Page 2 of One Last Wish (The Elder World)

“H old on! Don’t you dare break!” The voice was soft yet forceful. Every inch of me was drawn towards it, breaking piece by piece to obey the command. Something was so familiar in the tone. It felt as if my bones remembered that soft caress, but I had no idea why. “ Please . Hold on. Just a little longer,” the male voice soothed, pulling me from my slumber.

I jolted up in bed, disorientated for a few short moments. Where was I? Oh, right! My bedroom .

That was the third dream this week. Ugh! I had more than enough things to worry about, and now I could add strange dreams to my list! Great!

When was I going to catch a freaking break? I had always been a misfit—you know the kind—someone who got bullied at school just for being divergent. The kids that were consistently picked last for sport teams. The ones whose names were always forgotten by the teacher because they faded into the background.

Even as I got older, things never got better. I simply learnt how different I was from everyone else. The only person I could depend on was myself, and I was fine with that.

Being a loner had its perks, though. I didn’t have to bother with anyone . That might sound like a shitty thing to say, but I’ve always been better on my own anyway. Most oddballs find other outsiders at some point. However, connection and love had always been an alien concept to me.

When my father died, I didn’t shed a tear. He was my last living relative and I felt no emotion at his loss, whatsoever!

Don’t get me wrong; I went to his funeral to show my respect. I placed sixteen white roses on his grave, one for each year that we had spent together. I didn’t hate him. That wasn’t the reason I didn’t feel his loss. My father and I had an amazing sixteen years together. He was the only person who truly understood me and how different I truly was. I distanced myself from everyone, including him, but he always gave me the space I needed without question. He never pushed for my affection and understood I was unique. Losing him suddenly at that young age damaged me beyond repair. It left a hole that never healed. I was empty, really. At twenty four, I was a ticking time bomb. Angry about nothing and everything. Life wasn't something I enjoyed anymore; it was monotonous and draining. As depressing as it sounded, I had considered ending my life numerous times in the last year. Everywhere I looked, I was reminded that I didn't fit in. I was always the oddball, socially awkward with most people. I could make small talk, sure—laugh at the right part of someone’s joke—but inside I was screaming...looking for that connection with someone . It never happened, though. Real people, as strange as it sounded, never interested me.

Books were my only solace. They allowed me to be transported to another world, to become a completely different person. I drowned myself in fantasies about strong assassins, dragon riders, fairies, witches, air benders, forces of good and evil, princesses that saved their kingdoms, and elementals with untapped power. All of those stories were better than the life I was currently leading and gave me a way to escape reality.

“Have you scanned the new books that came in this morning?” Theo, my work mate, called out to me.

“I’m working on it!” It was no surprise that I worked at a bookstore. For the last three years, my boss, Malcolm, had allowed me to read as many books as I wanted. It was the best kind of bonus! Free books!

“Have you seen that Secret Assassin is out a week on Monday?” I gave Theo an exasperated look. Of course, I fucking knew ! Why was this guy still trying to get into my panties? I had shut him down a ridiculous number of times the last few years. I was never going to go on a date with him. Theo wasn’t a bad looking guy, really, if you were into the boy next door look. His short, light brown hair, baby blue eyes, and dependable personality were qualities lots of females searched for, but that wasn’t my thing at all! My roommate, Evelyn, had joked about his lovesick puppy dog eyes when we went out together last month. “Are you going to the secret midnight release at Book Junkies like last year?”

“Oh! Mmm, I’m not sure yet!” Shit! I didn’t want him gatecrashing Evelyn and me like before. “It depends on Evelyn. She might be out of town visiting her folks.”

“I don’t mind going with you.” Ugh! Why wouldn’t he give up already!?

“Yeah, I’ll let you know.” Rolling my eyes, I moved out of his view and picked up a small stack of books that were ready to be shelved.

