"Am I doing the right thing?"
I stood at the top of the tower, watching my brother come closer.
In all my many dreams before, he would never stop.
He'd keep walking, reaching the stone ledge before turning around, with the same fearful eyes that had looked into mine when he left the day he died.
"You mean in regard to coming here?" Gabriel asked as he took his slow steps. He walked past me, and I turned my head to watch him move toward the ledge.
"Yes. Is this the right decision?" My subconscious told me this was all a dream, but I yearned for Gabriel to answer, something to help me calm my nerves about attending Brighten.
Would he tell me to not go? Maybe stop me from making a mistake. Or was this the right thing to do? Could this lead to a path of getting stronger and helping people? Would I find my purpose?
"Do you love me, Jewel?" Gabriel asked as he turned around.
"I do. You were the best brother I could have ever asked for," I whispered, tears rolling down my cheeks. He smiled, and it was serene. He only gave that one to me, and it was the first time I'd seen it in my dreams.
"Then do this for me. Help stop the cycle,” he whispered.
"Cycle?" I asked.
He nodded as he leaned backward.
"End the cycle,” he whispered, and then his body fell over the edge.
My eyes snapped open,and I sat up, a wet cloth falling from my forehead.
Huh?
"Ah. Did I wake you?"
I turned my head to see Mother's worried eyes.
"Mom?" I felt rather groggy and noticed I was back in my female form.
I didn't even recall falling asleep last night, let alone changing into the oversized red T-shirt that now clung to my body. I looked over to see Logan fast asleep next to me and Alice curled up in her fox form on his left leg.
What happened?
"Antoinette did say you'd be confused when you woke up," Mother whispered to herself.
I tilted my head at her.
"Confused? Why?" I asked.
"You were asleep all day yesterday and ended up getting a fever by the evening. Antoinette said it must have been due to the sudden surge of magic you used and that you didn't undo the spell when you slept,” she explained.
"Undo . . . ," I trailed off, remembering that Logan's mom did say I should switch back to my female form when I was done.
"Oh. So wait . . . What day is it?" I asked, looking at the window.
It looked like the moon was out.
"It's three in the morning, sweetheart,” Mother revealed.
Three in the morning!
"That means it’s Monday? Meaning today is entrance exam day!" I exclaimed as quietly as possible, not wanting to disturb Logan and Alice who were still fast asleep.