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~ Day Dreams ~
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~ Chapter Ten ~
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~ Departures ~
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~ Eighteen-Years-Old ~
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~ Hazel's POV ~
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"Ahhh!" I shriek, breaking through the silence.

Inaudible screams echo through my conflicted mind struggling to grasp what was happening. My face was cold, my body was stiff as a rock, my tendons and ligaments glue into place. My eyes jerk open as I arise from my night terror. Laying in bed, I try to gather my senses as I remind myself to breathe.

Inhale... Exhale...

I repeat the exercise again and again, trying to calm myself down. I blink my puffy eyes rapidly, trying to clear the remaining tears from my restless sleep as my mind regaines awareness.

I begin pondering the recurring nightmare that I have been experiencing for years; the extreme anxiety that comes alongside it every time.

This night terror however, had contained a plot twist—I have never before lain eyes on the stranger's face. I would always fall into the depths of nothingness without learning any more about the stranger. I was sure she was my birth mother, but how? I knew nothing about her. An odd feeling lingers on my arm where she gripped me...

How I hated Fiona, always getting in the middle of things. Anger rose within me, boiling my blood and causing me to tighten my fists in response, my knuckles whitening under the pressure.

Flinching, I glance down to notice the dry blood markings on the skin of my palms; they look like fingernail marks, and I realize my hands must have been clenching while I sleeping.

Dawn light shines through the gap in the curtains, illuminating Forest's fur as it shines through. Groaning, I realize that today was move out day; sitting up, my sudden movements disrupted Forest's peaceful slumber as she stirrs and rolls over.

Getting out of bed, I reach over for the large suitcase, bags and cardboard boxes cluttering the wooden floor of the spare room. Once my eighteenth birthday passed, the Lockwoods had shown me the door and I had vacat; I was now living with Emma and her brother, Gus. However, out of the kindness of my foster family's hearts, they let me keep the bedroom furniture which I supposed was a nice enough gesture.

I lean down, my knees resting on the cold floor as I begin sifting through a basket full of books and journals, my fingers stumbling upon the journal Emma had purchased as a graduation gift a few months ago.

Finally, after a few moments of searching for a pen pass, I find one hidden underneath a pile of books. I really need to organize my stuff one of these days...

Black ink trails across the paper as I begin writing the details of my nightmare, the scene coming alive before me as the words meet the page.

A sudden thought of Fiona enters my mind; I hate that woman, and she was the hell I can never seem to be able to escape from.

Forest jumps off the bed, stretches and comes over to me, resting her soft head on my lap.

"What does she mean by 'we are closer than you think', Forest?" I ask quietly, Forest's blue eyes staring into mine before she begins grooming herself. I had never met my birth mother in person, and I have only ever seen her in my wildest dreams.

I lift the tip of the pen from the paper as wisps of my hair falls, cascading around my face. Sitting upright, I brush the fallen hair behind my ears as I store the book in its proper place.

I walk into the bathroom and proceed to draw myself an icy bath, hoping that it would decrease the residual anxiety from my night terror.

As I wait for the tub to fill, I wash the dry, bloody residue from my hands. Once the bath is full, I sink in and relax, feeling my anxiety and fears begin to fade away. The cold water shakes my brain awake, but I can't stay in the water for more than a few minutes or I will begin to panic.

I leap from the tub, releasing the plug to drain the water as goosebumps rose over my entire body. Grabbing the towel, I stand and wrap it around myself and begin to stare at my reflection in the bathroom mirror.

I take note of my appearance, seeing the deep, purple bags under my eyes, my long golden hair continuing to drip down the length of my back.

Emma stays true to her word, as she helped me dye my long waves of red hair, making them a honey, golden blonde colour. I had been so sick of being bullied for being different, and unfortunately my red hair had just been another thing to make me stand out.

Drying myself off, I proceed to get ready for the busy day ahead. I dress in casual clothes, then make sure I apply ointment and bandages to my mark palms before packing all essential toiletries in the process.

Next, I head into the bedroom and pack all the linen, small furniture and essential items I intend to bring along to my first year at college.

Placing my wet hair into a high and messy bun, I continue packing and shoving all of my belongings into a brown leather luggage bag and begin doing some light cleaning.

A quick knock on the door distracts me, and I glance up to see Emma standing there.

"Morning, Hazel. I made you a fruit bowl for breakfast," Emma says as she walks into the room and greets me with a hug. Emma places the dish on the bedside table, a smile on her face. "Here, let me help you finish up while you take a breather."

I set aside the items I was holding and bolt to the fruit bowl, beginning to eat with child-like enjoyment. "Thanks Emma, you're literally the best!" I said, my words muffling by the food in my mouth. The fruit was delicious, the sweet sugar hitting my taste buds and begging me to go back for more.

"I know I am... Hazel, your hands. What has happened, sweetie?" Emma asks, concern showing on her face.

I shrug, smiling in a way that doesn't touch my eyes. "It's nothing really. Don't worry, Emma, I'm fine," I said, hoping she would drop the subject.

"Is it nightmares again?" Emma asks, pressing further as her worrying eyes search for my own cloudy ones.