Bookends was the most beautiful book shop, near the corner of Cherry Street in Manhattan, New York. It had been a church in a previous life, which gave the bookshop its magical appearance. There were three floors full of tall oak bookshelves. The grand, red carpeted staircase to the upper floor was something straight from a fantasy book. It was one of the reasons I’d suggested moving the entire fantasy genre up there. The stunning, spiral wood carvings up the staircase had the appearance of a twisted forest. It needed to be polished monthly, but it was a job that I enjoyed, to be honest. The carved balusters had a twisted leaf pattern, but the handrail was smooth. On the top floor, the staircase split in two, and the most beautiful stained glass skylight made the light stream in a prism of colours against the books and space below. I could never quite work out the picture, but to me it looked like a multicoloured sun with hundreds of beams exploding from it. There was a basement level that got pretty damp at times. Perks of opening a shop in an old church in New York, I guess. Travel and self help books were mostly kept down there, along with our break room. The ground floor was the largest space, with all its hidden corners and reading nooks behind the large, towering pillars. There was even a secret room behind one of the book shelves. We kept the rare and expensive books there, under lock and key.

When I first set foot in this place for my interview, it strangely felt like home. Malcolm offered me a job within minutes, and four years later, I was still here.

“Did you need a hand with those?” Theo asked as he peered around the corner of the shelf I was stacking on the ground floor, making me jump. I was going to punch him one day! I hated it when he stalked me like that.

“No, I’m good. Thanks, Theo. I kinda want to be left on my own.”

“Oh, okay. I wasn’t sure if you needed a hand?” He sounded so hopeful.

“Nope!” I replied, popping the ‘P.’ Finally, he got the message and left me alone.

I couldn’t understand what he saw in me. Or why countless men tried to hit on me, for that matter. I had the appearance of a dying woman. No, hear me out, I’m not exaggerating. My skin was as white as ice, and not in a cute Snow White way. It appeared more greyish and unhealthy, like the skin tone you have when you’re ill. My skin was always cold, too! My father told me I’d had this weird virus as a kid and never fully recovered from it. My hair was silver—well, grey , but I like to say silver because it sounds better—and it had this amazing shine when the sun hit it. That was probably because of the virus, too. It had literally sucked all the colour from me. My body was the best thing I had going for me. I was lean, but curvy in all the right places. It was probably the main reason I got attention from guys. My amber eyes may have been unique, but against my ice cold skin, yeah...I often looked like I'd just come out of the morgue. Why is this girl so hard on herself , I hear you all ask. Well, with a name like Alora Windwood , are you surprised? Who even calls their kid Alora these days?

I would never amount to anything. I’d probably be working at Bookends until the day I died. No one, except my father, had ever cared about me. Okay, guys liked me, because I was different from most girls, but they only wanted one thing: my body. Once they got that, I became a fading memory. Not that I minded. When it came to sex, one night stands were perfect for me. It was even better if the guy didn’t talk much! A hookup down the back of an alley or in a public toilet worked pretty well. I never brought a guy home with me. I hated all that small chat in the morning. The fake promise of seeing each other again. Why couldn’t people be honest, and say, ‘Yeah, thanks for the fuck. I don’t want to see you again. I’ll see you around!’ Life would be so much easier if people were honest and true to themselves.

Every day at work, I saw people come into the bookshop, disappointment deep in their eyes. They hated their nine to five job, the daily grind, but did nothing to improve it. Sure, they’d buy a book to escape in for a short while, but that was it. My life was pretty pathetic, too, so I couldn't judge them. I was doing exactly the same thing.

I was existing, not living, and fucking sick of it! I wondered what it would feel like to be erased from existence or fall into one of my fantasy books. No one would even notice that I’d gone anyway! Theo would find a new crush, one that he actually stood a chance with. Evelyn would easily find a new roommate. I’d fade from their memory within weeks, and finally be at peace. Anywhere was better than right here.

I always considered that I had disliked myself so much because I technically killed my mother in childbirth. My father had always scolded me when I spoke those words out loud. Apparently, she had loved me from the moment I kicked in her stomach. She’d held me for a few short moments before dying, telling my father that my name was Alora, and that I was a precious jewel that needed protecting at all costs. Me ...a precious jewel. It was hilarious to even consider it. I don’t know why I spent so much time thinking about them both. Neither of them were coming back. They were both dead, and I was alone .

