Excerpt: A Walker's Destiny

Marco walked into the temple for the first time as a ten year old boy. His life was about to begin in the most unexpected way. His whole life his father would go to work as a Walker. His mother was a walker until he came to the family. Then his mother stayed home to raise him and his three siblings. Marco was the oldest of four, followed by Katia; two years younger than he was. Next was Diego; three years younger than Katia. Last was Cecelia; two years younger than Diego.
When Marco left to become a Walker, Cecelia was three years old. Their father brought him to the temple his first day. He would be mentored by one of the best Walkers in history.
Anthos greeted the young boy, introducing himself as his mentor. "Hello, Marco. Welcome to the Temple of Dreams." He lifted his right hand in the air and rotated around so Marco could get the full effect.
"It's so big,” he said as he took it all in. As he gazed upon the lightly colored marble walls he saw the murals. Where there were no murals the marble was speckled with an unknown substance throughout the empty marble.
"Yes, it is. Dreams are what keep the mortals sane. Without them they do unspeakable acts. As you can see in these paintings the world can be a fantastic place full of wonder. Take away dreams and who know the measure of what can be done," he taught the child, "I will be your mentor for the next three years. My name is Anthos and in the time I have you, I will teach you how to become a Walker."
"What will happen after three years?" Marco asked curiously.
"You take my place as a Walker and I join the Council." he explained.
Climbing the mighty stairs to the main room they met the other mentors and students that joined the Temple for the night. The view of the town below caused Marco to gasp. He had yet to see the majesty of the village of Augusto. Soon he would be serving the people, guiding them into the deepest subconscious that helped their sanity stay intact or so said Anthos. Marco thought it strange that a dream could have such an impact on a mortal. So much so that it would keep them from doing wrong to one another.
After a brief meeting from Fern; our council member in charge of keeping the Walkers in line; the sun set Anthos and the other Walkers walked through the opening of the Temple into the night.
There were laws to follow, that Fern enforced, which Marco was eager to learn. His mother had taught them a great deal about being a Walker. She had once explained there would be no greater lesson than seeing it firsthand.
Each mentor took hold of their student, then raising their left hand and waving it they vanished off the mountain directly to their first charge. She was so beautiful. A young girl about the same age as Marco.
"She doesn't know we are here, so you will never have to worry about waking up a charge." he explained. Marco nodded that he understood. "What you will want to do it touch her forehead like this."
Anthos guided his index and middle finger from left to right across the young girl's forehead before he disappeared. When he reappeared a few moments later he said, "She has now been walked into her deepest dreams. Come, we must go." With the same motion that brought them here they left on to the next charge.
Marco would never forget the first time he laid eyes on the young girl. When his three years of training were over he had to choose a path of charges; a niche as they called it. He choose to keep this girl and then to walk the elderly in the town of Augusto. Always out of reach, Marco tried everything to talk to this girl.
Just before Marco graduated to a full Walker, his sister Katia entered the Temple to become a Walker. She was always excited about life and what it had to offer. Her hair matched her ever changing eye color. One day she had pink hair and everyone thought her eyes where pink that day. No one could get close enough to her to check to be sure.
One night just after Anthos became a member of the Council; Marco entered her dreams and made contact. She stopped before entering her subconscious. "Who are you?" she asked.
Not realizing it was him she was talking to he ignored her. The following night she was waiting for him. "Who are you?" she asked again.
"You can see me?" he countered.
"Yes, why would I not be able to?" she inquired. Her pale brown eyes seared into his as she questioned him and then waited impatiently for his answers.
"I did not think anyone could see me," he replied. “No one else sees me.”
"Well, I can see you and I demand to know who you are?" she didn't mean to be forceful, but she had seen him many times before and wondered who he was.
"My name is Marco. What is yours?"
"Hi, Marco. I'm Alyssa." From this moment on they had little encounters before Marco sent her into her dreams. He lived for these moments.
…
Now, nearly ten years after his first encounter with Alyssa, Marco sat on a high cliff overlooking Augusto waiting for the sun to set. He was anxious to get to Alyssa. The best part of his day. No one in his world knew he was in love and he wanted to keep it that way. He had to be very careful about what he told anyone about his charges. Some had stories of mortals who were having personal problems. Marco liked to keep that world separate from this one. Even though it was part of the job to know what was going on down there.
Katia joined him one bright summer day. "It should be a great night, do you not think so; brother?" they never called each other by their first names.
Marco was in his world. His world involved a life with Alyssa. One he knew he couldn't have. He looked up to see his sister staring at him intently, "I am very sorry, sister, you were saying about the night?"
"Yes, I was just stating that it should be a great night. Then I asked if you thought the same?" She knew she should not ask, but felt it was her duty. She would break this shell he had created. "Where are you when you gaze upon this village below?"
"You know better than to ask such questions. Though, I do believe it will be a fabulous night." Steering the conversation back to the original topic didn't sway Katia's questions.
"Seriously, brother. One of these days the truth will come out and your secret will be revealed. I hope it is on your terms. I really do." Concern rose as she did. Marco watched her walk back to the Temple. Something he needed to do in a few minutes as well. Anthos always had a great speech prepared for the Walkers just before they left for the night.
