Edge of Consciousness

By Indigo Wren

When a rash of strange dreams invade the sleep of the Bishop family and their close friend Naomi, Elise Bishop seeks answers. What she finds is Merridell, a land with old-world charm and untold magic, accessible only while in slumber. Over time, Elise and her husband and children learn that they, together with Naomi, are Warriors in this curious territory, harnessing the powers of Earth, Air, Wind, Fire, and Stone to battle against an ancient evil. Known as the Flynn clan to the Merrish people, the Warriors are drawn to a strange cold fire. They can feel the heartbeat of the malevolent Ashwah, drawing people into its circle of unending dance around the unusual pyre. With the aid of waking-world friends, who have alternate lives in Merridell, the Warriors hone their skills and practice constantly until the full moon rises over the land. Determined to vanquish the malicious entity, the Warriors stand before the strange fire, ready to fight. The people of Merridell stand behind them, supporting them as they face the Ashwah. This will be the battle of the ages.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Indigo Wren
• Release date: Jan 4, 2016
• ISBN: 9781311844187

Indigo Wren

Indigo lives in Alberta, Canada with their two young adult children and their life partner. They have adopted and lost a variety of cats over the years, but usually have one hanging around. They enjoy teasing the cat, writing (of course), and hanging out with the kids. They began writing at a young age, starting with short stories, moving on to poetry, and eventually participating in National Novel Writing Month (NaNoWriMo) and completing their first novel. Since then, they have produced several manuscripts of novel-length. When they grow up, Indigo hopes to be an expert in the field of faery security. Their advice for writers, young and old, is to be brave in their work and never give up.

Book preview

Chapter 1

Aaron wandered across a field of long wild grass, a soft breeze gently tousling his curly hair. He wore sandals on his feet, but may as well have been barefoot for all they were worth. His mind wandered along with his body, skipping and jumping from one place to the next, not stopping long enough in each to give them any substance. He was trying to not think about Elise, but his thoughts kept going back to her. A frog. Elise hates frogs. Stop thinking about Elise! That breeze feels nice. Remember when you and Elise sat on the edge of the lake with that warm summer breeze… damn, I did it again! And so on.

He felt the fool at this point. He’d done a stupid thing, and was paying the consequences. If he were a lesser man, he’d be in tears while he walked, but Aaron fought them as hard as he could. He’d been walking in zigzags across the field for well over an hour, and was getting tired of the view. He turned towards home, towards Elise.

As he walked through the door, Elise bristled. She was furious still, and despondent. She felt like she would never be able to trust Aaron again, that she would never be happy again. Sure, it was a little dramatic, but you don’t always think straight when you’re upset. Elise glanced at Aaron as he came sheepishly into the kitchen. She turned her back to him quickly, and busied herself with washing up dishes. She wouldn’t give him the satisfaction of a reaction. She heard him sigh and turn around to leave the kitchen, and she stopped working for a moment.

It’s… it’s just going to take time, Aaron. She kept her back to him. She couldn’t bear to see his face.

"I know. I am sorry, you know. I didn’t mean for this to happen."

Elise felt the hairs on her arms stand on end. He didn’t mean it. Of course he didn’t mean it! He never means any of the things that go wrong! No, stop. Saying that won’t help matters any, she thought. I know, was all she said.

Aaron walked out of the kitchen quietly. He knew it was pointless to discuss it any further with her right now. She needed more time to process what had happened.

The phone jangled on the wall next to the fridge. It startled Elise a little, and she splattered hot soapy dish water across the counter. Damn! She grabbed a towel to wipe it up as she reached for the phone. Hello?! A little too sharply, perhaps. She could hardly contain her frustration.

Lisey? What’s wrong? Concern oozed through the phone line.

Oh… hi Naomi, Elise said sheepishly. Nothing’s wrong. Just having a bad day.

Uh-uh, no way. You don’t get off with ‘just a bad day’. How long have we been friends?

