! I can’t maintain it much longer!” Like glass, shards of the area they were in began falling.

“Farewell, dear sister of ours. I will be patiently waiting for you to come to us. Come home to your family.”

Suddenly, I heard voices in unison say, “Come home to your sisters Aki.”

“Wait!!” I screamed as my hand reached out. I then shook my head to see that I was sitting on my bed. I sigh, I hope that didn’t wake Mal up. I’m normally not the kind who dreams often, nor do I remember any of the few that I do end up having, so the fact I distinctly remember details in this dream was odd. There was an aura of familiarity to them as well. However, I dismiss the thought as some weird part of the dream.

Could there be any meaning to that dream at all? I always did find joy in speculating about things like this; sadly the dream is too crazy, so I brushed it off and sat up on the side of my bed, my feet nearly touching the ground. I suddenly heard a long yawn, to which I smiled. I walked out of my room and came into the room where Mallory was sleeping.

“Morning Aki,” she yawned.

“Morning Mal, you’re up earlier than usual.”

“Well, I had a weird dream that woke me up, can’t remember what it was about though.”

I giggled, “That’s funny, I had quite the crazy dream too.”

Mal raised her brow, “You know, I did hear a loud sound, and I’m pretty sure I was not dreaming at that point, do you know what it was Aki?”

“Oh, it was me, sorry about that. I guess I might have yelled myself awake or something.”

“What was your dream about anyway?”

I chuckled, “Well, the whole world was ending, and some weird girls saved me. I got angry at them because my friends and family were still down there and would not let me go back. Pretty weird huh?”

Mal smiled, “Your daydreams are just as weird Aki, but that’s what I like about you.”

I turned red as she said that, but she does have a point, my daydreams are like that. I have an abnormal condition in which I daydream for hours constantly, and I would even do something as childish as acting out the scenes in my head. It makes me come off as crazy, but I hope no one thinks that

“Man, it may be early in the morning, but I’m starving, how about we go down and make some breakfast Aki?” Mal said as she got up from her bed, stretching her arms in the air.

“Sure, but remember it’s your turn today, I’ve made breakfast this whole week so far.”

She chuckled, “Yeah, sorry about that; I just think you make better breakfast than I do.”

I looked up at Mal, standing 5’8 tall, compared to my lame height of 5’4. We soon went down and had breakfast. I couldn’t help but notice that she made more usual, and even tried to imitate the kind of breakfast that she enjoys the most.

“Are you trying to get me fat Mal? I know I eat a lot, but this might make me a little spoiled.”

Mal shrugged, “I guess I was in a little bit of good mood. Besides, I was in the mood for cinnamon pancakes. I have to admit though; I like the way you make them better.”

“Why? I’m pretty sure you didn’t make any more different than I would have. You used the things that I put on it right?”

“I did, but I have no idea where I went wrong. Trying to match to yours is like trying to make my cooking taste like the way my mom makes them. It’s almost impossible.”

I raised my brow, smirking, “What are you trying to say with that Mal?”

Mal shook her head, “Don’t even start,” she nudged me, which broke us into laughter, but I fell silent as I looked out the kitchen window. The window showed the sidewalk and a girl with copper red hair wearing a white tunic. She waved at me, to which I slowly wave back, half-smiling. I gazed at her as she walked into the alley behind our house.