Marco arrived just as the sun was setting. Anthos greeted everyone. "Walkers, I have grave news this night. The Runners have been ever vigilant as of late to steal our charges away from us. You must get to your charges as soon as they call for you. I wish you many good tidings. Go see to your charges, quickly." He looked directly at Marco. So much so that it bothered him a little bit.
Anthos own secret was bond to surface as well as Marcos. It was a secret he kept from Marco during training. One he knew he could not share any time soon; but was aware of the struggle it brought him on a daily basis. He could see Marco's own inner struggles and wondered what the boy he had mentored was struggling with.
Marco heard Alyssa's call. Which was merely a feeling that she was asleep. When he got to her house he noticed a smile played upon her face as if expecting something familiar. He touched her forehead and entered.
As always she was waiting for him, "Do you know what I would like to dream about tonight?"
"I have an idea, but you know Darling that I should not." He hadn't exactly told her that he was a Walker, but she had caught on quickly that he had something to do with her dreams.
Her head cocked to the left side in its usual way when she wanted something from him. "Please?" she pleaded.
How could he say no? Stay firm, he thought to himself; he must remain firm in his decision. "Darling, you must have another dream you would prefer?"
"No, Marco. I want to see our wedding." She gave him the puppy dog eyes.
How could anyone resist the puppy dog eyes? "Fine, but this is the last time. I mean it." He loved to tease her. She knew it would not be the last time he would walk her into this dream.
Before she entered she turned, "When do I get to meet you in real life?"
"You know I can't answer that question." he said as he walked her into the dream and was pushed out. One last glance at her sleeping form reminded him of her last question. He wanted so much to have her for himself, but he knew that it was an impossibility.
...
There was never a moment in time that Alyssa could remember that Marco was not a part of her subconsciousness. He was always there as soon as she was asleep. How could this be? How did he know? Where did he come from? Where was he when she was awake? All these questions plagued her mind as she grew up without his physical presence to reassure her that he would always be there for her when she needed him the most.
Her best friend Fiona was skeptic of Alyssa's dream man, "Sweetie, you are never going to find this Marco fellow. If he exists, then he would be by your side and I would be fighting him for your attention."
"Fiona, I know he is real. I just do not know where to look." Alyssa let out a sigh and a grunt of frustration in regards to Marco; the elusive man of her dreams - literally.
...
Marco looked down on Augusto before entering the Temple as he finished his shift. It had been a wonderful night, full of charges. Not one Runner was able to get to his charges.
Two night later he wasn't so lucky. Marco left the Temple for Alyssa's house. All was well, until he entered her mind and found Tytan. He was a Runner. Runners brought horrible nightmares to their charges. They caused sanity to breakdown. Only Walkers could repair it if there wasn't too much damage leftover.
"Tytan, where is Alyssa?" His first mistake was voicing he knew her name.
"Your charge is just starting her nightmare. You cannot save her now." he said before exiting.
To himself Marco cried out, "NO. Alyssa."
It was too late. Marco was forced out of her head. He stood over her as her face contorted. She was in pain, and he could not stop it. He wanted so badly to stop it. He had other charges to get to before Tytan did.
...
"AHHHH..." Alyssa let out a cry from within. She called for Marco to help, but of course he wasn't there. Finally, she awake with another scream. This time it was aloud. She sat up and wondered what happened. "Nightmares. I don't have nightmares." She said to herself.
She tried to go back to sleep, but couldn't. Not knowing the horrible reality that Marco hadn't rescued her from that hell that had been brought upon her by the scary man. She didn't want to think about him. She wanted Marco's arms around her; telling her that her dreams will never be that way again.
She closed her eyes and before she knew it he was there. In her mind she ran to him and cried into his shoulder. "I'm so sorry I did not get here in time."
“What are you talking about?” she was confused by his apology. How could he have come any sooner? She had slipped into her nightmare before she even realized she had been dreaming; only barely catching a glimpse of the blonde man who had practically shoved her into her subconscious. She had known nightmares existed, but felt immune since this was her first one she could remember.
Realizing his second mistake in his apology he stated, “It does not matter now. I’m here darling. What pleasant dream would you like to see now?”
She did not feel like dreaming. Not when that image was so near to her memory. “Just let me cry on your shoulder all night.”
Knowing he couldn’t very well stay in her mind all night he created a dream for her. He left without a word to her. He knew his dream self would comfort her the way he wanted to. The sun was just coming up when he arrived at the Temple of Dreams.
Anthos was standing on the highest step. Tytan must have come to him. He knew he was in trouble.
“Marco, come to my office.” Anthos said firmly but with understanding in his voice. His office was lined with marble of all different colors. Much like a rainbow, which suited Anthos’ demeanor. He was always bright and happy, but mostly content with his life. “It has come to my attention that you are infatuated with one of your charges. You have all of the Elders of the village; how can this be?”
“I kept one of your charges when you became a council member.” Marco knew he should say who but Anthos perceptiveness caught on to which charge he would have kept.