Seventeen years, she sighed.

And would you let me get away with ‘just a bad day’? Naomi insisted.

No. Damn, damn, damn. Naomi, I don’t know what to do! Elise felt a jumble of words welling up in her throat, and tears burning at the corners of her eyes. She sat down at the table.

Do you want me to come over?

Can you? Her voice was small and tears slid down her cheeks.

Of course, dingbat! You know I’d drop everything for you when you need me! You’ve certainly done it enough times for me!

Elise wiped the tears off her cheeks and reached for a tissue for her suddenly runny nose. I’ll be here. She hung up the phone without saying goodbye. Naomi was her oldest and dearest friend, and somehow always knew when Elise was in a bad way. She occupied herself with cleaning up the rest of the water she’d splashed, and rinsed off the last of the dishes. She glanced at the clock. Ten past eleven. The day was barely started and felt a thousand years long already.

Naomi walked in the door without knocking, finding Elise sitting hunched forward in a very uncomfortable chair, elbows on her knees, face in her hands. She put her arm around Elise and gave her a soft kiss on the cheek. I know those tears. Those are ‘my man messed up’ tears. What happened?

Elise gave a strangled chuckle and stared at Naomi, who was now kneeling on the floor in front of her. He frigging quit his job and then went and spent eight grand on a car. What the hell are we supposed to live on? I don’t understand, I don’t want to understand, I am so damn mad right now. What the hell do we need a car for? We have public transportation right outside our door, and we’ve gotten along fine on it so far, so why does he need a car now that he has no job to go to?? I just don’t get it!

Naomi clucked her tongue sympathetically. Did he say why he did it?

She sighed. Yes. He says he’ll have a better chance at better jobs if he has reliable transportation.

Naomi nodded. He’s kind of right, you know.

Whose side are you on anyway? The tears were starting to dry, and the anger was starting to fade. Now, Elise just felt an overwhelming sense of defeat. She knew Naomi and Aaron were both right. It didn’t make it any easier to figure out where rent money would come from, however.

You know full well that I will always tell you the truth, whether you want to hear it or not. That is what a TRUE friend does, my dear.

Elise leaned forward and hugged Naomi as tight as she could. I know, and I love that about you. I don’t know what I’d do without you.

Lawdy, lady, you’d be a hot mess without me! Look at you! Tear streaks on your face, snot coming out your nose, and your face so red and blotchy you look like you just ran a marathon!

Elise laughed. Okay, okay, there’s such a thing as too much honesty, you know!! She stood slowly and wandered to the bathroom to clean herself up.

Naomi looked up from where she was still kneeling on the floor. She saw a brief reflection of a sorrowful face in the glass of the window. She turned to talk to Aaron, but he had already ducked out of the doorway. She stood, moaning as she did so. Gawd, Lisey, I’m not as young as I used to be. Next time, can ya sit on the couch please?! Naomi laughed as she spoke, pushing herself up a little more with each word.

Elise came back into the living room. Sorry, hon. I just went for the closest chair. She paused to breathe for a moment. Hey, do you want to help bake some cookies for the kids? I figure I’m going to have to start doing a whole lot more homemade snacks now.

Of course! You know what my favorite part of baking cookies is, don’t you?

Well, duh, the dough!

The women ambled, laughing, back into the kitchen.

Aaron stood at the bottom of the stairs, just out of sight of the kitchen, but within hearing range. Shame filled him, yet still he had no tears to shed. He was glad that Naomi agreed with him, though he knew she also agreed with Elise. Who was he kidding – he also agreed with Elise! He laid his head against the wall, trying to think and not think all at the same time. Hopefully I can get a job quickly, to prove to her that this car is worth it. He turned and walked up the stairs, found his way to their bedroom, and sat on the edge of the bed.

