(One step back if you feel lost.)

Hollins University

Aurora closes her textbook and starts glaring at her brother, who continues staring at his notes. Deciding not to speak until she has calmed down, she goes to her dresser and hunts for a scrunchie to put her hair up with. Grabbing a mesh bag, the tired student throws in the ones that she forgot to clean last weekend. Aurora decides on a red one from the bottom, but realizes that it used to be white before a disastrous dissection in her zoology class. She can still vividly remember the sound of something bursting from the table behind her and the sensation of warmth and stickiness striking her head. Giving up on the distraction, she slams the drawer shut and whirls around to find that her brother is on his phone. Even though Apollo is trying to look like he is researching something, the sounds effects betray him. Taking her film camera off its hook, Aurora whistles to get his attention and gets him with her newest flash that temporarily blinds him.

“Already got my money’s worth on this toy,” she claims with an evil grin. Carefully putting the camera back, she whirls around to cross her arms and put on her best authoritarian scowl. “I can’t believe you told mom and dad about that stupid dream. You know how much they worried when we had that as kids. We were nearly medicated because of it. Even though the setting changes, the whole thing with doodles and crazy deaths remain the same. Do you really want them to make us see a shrink again?”

“If it helps me figure this out then I’ll go,” Apollo replies, imitating his sister’s posture and expression. Seeing that he is about to lose his video game, he quickly hits a few buttons with his thumb and quits. “There’s no reason to get so upset. Mom and dad think it’s only me, so you can keep lying. We both know you haven’t put whatever is causing our dream to rest. I’m still thinking a trauma in the womb. Could we have been quadruplets and absorbed the other two before birth?”

“This is why I keep telling you take a creative writing minor,” Aurora says with a half-hearted smile. Reaching under her mattress, she pulls out a diary and searches for the last time she had the dream. “It’s been a week for me and it was fairly tame. Everyone died from poisoning instead of a unique one each time. Then again, my experiences were never as vivid and varied as yours. Maybe you’re the cause of it all and I merely have to get hundreds of miles away to cure myself.”

“That’s not very nice.”

“You’re right, but it sounds like such a beautiful dream today.”

“Can’t run away from your problems.”

“Of course you can if you’re faster or can afford the airfare.”

The awkward silence lingers as Apollo tries to figure out if his sister is serious about wanting to get away. Having never spent more than a weekend away from each other, it is difficult for the young man to imagine going for very long without her. He smirks at how strangers find their attachment creepy until they admit to being twins. Apollo is still amazed at what they can get away with since people tend to assume their shared birth has given them a predisposition for being strange. The only time he can remember things going off the rails was when they went to prom together in each other’s clothes, their real dates happy to be a part of the prank. To this day, he is not sure why the teachers and some of the students got so upset about an innocent clothing swap.

“You were thinking of our prom prank again,” Aurora says, putting her fingers to her temples. Knowing that the psychic joke only works on new friends, she drops the act and flops onto her bed. “Do you think anybody else can decipher our different smiles? I can’t do it with anyone other than you. Be nice to see the truth behind expressions even for a day. That would help me talk with Bryce. I don’t think she was ready to come back.”

“She wasn’t very talkative at lunch, but she seemed better,” Apollo replies, taking a seat at the desk. He scrambles out of the seat when a raven lands on the sill and violently bangs a large snail against the window. “Those birds are really creepy. I know we had them at home, but the ones here have no fear. Thomas and I saw a flock staring at us from across the street last week and they never moved. They were gone when we passed by later, but it looked like they had devoured a cat.”

Aurora knocks on the glass to shoo the bird away, but it simply cocks its head to the side and stares at her. “Students probably feed them, so they aren’t afraid of humans. The ones you saw were guarding their meal. Even on campus, winter means less food. Although, I do see a lot of them. It’s like they’re the school’s version of pigeons, which I haven’t seen one of since our first week. Are we really talking about ravens?”

“We’re only studying together until our friends get out of their classes or whatever they’re doing,” the young man reminds his sister. Waking up the computer, he goes to the school’s meteorology site and pulls up maps listed for the next class. “I’ve looked over these things a hundred times. There’s nothing else for me to do. Be nice if you had a television. I can’t believe your roommate, who is never here, forbids TV and you go along with it. Thomas would have to pry my favorite shows out of my cold dead fingers. You want to take a nap while I play some computer games, Aura?”

