Follow the Hummingbird (The Dream Tamer Chronicles Book 1)

by Elena Carter

  But then what? What if nobody comes to save me? What if there are no more doors, or there’s nowhere to hide? The thought made her blood freeze.

  I want to go home. Tina trembled as she walked down the hallway. So far there was no sign of doors, only statues on both sides. I want to go home, she repeated, hoping it would work and she would wake up in her bed.

  The hallway seemed endless. Tina quickened her pace, hurrying as fear propelled her until she was short of breath. She stopped for a moment, turned around, and let out a shriek. The shadow at the other end of the hallway was bigger. Much, much bigger. As it crawled past the statues, it absorbed their shadows one by one and grew in size even more.

  Tina turned around and ran as fast as she could, without looking back. She lost track of time. Only the shortness of breath and aching muscles suggested she’d been running for quite a while, when she finally saw a door at the end of the hallway.

  She tumbled into the room, closing the door behind her. Her lungs hurt and her head spun. She bent in half, trying to catch her breath, then straightened and looked around.

  She was in a library. All the walls around her were covered with bookshelves that stretched all the way to the ceiling.

  There were no more doors. Only the one she had come through—the same one through which Umbrus was about to enter.

  So this is it. It’s all gonna be over in a minute. A wave of fear and despair washed over her, resulting in tears streaming freely down her cheeks. She turned around, looking at the door. For a few moments, there was nothing, and then she saw the shadow creeping into the room.

  Tina inched backward, crying silently. She walked until her back pressed against the bookshelves.

  The shadow moved toward her.

  The light in the room went off.

  A blood-freezing scream filled the room, and a moment later, Tina realized it was her own.

  She covered her eyes with her hands, a desperate gesture that made no sense since the room was pitch-black.

  Now, the darkness will absorb me forever. I will vanish and I will never see Greg, Alice, Natalie, or Mike ever again.

  A burst of anger erupted like a volcano inside her.

  “NO!” She screamed. “I don’t want to go!”

  She thrust her hands forward and snapped her eyes open. To her surprise, her fingers started to glow in the dark.

  The gift of light from the Callimani. That’s what they gave me. I can beat this! She focused on the memory of being in the Callima world. She tried to remember every detail, every tiny crystal clink she heard, every sensation of her body filling up with pure light.

  “I am the light, and the light is in me,” she murmured. Her hands and arms glowed brightly, lighting up the whole room. But the brightest, most powerful light emanated from her chest.

  “My heart is open. My heart is free of fear. My heart is full of light,” she said louder, tasting the salty drops of tears on her lips.

  The ray of light coming from her heart grew brighter and wider, filling the whole room. She glanced at the floor. The big shadow was only a couple steps away from her. It shivered and was shrinking in size.

  Tina heard herself laugh. She was laughing and crying at the same time, her body shaking uncontrollably and shooting rays of light around the room.

  I’m like a disco ball. This is hilarious, Tina thought before she collapsed on the floor of the library, exhausted and blinded by her own light.

  The shadow was gone.

  Tina woke up early. Too early. She was feeling exhausted and knew she didn’t get enough sleep, but she had to get up.

  What time did I go to sleep last night? Can’t remember anything … And my head is killing me.

  She moaned and crawled out of bed. Her whole body ached as if she had a fever. Sitting on the edge of the bed, she tried to straighten her back and turn her neck from side to side. Every slight movement resulted in more pain.

  I need more sleep. I’m not well. Why do I have to get up so early?

  She frowned because she knew the answer to her question. She needed to go to work. The only problem was she couldn’t remember what she was doing and where she needed to go.

  I’m really not well. There’s something seriously wrong with me. I can’t fully wake up. But I need to at least call the office if I’m running late.

  She froze again because she had no idea what office she was supposed to call. She knew she had to, she was sure of it, but things were slipping away in her head. Simple things, simple facts.