Chapter 2

Where am I? What’s going on? Aaron opened his eyes. The sky was tinged green and a heavy haze hung in the air. Why am I outside? He tentatively stretched out his arms and legs. The air felt oppressive, like it was pushing down as he forced his limbs up. He sat up, with difficulty, and looked around. He was in a sea of orange grass. Confused, Aaron tried to find something that made sense. There were no buildings within sight. How did I get here? He stood and pushed his way through the haze, walking towards what looked like a blue sun. Every step he took, he became more confused. Where’s Elise? Where are the kids? What the hell is going on?! A small red rabbit hopped past him, 15 feet away. He stopped and watched as it bounded away, darting this way and that through the strange grass. Maybe I should follow it? He briefly considered this, then shook his head. This can’t be real. A fire rose up in the distance, burning blue and purple and white. It looked like a pyre had been set up over the horizon, huge and unforgiving. He started walking toward the flames. The red rabbit occasionally crossed his path now and again, finding its way along a convoluted path. Aaron wondered if the rabbit was headed for the pyre.

The fire never seemed to get any closer, but the flames grew higher and higher, seeming to touch the sky as they towered over the land. Aaron had been walking for hours, the blue sun setting in front of him, the green sky growing dimmer and darker, but the pyre continued to burn. Long after the sun had disappeared, and an orange moon had taken its place, Aaron still walked. After what felt like days, Aaron fell, collapsing into the strange soft grass, and slept..

Chapter 3

Elise found Aaron curled up on top of the covers of their bed, fast asleep. She knew that he felt awful about how he had sprung everything on her. Her anger had abated, and she was left feeling empty. She hoped that would pass soon and that things would look up again. She laid a blanket over his sleeping body and walked quietly out of the room again.

Naomi was waiting for Elise in the kitchen. You want a ride to get the rug rats?

Sure, that’d be great!

Amy and Andrew ran to their mom as soon as they saw Elise, Amy jumping into her arms for a bear hug. They walked with her back to Naomi’s car, chattering away about their days at school. Elise smiled as she listened and nodded. Her children were the most important people in her life aside from Aaron, and it never ceased to amaze her how much they changed with each passing day. The ride home was filled with more talking, Elise and Naomi learning in exquisite detail about what the other girls and boys did or didn’t do, who liked who, and what homework they had. At home, they piled out of the vehicle, waved good bye to Naomi, and ran into the house. Elise leaned over before getting out and gave Naomi a hug. Thank you. You always know just what to say and do. I really would be a hot mess without you.

Naomi grinned and said, Yep, you would be!

Elise found her way into the house, carefully stepping over discarded backpacks, shoes, and jackets as she walked through the door. Hey, you two! Get back here and fix this mess! Two sheepish faces appeared around a corner and the kids cleaned up their abandoned chaos. Want some cookies for your snack?

Their eyes popped out and both kids screeched, Yes!!! and took off to find the cookies. Elise laughed. Her gaze shifted from the scrambling children to the doorway of the kitchen where a disheveled Aaron stood.

Good morning, sleepyhead. Did you have a good nap?

Aaron grunted as he walked towards her. Yeah. Had a strange dream, though.

Mom, can we go jump on the trampoline? Andrew’s eyes were lit up like a Christmas tree as he asked.

Yes, go ahead. I’m going to start supper in a bit. As Aaron came closer, she reached out and embraced him. She laid her head against his shoulder and whispered, I’m sorry I freaked out. I gave it some thought, and you’re right. It will be a benefit.

Aaron rubbed his hands along her back, smelled her hair. God, he loved this woman. I’m sorry I didn’t discuss it with you first. That was wrong, and I feel like a jackass for doing it.

Elise lifted her head to look up at him. Well, you sure can be a jackass at times! She grinned cheekily as Aaron playfully swatted her behind.

Outside, Amy and Andrew were bouncing away on the trampoline. Every so often, Andrew would deliberately double-bounce Amy, sending her crumbling to her knees with a stark cry of, ANDREW! which would send him into fits of giggles. She tried very hard to double-bounce her brother, but somehow was never able to. Forget this. I’m going to swing! Amy climbed out of the enclosure and stomped to the swing set.

