The Bridge Between Worlds

Regina was not a dreamer. She had aspirations and goals, but dreaming while she slept was rare. She knew she was in a dream when she opened her eyes. She was surrounded by green. Resting on the softest green grass, glancing up at the brightest blue sky. Birds were chirping, playing with each other, and flitting around. The sun was shining down. Warmth covered her face and shoulders. The place was so peaceful. She didn’t want to leave.

Regina loved nature. She spent most of her time outside as a young child. Handling the world and people was easier when she had a place where she could escape. Her parents never forced her to do anything she want to do. They encouraged her to spend as much time outdoors as possible.

The area was unfamiliar to her. The gardens and parks she frequented could not compare to this place. The greenery was lush and vibrant. So alive and vivid.

Peace came over Regina as she sighed and closed her eyes, absorbing the sunshine and fresh air. She opened her eyes again and looked up at the tree branches above her. Realizing they were much larger and higher than any branch she had ever climbed as a child. It was old and yet ageless.

The leaves were countless. Their luster was incomparable.

“Where am I?” Regina asked the air as if the knowledge would be given to her. But a sense of sleep came over her and her eyelids drifted closed.

Regina woke to something wet and cold on her forehead. She couldn’t remember getting up for fresh cloth. She wanted to open her eyes, but there was a lingering wariness from the migraine. It was like her head was hungover from pain.

“You’re waking up.”

She froze at the sound of the deep voice. There was a guy in her apartment. How did he get in? She remembered closing, and locking, the door when she got home the night before. What was he doing here with her?

“Do you think you can open your eyes?” the voice asked, gentle and kind; Regina’s guard wasn’t as strong as it had been a moment ago. She grimaced, but she decided to try. Not just to see the random stranger in her home, but because wanted to assure herself her eyesight hadn’t run away. She hated the feeling of not being able to see.

It was not easy at first, but once she saw the crystal mobile hanging from her ceiling, she knew the worst was over. Her gaze then fell on the man at her bedside. His clothes were puzzling. He was dressed from head to toe in a black cloak. From what she could see of his face, he was not bad looking. Black hair poked out in all directions from the hood on his head. And he watched her with black, beady eyes. Eyes that were somehow familiar to her.

“Who are you?” Regina asked as he moved to help her sit forward. “How did you get in and why are you here to begin with?”

He sighed, “I will explain everything,” he replied, handing her a cup of water. “For now, place your focus on recovering. I did not see any signs of a head injury. I believe you should take things slow.”

The way he spoke was different. He had a strange accent, but Regina couldn’t quite place its origin. He sounded European.

“Try again,” she asked after drinking down the water. “I am giving you a final chance to explain who you are before I call the police.”

The guy sighed again, glancing at the darkened windows.

“You don’t remember me,” he said, looking back at Regina. “I should have expected as much.”

She rolled her eyes. “I am fairly certain I would remember you.”

“Bridgette, I know it has been many years since our last encounter, but surely, you remember.”

Regina’s body went rigid. How did he know this name?

“My name is not Bridgette,” she said, preparing herself to spring for the phone she knew was sitting on the dresser. “Bridgette passed away some months ago.”

Inanis turned his dark gaze at her. A strange sensation came over her. He moved his face closer and stared directly into her eyes.

“Was she your twin?” he asked, his voice growing soft and reverent. “I remember her having a sister, but perhaps there was another I never met.”

“No,” Regina replied, lowering her voice as well. “She was my mother.”

His eyes grew wide as he backed away and stood at her bedside. He was tall. Regina stood at almost six feet. Her guess he was just taller than her.

“I came at the wrong time,” said the young man as he turned to the window, which were covered by dark curtains. “How is this possible? I should have come back within the appropriate time.”

“Earth to psycho,” Regina said, waving her hand to get his attention. “You’re talking nonsense. What do you mean you came at the wrong time?”

He turned back to her, his expression filled with sudden realization.

“I must go,” he said, adjusting the cloak and fixing the hood further down on his head. “Regina, it has been a pleasure meeting you. I hope I have the chance to know you better, one day.”

He reached into a hidden pocket and brought out what appeared to be a jeweled orb. It was golden, outlandish, and fantastically mesmerizing. He tinkered with the trinket for a moment, pressing the various jeweled pieces until it was all lit up and shining green.

“Until we meet again,” he went on, vanishing before the shocked young woman’s eyes.

A week later, Regina was biting her fingernails while waiting for Victoria’s reaction. She’d spilled about everything that had happened. They sat on a large, leather couch. Their feet were tucked up underneath their legs.

“He thought you were Mom,” said Victoria after several moments of silence. “I mean, yes. I said the same thing when I first saw you. But why would anyone think you were actually her? There are massive differences.”

“I know,” Regina replied, taking a long sip of water from the cup she’d been holding.

“And he just vanished?”

“I know it sounds crazy. Especially when I’ve explained the migraines.”

“Migraines can cause hallucinations if they are as bad as you say they are. But I totally believe you. I don’t know how it makes sense, just does.”

“You don’t think I’m crazy?” Regina asked, lowering her voice as she glanced into the empty glass.

“Oh, for sure.”

She glanced up to find Victoria grinning at her.

“But no,” she went on, you’re not the crazy one. If I didn’t believe you, this would be a problem. You’re my mother’s daughter, my sister. I feel the need to believe you.”

Regina smiled back, feeling the gentle urge to release the wells in her eyes. But she blinked away the tears and played off the emotion as she changed the subject.

“He said until we meet again,” she said, sitting forward to place the glass on the coffee table in front of the couch.

“And he wants to know you better,” Victoria added, double-pointing her index fingers in the air. “What could that possibly mean?”

“Your guess would be as good as mine,” Regina sighed, shaking her head. “He didn’t give me his last name. Maybe that would have helped when I was surfing the web.”

“I guess the only way you’ll know is if he pops up again.”

“Yeah, I guess so.”