“I’m not that tired and please don’t call me that, Po,” she responds, her eyes locked on the well-made bed on the other side of the room. With a groan, she gets to her feet and goes to her roommate’s closet. “The strange thing is that I haven’t seen her in a while. Always figured she came in while I was in the lab or I’ve become a very deep sleeper. Some of her clothes have been moved, but I don’t know where she could be on the weekends. Unless she managed to find a boyfriend and is staying with him. Doubt it considering how prim and proper she was. Nearly drove me to move off campus. I even started the paperwork and talked with Charlene in housing about it.”

“You have got to stop running away from your problems.”

“Does it look like I left?”

“I’m just saying that you shouldn’t even consider it until you’ve tried to fight back.”

“For the last time, I’m not putting itching powder in her bed.”

“Killjoy.”

(CLICK HERE to revisit the recent past.)

College of Charleston

“Are you sure you’re okay?” Harvey Pugh asks as he bring Bryce a cup of water. The tall and cherub-faced student sits next to her, ignoring the way his friends look at him. “I wish I had some deep insight to say that would help you recover from your grief. The concept of loss and death change from culture to culture, so perhaps we simply make our own path. Do you find it difficult to be out of your room? It has been two weeks since Trina died and you two were becoming serious. Although, I’m unclear as to how someone can vomit up most of their digestive system.”

“Maybe you would have an answer if you ever went to class,” Chris Garcon mutters, taking the seat on the other side of Bryce. Putting his hockey stick on the table, he leans back and tries to put what he believes is a comforting arm around the young woman’s shoulders. “I can’t imagine how horrible this is. You two were in love and now you’re alone. Harvey shouldn’t bother you with questions when you need someone to listen to. I’m always there for you. No strings attached since you’re a lesbian, so it isn’t like I’m hitting on you.”

“For the last time, I’m bisexual,” Bryce groans, her fists clenched. The only reason she does not hit either of her friends is because she would not expect anything else from them. “Yes, I find it a challenge to be in public, Harvey. At least you’re trying to be kind, which I really do appreciate. Chris, you should go make out with Jennifer’s new friend. That anatomy dummy seems more your type. Why do you have that thing here? Hello? Hey, O’Connor, are you still with us?”

Snapped out of her trance, the red-haired theater major nearly falls out of her chair. “Sorry, but I was up late pledging and part of it involved the dummy. I’ll be giving it back once we’re done here. Going to have to play the role of an idiot again. All I missed was Harvey asking an awkward question and Chris speaking from his mouth while thinking with his penis. Can’t believe future generations will be entrusted to a man like you. Don’t teachers typically have morals?”

“Like I’m going to take that from someone who’s career path will eventually involve porn and a heroin addiction.”

“Only if you mean I’ll be playing those roles in the movies.”

“Don’t try for comedy. You’re terrible at it.”

“My professor would politely disagree.”

The students are startled by the slamming of a book, all four of them turning around to see the elderly librarian glaring at them. With a slow nod, the wrinkled woman goes back to her returns and whispers as a bald man comes through the door. Professor Jason Soleman stops for a moment to talk with his coworker, the pair keeping their voices low and watching the students through the corner of their eyes. Obviously uncomfortable with the conversation, the man fixes his crimson tie and does his best to hide his anger at the librarian. For her part, the woman remains calm and sits down to polish the star-shaped medallion hanging from her neck. By the time Thomas and Apollo came running inside, their advisor has given up on arguing and trudges to the group. He takes a final look at the librarian before pushing his glasses up his nose and taking a notebook out of his jacket pocket. Professor Soleman freezes at the sight of the anatomy dummy, his eyes immediately darting to Jennifer.

“My teacher told me to imagine people in their underwear, so I thought imagining them with no skin would be even more effective,” the young woman explains with a playful giggle. She keeps smiling in the face of her angry advisor, who eventually lets out a sputtering sigh. “I will bring it back as soon as the club meeting is done. Maybe we can use it for something. There has to be some old mythology that involves body parts. Minus one kidney that I’m still searching the house for.”

