Star Dreams
by peggy le johnson © 2006
“Damn dogs, what are they barking about now? It's 3 a.m. there's no reason for this. Probably some damn deer again!”
Hoping I don't wake up the old man I slide from the bed as gently as I can, he doesn't move. The flashlight is lying there on the kitchen counter so I head out the back door. The moon is hidden behind a cloud, but I can still see its fullness in light all about me. Off to the east the sky seems to glow as if the woods are afire. The dogs keep up their barking. No amount of scolding can get them to quiet down. I have no idea why he isn't up, this should be the mans work, I think to myself.
Slowly, I scan the forest behind the house, red eyes glare back at me.
“I sure hate you! I hope you know that! Stupid deer!” I know he has to have heard me now. I can still hear a steady humming sound from deep within the forest, my flashlight finds nothing.
The moon slowly peeks from its cloud cover and it is so bright I can almost see without the flashlight. A silvery flash makes me stop, the flashlight beam once again catches the reflection. I knw these woods like the back of my hand, it had to be something I had left there.
My slippers catch on a rock and I flip them off into the underbrush, by now I am really getting angry. Slowly hobbling through the underbrush I can finally make out the object. Its small and silvery with steady blinking lights. Not very bright, dim like a set of Christmas lights on its way out. The humming is louder and I can feel my heart race. Inside I am cussing myself for being here, cussing myself for not taking the time to wake husband. He should be here, not me!
Suddenly without warning, there is a rush of air all around me. I can see another light, this time seeming to come from the inside of the thing. Without a second thought I crouch behind the only bush I can find and watch.
“Damn you husband! Damn you for not waking up! Damn me for being so stupid!” I'm whispering this quietly aloud. Maybe as a way to calm myself, who knows.
The light becomes brighter as the opening on the thing grows larger, I can see shadows now. The light from within making them dance eerily around me. Anger is now turning to fear. I try to slow my breath down, to make the adrenaline rush I am feeling dissipate.
The shadows take on a black elongated, terrifying look now, as they seem to move outside, just beyond me and towards my hiding place. I look down and see that my flashlight is still gently glowing, I hurriedly flip it off. I watch as the shadows slowly exit the thing and move into view.
I know that if I live to be a hundred I will never be able to tell anyone what I saw. No one will ever believe me, this has to be a dream. I watch TV. I see the hoaxes, this is not real.
"The humming noise stops and the voices from the doorway of the thing grow louder , almost like a purr. The voices sweet and melodic, somehow I seem to know them.
I hear the leaves crinkle around me and I am almost was afraid to look. A soft warm furry thing touches my ankle, I hold my breath. I take another deep breath and try to focus on what it is, its too black.
I hear the sound again from the craft and then again, this time echoing from right beside me. I slowly reach down to touch the thing, feel the object. My eyes begin to focus slowly on it.
“My God cat! Are you trying to scare me to death?!” I scolded in a whisper. Cleo squints at me, a cat smile and walks towards the glowing object. I want to stop her but I seemed to be frozen. I watch the scene unfold, I see it time and time again, no one will ever believe me .
She walks to the glowing door and her shadow seems to grow, to elongate. Her purring grows sweeter and softer and her cat voice seems to echo gently around me. Other voices chime in with hers. It is as if I am in a dream.
The humming grows louder from the craft parked there and once again I see my black cat walk out of it and towards me.
Somehow I can feel what she is saying, hear her thoughts. They sooth and comfort my fear. Her words are assuring.
“Fear not my sweet human. I choose not to go this time. Maybe later when you can let me go softly into the night, but not this night. I feel you still need me here with you. This night is like many others, we travel here now as we did so very long ago. Not to conquer but to live in harmony. There was a time when we were sought after to die as evil. That time is past. Come, it is time for them to go now. Another must go back this night and take my place at the council. Come sweet human, let us also go home. A small piece of cheese for me and maybe a cold glass of spirits for you. In the morning this may seem as a dream, yes! A star dream. But on other nights, like this night, you and I will come here again and remember. Maybe if you desire, you can travel to my world. Come sweet human, let us go home now.”
The End