“Alyssa? No…” he muttered to himself. If Marco has fallen for Alyssa, I will have to give him the same fate I received all those years ago…
Anthos was a good walker; always diligent in his work. Never broke any rules. However, there was a girl he had seen. Not one of his charges. She was beautiful. Her hair was golden brown. He never saw her eyes. It was odd to him that he would be in charge of her sister while another walker came to guide her. He never learned her name, but he knew in his heart that he needed to be with her.
He went to the council. Fern was the council member over Anthos. She was kind and gentle, but not understanding. Fern gave Anthos an ultimatum, "Anthos, it stresses my heart to know you have broken this law. One that I thought was ingrained into the hearts of Walkers and Runners alike. You must not fall in love with a mortal. I will have to bring this matter to the council, unless you deny you love this mortal at once."
He could not deny the feelings of his heart. He had learned to follow his feelings since birth. It helped him in his work as a Walker. Two days after his confession Fern found Anthos at home, "Anthos," she could barely get the words out, "We are banishing you to the mortal realm for sixty days. At the end of those days we will allow you back into the Temple of Dreams. You will have time with your mortal, but only sixty days. You will be required to return to your duties as a Walker upon your return to the Temple."
"What if I want to stay after those sixty days?" he asked.
"You cannot stay. It is forbidden." she stated.
"I will leave at once." the journey down the mountain took him three days – which meant he only had fifty-seven days left and that on day fifty-seven he would have to start his journey home.
When he was half way down the mountain he could feel his powers drain. They weren't much to begin with, just the basics of being a Walker. No longer could he enter his charges minds and guide them. The feeling was devastating. He saw the village at first light on the third day. He knew the house he would go to.
He stopped before he got very far; noticing the clothing was different than his traditional robes. It was still early enough that if he was quite he could sneak through town to gather a few clothes from the townspeople. Not wanting to get to close to windows he crept close to the side of the nearest house. He could hear voices inside and hoped that no one would see him before he could snatch the bottoms he saw hanging out on the line.
Anthos knew it was now or never as he lunged forward pulling the pants down. Landing face first in the dirt he let out a grunt. This was new to him; falling. He lay there hoping no one heard him, but no such luck.
"Hey," a man called out from the rear door, "What do you think you are doin' in my yard?"
He was caught and he had no clue what to do about it. He stood facing the man; who was larger than him by at least three inches. "I did not want to wake you, but I needed some pants. You see," he had to think quickly or else he knew something awful would happen, "some of my friends and I were out drinking. They made me wear this hideous robe. I passed out just south of town. When I woke up I realized I had no clothes on underneath."
"What's your name, boy?"
"Anthos, sir." he stated.
"Never heard of you, are you from a different village?"
"Yes, but I do not think you have heard of it."
"Try me."
Gulp, Anthos was toast. For all he knew this man was a traveler, "Alright, it is called Tempos."
"Alright then; welcome to Augusto and next time you go out with your friends bring an extra pair of clothes. My name is Mathis, nice to meet you, Anthos." Mathis said elongating the 'o' sound in Anthos' name.
"Mathis, it has been a pleasure. Would you mind if I borrowed these until I get settled?"
"Not at all, and here," he pulled a shirt off the line and plopped it over Anthos' head, "wear this too."
"Many thanks to you Mathis," Anthos said.
"Is this how you normally are? I'd hate to see you drunk." he said.
"Yes, this is me as I am always." Anthos replied.
"Must be how you people in Tempos talk, then."
"Thank you again, I must be going." Anthos waved goodbye as he walked back the way he came. Why hadn't he just knocked on the door? That was completely embarrassing. He could not think about that right then. He needed to change and find his love. He needed to know how to approach her. He needed to know what to say.
...
Marco cleared his throat, bringing Anthos back to the present. "Sir, I must tell you that I love Alyssa with all my heart."
Anger rose in Anthos' eyes. Something Marco had never seen before, "You must deny it. You cannot give up this life to follow some mortal around. Forget about Alyssa."
"I cannot do that sir." Marco stormed out of the Temple of Dreams. He was not going to work tonight. He did not want anything to do with denying his love for Alyssa. That was incomprehensible. It could not be done even if he tried. He saw Katia at home and his face said volumes to his feelings.
"Whoa, bad night?"
"Yes, I chased Tytan around all night. Then he snitched on me."
"What would he have on you? You are the perfect Walker. I don't think I have ever seen you in trouble."
"Yeah, well I was tonight."
"What happened?"
"It's a long story."
"Brother, tell me or I will hear it somewhere else. If I hear it somewhere else I do not think I would believe it. So, out with it."
"Fine. One of my charges is not an Elder of Augusto."
"Why would they give you a charge that does not fit into your niche?"
"Because I asked them not to take her away. She was one of Anthos' charges and I wanted to keep her."
Katia's eyes widen in reaction and sympathy. She knew what he meant by wanting to keep a charge. There had been many while she trained that she had asked to keep under her watchful care. But the emotion in Marco's eyes told the real story. He was madly in love with his charge. "You want her to be yours forever do you not?"
