After school, they arrived at the antique shop Bailey told them about. The doorbell jingled noisily when Bailey opened the door, the gang followed her behind. They looked around taking in the place.
The place was filled up with all sorts of items that were probably antique. From magnificent music boxes to intricate looking grandfather clocks.
“This place makes me feel like I’m in a time vortex,” Isa whispered softly in astonishment. She had never seen so many old items that looked so new and beautiful.
“Feels normal to me,” Cole mumbled while scratching his head, but suddenly jumped back when he felt something soft brush his leg.
Meow…
A black lean cat with striking yellow eyes stared suspiciously at the group of teens that had entered the store. Cole frowned deeply and moved away from the animal that was steadily observing him.
“This is Miss Renesmee, Mrs Angela’s pet and store security,” Bailey said with a small laugh. “Don’t worry she won’t do you any harm…as long as you don’t upset her.”
Meanwhile, the cat took a few steps towards Cole, making him move back gingerly. He somewhat glared at the cat. Miss Renesmee licked her paw slowly before staring squarely at Cole, who I turn grimaced. Bailey and Isa chuckled softly as they watched Cole’s reaction. Who knew he was scared of cats.
Meowing, she continued prowling towards Cole but he scurried behind Ciara, using her body as a shield. She grunted in annoyance but didn’t move.
“Go away. I don’t like you.”
“But she definitely likes you,” Campbell said with a giggle. “Give her a chance.”
“No way! I don’t want some stupid cat rubbing on me,” Cole complained, still hiding behind his twin sister. “Be cool man, it’s just a cat,” said Dylan.
Suddenly, the cat bent low on its hind legs and launched itself at an unsuspecting Cole. Ciara quickly sidestepped it, giving access to its target. Cole turned around and screamed in a high pitched voice as the cat landed on his chest.
Fear stricken, Cole ran all over the store like a maniac, screaming like a horrified little girl, and everyone burst into stomach hurting laughter as they watched, but the cat stubbornly clung to his shirt, dangling like a necklace.
The commotion from the store made a middle aged woman emerge from the back. Her dreamy eyes looked around in confusion as it searched for the source of the ruckus.
Her chubby cheek shook slightly when she turned her head, and her mass of messy white hair bounced in different directions as she hurried towards the group of laughing teens.
“Miss Renesmee! Stop that misbehaviour at once!” She commanded, glaring at her unruly pet. The cat quickly dropped down from Cole’s chest and ran to sit beside the feet of Mrs Angela.
“How can you treat visitors like this, how awful! I’m cutting down your salary this month. You’ll just have the normal cat treats, no more good ones.”
In reaction, the cat turned to stare directly at Cole, then hiss fiercely, causing the teens to move back quickly in fear. There was so much hatred in the way the cat hissed and its eyes seemed to glow brighter when it narrowed to slits. Cole swallowed hard and took several steps back.
“Miss Renesmee!” Mrs Angela cried. The cat turned away from the teens and ran to the back of the store.
“Oh please forgive my dear Renesmee,” she begged, “she’s just dealing with some issues and has refused to tell me what it is. She doesn’t behave like this normally; she’s always been a sweet girl.”
“Well she was pretty sweet today,” Cole grumbled in annoyance.
“Ah, my apologies young man. I’m sorry for her bad behaviour,” Mrs Angela apologized sincerely. Cole sighed tiredly, dusted himself and gave a Curt nod to Mrs Angela.
“So…” Bailey began, “let me introduce you to everyone. Mrs Angela; Cole, Ciara, Campbell, Dylan, and Isabella. Guys, Mrs Angela.” Mrs Angela smiled gladly, “pleasure to meet you kids.” She turned away and headed for the counter. “And what can I do for you kids today, hmm?”
“We’re here for a dreamcatcher, please,” answered Bailey. Mrs Angela stopped behind the counter, brows raised in surprise, “dreamcatcher? Who’s being tormented by nightmares?”
“I am,” replied Isa in a small voice. She stared at the woman in hopes of getting her nightmare problems solved tonight.
“O dear child.” Mrs Angela walked towards Isa in light steps and touched her cheek tenderly. Warmth and care swam in her eyes, making Isa feel at ease.
“Nightmares can be scary sometimes, can’t they?”
Isa nodded lightly. Smiling, Mrs Angela pulled her hand away, taking the calming feeling with it, “I have a lot of dream catchers. Come with me and we’ll see which one fits you.”
Everyone silently followed Mrs Angela through a bead curtain and into a room full of dreamcatchers. Various sizes and colors of dreamcatcher hung from the wall or lay on the shelves. They were beautiful.
Turning slowly and smiling at the astonished looks on their faces, Mrs Angela waved her hand to the room, “these children, is my collection of dreamcatcher to fit every personality in existence.” She gently took Isa’s hand in here and stared into her eyes. “All you have to do dear one is choose. Look within yourself and you’ll find the perfect dreamcatcher for you.” Mrs Angela turned her around to face the dreamcatchers as she whispered in her ear, “all you have to do is pick the one…”
Isa wasn’t listening anymore. Her mind had gone foggy for a moment before her whole attention focused on the dreamcatchers.
All you have to do is choose the one…
Light on her feet she touched a dreamcatcher. Round in shape and painted white. The strings were strung like a spider web and long strings of different coloured beads and horsetail dangled slowly. It was beautiful, but it wasn’t for her.
Moving further in, she touched on that lay on the shelf. Triangular shaped and perhaps made of oakwood. It was smooth under Isa’s palm. Long strings of black and red beads and horsetail dangled lazily from the frame. But it wasn’t for her either.
Isa tried out a few others but ended up with the same result. Her eyebrows furrowed in concern. What if she didn’t find it? She would have to return to her nightmares.
Looking around, Isa sighted a small round one in a basket. It looked like it was made of hardwood, and frills with beads dangled all round. She gasped quietly the moment she touched the dreamcatcher. A soft and oddly comfortable vibe pulsed through her hand and she smiled contentedly.
Ding…
The loud chiming of the grandfather clock brought Isa back to reality, abruptly cutting off the serene environment, then she turned around to meet Mrs Angela’s satisfied smile, which she gladly reciprocated.
“Just hang it on the wall in your room and go to bed. If you picked the right one, then your nightmares will be gone,” Mrs Angela explained as she handed the dreamcatcher to Isa who took it gratefully.
“What would happen if she picked the wrong one?” Asked Dylan.
“Then her nightmares will continue to torment her.”
“Of course,” Ciara said flatly. She was tired of all this. To her, they were all spiritual nonsense and ridiculous assumptions.
The woman shook her head lightly, amusement dancing in her eyes, “only if you believe dear child will you be free.”
“Free of what?” Ciara questioned, eyebrows raised.
“Free of nightmares.”
“Thank you Mrs Angela,” Isa said gratefully, hugging the dreamcatcher.
“No, thank you child. I hope to see you all soon, especially you Isabella,” the woman smiled.
They bid Mrs Angela goodbye and left her store, her sad eyes following their retreating figures, “be safe dear child.”
At night, right before bed, Isa retrieved the dreamcatcher from her backpack and proceeded to hang it on the wall space beside her door. It faced her bed directly.
Snuggling beneath the covers, Isa watched her saving grace for sometime, praying for it to work.
“Please work for me…please,” she whispered sleepily, before falling into a dreamless sleep. A peaceful night after so many long and torturous ones.