The Keepers of the Universe: A rip in the Veil

The sound of a passing hooter startled me awake. My groggy eyes adjusted to the brightness in the bus and my hand hurt. I realised that I was tightly clutching something and my palm was inflamed with the shape of it. My ring. Returning it to my finger, I looked at my tattered wrist watch. I'd only drifted off for a couple of minutes but it felt like hours.My mind thought back to the dream I just had. So real. A gold mine. I got out my diary and started to scribble words and details so I wouldn't forget. The writer in me took over and soon I was entrapped in my own world. Everything still vivid in my mind but already starting to fade away slowly.This time I dreamed about a bright eyed girl named Moira. Moira’s character was powerful. She pulled the strings in most situations and always got her way. Oh, she was tough alright, and I envied her. She was everything I wanted to be. Strong, fearless – a fixer. People would hire her if they had a problem –

Carson was the best kid that ever existed . He lived nearby and I tutored him in science. He wasn't even in high school yet but his parents wanted him to be ‘above the rest.’ Overbearing fools. Ruining a perfectly good boy’s life. The poor child never got to see the light of day. I felt bad for him but it worked out well for me as a second job. You’d think that having two jobs would make me stable but the bills just kept pilling on."So, Skyky," Carson said fifteen minutes after I got there. "Mum left some pizza for us in the fridge. You know, since it’s Sunday and all. Gotta be nice for Jesus. Can we have a break?"I always felt so sorry for him and now I couldn't refuse the kid some food. We sat down and ate. I looked forward to Sundays for two reasons. Riveting conversations with Carson and the food that his parents left for us. These were my salvation. Pathetic, but true. I was used to brown bread, canned food and the occasional won-in

The bus driver pulled up to my stop and I got out. Stepping right in a puddle of water. Perfect. These types of things always happened to me. I looked down at my drenched shoes. The ripples it caused in the puddle made it seem like my reflection was laughing."Finding this funny?" I asked and subsequently realised I was talking to a pool of water.Shaking it off, I went inside. I was there about half an hour before I was supposed to be and had a key. I opened up and went inside. Taking advantage of my over punctuality, I logged on to my blog account from the store computer and typed the stories about Moira that I was 'publishing' through the blog. That's why Adam asked for the latest blogbuster. He combined blog and blockbuster, creating a new word just for my blog. I replied, "When I get a minute alone," because I was secretly using the store's computer. I couldn't afford the internet on my own and why should I? There was a perfectly good and able computer right here.

“I need to tell you something.”I nodded solemnly as a go ahead. “But you’re not ready.”“Just tell me,” I said. Who was I talking to anyway? I looked around and the apartment was empty save for a gigantic mirror. “Who are you?”“I can tell you I’m not you,” I smiled in the mirror.Flashes of red streaked my vision. I swallowed. The mirror version of me held her hands in a calming motion. “Don’t be scared.”“Moira?”“Yes, Skylar. It’s me. I need to-”But before she could continue, someone was waking me up. Something. My alarm. I groaned and got out of bed, trying to forget the foggy dream.I couldn't help but think that the dream had something to do with Cass’ unfinished question. The mystery of what he had wanted to ask me had burned my mind most of the night. Why? I did not know. Maybe because my life was that boring or maybe it was because I didn't know before how much I had wanted to speak to him. To know more. He was like this mystery and, being

I got back to my seat and instantly his face lit up. Oh no."Are you okay?" he asked."Yeah," I replied. My self pep talk must have been longer than I thought. Do it, I chastised. Get it over with."Cass, I-""Sky, I'm-"We both spoke at the same time. This made us laugh. "You go first," I said."Sky, I'm having a really good time.""You are?" I tried to mask my shock but the words were already out. Damn. I couldn't read his expression."I mean, yeah, sure. Me too." Another gulp of water. Don't be a coward."Cass...""Yes?""Well, you see, the thing is..."He waited for me to continue. Do it!"I- I forgot to feed my cat. Yeah, that's it... Tabby. He must be starving. I can't sit here and enjoy a wholesome meal while a cat, who's like family to me, might die of starvation. I have to go." I hated cats. Especially Tabby and his trash invading my apartment. He was no exception cat."But you