"I do, but I know I cannot. She does not really belong to me. She is mortal and I can never become close to her." There was pain in his eyes that seemed to cry out to whoever would listen. The pain was so strong that his eyes watered. "What am I going to do, Sister?"
"Anthos knows then? What did he say?"
"He knows and he was not very happy. He told me to forget about her. How can I?"
"It will be hard, but I think you need to. What else can be done?"
"I do not know. I am going to my spot on the mountain. Will you come later to talk?"
Katia nodded and he was out the door. She sat on there couch for an hour pondering what could be done. She walked to the Temple of Dreams and asked for an audience with all the Council members.
Anthos brought the Council to order and gave Katia the opportunity to speck in her brothers behalf. He knew that is why she was here. Even if the Council members did not. They knew of Marco's transgression and so they listened as Katia pleaded to have something be done so he could have some chase of true love. "I do not know if Marco is really in love, but I do know that he cares very strongly for this girl. Whoever she is she has captured my brothers heart. For this reason I believe he should be given the chance to figure it all out. Would you not agree?"
Anthos considered what she had said, "Katia, your brother has broken the rules. He has fallen for a mortal and he must be punished. What say you to the punishment he shall receive?"
"He shall go to her and find out if he is really in love with her."
"How long should he be gone?" One council member asked.
"How long do you think it takes to know you are in love?" she countered.
"Sixty days," Anthos replied.
"Then what?" another council member spoke inquiring.
"He shall stand in front of this very Council and tell us what he has learned." Katia answered.
"These terms seem very fair. Where is Marco now?" Anthos asked.
"He is up on the high mountain looking down upon the village." she replied.
"Thank you for coming to us. I will visit Marco myself and deliver the news." Anthos was calm. He had realized over the past hour and a half that this is exactly what he had done. Fern had been calm in dealing with him and he had been outraged at Marco. It must have been his own personal connection to Alyssa that he was not ready to verbalize that had taken over. His instinct to care for his daughter came out even though he had never been a part of her mortal life. He had been given the chance to bring her with him, but he did not want her in this life. It was a good life, but she would have missed out on knowing her mother. For that reason he left her in the mortal realm. It was a hard decision, but one he did not do alone. He found Marco with his head in his hands sitting on the very same spot that Anthos had often come to think things through. It was amazing the things that would go through ones mind as they sat on this very spot and looked down on the village they cared for on a nightly basis. His shoe hit a rock which announced his presence to the young man who was once under his ever watchful care. "I thought I might find you here."
"Have you come to yell at me some more, sir?"
"No, actually I have come to give you the most precious gift anyone could give a person in your position." He stated. His eyes tried to show understanding to the boy in front of him.
"There has not been anyone in my position before, sir."
"You are quite wrong, Marco. I once loved a beautiful mortal. She was not a charge, but her sister was and through my own charge I learned so much about this woman that had entranced me. My mentor, Fern, found out and gave me a choice. Forget her or go to her. She gave me sixty days to meet her and fall in love with her. The result was that while I got to spend time with her I was forced to come home. I will always remember those moments. I have never once stopped loving her."
"Why are you telling me this?"
"Katia has come to us and petitioned that you be given sixty days to meet Alyssa. At the end of it you will be required to return and report what you have learned. If you are not truly in love with Alyssa, then you will return to your duties. If you are, we will go from there."
"Anthos, thank you so much. You have no idea what this means to me or Alyssa." Marco was in tears just thinking about embracing her for the first time.
"Marco, you may find out some things while you are gone that I should tell you. But I think hearing it from them will help you understand your journey a bit more." Anthos turned to walk back to the Temple when he remembered, "Oh, one more thing. If anyone asks where you are from, tell them you are from Tempos. And if you meet a man named Mathias, tell him I am sorry I never brought his clothes back. He will understand what I mean. You must be on your way. It takes a good three days to get to the village. By the time you get there your powers will be drained so you will be mortal. Good luck."
Then he was gone. Marco had to hurry. He had thought about this day for a long time now. He practically ran down the mountain the first hour. Then realizing the journey would take the three days Anthos had predicted he slowed his pace so he would have his strength for when he arrived.
...
Fiona laughed at Alyssa as she recounted the nightmare and the wonderful dream of life without and a life with her wonderful dream man. "I am so sorry Alyssa, but if you think about it. It is really funny. What if your dream man planned this all? He has you think you'll be without him and then he is able to come and comfort you the rest of the night, in your dreams. You need a real man, sweetie."
"I do not want just anyone, Fiona. Marco, will come and when he does you will be eating your words." That night he did not come to her dreams. An older man she vaguely remembered from before Marco was there. He was familiar and strange at the same time. Two more nights past before she stopped the older man, "Please, tell me what has happened to Marco."
"You can see me?" It was the same reaction as Marco.
"Yes, I can. Where is Marco?"
"He is on a journey. I do not know when he will be back. I can not tell you these things. I should not be talking to you. It is against the rules."
"What rules?"
"The dream rules. Are you not aware that you should be dreaming some fantastic dream right now instead of talking with me?"