“It seems that I will be leaving as soon as I speak,” Professor Soleman says, hiding his amusement with a cough. The squeak of a chair causes him to turn around, the black-haired woman in a lab coat trying to act like she has always been there. “I get the feeling that none of you are interested in mythology today. One of you may have spent the night molesting an anatomy dummy, another just returned after a terrible loss, and a third obviously has something better to do. Let me leave you with a simple task. Pick a lesser god and write a paragraph about them. Everyone knows about the gods and goddesses that modern entertainment focuses on like the Olympians. All you have to do is find one, read a bit, and leave your work with Marcy over there to get your extra credit. I do thank you for helping with this club, which I hope will become a full class next year.”

“I’ll make sure we get the work done,” Thomas declares, cutting off the latecomer. He continues smiling as the professor carries the anatomy dummy out of the library. “So, why is our great leader late? That isn’t like you, Aurora. Oh, before I forget, I’m happy to see you again Bryce. Not really sure what else to say since I know how serious you two were getting. Apollo or I can help you with this if you don’t feel up to it. Just ease back into things and let us know if you need some air.”

“Why does he get to say stuff like that and not get in trouble?” Chris blurts out while putting his feet on the table. Turning to Jennifer, he starts to lick his lips, but stops when she returns the gesture. “How about we split into teams? Try to find deities who are polar opposites or have some kind of connection. I’ll work with Harvey and everyone else can split into pairs. Whoever wants to go solo can do so since there’s only seven of us.”

“I’m sure that’s directed at me,” Aurora says in a strained voice. Rubbing her neck, she tries to clear her throat by sneaking a sip of energy drink from a flask. “Had to pull a late night at the farm because a calf was being born. It didn’t make it, so I’m out of it. Sorry to let everyone down, but it might be best to let me sink or swim on my own. Feel like taking an obscure death god anyway. We have to call mom and dad before afternoon classes, Apollo, so don’t take too long with Jennifer.”

“What’s that supposed to mean?” the flustered twin asks, his loud voice earning him a glare from Marcy. Avoiding eye contact with the theater major, Apollo takes a seat next to her and puts his hands between his knees. “Not that I’m upset about working with you, Jen, but my sister made it sound like I had something else in mind. I . . . Do you want to get some pizza for lunch and help me get out of a boring phone call? Entirely as friends and it would help me get a rise out of my family.”

“I’ve always wanted to save a damsel in distress,” Jennifer teases, giving Apollo a quick kiss on the cheek. Getting both twins to blush fills the young woman with enough pride that she puffs out her chest. “This is my favorite club meeting to date. What about we all work together and choose a group of seven? That way we work and succeed together. My classes are doing a lot of team exercises this week, so I could use the practice. May I humbly recommend the Seven Lucky Gods of Japan?

Feeling cornered, Bryce slides out of her chair and crawls under the table to get closer to Aurora. “That sounds like a great idea since some of us are out of it today. Not a big fan of the topic, but don’t listen to me. Hard to believe in luck after what happened to Trina and her family not being happy about me showing up at the funeral. Never mind since that’s not club business and we need to get this assignment done.”

“Why weren’t they happy about you attending?” Harvey innocently asks. He yelps when Chris smacks him upside the head, the philosophy major covering his mouth when Marcy looks in their direction. “Okay, I think I understand. Sorry for asking. I forgot how often people refuse to accept the differences in others.”

“That is such an adorable way to say you forgot that people can be assholes,” Jennifer interjects with a giggle. The rest of the club cannot stop themselves from laughing, which is cut off by the librarian slamming a book as loud as she can. “Let’s get this done before Marcy over there starts hurling encyclopedias at our heads. Love to meet the people that still use those relics.”

(Need a refresher? CLICK HERE!)

Wells College

“So, let me get this straight,” Thomas Porter says while he waits for Apollo to finish getting dressed. Thumbing through one of his many books on bar-tending, the tall and lanky sophomore tries his best not to chuckle at his own thoughts. “You were in a class about mythology, which makes no sense for a meteorology major. This teacher doesn’t want you to fall asleep and you keep drawing a picture. After a few questions that get other students killed, she just starts wiping everyone out. You finally realize you’re in danger, run to the door, and she bites your head off like a praying mantis. There was also some message that starts with ‘never any’. Only one question I have to ask, man. How hot was this dream teacher? I mean, give me some details, so I can look for her when I go to sleep.”

“You ask that every time I wake up screaming and describe my dream,” Apollo groans while he hunts for his missing belt. Finding it under his bed, he holds it out to show his friend the dust bunnies that have gathered on the cracked leather. “I swear, we cleaned the room three days ago and these things keep coming back. Starting to wonder if they’re really alive and multiplying in here. By the way, did you finally pick a major or have you found another way to delay that decision?”

