Lucia Dreams

My body felt heavy; like I was stuck in the mud, unable to move even a single finger. Even with my eyes wide open, everything was one big blur. It felt like nothing around me held any meaning. I was just there, like a rock on the side of the road. Even if I saw flowers swaying or people walking by, I couldn’t move. It was as if I was sleeping, but also awake. There was something I needed to do, but I just couldn’t think of anything.

“Go ahead and scream, if ya can. But you can’t, can ya? The Sacred Maiden is fast asleep beside ya, and I mixed some of that Dreamin’ Lamp drug into the Prince’s entourage’s drinks, so no one’ll be coming to save ya. I was thinkin’ it’s just about time I move on, so I’ll be goin’ with Gisella once they sell ’er off. So you’ll be my last treat here. I mean, they’ll probably go all-in on investigatin’ after I go for one of the Sacred Maiden’s companions, after all.”

Someone was right here talking to me, but I had no idea what they were saying. I let my eyes wander absentmindedly, trying to discern what was happening. I couldn’t tell what, but I had a feeling it was important.

“Huh, yer not out yet? Yer resistin’ pretty well. Maybe one sip wasn’t enough. I’d give you another dose, but ya spilled the rest of it... That’s pretty expensive stuff, ya know?”

While the person kept talking to me, I felt like I was enveloped in something warm. Who is this man, anyway? What is he saying? The nagging feeling of forgetting something returned. Forgetting...something important. Forgetting...a promise.

“Ugh...”

“Hm? What, yer makin’ me feel bad. Stop resisting. C’mon, let’s ’ave some fun.”

Right... I promised.

“Start with what you can do.”

“Don’t use that magic where people will see you.”

“When things get scary, hold my hand and show me those soap bubbles.”

“Please don’t make a wall between us.”

I could hear someone’s voice. Yes, I’d made important promises with people. Lots of—

“I want you beside me.”

Someone important to me said that and smiled.

“Lucia!”

It was like a soap bubble popped.