Silence surrounds us, deafening; I nod in reply, hoping that Emma doesn't need verbal confirmation.

"Aw, honey," Emma said, drawing me into another warm hug; I rests my head in the crook of her neck as I begin to sob for what feels like hours. My heart falls beneath the depths of my stomach, tears streaking down my puffy face.

"I wish there was something that I could do to help," Emma said, pulling back and tucking a stray lock of hair behind my ears; her gentle touch lingers on my cheek before she hands me a tissue. "I would take away all of your pain if I could; you know I hate seeing you in pain," Emma said. Taking the tissue, I wipe my damp, burning face.

"Thanks, and I know, but I would never want to push the burden of my pain onto you," I said with a heavy heart.

"I am so proud of you, Hazel. You've grown into such a strong, wise and beautiful young woman," Emma said with a watery smile.

"Okay, let's wipe away our tears and we'll finish packing the rest later. Come on darling, there is something downstairs that I want to show you," Emma said, standing to her feet.

I sniffle, shoving the last spoon of grapes and mango into my mouth before asking, "Really, what is it?"

"It's a surprise," Emma said, this time smiling in a way that reaches her eyes.

I finish my mouthful before thanking Emma again and maneuvering my hazy body through the cozy yet spacious house, Emma following close behind.

We walk into the scorching hot garage where Gus, Emma's brother stands behind an object covered in a large blanket.

I glance at Gus, his shoulder-length graying hair blowing in the wind due to the fan plugged into thel wall.

"Ugh, why is it so hot?!" I complain loudly, waving at Gus; he returns the gesture as I continue, "What's going on and why are you guys acting so mysterious?"

"Well, we didn't wanna tell ya till I'd finished fixing it kiddo, but it's now or never," Gus said, smiling before he walks towards me and places a set of keys in the palm of my hand.

Opening my hand, I feel star-struck. I was frozen, staring transfix at the keys in my hand.

"Is this for me? Like, seriously?" I ask, eyes-wide as Gus removes the large blanket and uncovering item below. A turquoise green Volkswagen Beetle stands before me, appearing to be in perfect condition. It was old, quirky and exactly what I imagine my first car would be. Weird, right?

"It's all yours, sweetie. We wanted the best for you," Emma said, moving towards me and putting a hand on either side of my shoulders, smiling.

"Oh my God... I am speechless. Thank you so much, you guys! I love it!" I said, excitement clear in my voice as I was unable to tear my eyes away from the car. "Where did you find it anyway?"

"I've actually had it in storage out back for quite a while, since my heart attack..." Gus said, trailing off and shaking his head before he continues, "Anyway, I didn't have the parts to fix it at the time, but over the years I've found the parts that I needed and I've been restoring it slowly. It's been a perfect opportunity to finally get my hands dirty again," Gus finishes with a wink.

"That just makes me love it even more! Thank you, thank you, thank you!" I shriek with happiness.

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Emma and I both finish carrying the luggage into the hot garage and begin cramming the Volkswagen's trunk with the necessary items.

Once we finish packing, I run upstairs to get my brown leather backpack that contains all of my important items: iPhone, car keys, wallet and ID, water bottle, chewing gum and the feminine products just in case... You never know when your time of the month might be.

I walk back downstairs and enter the garage that was now open just as Gus rolls my new car onto the gravel driveway. I throw my backpack onto the passenger seat and close the door, ready to hit the road.

Out of nowhere, a soft head leans against my leg, meowing in the process. I glance down at Forest before picking her up and cradling her in my arms.

"It's okay, Forest. I'll come back and visit you soon, I promise," I said.

"Forest is going to miss you. We're all going to miss you," Emma said, tears forming in the corners of her eyes as she spoke.

Farewells never come easy to me, but when it comes to family, there's no other choice. "I know, but thank you again... For the car, and for everything that you've both done to help me in the short time I've lived here," I said, my voice heavy with sadness.

"Hazel, you and your furry friend will always have a home here. Best of luck with college, kiddo!" Gus said, extending his arms in the offer of a hug as I accept.

"Oh Hazel, I'm going to miss you, my darling," Emma says, hugging me tightly. "Be safe, and promise me you will make a ton of memories and live your life to the fullest. I love you like a daughter," Emma said, taking Forest into her arms as she spoke.

"I promise, and I will. I love you too," I said, spinning on my heel and clambouring into my new car. As I turn the key in the ignition, the engine roars to life; I wave goodbye as I drive away, winding up the window as birds chirping loudly.

College, here I come!

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~ Cheers ~
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Please, tell me in the comments what you thought about Chapter Ten? 🙈 I'll be greatly appreciated, thank you, you very kind soul!
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~ Chapter Ten ~
~ Dedications ~
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HeliiBoh
DebMorey
PeterPetruzzella
CaitlinWoodward9
DaniJones_14
ChloeMayerhofer
savvvy1998
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You guys should totally check out PeterPetruzzella short story! Lighthouse. It's amazing! Please also go check out Peter's YouTube account pure56 for awesome content on movies, tv-shows, and game reviews!
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You guys should totally check out ChloeMayerhofer story! Fallen! It's awesome!
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C.Morey 🥕 xoxo
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