With a tired groan, Thomas gets off his bed and goes to the mirror, his green eyes looking sharper thanks to new contacts. “I still have a month to figure things out. My goal is to run a successful bar, so I need to figure out the right major. There are so many things to consider that I have to be careful. Sure, business major seems to make the most sense, but is that really the way for me to go?”

“Yes. Yes it is.”

“Like I’m going to take that from a guy who can get everything wrong and not get fired.”

“Oh, those weatherman jokes never get old.”

“Hey, did you say that one of the people in your dream was electrocuted?”

“I think so. It’s kind of blurry now.”

“Well, I heard a girl died last night when someone threw a curling iron into her shower.”

“That is so not true,” Apollo says, throwing his pillow at Thomas. Watching it bounce off his stone-faced friend, he worries and takes a seat on his bed. “Geez, I never considered that happening. Still, why would a dream I’ve had for years connect to a death now? Unless it always has and I never heard about it. Maybe I sensed it happening and merged it into my dream. With it being around all the ridiculous ones, I’d never know the difference.”

Apollo stops talking when he hears a brief chuckle from Thomas, his friend practically shaking from his restrained laughter. Realizing he has been tricked, the red-faced young man gets his pillow back and tries to hit his roommate again. Thomas is quick to get out of the way and grabs his jacket as he runs out the door. Apollo is right on his heels as the chase goes down the hallway and into the lobby. Several students in the lounge stop what they are doing to watch the welcomed distraction, all of them familiar with the roommates’ antics. A few people cheer as the pair run around a table, leap over a chair, nearly knock over the resident advisor, and charge out the open door. People laugh at the sight of Apollo and Thomas in the snow, one of them without his shoes and the other without a jacket. Like two chastised children, they trudge back inside to applause and take a bow before returning to their room.

“That wasn’t funny,” Apollo mutters as he changes into a dry shirt. He tosses Thomas a pair of socks, which he keeps near the heating vent. “It was a really weird and vivid dream. Since I’ve had it for years, I assume it has to mean something. You’re pretty good at figuring out puzzles. Not to mention a bartender has to learn how to listen to customers and give advice when asked. What do you think?”

“Pretty sure bartenders don’t act like NPC’s in a video game. At least not since the invention of electricity and indoor plumbing,” Thomas replies while drying his feet. Seeing the pained expression on his roommate’s face, he sighs and leans back in his chair. “I have no idea. There are so many factors and I’ve never read up on dream deciphering. I would need some time. Off the top of my head, you seem distracted and unsure of your path, which is why you focus on a drawing and have trouble answering questions. This Mrs. Addison is probably an amalgamation of several teachers that have inspired you over the years. Since you’re the type to take things so seriously, you probably worry that you’ll let them down.”

Putting on his jacket and hat, Apollo nods his head while he thinks. “That makes sense to me. Beats Aurora’s theory that I’m crazy. Not sure why she doesn’t say the same about herself since she has the dream too. Yes, we’re weird and no you can’t date her. I forbid it and remind you that kissing my twin sister would be like kissing me. Just keep thinking about that whenever you get the urge to flirt with her.”

“I’ll be a proper, uninterested gentleman,” the long-haired student declares before taking a fake rose and half a box of chocolates out of his bag. Double-checking his feet, Thomas grabs a scarf and holds the door open for his friend. “We need to stop goofing off and get to the club meeting. Jennifer sent a text about Bryce coming back. Probably a good idea for us to get there before Harvey and Chris open their mouths. Not sure if the curious one or the teasing one will piss her off first.”

“Wait, what does that make you?”

“The one whose roommate needs to start having sex dreams instead of freaky massacre dreams.”

Apollo misses his kick when Thomas darts into the hallway and runs away with his arms held up in victory. Locking the door, the young man jumps when he touches the handle and a static shock zaps his fingers. Shaking his hand, he freezes at the realization that the dorm has become very quiet. Fearing that he is asleep again, Apollo reaches up to pinch his cheek, but stops when he hears someone yelling from the lobby. Breathing a sigh of relief, he hurries to catch up to Thomas, who is already outside and waiting with a snowball. The friends stare at each other through the door until the projectile is dropped and they silently agree to a temporary truce.