Elizabeth slept soundly, her head against the cool wood of her desk. A shadow passed over, a slight tingle down her back and a fast jump, she jerked awake. Groggy, eyes blurred and the bad breath taste in her mouth she looked at the clock. 3:00 it read, and she though to herself, three in the morning!? How could this be, how was it possible? Just seconds ago she was working on her English paper... her big novel assignment that was due -- tomorrow? Tomorrow it was!
Looking down at her desk she cringed as she stared at the empty sheet of paper and a pencil that lay on top of it. There was a title though, "The Sleeping Beauty". Smiling to herself she recalled the tale of the princess that slept a hundred years, doomed to sleep and loneliness. Grandmother used to tell her the tale time and time again, as if it were her own. Or she had lived in the castle with the princess.
Her mouth was dry and reeked of sleep, she needed water. Tying her wavy auburn hair into a loose pony she slipped her feet into slippers and danced over to her door. Drifting into thought she walked down her stairs for a glass of water from the kitchen. Her dreams had been much more vivid this night, a flurry of darkness with bright flashes in between. A familiar forest with wildlife so dear. Roses everywhere, thorns striking her skin. Crimson liquid, seeping from her fingers. A beautiful face, set in stone, forever. The dream screamed forever but nothing else. Forever she would lie. Then the bleeding started and she would wake up frightened.

Labels: novel, sleeping beauty

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