Chapter 39：The Nightmare

Dawn came out along with Azura to see him off. He started the ignition of his car saying that he had to attend a meeting at the office. "The company will send your car by the evening. But don't venture out until you get your license." 

"I won't," she assured him and he left. 

Turning back to her house, Dawn observed the house. It was made from natural grey stone. There was ivy climbing all around and a creeper was falling from the roof that bright orange bell flowers gently swaying in the soft breeze as if playing the music of nature. The trim of the house was painted deep brown. The pathway meandered to a double oak door that was curved on the top. The glass windows were large, very fashionable and had white gauzy curtains with self-pattern hanging on the inside. When she stepped inside, she admired the way the house was fitted with all modern facilities. The furniture was contemporary. The rugs on the floor were spotless. As she walked, she felt that this was a cozy little place she could get used to easily. She wondered how far her office would be from there. 

Azura had told her not to bring any furniture but only essential stuff that belonged to them since the house was fully furnished. She had brought her golf bag also, which was now standing in the corner of the living space. Memories of Valssaare flooded her mind – the various hued flowers under the sun that grew wildly in the meadow overlooking her room, the University, Arawn – everything that carried her through the difficult times of loss. 

Dawn busied herself with unpacking her suitcases. There were a lot of things she had to take care of. She noticed that Cole didn't bother her at all. Even he engaged in doing his own work. By the time it was evening, the two were very tired. They didn't have the energy to move a finger. Dawn prepared some instant noodles and they had it. Throughout the day her mind wandered to Quetz. She had called him out, hoping to hear back from him but there was nothing. The tiny seed of worry that sowed in her heart was slowly taking the form of a sapling. 

She went to her room and prepared to sleep but her mind was disturbed. Quetz had said that he would make contact with her when he reached. Since he didn't contact, did that mean that he hadn't reached? Did that mean that something had happened to him? Dawn twisted and turned in her bed. Unable to sleep she covered her ears with a pillow when soft guitar music distracted her. She got out of the bed and walked to her window, which opened in the backyard. Her eyes fell on Cole who was sitting on a high-stool under the glowing moonlight that filtered through the canopy and fell on his face. He sat with his legs spread out and strummed the guitar. The music flowed softly in the air as he moved his fingers across the strings to form chords. There was pain in the music that flowed as the moon shone. It filled the air like waves in the sea that kissed the shores.

Cole had opened his guitar case. Passionate about music, he had started learning it in his school in Valssaare. Dawn had bought him an ordinary maple wood acoustic guitar. He loved playing it but Dawn knew that Cole used to play it to take the edge off himself. 

It allayed Dawn's worries and she headed to sleep. 

"Quetz!" she heard her warbled voice and woke up with a jolt. 

She focused on her dragon. "He must be safe. He must be safe." 

When she finally stopped heaving, she dragged herself out from there. She went and lied on the bed. The pain of not being near her dragon was filling her eyes. She called him out again. Quetz, Quetz, Quetz. If you are hearing me, give me a sign. There was no response. She covered herself in the comforter and curled into a fetal position. She shouldn't have allowed him to fly solo. She heaved until a headache began to form. No longer able to take the weight of the nightmare her eyes became heavy and she slept. 

Dawn. 

A throaty, tired voice came from afar. 

She stirred.

Dawn.

She jolted up again. Quetz was there. She looked at the clock on her bedside table. It was 3AM in the morning. Not bothering to even change or wear a shawl, she darted to the backyard. There was nothing – not a soul moved at this time of the night. Her eyes tried to peer through the dense foliage but she couldn't make out anything. 

She opened the gate of the backyard and stepped out. 

Dawn. 

The voice was so clear that she dashed inside the forest. He had arrived. Where are you? She shouted through their mental connection. Dots appeared in her mind that connected her location to his. Like a werewolf she was, she ran at a high speed. After what seemed like eternity, she came to a place covered with mist. She hesitated. 

Come in Dawn. 

She struggled her way through the mist only to find a row of trees with pink, purple and red leaves hanging like tendrils from the branches. They whispered as she walked amongst them.

Mesmerized, she walked ahead. And there he was. Standing in all his glory, with his wings spread out like that of a giant beast. He fluttered them in excitement. She saw that his right wing was slightly damaged on the side. 

Dawn ran to him and hugged her dragon. He covered her with his wings. I am fine. I need rest. You must go back. I will call you when I have recovered. 

She nodded. She knew she had to give him space. Are these Whispering Eobens? she asked. 

Yes. And these are Ensmoire Forests. 

She smiled. He had found a place to live near her. What she didn't know was that he created this place near her. 

Assured and happy of his arrival, Dawn went back to her home. However, as she neared, she heard leaves rustling. It was as if someone was following her. She turned back sharply to scan the area. There was no one. Perhaps a figment of her imagination. She rushed home but couldn't help feeling that someone was on her trail. Did they find her secret? 

She closed the door behind her quietly as soon as she entered her home and went to her bed. At least Quetz was back safely. 

She looked forward to the next day.