Vivid Dreams

My knuckles gripped my shounders as I sped down the spiral staircase. Flames were shooting put of my derriere, and my only guide was my sister, hooping and hollering as she blazed the trail before me. "Look out for the nool post!" She'd screamed before her voice dove off of the edge.

"What?" I screamed back

It was too late. My groin slammed into the tiny endpost, and I sighed in pain as I became a puddle on the floor.

"Nice one!" Hope giggled from afar. She was laying on the floor looking at me.

"Owwwww," I murmured.

"Sheesh, are you okay, Thal? I mean, you've already had your kids so it's not like you're damaged."

"Huh?" I murmured.

Before I could react, she was on the floor giggling again.

"You bit it hard!"

Her giggles sounded like someone playing the violin with an upside-down bow. I looked around me. The grey pictures of Dr. Edwina's family were all decorated with googly eyes and glittee smiles. The walls were Pepto Bismol pink. The chandelier was a spinning disco ball.

"Where am I," I whispered.

"You're in the foliage!" Hope said with Dr. Edwina's voice.

The room changed. My fingers were suddenly clawing into grass. My legs were being bitten by mosquitoes. My whole body was shaking and hot and sweaty. Hope just clapped.

"Ooh, I love this part!" She said with a little boy's voice.

I blinked and Hope had turned into Riley. My eyes widened and I raced towards him. My son. I hadn't seen him wince before... I couldn't remember, but it doesn't matter, right? I gripped his tiny shoulders and pulled him into an embrace but he burst into a million bleeding butterflies before I could even feel his warmth. No... no!

"No!" My eyes snapped open and I was looking at Dr. Edwina's soulless black eyes.

"What did you see?" she demanded.

"Where's Riley?"

"Who's Riley?" she asked, though hee devious smile made me think she knew already.

"My son! Where's my baby!"

"You are becoming delusional, Thalia. We must get you bettee medication. It will help you sleep through the night."

I tried to get up but there were thick leather bands around my forearms and thighs. I watched futilely, bucking against my restraints. She smiled at my futile attempts as she flicked the needle of a syringe.

"Don't worry," she whispered. "It will all make sense after your nap."

"I'm not tired! No! I'm not tired!"

The needle pierced my skin and I felt warmth surge into my veins. I screamed and bit and clawed but the more I fought, the sleepier I got until all I could feel was the cold metal sheet I was laying on and where the nool post had hit me.