  Maybe I have partial amnesia. Did something happen to me yesterday? Did I hit my head? It would at least explain the pain. Maybe I was in an accident? Was I driving? Shit, I can’t remember anything.

  She closed her eyes and let out a frustrated moan. The pain was getting unbearable. She needed to make it to the kitchen and take a painkiller.

  When it stops and I can think straight, I’ll figure everything out.

  As she was trying to pull herself up, a man’s voice startled her. It was coming from downstairs.

  “Honey, are you up? Coffee’s ready. You’re gonna be late.”

  Tina’s eyes widened and heart started pounding so hard she was afraid it’d jump out.

  She had no idea who it was.

  There was no downstairs in her apartment.

  What the hell is going on?

  Tina sat back down on the edge of the bed, gripping the sheets tightly. The pulsation in her temples throbbed with immense pain, but at the same time it seemed to have woken her up completely.

  I need help.

  “Tina? Are you okay?” The voice was closer. He was coming up.

  “I really need help,” she whispered, gripping the sheets even tighter, as if they were to stop her from falling.

  A knock sounded on the door, and she turned her head slowly. The door opened, and Mike’s worried face peeked through the gap.

  “Hun, is everything all right? I’ve been calling you, but you’re not responding. What’s wrong? Oh my God, you look so pale. Are you not feeling well?” He rushed over to her and knelt down beside the bed.

  “I’m okay, honey. But I think I’m coming down with something. I have a terrible headache …” Tina heard her own voice and froze.

  “You look like you’ve seen a ghost. Did you have a nightmare? I was wondering why you weren’t getting up. Why didn’t you call me?” He put his hand on her forehead. “Doesn’t feel like you’re feverish, but let’s check your temperature, okay?”

  “I …” Tina stumbled. “I don’t …”

  “Tina, you’re scaring me. Look, let me go get the thermometer, okay? And I’ll bring your coffee. You’re definitely not going to work today. Have you called the office?”

  Tina shook her head.

  She knew she needed to call the office. It was important. She also knew her husband, Mike, was worried about her and that he was running late for work.

  None of it made any sense.

  She heard Mike run down the stairs to the kitchen as she stared at the wall without blinking.

  What’s wrong with me? Am I going crazy? Can this be fixed?

  The doorbell rang, and a dog started barking downstairs. Tina shuddered.

  “Stop it, Leslie. Down. I said, down! Come in, Greg. Sorry to keep you waiting, man, I just need to finish something here. Where the hell is this thermometer?”

  Tina tensed.

  “Is everything all right? Tina’s car is here, I noticed. Looks like everyone is running late today.”

  Greg’s voice made Tina bolt upright. Her hands were shaking. She felt weak and dizzy.

  She also couldn’t understand what it was about Greg’s voice that startled her so much. He used to pick up Mike every morning, and they’d go to work together. He usually waited in the car, but sometimes he’d come in to say hi if he was early. Leslie, their golden retriever, always got overly excited when Greg was over, and Mike used to joke that someday she’d run off with him.

  Tina knew that
morning routine so well, yet she must have been in some kind of shock because nothing felt familiar.

  I need to call the office, she thought again.

  “Finally. Found it. Greg, I’ll be right back.” The stairs squeaked as Mike returned.

  Where’s my phone? Tina glanced at the nightstand. The phone wasn’t there.

  “Here, love. Let’s check your temp. Your coffee’s gone cold, so I left it. I’ll make you a fresh one. Although, maybe ginger tea would be better.”

  “Sure,” Tina replied on autopilot. “Thank you, honey.”

  He handed her the thermometer. “I’ll ask Greg to wait a little more. Have you called the office?”

  “Not yet. I can’t find my phone. It’s not there.” She pointed at the nightstand.

  “Because you always leave it under your pillow, and I have to remind you to put it on charge.” Mike leaned over and kissed her on the forehead. “The battery is probably dead. Charge it now, and I’ll bring you mine so you can make that call. And tea. Alright, love? Just give me a few minutes.” He gave her another kiss and left the room.

