Redefining Expectations-Insomnia Sequel

Chapter 7: Tradition and Home at Last

Suddenly it feels a lot safer being on that bed behind the curtain.

Soon enough the day was done. We took turns washing off in the bathroom and I took a nice bath. I glance out the window, recognizing that we have to be on the third floor at least to have this view. Then I sense a sickening aura from above purely of entitlement and desire as I got a bathrobe on. It reeked of a creep's obsession and I glance over to the window beside the tub, seeing someone in all black leap down from the floor above onto the ledge and start banging on the glass.

"What do we do if someone's trying to break in?"I ask as I back out of the bathroom.

"You've gotta be kidding me! We moved rooms to prevent this! SECURITY!"

Five security people push past me to check the bathroom and I sit on the bed, hearing glass shatter and they drag the hooded stranger out the door. I see the stranger's gaze fix on me and then a nasty grin appears.

"I'll get you later!"

A guy's voice. A guy nearly broke in due to their fixation on my aura. Yeah, I didn't miss the disgusting feeling that gave me or the unshakeable fear of my aura making me a target. The concerns of what that person will do if and when they come back or what happens next. Terrifying...Least to say, I didn't sleep much and was cautious about every noise at each door or window. Everyone got dressed up again the next morning after a quick breakfast, even styled my appearance up a bit despite the fact that we're going to be hidden behind curtains again. We even put veils on to hide our identities more in case someone decides to cross the line today. That's the reason they gave me at least. If we were lucky, we could go out with our veils on to lunch as well.

It wasn't long until the curtains were shut and I am sitting on the bed giving advice to strangers, albeit more cautiously observant of their movements this time. Then the door opens and a silhouette enters right as three people leave.

"Which one of you has an earring made of gold and blue gems?"A soft voice asks

"Is that a metaphor? Does it represent the emotions you want to discuss?"Someone on a bed to my right asks

Not a dumb question after some people expressed their feelings or issues through poems or stories with symbols and metaphors instead of giving personal details.

"No, I want to know which one to sit with who has the earring. Should be unique enough to notice since it's sun-shaped."The voice says

I gently cup my earring, feeling it gently. I haven't taken it off this entire time. I know it was visible during the parade but as long as I've sat behind the curtain, I've tucked my ears out of sight to hide the earring even if I'm just a silhouette to them. The only people that have seen it on me were people at the parade, the others giving advice, and the intruder last night. Did that person come back? No no no...I hold my earring with both hands, debating if I should take it off now.

This person seems to notice because they quickly pull a bean bag seat over to sit extremely close to the bed. They moved so quick that it unsettled me and I backed up nervously in case they decided to pounce and cross the one boundary set here. If it's really that intruder fixed on my aura, they'll have no problem doing it now. I hug a pillow to my chest, watching them carefully.

But they didn't pounce. If anything, they seem alarmed by my reaction and lean closer with a head tilted slightly.

"Are you alright, dear?"The soft voice asks

"D-Dear?"I stutter, not expecting this.

No guest has asked about me or anyone giving advice in this room...

"Isn't that what I said? I'm sorry, what should call you?"

"Umm..."

"Does Dreamy ring any bells? Maybe in a more glitched voice?"