Prologue
“Premonition is a strong intuition that something is going to happen, especially those of unpleasant events. Premonitory dreams happen when your brain works on an idea, and after a few days, it materializes in real life. People with this kind of ability are more susceptible to unexplained events thus, they become more open-minded.” He stared at me with disbelief after reading the article I asked him to read.
“So, you’re telling me that you have this kind of ability?”
“Yes. That’s why I was able to save you before.”
“You can dream of people’s death and other dangers?”
“Uh-huh. But that was before. As time passed by, I’ll just have a short blackout then future disasters would play on my mind.”
“Woah. That was so cool. You’re kinda similar to a person who has a sixth sense.”
“It was never cool. It was tiring… and scary. Oftentimes I couldn’t control it. I still don’t know much about this ability… or curse.”
“H-hey! Do not call it a curse. Don’t worry. I’ll help you master premonition.”
“Help me what?”
“I’ll help you understand it better. How it works and everything related to it. In that way, you can save more lives.”
As if I wanted to save lives. I just wanted to be saved first.
CHAPTER 1
“Congratulations, my daughter! Dad is so proud of you.” Dad said while handing me a bouquet of carnations.
I smiled as I accepted it. The flowers smell so good I am having a nostalgic flashback inside my head.
“Alright. Since the ceremony is over, let’s eat something now. Bet you’re starving already, Elyse.” My mom broke my thoughts which is a good thing because I am really starving.
The four-hour graduation ceremony has been finished just now. I am already an incoming college freshman! I am so excited about what my college life will be like.
We settled on a nearby restaurant for our late lunch. My little brother is also with us but he barely talks. All his attention was on his smartphone. He just put it down when our order has arrived.
“You’ll really pursue Communication Arts for your college major, eh?” Mom opened the topic.
I know that she hasn’t been fond of it because she wanted me to major in accountancy. Huh.
“Yes, mom.”
“What’s wrong with Communication Arts? There are lots of successful people who chose that field. It’s fine as long as Elyse is happy.” Dad defended me and gave me a warm smile. I smiled back.
Dad has always been supportive of me ever since I was young. On the other hand, mom would give a little objection at first yet would eventually agree. Dan, my little brother, would not comment at all. Oh, well. They are my beloved family.
~~~
It was really a tiring day that’s why when we got home, I just cleaned myself and got straight into my bedroom. I’ll sleep for now.
When I opened my eyes, it was nighttime already. Just how long did I sleep? I looked at the clock on top of my bed table. 8:26 PM. I squinted my eyes and went to the living room. There is too much silence. Where are they?
I finally landed in our living room, but I saw a coffin placed on it to my surprise. A coffin? Why would there be a coffin in our living room? Who died?!
On top of the coffin was a picture frame. It was a man. Or should say, my father. I was frozen from where I stood. My body can’t just simply move.
“What the hell is happening?!” I shouted. On the corner, I saw my mom and Dan crying. I couldn’t process what is happening right now. A while ago, we just ate at a restaurant. We went home altogether. H-how could this happen in just a blink of an eye?
~~~
“Dorothy! Wake up! Mom’s calling you for dinner.”
I was woken up by a strong shrug from Dan.
Wait. How did I get here in bed? I looked at the window on the side of my bed then realized that it’s still nighttime. I rushed into our living room. I was shocked to see that there is no coffin at all. Did I just have a dream?
Dad came out of the bathroom. I stared at him for a short while. “DAAAAD!” I shouted and run my way to hug him. I was so relieved. He’s still alive and I’m hugging him. I couldn’t help to not cry. The dream I had was just so vivid and it feels realistic. I thought… I thought… he really died.
He was caught off guard by my sudden movement.
“What’s wrong?” I just shake my head and hugged him even tighter.
~~~
I was so afraid to sleep that night but I had no other choice. I’m afraid that I’ll have the same dream again. I woke up the other day and everything seems normal. I’m finally at ease.
Macey, my friend, just came back here in the town of Alpaz from a foreign country. I am going to have a two-day sleepover at her place to catch up a little.
“Elyse! How long has it been? You look gorgeous as ever!” She said then hugged me.
“Ahh, Macey. I’ve missed you so much!” I hugged her back.
I haven’t seen her for two years. She has grown so beautiful from the last time I saw her. Her perfectly curled brown hair compliments her face the most.
We had so much fun at her place for the past two days. We binge-watched shows, talked about almost everything in our lives, and ate delicious food her mom cooked. It was heavenly. Not until I went home.
A coffin. There was a coffin again. In our living room. A-am I dreaming again?
“What the hell is happening?!” I shouted.
On the corner, I saw my mom and Dan crying. This scenario looks so familiar. It was the exact same thing that happened in my dream.
“Y-your father died yesterday from a car accident. He’s dead on arrival.” Mom explained while crying.
I gulped as hard as I could. No, this can’t be true. I might be dreaming again. I started to pinched myself for the hope of waking up. But nothing is happening.
“Why didn’t you tell me?! I was having fun with Macey without knowing… without knowing that… dad passed away.” I burst out crying. My face and arms are hurting from all the pinches I made yet I am still here. I am not waking up from a dream.
“I don’t wanna bother you. I know it makes no sense at all, but I don’t want to spoil everything between you and Macey. You’ll eventually get home.”
“Mom! You should have told me!”
I was broken. I couldn’t contain the loneliness as I look at the lifeless body of my dad. He was my hero. He was my greatest shield. He’s my everything. And now, I lost him. I locked myself in my bedroom for one week. I did not entertain anyone. My friends gave me their condolences through chats. I would reply to some of them while I’d ignore the others. Macey even went to our house but I did not face her. I couldn’t.
~~~
Since that day, I would occasionally have unexplainable dreams. Sometimes, it would involve people from my neighborhood and other people whose existence I’m not aware of. I would just receive news that something happened to them, the same thing happened in my dream. From that, I’ve realized that I’m no ordinary. I, Elyse Dorothy Mizal, can foresee the danger and deaths of other people.
