Dannick woke up coughing and choking on what felt like the most bitter water he could ever imagine even for a dream. The dreams were back and that one was one of the most vivid dreams he's had that month. He clutched his chest and pulled in deep gulp of air as he tried to get his mind back to reality. The dreams were getting more violent and dark which made a bit anxious. It was just after four o'clock in the morning, according to his cell phone screen saver, the light from the full moon illuminated the room through the open blinds. The moon seemed unnaturally too big the more Dannick stared at it, something he also noticed for months but never mentioned, afraid that his sanity might have been questioned. He liked to sleep with his window opened during full moons, something about it always seemed to calm him and made him feel less alone. Living on the tenth floor of his aunt's beach front condo had the benefits of the perfect view of the moon shining over the water beckoning him to dive into the ocean and join her.
That morning however, the moon looked frightening causing an ominous feeling to run a chill down his spine making all his body hairs stand on end. He slid out of bed and walked over to the window still dazed from the nightmare. He leaned on the window frame and stared at the mysterious white orb floating above him wondering if he was, in fact, crazy because he felt like the moon was staring back and was waiting to do his bidding. Dannick decided, he wouldn't hold it in any longer. Once morning came, he planned to tell his aunt, Tabia, what was happening to him or else he would lose his mind. Perhaps she would make him some of the special tea she made for him when he was having those dreams a few years back. He didn't want to worry her, but he had finals in both boxing, jujitsu and school to focus on. It was not a good time to lose his shit.
Dannick Wakan lived with his aunt Tabia Gray in a condo in Sarasota Florida since his parent's tragic death overseas, when he was eleven years old. He was the only child with no other living relative to take him, his aunt was more than happy to raise him as her own. He didn't have much memory of his past or his parents, a condition his therapist called dissociative amnesia. His earliest memory was of the day his aunt brought him to her home and made him a delicious chocolate cake and ordered the largest meat lovers pizza he'd ever seen, it was his favorite memory.
Dannick paced the room while rubbing his hands roughly over his face trying to forget the nightmare then out of frustration, dropped to the floor and did pushups until his chest burned and his arms trembled in protest. He sat on the floor exhausted and out of breath but it did nothing to clear his mind. He looked out the window one more time hoping the peculiar feeling he sensed from the moon went away but it only grew. Dannick felt ill. He threw on a shirt then quietly made his way to the kitchen, taking careful steps when passing his aunt's room trying to not wake her. Without turning on the light, he felt his way around the kitchen island to get to the fridge, he wanted to soothe his tight chest and dry throat with a cool drink. Dannick sat on a stool and poured a glass of cold water using the open fridge to illuminate the kitchen then sat motionless leaning his head in his hand.
"I thought I heard you in here, what are you doing sitting in the dark, are you ok my puppy?
Dannick's Aunt Tabia turned on the kitchen light then walked over and rested the back of her hand on his forehead while starring into his dark brown eyes.
"It's the nightmares again, isn't it? Are they the same ones or was it different this time?"
Dannick was always amazed at how perceptive his aunt was, she always seemed to know what was going on and what to say to ease his mind.
"Same one but longer, this time I saw my mother. She was holding my hand and running through what looked like a battle field, there were dead bodies everywhere. Suddenly we were cornered by these monstrous wolves and she tried to protect me from them but she couldn't fight them. I watched as they ripped her apart."
Dannick pushed himself away from the counter and out of Tabia's reach. He let out a long shaky breath then paced along the island as he continued.
"I was frozen in place, too scared to move. I didn't want to be noticed by them and get killed too. I took small steps backwards trying to sneak away but I was not quick enough. One of the wolves jumped in front of me snarling and baring sharp bloody teeth, my mother's blood."
Dannick paused, fighting back tears. He felt silly and embarrassed to allow a dream to make him so emotional until he looked at his aunt whom was actually crying. She furtively wiped tears from her cheeks then gestured for him to continue.
"Sharp claws slashed at my chest and I swear could feel the heat of blood oozing down my stomach. Then another wolf bit down on my right leg sending the most excruciating pain throughout my body, I screamed with all my strength hoping to get help from someone but no one came. Everyone was fighting for their lives. Then suddenly the scene changed and I was falling over a waterfall and into dark and bitter basin, it was so cold. I was drowning and swallowing so much water, I felt my body giving in to death, I was so scared. But then, I woke up when one of those monsters growled and called my name."
Tabia stared at her nephew with a distant expression as tears welled in her eyes. "That's horrible."
"The strangest part is how my injuries in the dream matches the scars on my chest and right leg from the dirt bike accident you told me I had when I was ten. Isn't that weird?"
Dannick rubbed his chest and ran his fingers across the scar tissue, they were itching since he woke from the dream.
Tabia rubbed her knuckles nervously and chuckled. "I'm sure it's just coincidence, my love. As for the dreams, perhaps your self-conscience is forcing you to remember something from your past."
"Aunt Tabia, there were giant wolves killing people! They ripped my parents to pieces, what could that possibly have to do with my past? I was scared for my life! Is my self-conscience trying to kill me in my sleep, because there is no way?"
"I meant metaphorically. Reoccurring dreams have meaning, no matter how horrifying they may be, my puppy." With deep sympathy Tabia reached up and cupped Dannick's cheek with her hand.
"May I please have some of that tea you used to give me when I had these dreams? There is no way I can focus on my finals next week if I'm having near death experiences every night."
Tabia thought for a moment then answered absentmindedly. "Sure honey, I don't have the tea leaves just now but I'll buy some later on today. How about some hot chocolate with marshmallows for now, it will cheer you right up?"
Dannick hesitated then gave in, he didn't want to hurt his aunt's feelings. "Yes please, but not too much marshmallows."
As Tabia moved around the kitchen looking for ingredients to make hot chocolate, Dannick did not notice the worried expression on her face. There was so much she needed to say to him but it was not the right time but time, as it seemed, was running out. With Dannick's birthday a week away, things were going to get much more complicated for both him and herself.
Tabia raised Dannick since he was eleven years old after his parents' brutal death in a deadly conflict that divided many families. She was given charge to raise the boy in secret in the small town of Venice, Florida. She had been living peacefully for so long that she forgot the danger that awaited him once he turned twenty-one but fate was quick to remind her. Dannick had an important destiny and hundreds of lives were depending on him fulfilling it, including hers. It pained her to even think about letting go of the simple life she built and loved for over a decade. Dannick was like a son to her and she didn't want to see him get hurt. How was she going to tell him that everything he knew was about to change, that his life as he knew it was a beautiful lie?"