"I understand where I should be, but I have learned to control this time of my dreams and stay as long as I want. Unless it is one of those mean men who push me through my nightmares."
The older man muttered something she could not hear. She decided it was not good to ask him, "Will you let me pick my dream tonight?"
"Not tonight, darling."
"The way you said that..." She knew who he was, "...Dad?"
"It is time to dream, Alyssa. Good night."
The next morning Alyssa woke with a sensation that her life would change today. She could not stop wondering where Marco was and why her father was back. She remembered him coming to her much like Marco and visiting. Marco was like her father. As she dressed she knew she needed to speak with her mother. At breakfast the knots she had be feeling in anticipation of asking her mother about her father grew until she could not handle it anymore. "Mom, can you tell me about my father. I think I am old enough to know about him."
"You do, do you. Well, I guess I could indulge you a little bit."
...
Tina loved walking through the village on her way to pick flowers. It was something he had enjoyed since childhood. She saw a flower off the path and went to pick it. A hand found the flower first. She looked up to see a man she had never seen before. "I think you were going to pick this. I apologize for interrupting." He handed her the flower and started walking away.
"Wait, I am Tina. What is your name?"
"Hello, Tina my name is Anthos. I have come to fall in love with you." He stated as a matter of fact.
"Now, wait just a minute, sir. You can not fall in love with me. I have been betrothed to another for two years."
"Why so long?"
"He is away at school across the vast waters. When he returns we are to be wed."
"It seems a long time to wait for love do you not think so?"
"I do, but I am a patient woman and I do not mind waiting."
"Why does he not attend the school here?"
"He is to be a doctor and this school does not have the courses available for him."
"I see. So, what would he say if you fell in love with someone else?"
"He would come home and fight for me, I would suppose. However, it takes at least three months to get word to him and then the same time for him to arrive."
"Enough time for me to woe you to my side."
"You are being presumptuous. You think I am going to fall for the first handsome face I see."
"No, I do not think you will fall for the first handsome face. If you had, you would be wed to another before now."
"You know me well. How do you know me so well?"
"I do not. I do know your sister Georgia."
"How do you know Georgia?"
"I visit her in her dreams."
"Anthos, oh yes I remember. That is the name of Georgia's imaginary friend. You could not be him or I am going insane."
"I would not rule it out." He thought for a moment. "I am very sorry to keep you from your daily walk. Please allow me to take you to dinner to repay my unkindness."
"Unkindness? You have been the perfect gentleman. I accept." She told him where she lived and for the remainder of his sixty day journey they were inseparable. Just before he left he said, "We must be married tonight. I need to attend to some family business and I could not bare to leave without one night with you. Please, marry me?"
"Yes, Anthos. These last few weeks have been the happiest I have been in years." That night they found a Priest willing to perform the ceremony on short notice. They were married and spent a wonderful night as husband and wife. The following morning before the sun came up. Anthos slipped out of bed to write his wife a letter. In it he explained where he was going and why she may never see him again. He hoped she would find it in her heart to forgive him. If he ever came back he knew she would forgive him, but he knew he would not be able to. From the Temple of Dreams he asked if he could be her Walker. He lied to Fern and said his feelings had faded as he walked up the mountain. He had put her aside and would focus on his work. Fern granted him his wish. Through his visits with Tina he learned that they were going to have a child together. Tina named her Alyssa.
…
"That is how your father and I meet and feel in love." Tina told her daughter.
"Do you still have his letter?" Alyssa asked with eagerness.
"Somewhere. I'll look for it while you are in classes. You better hurry or you will be late." she said.
Her mother was right. She would be late if she did not hurry. Grabbing her bag she stepped outside into the light of the mid-morning sun. She was halfway to school when she saw him. How could he be here? She did not have time to think everything through so she just thought because she had not seen in so long that he was just in her imagination. Continuing to class see looked away from the man she thought was Marco. Not wanting to look back for fear he would be gone she entered her classroom. This was her last class before graduating.
She could not concentrate on her schoolwork. All she could think about was the image of Marco walking through town. Had it been her imagination or was he real? If he was real, then she needed to go to him. He looked exhausted beyond anything she had ever seen. Had he been traveling since the last time she had seen him. She recalled the last time she had dreamt about him. It was the same night of her nightmare in which she lost him to some unforeseen power. Finally class was over. She literally bolted for the door, scouring the crowds to see if he was anywhere in sight. Devestated that he was nowhere to be seen from where she stood she started her walk home. She wanted to cry. It was all in her head and she wanted him to be real.
"Alyssa," what did Fiona want now she thought as she heard her name. She turned forcing a smile and saw her friend waving her over to the cafe that they frequently sat and chatted about Marco at. Dragging her feet along the way she reluctantly made her way to her friend.
"Fiona, I do not think I feel very good today. I have been seeing things; well Marco to be exact. And..." she was cut off by a man's voice.
"Did someone say they saw me today?" Marco came up behind her.
Alyssa let out a whoop of joy and hurled herself at the figure as she turned to face him. "Where have you been?"
"I thought it was time we finally meet in person." he grinned his familiar grin. Though she could tell there was something else to the story. She knew him too well, but did not want to ruin the happy moment. The meeting that he had shown her over the years had come just as he said it would.