  Tina looked at the thermometer in her hand then at her pillow. Sliding her hand under the pillow, she scraped something cold and smooth with her fingers. It wasn’t a phone. She retrieved the object from underneath the pillow and studied it.

  “Why would I put a stone under my pillow?” Tina frowned. The dark purple stone reminded her of something, but the memory was also slipping away.

  It felt good in her hands, though. She didn’t know if she had a fever, but she felt like she was burning up, and the smooth little stone was cooling her down.

  She lay on the pillow and put the stone on her forehead, placing both of her hands on top of it, then closed her eyes.

  The pain started to let go almost immediately, and she drifted off.

  As she fell asleep and let go of the stone, it slid down her forehead and fell onto the wooden floor. She woke up, startled by the sound.

  Where did I put the thermometer? was the first thought that ran through her mind. She sat up on the bed and looked down. The amethyst was on the floor by the nightstand.

  Tina bent down to pick it up and put it on the nightstand next to her phone and Alice’s diary. And she realized she was back home.

  It took her a few minutes to recover from the initial shock. Everything happening in the dream felt so real that a part of her was still waiting for Mike to come up with her tea. Even the obsession with calling the mysterious office was still there. Tina shuddered.

  Thank God I don’t work in any office and I don’t need to call anyone at work. Well, technically, I do. I need to call Mike.

  Mike.

  Tina froze again, her stomach sank.

  I’m going to feel very weird talking to Mike after that dream. Or even looking at him.

  Part of her was still thinking of how Mike took care of her when she was unwell. Instinctively, Tina raised her hand and touched her forehead where he gave her a kiss.

  I can’t believe how normal it felt then and how weird it is to even be thinking about it now. But I still remember the feeling. No, not just remember, I can still feel it.

  It felt good, Tina had to confess. It felt good to be loved again.

  I still have all those feelings, as if I’m there. As if I’m a part of that alternate reality. Not just a visitor passing by. Maybe I was initially, but I got stuck like a mosquito in amber, she thought.

  She looked around her bedroom. It felt good to be back, but she also wasn’t sure if there was a staircase behind her door, leading downstairs to where Mike was making her ginger tea and Leslie was wagging her tail at the sight of her favorite guest, Greg.

  Remembering Greg shot through her body like an electric shock.

  I think I am going crazy after all. Either that, or I almost got stuck in some weird parallel reality that wanted to lay its hands on me for some reason.

  Tina shivered at the thought.

  Good thing I had the amethyst. I have a feeling it saved me.

  She recalled that she couldn’t sleep because she was shaken after the encounter with Umbrus, then she was thinking of Alice, missing her and wanting to share her latest adventures. Thoughts about Alice had reminded Tina of the amethyst she had given her.

  So it looks like it helped me fall asleep and helped me wake up. A pretty useful stone. Tina chuckled.

  She reached for her phone to look at the time and check her messages.

  The top notification on the screen was a message from Natalie.

  Natalie: I really need you.

  Tina texted her friend as she was making coffee.

  Tina: Hey, Nat. Everything all right? I just woke up, had a bit of a rough night.

  Thankfully, there was no downstairs. She was back in her normal reality, in her slightly messy kitchen, and it felt great. She was even humming a song as she made breakfast. The only thing bothering her was the message from Natalie.

  Natalie: Got any plans for today?

  Natalie replied straight away, as if she was holding her phone and waiting for the text.

  Tina: Nothing special. What’s up?

  Natalie: Mind if I come over?

  Tina: I’ll be happy. When are you thinking?

  Natalie: Now?

  Natalie’s response made Tina realize it was indeed something serious. It was ten in the morning. Usually, Natalie had her hands full at that time and a thousand errands to run.

  Tina: Sure. Nat, what happened?

  Natalie: I think my husband is leaving me. I’ll be there soon.

  Tina gasped. Tod, Natalie, and their two little daughters were the embodiment of a perfect family in Tina’s view. They were solid. They were strong. They represented what an ideal family should look and act like. Another message came through while Tina was trying to recover from the shock.

