Whenever I go to sleep it’s like awakening into a new world. I have long forgotten which is real and which isn’t. I don’t think I ever really knew.
My name is Gemma. I live in… well, I live in two different worlds. I believe God gave me the ability to travel between the two worlds to save them from the destruction of each other. Although let me tell you, I had no idea what was happening at first. One day I went to sleep in the world my father lives in. The next thing I know, I am waking up from a coma to find my mom who had supposedly died during childbirth.
At first I thought I was just having a realistic dream, but everything was so vivid.
The night before my fifteenth birthday, I went to sleep. I had awakened in a hospital room, much like they had in the real (or what I thought was real) world. I looked around the room to see machines hooked up to me. Some buzzed, some hummed, others beeped. I could not tell what any of them did. The numbers and lines confused me. I continued my search around the room. Through the window I could see only the sky. I figured the room must have been higher up than normal. On the other side of the room sat a chair. Someone slept there. She seemed strangely familiar. Maybe it was just the dream. For it must have been a dream.
I tried sitting up and found I couldn’t. My muscles felt weak and sore as if I hadn’t used them in a while. I tried moving just my arm. After several tries I was able to stretch it out in front of me. It felt like I was looking at someone else's arm. It was skinnier than mine and had needles poking at the veins. I sat my arm back down and again looked at the figure in the chair. I couldn't quite figure out where I had seen her. It was like looking for a memory that had long been lost.
The figure had long copper hair that flowed like a waterfall. She looked peaceful. Her eyebrows were raised ever so slightly. It was when I saw this that I realized where I had seen this person before. It was in a photograph at in the bottom of a box in my father’s closet that I had peeked a look. I began to hope just for a moment before I reminded myself this was a dream. Of course my mother would be in my dream. What kind of daughter wouldn’t dream about her mother who had died in childbirth. But she looked so real compared to all the other times I dreamed about her. She started to stir, stretching along the chair before opening her eyes. She blinked a couple of times letting her eyes adjust. Her eyes are what confirmed that she was my mother. They were the color of emeralds. When the sun shined on them they sparkled just like the gem.
“You're awake!” She came running over to the bed. She gave me a big hug. She stepped back as though to look at me. She smiled and hugged me again. Even though the bed made it awkward, the embrace was warm and something I could never forget. “I’m going to get the doctor.” She gave me another hug before leaving.
She came back a second later with a man in a white doctor’s coat. His name tag read, Dr. Kift. He came over with a big smile that seemed to light up his whole face. “My name is Dr. Kift. You are probably wondering what is going on. It will all be explained in due course. But first I am going to make sure all your organs and brain waves are working properly.” He looked at all the different machines and scribbled down notes on his little pad he had brought with him. After several moments he declared that everything was in ‘working order’.
“How do you feel?” He asked this much like a father would if you were sick. I went to go answer but found out I could not form the words I wanted. It came out a mumble-jumble of syllables.
“That’s to be expected. It’s ok. You have not talked in over five years. But not to worry, the ability will come back in a few days.” He turned to talk to my mother.
Five years!? What on Earth is he talking about!
“I’ll let you and your mom catch up. She’ll explain everything.” He wrote something on the chart at the foot of the bed then walked out.
“I bet you're wondering what he means by ‘not talking for five years’, huh?” She put air quotes around the last part. It was like she could read my mind. She laughed. “I thought so. And no it was just a lucky guess. I can’t read your mind”
I didn’t believe her.
“What Dr. Kift meant was, you have been in a coma for the last five years.”
What!? How could I be in a coma for five years!? Wait, this is just a dream… no need to worry.
“I suppose you don’t remember what happened, do you?”
I shook my head, no.
She took a deep breath “You and your father were on your way to see your favorite broadway production for your birthday.” Her brow suddenly furrowed. Her smile vanished. She paused as if trying to hold back from tears. She breathed deeply again, then continued. “You got into a car crash. Your father protected you from the worst part. But... it cost him his life in this world.”
What was ‘in this world’ suppose to mean? I couldn’t ask this for my mouth would not cooperate.
“You were thrown into a coma.” She tried to smile but I could tell it was forced. “Now, I have you back” Now her smile was a little more natural. “When you are able to talk, I will answer any and all questions you may have. Right now, lets see how soon we can get you home.” Just then a nurse walked in.
“Hi, my name is Shellis.” She brought with her a tray of food. “After five years, I thought a little food would be nice,” she chuckled. “We need to see how you handle real food. We are going to start with liquids and softer foods first. Today I brought you some applesauce and juice.” She helped me to sit up and eat while my mom went to see when I could go home. “There! That's the last of it. You must be tired. I’ll let you rest for a little bit.” Almost as soon as Shellis left, I fell asleep. I remember thinking that this was a nice dream and that everyone was so nice and then... nothing but darkness.
I woke back up in my normal room.
That was the most vivid dream I have ever had. I could smell my dad fixing breakfast. Bacon and eggs? What’s the special occasion? I got up to investigate. I tip-toed downstairs trying to be as quiet as possible.
“Nice try but I still know you’re there.”
It’s like he has eyes in the back of his head.
“All parents have eyes in the back of their head, you know. It’s so we can keep track of our kids at all times.”
It’s like he can read my mind, too.
“You know as well as I do that I can’t read your mind, you’re just that predictable.”
I don’t believe him either.
“What’s the special occasion?”
“What? Can’t I make breakfast for my daughter?” He was smiling. I could tell even without seeing his face.
“So…? What’s the occasion?” I could not hide the big grin that had found itself on my face.
“Today was the day that we got in the car accident.”
What was he talking about?
“The car accident that brought us into this world. I believe you saw your mother today.
Didn’t she tell you? No, I suppose she wouldn’t. She’d want to break the news gently.” He sighed. “Have a seat. I’ll explain everything over breakfast.”
How could he know about my dream? And why does he act like it wasn’t one? I don’t like this at all. Its scares me.
“Don’t worry there is nothing to be scared of.”
There he goes again, reading my mind.
And thus my one world became two. But... that was the least of my worries.