"I feel like we have done this before."
"You have, darling. I have not." He said which confused her. He was in all of her dreams. How did he not feel the sense of repetition.
"I do not understand how I have been through all of those dreams and you have not. I saw you in them. You were there in all of them"
"Yes, dream me. But not real life me. Darling, those are your memories that you shared with me. I only helped you see them."
"I guess I will never understand."
A cough from Fiona made Alyssa realize how rude she was being, "Oh, Marco I would like you to meet my best friend Fiona."
"Hello, Fiona. It is a pleasure to finally meet you. I have heard many interesting things about you."
"Well, I am just glad that you are real and not just a figment of Alyssa's rather fasinating imagination." Fiona said with a glare from Alyssa. "Sweetie, it is true. I am so glad you have this rather handsome fellow. Any brothers where you are from?"
"Fiona, stop it." Alyssa knew she was flirting.
"It is alright Darling. I do not mind answering questions," he said as he pulled a chair for Alyssa and then sat down himself, "I only have a sister. Sorry no brothers. Though I have many friends who I would consider my brother."
"Oh, yes how is Katia? Did she come with you?" Alyssa asked before Fiona could voice her devestation.
"No, Katia did not come with me. She is just fine. She is the one that told me I needed to come and see you."
"Well, tell her thank you when you get the chance."
"I will," a yawn escaped from Marco's mouth as he realized for the first time in his life that he was tired. "Sorry, darling. I have been traveling for three days and have not had a decant night's rest since leaving home."
"Oh, I should take you home then. Come on you can meet my Mom." Alyssa said. "Thanks Fiona. We are just going to go. We will see you later alright?"
"Go, take your man home. I am so happy for you Sweetie."
"Come on Marco." he followed sleepily through the village. When they reached her home he plopped on the couch and slipped into a dream state.
"Mom, I am home and I brought someone to meet you." She had not noticed how tired he was until Tina came in and pointed to him. "Oh, dear. I will go get a blanket."
"Who is he Alyssa?" Tina asked.
"This is Marco. Remember the boy I talked about when I was little. Everyone told you he was my imaginary friend."
"Oh, she but honey, imaginary friends are only seen by one person. I can see him."
"I know. Because he is real. He was not imaginary. People only told you that. I always thought he was real. I could only see him in my dreams."
Tina realized he needed to speak to this young man before giving her daughter the letter from her father.
...
Marco slipped into a dream and before he realized he was in the Temple. Standing in front of the council. "Marco," Anthos stated, "have you gotten to the village yet?"
"Yes, sir I have. I am with Alyssa now. She has brought me home to meet her mother. I really need to get back if I could, sir."
"Alright. Remember that you will need to sleep at night just like other mortals. You are not a Walker anymore. You will need your strength."
...
Marco awoke and looked around the nicely decorated home. He had been here many times before but only entered Alyssa's room. Instead of resting his eyes on Alyssa, an older woman who looked a lot like her sat in a chair on the opposite side of the room. "Hello, Marco, my name is Tina. I need to ask you some questions before Alyssa gets back from the market with dinner."
"Alright."
"Where are you from?"
"Tempos. Just beyond the mountain."
"I thought you might say that. I met someone from your village many years ago. We married and the next day he was gone. I have only seen him a few times since and only in my dreams. So, tell me. Do you know Anthos?"
Curiousity coursed through Marco's body as he realized that this was the woman that Anthos had told him about when he had come down from the mountain. "Yes, he was my mentor and is the council member I report to. Did he tell you what he really is?"
"Yes, he did. But not to my face. He wrote me a letter. I would like to let Alyssa read the letter, but she needs to know who you are before I give her this."
"Tina, I have the same amount of time Anthos did with you. What would you suggest? How do I tell her that I would give it all up to be with her?"
"I would suggest being honest from the beginning." she said.
"I must tell you that Anthos did not have a choice when he left. While I must go back to the Temple on the Mountain, I have the chance to stay here with Alyssa."
"No, you must not give that up."
"Why? Is true love not worth giving your life for?"
Tina stood and left the room. A few minutes later Alyssa entered with heavy grocery bags full of food. Marco stepped through the archway that led to the hallway where she was standing and took the bags from her. "Let me help with that, Love."
"Oh, I am so happy you are here with me. Did you meet my Mom yet?"
"Yes, we had a chat. It was wonderful. It seems I know your father."
"My father? How did that come up."
"It seems that we are from the same village, Tempos."
"Marco, I study geography and there is no village named Tempos."
"We are not on the map Darling."
"Oh, well. Where are you then?"
"We are just atop the mountain."
"There is not a village up there."
"Have you been there?"
"Well, no, but..."
"Then how do you know if there is a village or not?"
"I guess you have proven your point."
"What are you making for dinner?"
"Oh, I picked something up on the way home. I hope you do not mind that it is not homemade for your first night here. Tomorrow we will have a fantastic feast."
"I will eat anything you place in front of me. Granted that it does not smell funny."