“Alora, can you lock up tonight?” my boss, Malcolm, asked as he wandered out from his office. He was a middle-aged man with a gut and receding hairline. His office was behind one of the eight pillars on the ground floor. “Mary has called in sick.” Again?

“Yeah, sure.” It wasn’t like I had anything to go home for. Another few hours of work meant extra money to spend on alcohol at the weekend. “I don’t mind cashing up if you want to head off early?”

The room I rented at Evelyn’s apartment Down Under the Manhattan Bridge Overpass in Brooklyn was the perfect set up for me with work. All I had to do was walk over the bridge. It was only a few blocks from there.

“Great. Thanks. You could be Assistant Manager by next year if you keep up the good work.” Oh, what a joyous thought! At least I’d be around books, though. I’d be able to lock myself in Malcolm’s office when he wasn’t in and read all day. “Theo! There is a customer waiting to pay!” Malcolm yelled in his direction, making Theo jump. Ugh! Why was he staring at me again ? I’d moved toward the back shelves now, putting the last few books on display. Would that boy ever stop stalking me? Maybe I should take a fucking picture of myself for him? It would last longer! I’d be flipping the bird in it! A startled Theo rushed over to serve the customer, embarrassed that he'd been caught staring at me again. “You really need to be straight with him, Alora.”

“Oh, trust me, I’ve tried! He doesn’t listen ! I’ve friend zoned him a hundred times ! Maybe you need to give him less shifts with me?”

“I do try, but he always manages to swap to your shifts again. I have no idea how he does it.” Wow! It was worse than I thought.

“The lovesick fool!” I sighed.

“I’m sure Theo would have left this job years ago if you weren’t here.” That I did believe. “If he becomes too much, I don’t mind having a word with him.”

“No! I can fight my own battles!” My tone was a little harsh, but I didn’t need protection from anyone. Malcolm stepped back, a little offended. Shit! Why did I always lash out? I could have apologised, but that wasn’t my style. Instead, I carried on shelving the last few books in my hands as Malcolm walked away.

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I MANAGED TO LOCK UP a few minutes early. Theo helped me cash the till. He was useful for something. I ignored his ramblings about a cool bar downtown that I should try with Evelyn and him.

“Did you want to go for a drink?” he asked, watching me put the alarm code in. “I was thinking it would be a nice way to end the day. We only have to have one. It’s my treat, too!”

Rolling my eyes where he wouldn’t see, I replied. “No, I’m heading home.” I didn’t give him a chance to reply. Putting my headphones in my ears, I turned and walked away, happy that we lived in different directions. I’d have probably moved if Theo lived anywhere near me.

My walk home was always peaceful. The streets were crammed with people, but when I had my music on, it drowned out all the hustle and bustle. I had a love of classical music, thanks to my father. Tonight, I had an epic movie score and began visualising scenes from the latest fantasy book I was reading. A normal human girl had fallen into a magic realm and was the key to breaking a cruel prince's curse. The sex scenes in it were pretty decent, too. I was about half way through, but was too tired to continue reading it tonight.

Before I knew it, I was home. Evelyn had left me a note saying she was out with her college friends and to eat the leftover pizza in the fridge. She mothered me too much!

That didn’t stop me from scanning the fridge. It was a pepperoni pizza, my favourite. I couldn’t let that go to waste. Heating it in the microwave and grabbing a can of soda, I wandered into my bedroom.

My room wasn’t much; I was a minimalist kind of person. I had a double bed, side table with a lamp and a small wardrobe. That was it. The walls were all white, with no pictures. It was a calming space. Pulling my laptop out from under my bed, I put something on in the background while I ate my food.

I was knackered, having worked five days in a row. Thank fuck it was Saturday tomorrow. One more shift and I’d finally get a day off.

Deciding to put a movie on, I got dressed into my comfortable night shorts and top. The film had hardly started before I fell asleep.

I’d been having a reoccurring dream the last few weeks, and as I slipped into dreamland, it was waiting there for me again.