Baby! Amy stuck her tongue out at the insult, which resulted in another fit of giggles as Andrew jumped his heart out. Elise and Aaron watched from the kitchen window, smiling. As much as they fought, Amy and Andrew had a fierce loyalty to each other. Nobody was allowed to hurt one without the other stepping in. Andrew was less than two years old when Amy was born, and he had almost immediately seized onto her as his baby. As they grew up, his over-protectiveness frequently caused arguments, as Amy was a brutally independent girl, and abhorred being told what to do by anybody, but she always knew that her brother would back her up if she found herself in trouble.

Elise and Aaron set to work getting supper ready, slicing vegetables, cooking meat, and preparing a salad. When the kids finally came in to eat, they polished off their food too fast to taste it, wiped their faces, and ran off to play again. Elise hollered after them, Hey!

The kids stopped in their tracks and turned around to look at their mother with guilty looks on their faces. Dishes? Andrew asked.

Uh, yeah, dishes. Come on! You know your chores! They cleared their plates off the table and put them in the sink, their napkins in the garbage. Aaron and Elise quietly finished their meal, cleared the table, and washed the dishes. They settled in for a quiet evening watching TV, chatting about the usual mundane things. It was silently understood that they would not talk about the job or the car or the money issues while the children were awake and around.

Amy and Andrew settled into their beds in side-by-side rooms. They got their nightly hugs and kisses from each parent, and had their blankets tucked in around them. They had each picked a book to read before they fell asleep. Amy chose a simple book, one that she could read with ease, while Andrew chose a novel that he’d been working on for a few days. He enjoyed the challenge of a harder read. Elise and Aaron said their good nights and retired to their own room for the night.

Chapter 4

Amy was spinning in circles as fast as she could go, laughing her heart out, and getting dizzy. Her feet were going faster and faster until finally they tripped over each other, and she tumbled down into the grass, breathing hard. She stared up at the brilliant green sky, watching clouds as they drifted across her view. The longer she stared, the less she felt gravity’s pull on her, until she was floating above the ground, defying gravity. She was abruptly brought back to the ground by an unearthly howl in the distance. Amy sat up and looked around. She was in a clearing, surrounded on all sides by a thick growth of trees. The howl seemed to have come from the other side of the trees. Amy stood and started walking towards the sound. It continued to wail, sounding more human by the second, like a crying baby or a wounded child. The trees were close together and overgrown, leaving her in dimness as she made her way across the woods. She could see the light brighten up at the other side of the trees, but it never seemed to get any closer. She kept walking, and the sound kept keening. Amy started to shiver as the shade from the trees cooled her down. What was that sound? She stopped to listen, and as she did, it faded away to nothing. She started walking again, and finally made it out of the woods, and found nothing on the other side except for a small patch where the grass had been dug out.

Chapter 5

Amy woke in her dark room, thoroughly puzzled by her dream, wondering where the noise had come from. She rolled over and punched her pillow, then drifted back to sleep.

Elise and Aaron sat up in their queen-sized bed, hands in their laps, each silently willing the other to start talking first. Elise finally tired of the game and cleared her throat. Aaron…

He reached over and grabbed her hand. I know. You’re still mad. I don’t blame you.

No, it’s not that. I’m not angry. I’m frustrated and confused. Why didn’t you tell me it was getting so bad at work?

What would that have helped? It would have just stressed you out even more.

But honey, we’re in this cool new thing called a marriage. It’s generally considered okay for married people to confide in each other. I can handle it; I’m not fragile.

I know. I was stupid. I should have discussed it with you. But, I have a lead on a new job. I called while I was out earlier and I have an interview tomorrow. That’s kind of why I went and got the car. I’ll need one to work this job.

Yeah, I get that. But next time you want to take eight thousand dollars out of our savings immediately after quitting your job, can you at least give me a shout to say ‘hey honey, this is what I’m doing’?

