Young Writers Society

~1,106

Everen felt like she was going around in loops and circles. She loved all of the people on the ship, and suspecting that the killer could be one of them was insane to Everen. But it had to be one of them. Who else could it be? Everen found herself staring helplessly at her notebook again, and she let out a frustrated cry. She needed something else to happen. More clues to fall into her lap. There just wasn’t enough to go on as it was.

No. What she really needed was a good night’s rest to clear her head. She snapped her notebook shut and placed it on a shelf in her sleeping quarters. There would be time in the morning to go over everything again, but she promised herself that she wouldn’t touch the notebook again until then.

She took a quick shower, changed into her sleeping clothes, and then flopped into bed. She laid awake for a long time. She couldn’t get her thoughts to stop racing. Finally she caved.

Kerra? She sent.

It was a moment before her sister responded. Yeah Everen?

What are you up to? Are you busy?

Uh, not really. Just sitting at home, really. Why?

Do you remember when I’d tell you little stories? Everen asked hesitantly.

When I was in the hospital all the time? I remember. Kerra sent an emotion that felt like a wistful smile. You always were good at telling stories. Why do you ask?

I’m having trouble sleeping. Do you think you could tell one to me? She sent a sheepish feeling.

Kerra was quiet for just the space of a breath before she sent an all-encompassing feeling of love. It warmed Everen to the bones. Of course, she sent.

So Everen listened as Kerra wove a story to the best of her ability. It was about a beautiful space princess who travelled from star system to star system, discovering strange and marvelous worlds and taming extraordinary beasts. The princess wore a dress made out of the very fabric of space-time, and a really rad jacket made from the hearts of dying stars. But her journey wasn’t easy all the time: she had to face ruthless space pirates and her archnemesis, a mystery woman who chased her, trying to discover and steal the source of the princess’s power. The princess invented new and curious machines, befriended all kinds of people, and even found love on a deserted planet when she was cornered and out of options…

Everen never heard how the story might have ended—she drifted off to sleep, lulled by Kerra’s familiar presence in her mind. And then, she began to have the strangest dream.

Everen was used to having odd dreams, but for some reason, this one felt… different. For one thing, she was aware that she was asleep and dreaming. But it wasn’t just that. There was just a feeling, a sensation that Everen recognized, but couldn’t quite place in her sleep-addled state. It almost felt like an echo. It was as if she was still hearing Kerra’s voice in her mind, but her voice was garbled and incomprehensible. Then a bright bloom of the warm love she had sent earlier, but distant and… almost questioning? It felt like the dream equivalent of static. Then an unfamiliar feeling. A complicated emotion that Everen had never quite felt before. A mixture of hesitancy, probing, and confusion, an alloy of defense and entreaty. This feeling seemed to amplify, getting stronger and stronger until...

She woke up. And she remembered it. She remembered the dream. She didn’t know why, but it was clear as day in her memory. She wouldn’t have expected that such a vague, abstract dream would have stuck with her, but this one had.

Kerra? Everen asked, unsure whether this was even worth her sister’s attention.

Good morning, Everen. Good sleep last night?

Uh… Everen hadn’t even thought about it. She performed a quick sort of self-sleep-survey and realized that she was a lot more tired than she’d have guessed. Honestly? Not super great. But that wasn’t because of you. I really wanted to thank you for that wonderful story.

Kerra sent a little playful pride across the connection. Why thank you. I thought it was quite the masterpiece myself. But of course, I learned from the best!

I had a really weird dream last night, Everen sent, and then explained to the best of her abilities.

Wow, yeah that’s pretty strange. I didn’t get any of that if you’re wondering. I’ve never had anything quite like that.

I wonder what it could have been? Everen’s curiosity began to mix with frustration again. Another mystery that she didn’t know how to solve. When would she get some answers?

Did you shut off your connection before you fell asleep? Kerra asked.

Now that I think of it, no, I didn’t.

That might explain your poor sleep. I’ve forgotten to shut off the connection before, and it gets a bit draining, keeping it open so long, even subconsciously. For a while I couldn’t figure out what was wrong. Then you or Shandi tried to talk to me, and instead of that sort of… nudge feeling, it was like you were suddenly talking right in my ear. Kind of startling. So maybe that was it. Kerra sent a feeling like a shrug.

That would explain some things, but the dream?

No clue there. That’s never happened to me before. Maybe you could try it again tonight? See if it happens again, or if it was just some bad cheese you ate yesterday.

Oh man, I wish we had cheese, Everen sent, trying to move on to a lighter, less mysterious topic.

You don’t!? Kerra asked, an edge of horror stamped into her message.

No, but I’d give my left arm if I had a whole cheese platter in front of me right now.

You and me both, sister.

You can just go out and get some!

True, there was a sly smile in her tone. But just imagine how good space cheese would be. Aged for 250 years while everyone is sleeping comfy in stasis. That’s how you get instant aged cheese.

Great, now my mouth is watering. Thanks Kerra.

I’m just saying, how come no one thought of that? Huge missed opportunity if you ask me.

It definitely should have been our top priority, Everen sent dryly. Now I’ve gotta go grab some breakfast and think about how sub-par it is.

I’ll grab a cheese plate from the store today in honor of you, brave voyager, Kerra sent, a hearty laugh in her voice.