She let out a little chuckle, "Come over here. There is something I have been wanting to do for real since I saw you this afternoon."
Marco crossed the distance and instinctively pulled her to him placing his lips upon hers. The emotions erupted as if they just needed to be flipped on like a light switch.
...
Two weeks passed and Marco was getting closer and closer to Alyssa. He knew his time was short with her, but could not bring himself to tell her what was really on his mind. How was he going to tell her that he was a dream walker. She would think that he had manipulated her dreams into loving him. How was he going to tell her. One thing was certain he thought. If they married he would have to stay.
He did not sleep the night before he planned to purpose. He wanted to have it just right. That day everything went wrong, "What is going on with me today?"
"Marco, nothing is wrong. Couples have bad days. They make the good days better. Everyone has bad days."
"I know, but I wanted today to be special and everything is turning out wrong."
"What did you want to do to make it special?" she asked, "We still have time to make it that way."
"Before I make any day special I need to tell you something."
"What is it?" She knew it. He was going to leave. She knew it was too good to be true. He was going to leave her here just like her father left her mother. Only they had gotten married before he disappeared forever. "Wait, just tell me one thing first."
"What?"
"Please, promise that if you leave to go home, that you will come back or take me with you. I do not think I could bare to live without the love of my life, like my mother has."
"I will try to keep this promise, but Alyssa. Darling, I do not know how you are going to react to what I have to tell you."
"Just tell me, because if you do not, I will think the very worst."
"Alright, the reason I am here with you right now is because I was banished from my home for sixty days. I do have to return and appear before a council. Your father is on the council. He said I must tell them if I am really in love with you."
"And, are you?"
"So much. I did not think I could feel this way about anyone. There is more."
"What?"
"The reason I was banished is because we are not supposed to fall in love with mortals."
"Mortals? Are you telling me you are immortal?"
"While I am home, I am in a way. We go through cycles of life. My next cycle is mentor. Which will happen in about ten years if I go back to stay."
"Who is 'we'?"
"We are Walkers. Dream Walkers to be exact. We help guide mortals into their deep dreams. That is why you only saw me in your dreams."
Her eyes widened, "I do not understand. If you are a Dream Walker, then my father is too. That makes me part Dream Walker does it not?"
"You are right, it does. The law states that to be a Dream Walker at least one parent needs to be a Walker. That goes for Runner's as well."
"What are Runners?"
"They bring nightmares."
"Oh," she thought about all she had learned and then said, "That is who that scary man was that last night with you as my Walker, right?"
"Yes. That is why I apologized for not getting to you in time. He went to Anthos; your father; and told him that I was concerned about you. He wondered why I would have you as my charge when I help the Elder's of your village and not others your age."
"He got you into trouble?"
"Yes, but if he had not I would not be with you today. Do you not see, this is how it is supposed to be. I would not change it, well, except maybe your nightmare. I know it scared you."
"Yes, it did. I was very frightened that night. I am just glad you stayed with me the whole night."
Marco looked away. Ashamed that he really had not stayed. He wanted to so badly.
"It was just a dream, right?"
"I am sorry. I had to get back to the temple." Marco could tell he had hurt her by not really staying. “Even if Tytan had not turned me in, if I had stayed they would have become suspicious. I would have gotten into trouble either way.”
“Deep down I know you would have stayed if you could. I know you would not leave me to suffer alone.” Her hand came to rest on his face as it had many times since he had come into her real life, “In a way, it was very sweet what you did for me. I cannot be angry with you for trying to take care of me.”
He let out a sigh of relief as she asked, “Who is Tytan?”
“Oh, he is the Runner; the one who brought you the nightmare; over you. It is the Walkers duty to arrive at their charges first to keep mortals from having nightmares. Dreams keep the peace, in a way.”
“Huh?” she was just as confused as he was when he first came to be a Walker.
“We are taught that dreams keep people sane. They keep people from doing the wrong things in life.”
“That does not make any sense at all. Everyone chooses who they are for themselves. No one can choose for them.”
“It is not about choosing a life for them, but keeping them from doing bad things to each other.”
“Then I guess it is a good thing I am not a Walker.” She teased him.
“But you are remember? Part of you in a Walker,” he thought about it for a moment before continuing, “I think that is why you can see us before you enter your dreams. Think about it.”
She did as he requested and realized her whole life that she had been able to somewhat control the outcomes of her dreams. She never really understood and always thought it had been Marco who had given her the memories of her dreams throughout her life. “You are right.”
The sun was setting beyond the westward mountains away from the Temple of Dreams. “We must go. I need some rest. I have not slept very well the last few nights.”
“Nightmares?” she said sounding a bit worried.
“No, Love. I just have not felt tired. We do not sleep.”
“How do you keep your sanity then?”
“I kept my sanity by visiting you every night. Now, that I am here I am simply at peace, except my impending departure soon.”
“We will figure something out together. I love you, you know?” she said when they arrived at her home. He had been sleeping next door at a man Anthos met when he was here before. Mathias had been very accommodating to him when he arrived that first day announcing he had news from Tempos. Since then the two had hit it off quite nicely. He was a good father figure at this point in Marcos life as his father had journeyed to the other temples with his mother when Cecelia became a Walker.