  Natalie: Need anything?

  Tina: No, thanks. Waiting for you.

  Tina put her phone down and rubbed her forehead. “Can’t things just be all right for once? Without any cataclysms? Or is that too much to ask for?”

  Tina sighed and picked up her cup of coffee.

  Natalie was curled up on Tina’s sofa, hugging a cushion and holding a half-empty box of tissues. A bunch of wet crumpled tissues was scattered across the coffee table.

  Tina brought another cup of coffee in from the kitchen. She hadn’t had a chance to hear the story yet; she was letting Natalie cry it out.

  “Want some chocolate or cookies?” she asked, setting the cup on the table.

  “Nah, thanks … I’m not at that stage yet.” Natalie forced a smile.

  “Well, let me know when you get there, okay? And let me know when you’re ready to talk. No rush. You can even go take a nap if you want. After all that crying …”

  “Thanks, T. I’m okay. I just needed to let it all out. Sick and tired of playing strong. You know?”

  “Who’s watching M&Ms?” Tina sat down next to Natalie.

  “Mom. For a few days. She picked them up early this morning, and I texted you straight away.”

  “That’s good. I suppose they don’t know anything?”

  “No, of course not.” Natalie shook her head fiercely. “They didn’t see or hear anything. We told them Granny missed them a lot and she wanted to teach them to make cookies. They were thrilled.”

  “Are you ready to tell me what it was they didn’t see or hear? Because I didn’t see or hear anything either.”

  “I didn’t want to burden you with my problems, T. You’ve got your own. A bunch. Besides, I was really hoping we’d sort it out.” She pulled another tissue out of the box and blew her nose.

  “Nat, you know I’m always there for you. No matter what. Has it been going on for a while?”

  “I guess. Nothing was going on, really. And that’s exactly the problem. We should have talked it out, but we were pretending everything was all right.”

  “And it wasn’t, I suppose?” Tina raised her eyebrows.
<
br />   “Nope, it wasn’t.” Natalie shook her head. “It all started with Tod’s problems at work a couple of months ago—new management he didn’t get along with from the start. He got into a conflict and he wanted to quit. But you know, with all the debts and me not working … Wasn’t really an option. We thought it’d all cool down.” She shrugged. “Later he was offered a position in another office, which meant we had to move. It would’ve solved the personal conflict he had with the boss, but I wasn’t ready. I didn’t want to leave everything behind and go somewhere I didn’t know anyone. Maybe it was selfish of me … But I’m still not ready to move—leave our house, leave Mom, leave you. I wanted to start working. But you know the girls don’t handle kindergarten well.”

  Tina frowned and rubbed her forehead. “Is there no other way out of this? Is that the main problem?”

  “I don’t know anymore. We just carried on as usual. Thought it would all sort itself out. But we started talking less, avoiding this topic, and pretending nothing happened. He refused the offer, stayed in the office, and continued going to work as usual, hating every day and every minute there. I was caught up in my usual daily routine. We were slowly but steadily drifting apart, while both refusing to admit it.” Natalie started crying again.

  “Nat, I don’t even know what to say.” Tina sighed. “Can’t you talk it out now? Have you tried?”

  “We started fighting from time to time. You know, just getting annoyed with each other over little things. He told me once it was all my fault because I didn’t want to support him, and now he hates his life. It hurt me so much, probably because I do feel guilty deep inside. I don’t want him to be unhappy. But I was also mad because he didn’t see my perspective.” Natalie buried her face in her palms. “I don’t even know who I am anymore, T. My life is all about taking care of the girls and our house. Tod is always at work. Tired and unhappy when he gets back. I get to see my mom and you sometimes—the only vent giving me some fresh air. Take it away from me, and what am I left with?” She pulled out another tissue to wipe her tears. “And the worst thing is that as I’m saying this, I hate myself for being so selfish.”