Aaron laughed and pulled her over into his lap. Well, I don’t think it will happen again, but okay, I guess I can concede to that.

It better not, and thank you very much!

Chapter 6

Come on guys, you’re gonna be late for school if you don’t hustle!

Can Dad drive us? I don’t want to walk!

Nope, Dad’s gone to work already. You’re out of luck, kiddo.

Awww! Andrew pouted as he grabbed his lunch and stuffed it into his backpack.

Andrew, cut it out. It’s not like it’s that far to walk. It’s only 2 blocks!

Yeah, I know. I just want to get a ride from Dad one day.

I’ll talk to him about setting a date to drive you to school. How’s that sound?

Okay, I guess.

I guess! I guess he says! Elise grinned as she teased her son. It’s what you’re going to have to work with, my dear, because it’s all you’re gonna get this morning.

Okay, okay!

Mom!! I can’t find my homework!

Elise sighed. Amy, it’s on the coffee table in the living room, where you left it after I told you to put it in your backpack.

Thanks mom! Amy scuttled off to collect her homework.

Come on, hurry, hurry! You have 10 minutes until the bell rings!

The kids ran out the door with an echoed chorus of, Bye mom! Love you! and Elise settled into a kitchen chair and heaved a sigh. Mornings were so hectic with those two. Elise couldn’t imagine how people with more children managed to get everything done. She glanced around for a moment, and spotted her pack of cigarettes on the kitchen counter. She opened the pack and pulled one out, sat back in her chair and lit it. The phone rang as she inhaled.

Hello?

Hey it’s me.

Hey Noni! What’s the haps?

Not much. Wanna get coffee?

Come over, I’ll put some on.

No, no, no. I will come pick you up, and we will go OUT for coffee.

Noni…

Don’t. I am buying. I know Aaron’s only been working for a week.

Okay, well, come in. I just lit a smoke.

When are you going to stop that filthy habit?

When they come up with another way for me to deal with my stress that doesn’t involve freaking out on Aaron or the kids? Sound good? Elise had a smile on her face. Naomi had been teasing her about her smoking for years, and she took it all in stride now.

Okay, fine, well, I’m on my way in, so I’ll talk to you in a minute.

The door opened and Naomi walked in as she tucked her cell phone into her pocket. Elise put the phone down and gave Naomi a reproachful look. What would you have done if I’d said no?

You never say no.

Yeah, okay, you’re right.

Finish your cancer stick and let’s go!

Elise took one last puff and crushed the remainder into the ashtray. She stood and grabbed her purse from the back of her chair, and the women left the house.

Naomi drove them to her favorite coffee shop. It was a quaint little place that sold all sorts of pastries and other baked treats. Elise loved it, but could never justify going there unless Naomi was paying. They ordered their coffees and their treats and chose a table in a corner away from everyone else.

So, how is the job going for Aaron?

So far, so good. He seems to enjoy the work, and they’re paying him decent enough. Can’t wait for the first paycheck.

I bet. Man, I’d be so choked if James did that. I can understand where he’s coming from with the car, but to quit his job and go buy it without even consulting with you was not right.

Oh sure, NOW you’re on my side! Elise stuck her tongue out at Naomi playfully.

I was always on your side, and you know it. I just had to be the voice of reason before you started throwing things everywhere.

Yeah, yeah, sure, sure! Elise laughed. Naomi smiled at her friend. She was truly the best friend a person could ask for. So, what’s going on in your world, Noni? I’ve been kinda wrapped up in my own stuff for a while and have been kinda selfish.

Oh, not much really…just… She drifted off and shifted uncomfortably in her seat.

Just what? Elise reached her hands across the table to grasp Naomi’s. You know you can talk to me about anything.

It’s nothing major. Just these weird dreams. I don’t know what to make of them.

What kind of dreams?

