Jade nodded painfully, smiling. “I had the most beautiful dream.”
She turned her head to stare at the blue sky again, and Sarah smiled soothingly. “It looks gorgeous, doesn’t it?”
Another nurse bustled into the room, carrying a bowl of what felt like gruel, but was, in reality, oatmeal and milk. She stopped at Jade’s side as she bubbled cheerfully, “Breakfast time! Did you sleep well?”
“She was just telling me she had a beautiful dream. What was it about?” Heedless of her lack of response, Nurse Andrea was beginning to spoon oatmeal into her mouth while Sarah was wiping down her lifeless legs impersonally with a sponge.
Jade looked at their actions before swallowing painfully as she said quietly, “I dreamed I was healthy.” She had dreamed she could walk, and run, and do magic. As she watched Sarah pushing and pulling her legs, but not feeling a thing, a silent tear slid down her face.
“Oh, sweetheart…” There was pity on both nurses’ faces, but she kept her eyes on the sky, ignoring it. They were still going about their actions despite her inner turmoil. The day must go on, after all. They had other patients to care for, and breakfast was a busy time, after all. Once she finished her oatmeal—really, it was just a token of food, she was kept alive by the saline—both nurses fussed around with her, doing her hair, trying to cheer her up.
Smiling sadly at the blue sky, she closed her eyes as she said quietly, “I think I’ll just go back to sleep now…”
“Honey, you can’t. Doctor Aaron is going to be here any minute.”
Jade opened her eyes wearily, looking at Sarah as she said softly, “I’m tired, Sarah.” She closed her eyes again, exhaustion at just sitting up and being spoon-fed oatmeal overtaking her. It was probably the drugs Sarah had injected earlier too. They always made her fuzzier. She heard Doctor Aaron coming in, asking how she was doing, but she didn’t care. She felt her consciousness slipping and welcomed oblivion.
In her dreams, she was free.
She sat bolt upright in bed, cold sweat covering her body. She glanced around the lit room, heaving a tiny sigh of relief that the sound of monitors was gone. She ran fingers over her body, muttering softly, “It was just a dream, just a dream…” Calming her wildly beating heart, she forced herself to lay down and breathe deeply. It took a few minutes before she was able to close her eyes and drift back to sleep, praying the night would pass without any further dreams...or rather, nightmares. She didn’t really want to attend her first day of school with the shadows of the night hanging over her.
Afterword
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About Jay Boyce
Jay Boyce is an avid reader and traveler, explorer of new things. Daughter of a librarian and wielder of words, she is primarily an editor who's trying her hand at writing. A crazy dreamer, she creates stories in her head all the time, and finally decided to start writing them down and sharing the love. A perpetual learner, she also works at her local university attending classes with deaf students and gleaning knowledge on any random subject she can get her hands on. The best description of her has always been eclectic, because she wanted to try most everything at least once.
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About Mountaindale Press
Dakota and Danielle Krout, a husband and wife team, strive to create as well as publish excellent fantasy and science fiction novels. Self-publishing The Divine Dungeon: Dungeon Born in 2016 transformed their careers from Dakota’s military and programming background and Danielle’s Ph.D. in pharmacology to President and CEO, respectively, of a small press. Their goal is to share their success with other authors and provide captivating fiction to readers with the purpose of solidifying Mountaindale Press as the place ‘Where Fantasy Transforms Reality.’
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Mountaindale Press Titles GameLit and LitRPG
The Divine Dungeon by Dakota Krout
The Completionist Chronicles by Dakota Krout
Red Mage: Advent by Xander Boyce
Wolfman Warlock: Bibliomancer by James Hunter
Ether Collapse: Equalize by Ryan DeBruyn
Axe Druid by Christopher Johns
Skeleton in Space: Histaff by Andries Louws
Pixel Dust by David Petrie
Appendix People
Adam Rawlings – Lord Rawlings is a first year student of Dracona, staying at The Green Dragon. Commonly seen with Evan, Jackson, and Will.
Alfred – The first king of Caoi, a great earth mage who formed the walls and castle.
Ammon Whitaker – Count Whitaker is the commander of the East Gate. An older gentleman who's seen many battles.
Andrews – Sir Andrews is a guard at the East Gate.
Anthony Hewett – Baronet Hewett is the commander of unit five of the East Gate.
Ashanna Ri’Cloch – Queen Ashanna is an angelic visage of charm and diplomacy. She uses life magic.
Bick – Sir Bick is a city guardsman who escorted Jade home after the mesmer attack.
Blake – Sir Blake is the first mesmer-touched that Jade cured. Serves at the East Gate.
Britney Larkin – Lady Larkin is a first year student of Dracona, staying at The Green Dragon. Was first seen flirting with Will.
Caldwell the Diligent – The first traveler of Caoi, he is responsible for the creation of the guard and helped found Dracona.
Camille Ri’Cloch – Princess Camille is a second year student at Dracona and uses earth, life, and water magic.
Chloe Chambers – Lady Chloe is a first year student of Dracona, staying at The Green Dragon. She was one of the first siphonees.