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“D ON’T GIVE UP ON YOURSELF , Alora.” The black figure called out towards me. It was always a male voice, but I never got to see his face.

“Who are you?” I asked the figure, taking a step closer. Where was I? It felt so damp and cold. Was I in a cave? If I listened close enough, I could hear gentle waves crashing onto a shore in the distance.

“No one,” the voice chuckled. “I’m no one.” Shadows began to surround me, suffocating me! I thrashed against the mist, trying to claw my way to the surface. “Relax. Shadows can’t hurt you.” A hand grabbed mine, pulling me out of the darkness!

I shot up in my bed, my skin clammy from cold sweats. Wow! That hand felt real . I shook my head. Maybe I needed to stop reading my fantasy books for a while. That had to be why these dreams were becoming so vivid. It must have been that new book series I was reading. Touching my hand that the figure had clasped, I frowned, confused as to why it still tingled and was slightly wet. Was I sweating that much? Great! I was finally going insane! This was how I’d die! I was going to be some raving, crazy woman that slept-walked into traffic because of a deranged dream! What a way to go!

Needing a glass of water, I walked out into the kitchen to find Evelyn making out with a guy on her couch. Yuck! I sit on that couch!

“Don’t mind me!” I winced when they noticed me. Evelyn was on top of the blonde guy, dry humping him.

“This is Danny, one of my friends from college,” Evelyn beamed, throwing her long dark hair behind her shoulders. “Danny, this is my roommate, Alora.”

“Judging from the way you’re humping him, I’d say you’re past the friend phase.” I remembered her mentioning him a few times. They were doing the same law course, and often studied until the early hours together.

Evelyn snorted as Danny gave me a small, shy wave. “Yeah you might be right.” She wasn’t even looking at me as she spoke. “We’ll try not to make too much noise.” That was a lie! I could tell by the look on her face. She was never quiet.

“Great! Thanks!” I’d seen enough. My glass was full now, anyway. Quickly, I retreated back to my room. I really hoped they moved into her bedroom at some point. Evelyn could get really loud if the guy knew what he was doing.

I couldn’t even remember the last time I had gotten laid. It had to be months ago. I was due a rumble in the sheets. It was finding a guy I found attractive that was the issue. Being fucked up, it was no surprise that I liked bad boys. He couldn’t be just any bad boy, though. He had to have dark features and tattoos. The right kind of tattoos sent me feral. Arm sleeves with geometric patterns. Ugh! Fuck, yeah, that shit did things to me.

Bad boys knew how to use me and fuck me like they hated me. I didn’t want soft kisses and gentle caresses. I wanted a hard pounding. Thrusts so forceful and deep, that I felt my body might break from the pressure. I really needed to get myself laid soon!

I put my earplugs in and fell asleep to a classical orchestra. If Evelyn and Danny did fuck in the living room, I wouldn’t hear them now.

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S HADOWS BEGAN TO CREEP up my bedroom walls. I was dreaming; my bedroom wasn’t this big. It was like it had been stretched by a long lens camera. Sitting up, I watched as grey mist began swirling on the wall right next to me. If I reached out, would it feel real? Something stopped me, though. Fear was pinning me to my bed.

“YOU!” a voice seethed. This wasn’t a voice I’d heard before, it was female. “You’re still weak . After all this time! You’ll never have him!” The shadows seemed to react to the voice. Well, this was a weird dream. I was kind of missing the male shadow figure now. I had been enjoying him whispering sweet nothings in my ear. If only he had a face. I might have been able to get off to images of him. Why was I horny in my dream ? “You’ll never have him! I won’t allow it!” the woman's voice sneered as a weird light started to appear in the middle of the shadow. Suddenly, I was upside down, but still in my bed. A hand pushed through the shadow unable to grab me because I was now on the ceiling. The arm glowed in the strangest way.

Yep, definitely the weirdest dream I’d ever had.

“RUN!” A male voice shouted, pushing me out of my dream again.

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I JUMPED AWAKE, MY chest heaving as I calmed my breathing. Yeah, no more books for me for a while! That was fucking weird !