Well, see, that’s just it. I can only remember the details for ten or fifteen minutes after I wake up, but the feeling that something strange, almost unearthly, has happened stays with me for the rest of the day. It leaves my head feeling… weird.

Aaron and Amy have had some strange dreams lately, too. I wonder if it’s something in the water. How long has it been happening?

Oh, a few weeks? A month? I’m not sure when it started, to be honest. I just realized one day that I had this unsettled feeling for the majority of the day, and I traced it back to the dream that, of course, I can’t remember any details about. It doesn’t happen every day or anything. It’s maybe two or three times a week, and by the time I realize it was the dreams fault, the feeling has mostly passed. I’m thinking I need to keep a notebook and a pen next to the bed to record what I can remember when I wake up before it fades away.

That’s not a horrible idea. I would totally do that. It might be something that’s bothering you that you’re not dealing with, that you’re not admitting to yourself is a problem, if that makes any sense?

Yeah, it makes sense. I just can’t think of anything that might be bothering me. Both women sipped at their coffee. Elise took a bite of her pastry and crumbs fell all over the front of her shirt.

Oh damn! I hate it when that happens! Naomi just giggled as Elise brushed herself off. Oh shush, you! It’s not like it’s never happened to you!

It’s just that I thought you were done breastfeeding! Naomi howled with laughter at her own joke, and Elise tossed a crumpled-up napkin at her while smiling.

Oh man, look at the time! I have to get home to be there when the kids get off school.

Your chariot awaits, Madame! I shall escort you to your abode!

God, you’re crazy.

It’s why you love me.

Yes. Yes it is! They both laughed as they gathered their trash and made their way out of the coffee shop.

Mom! We’re home! The door slammed behind the kids as Amy yelled across the house. Elise was in the living room waiting for them.

Did you hang up your coats and backpacks? Are your shoes put away? Do you have homework?

Yes, yes, and no.

No, no, and yes. I’ll get at it, admitted Andrew.

Good boy. Work at the kitchen table, please.

Okay, mom, Andrew said tiredly.

Mommy? Amy asked.

Yeah baby?

I had another dream last night.

Tell me about it.

Well, I was in the grass again, making myself float, and this animal came out of the woods, and it talked to me.

What did it say?

It said… She thought for a minute before remembering. It said it’s almost time.

Time for what?

I don’t know. It ran away before I could ask it.

What kind of animal was it?

I don’t know. It was big like a deer, but it had a tail like a beaver, and it only had one horn on its head, like a unicorn.

That certainly sounds like a strange animal.

Yeah, it was! Mommy?

Yeah sweetheart?

Why do I keep having weird dreams?

Because you have an overactive imagination, my lovely!

What does THAT mean?!

It means you are very creative, and there are so many things going on in your head at once that you have to dream up weird things to keep your head from bursting!

Amy roared with laughter. Oh, mom, you’re so WEIRD!

Elise laughed. Well, where do you think you got your weirdness from?

From me, duh! Elise and Amy looked up at the sound of Aaron’s voice.

Oh yeah, your dad is pretty weird, too!

Hey! I resemble that remark! Aaron laughed and swept Amy up in his arms, tossed her over his shoulders and spun around.

Daddy!!! AAAHHH!! Daddy put me down! Amy shrieked and screeched and laughed while her father spun around. Aaron was whooping with laughter, and ran across the room to the couch where he pulled Amy from behind his head and tossed her onto the couch. She screamed and bounced and started laughing even harder. Daddy, you’re crazy!

You just noticed this now, small fry?

No, I’ve ALWAYS known! Amy stood with her hands on her hips and stuck her tongue out at her dad, then took off at a dead run, giggling the whole way.

Aaron chuckled and sat down where he’d just tossed Amy. She having the dreams still?

Yeah. How about you? Are you still having them?

Yeah. Can’t remember much, but I know they’re happening.

Naomi told me today that she’s having them, too. I told her there must be something in the water.

Maybe, Lise. Maybe.

Chapter 7

Elise walked