The World Beyond Dreams

Chapter 1: The Journal

Do you remember the world beyond dreams? ... I didn't think you would because you must pass through the veil of illusions to return from that world. How can I remember that world? I am Yumiko, the dream child. I live in both worlds. Strange yes, but it will be hard for me to explain. I'm not quite sure where to start, and I do not know all that has happened.

When I first met him, I didn't know him for who he was. I should have.

She blinked back the tears that were welling up in her eyes. They would never understand what she had to tell them. She stopped writing and closed her journal. How was this going to help? No she shrugged, I have to go on. I don't want to forget what as happened. I can't forget. She closed her eyes tightly cutting off her tear's escape. She again opened her journal and continued to write. She decided that was all she could bear to write that night. It was too painful for her to think about.

This journal she used to keep just for her amusement, keeping her favorite memories. It had helped her clarify her decisions and sort out her thoughts. Now she hoped it would help her solve her problem. Was there a solution? She didn't know. She could only cling to the faith that something could still be done.

Let me start again,

This morning her thoughts had drifted away from the darkest occurances. She wanted to remember the good times.

Let me start again, from before then. From before I knew about that world. I live with my dad. My mother died when I was younger. I was in highschool when it began, though few people knew me because I was rarely at school. I have... I had an illness. The doctors were never quite sure what was wrong with me. It sounds strange, doesn't it? Like some bad soap opera.

I never knew about the other world. It had never occurred to me that there was something out there waiting for me to find it, or rather to find me.

She watched as the rain slid dismally down the window pain. Her father brought her a cup of milk and a donut. He set them down on her desk.

"Nico? You still haven't told me what happened." Her father's gentle voice whispered comfortingly.

"Dad, I know you want to know, but I can't think about it right now. I'll tell you when I have finished." She looked up into his eyes pleadingly.

"I'm sorry I didn't tell you everything before you got into this mess. Maybe then you would have been better prepared for that..." His apology fell softly on her ears as he left her alone.

Then I began seeing things. Things that I didn't understand. I always felt as if I was under a shadow. At first it scared me.

My friend Amii and I had planned to go on a ski trip with her family for winter vacation. My father had been reluctant to let me go, but we were able to persuade him that I would be fine...

"Nico!" her friend Amii shouted, waving her over to the lunch table. Nico set her tray on the table as she slid onto the bench across from her friend. "Did you ask your father yet?"

"Yeah, but he said that I can't go." Nico played with her fork awkwardly as she saw Amii grow disappointed. "He thinks that I'll get sick. You know how he is." She shrugged her shoulders apologetically. Her friends face suddenly brightened.

"Maybe my parents can talk him into letting you stay with us, at least for a little while."

Nico remained optimistic for the rest of the day. When she walked out of the school she was met by a warm bright sun, that shone on the white sidewalks and brick buildings. The street was lined by young, neatly trimmed sakura trees.

He leaned against the wall of a building where the shadows were the closest. He was watching a girl. She was different than what he had remembered, but that was to be expected, after eleven years of separation. She was now seventeen, three years younger than himself. He swept his dark brown hair away from his eyes. He was unsure of what he should do. He wanted to speak with her, but the Counsel had forbidden it. He sighed reluctantly as he watched her turn the corner out of sight. He would see her again, tomorrow, and the next day, and the day after that, until it was all over.

Author's Notes:

Hey, thank you for reading this story. It has only begun, but I'm not quite sure where it is going. shrugs

Please, leave a comment, criticism, and any helpful information you have for me. I could use it.

This is my first story to put on fiction press. This is also the first story I think I will finish. I hope I finish it. I don't want people to be lost and wondering what is supposed to happen. I don't want to leave myself lost and wondering what is supposed to happen. That would be bad considering I'm the one who's writing this. Well thank you again!

If you like this story at all, please encourage your friends to read this story also.

Lots of comments and help will keep me accountable for my writing.

See ya,