“I do know you love me. You have asked me this every night since I arrived. Do you recall my answer?”
“It is much the same every night. I could not forget that you love me as well.” She smiled and kissed him good night. “Until tomorrow, then?”
“I will see you tomorrow.”
That night Alyssa talked with her father, “Dad; is there any way I can join Marco on the mountain?”
“I know of no law that forbids or allows it. I would have to consult the other council members,” Anthos explained.
“Alright.” She wanted to ask him about letting her pick the dream, but realized that maybe somehow she could do it.
“Sleep, now.” He was gone and she was in her dream. It was marvelous. She dreamt she was able to be with Marco no matter where he went. They traveled to different places. She had never before seen the beauty of such places. With marble walls and high ceilings, she hoped she would see a place like this soon.
…
Katia missed her brother dearly. To pass the time she had invited Diego and Cecelia to stay with her until his return. She hoped he would return. She did not want to think about the alternative of him living out his days in the village of Augusto. No longer able to talk with him brought her near to tears.
“Katia, you need something to distract you,” Cecelia said one day, three weeks since Marco had left the top of the mountain.
“I thought that you were my distraction.” She said to her youngest sibling.
…
“I have got to just ask her,” Marco said to himself on the way to meet Alyssa in their newly acclaimed spot. It was a grassy hill just before the foot of the mountain. She picked it out so that on the day he begins his journey up the mountain she can be there waving at him until he is out of sight. A large tree provides enough shade throughout the day that after her classes they stay until the sun sets. The shop in town had a few rings he could choose from. None of them seems to suit the woman he had fallen in love with. Undoubtedly, he would be faced with the decision of whether or not to stay in Augusto. His heart often ached when he thought he would just stay on the mountain and never return like Anthos had.
He only had a few more minutes to prepare for her arrival. He only had four more weeks with her. When he saw her coming he knew he could not ask her today. In her hand she held some papers which she handed to him and said, “Read it.”
He recognized Anthos handwriting immediately. He tried to picture him writing it as he read to himself the letter Anthos left Tina before returning to the Mountain.
Tina,
My love, my heart in all things, it pains me to write this letter, knowing that we only had but one night together. I will never forget our love for one another. I am glad I had the opportunity to come down from the high mountain and live this life. If only for a brief time; our love with last forever.
I must tell you why I must leave you at this time. I am a dream walker. I help the people of Augusto find peace and happiness within themselves. If I do not return the dream runners will take over and nightmares will ensue upon this peaceful village. Wars will break out amongst friends and love will cease.
Find peace in knowing that my love for you will never end. I loved you the moment I saw you sleeping in your parent’s house. Though I did not walk you into your dreams, I knew you from your sisters. My one wish is that we could have been together long enough to have a child. To raise a child with you would be marvelous.
If my one night with you results in a child, he or she will be destined to join me one day on the high mountain. This may be a tall order, but please consider if you do have my child that he or she will have to join me on his or her tenth birthday. If this does not happen, there will be consequences. I do not know what, but a walker by destiny put start training at the age of ten or they will not be permitted on the high mountain. I will look for a way around this law. Until then keep our love safe.
Your Love Forever,
Anthos
When Marco finished reading it he looked up from the words. “What are you thinking about?” he asked.
“One thing is clear, he was prepared for everything. He knew he had a small window to love my Mom. He took the chance at love, just like you did with us.” She looked away. He saw tears in her eyes as she did so. This was all new to him. Walkers did not just fall in love when they wanted to. It was destiny that told them when to do so. He knew it was his destiny to love her, but how did the letter help their situation.
“Are you frightened, Darling?” he asked the back of her head. His hand rested on her shoulder to let her know he cared.
Through light sobs she stated, “Yes.”
“What frightens you?”
“Losing you.”
“You will not lose me.” It was no or never. He had to ask her. Show her he wanted her forever. But something stopped him. A realization of the past came to his mind in this single moment. Anthos had tried to make Tina see that he wanted to be hers forever and look where that got them.
“Yes, I will. When you go home in a few weeks, I will lose you. Even if you choose to return, I cannot go with you. I will not let you give your life up for me.”
What was she saying? Marco’s world started to spin. Understanding went out the proverbial window as they stood in the field. A field he thought would represent all the dreams she had of him that would finally come true. He placed his hand on his forehead and started pacing away from her. “I have…”
“Marco, please. I know it is hard to think about right now, but you must see now that there is no way I can follow you wherever you go. I do not want you to become dependent upon my happiness.”
“Why? Because you think…” he could not even get the words out.
“Because I love you too much to let you sacrifice so much. What about your own family?” she waited with that look of longing he only remembered from their meetings.
“It is getting late. We both need time to think this through. I was going to ask you to marry me, but I can see now that I was premature in wanting us both to have that kind of happiness.” Marco was devastated. They walked home in silence. He left her at her door without a word or a kiss good night. She was in shock. Maybe they did not belong together. Why was she so drawn to him? She needed answers and the only one that could give them to her was her father.