9. Dreams & Reality

Why do girls have to be so pretty? It’s not that I mind, because I don’t, but…it always throws off my cool groove.

CHOICES is the first book in the Chronicles of a Hero fantasy series. This is the story of Wendell P. Dipmier, who I’ve been writing about since 1990. I hope you’ll join me on this new adventure….as I tell the honest, complete story of this amazing 17 year old, exclusively on Life of Fiction.

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Chapter 9

Have you ever been dreaming and then realized it WAS a dream?

I don’t usually remember dreams, so this was new to me. The movements, the emotions, it all felt so…real.

I know I’m still considered a kid, but I believe that who you are comprises the tiny choices you make. Not just in a day, but throughout your life. Those seemingly insignificant things we do from day-to-day, especially in how we interact with others, make a difference. You choose to go forward when you could have gone back. To push forward when you could have easily given up. To stand up one more time than you are knocked down. Small choices add up.

Good or bad, they add up.

Those who discover who they truly are, who learn what makes them unique...are the ones who choose to do the right thing. Even when faced with painful choices, the choose the right thing. Not because they get a reward or recognition.

…but because it’s the right thing.

Sad thing was, no matter how many times I called out, she kept running. Typical Monday for me, if we’re being honest. “Wait!” I shouted again. “Don’t go!” 

She dropped the purple light into the pouch flung across her shoulder. Her long, dark curls bounced across her tunic as she quickly vanished around the corner.

The sudden darkness nearly swallowed me.

I’m forced to slow down, and I clenched my eyes closed so my vision could adjust. The light from the scattered torches was barely enough to tell me what I could already smell — it was damp and dusty down here. The moisture also makes the stone floor slippery.

“You need to hurry,” Doubt grunted.

Working on it!

The cellar was a veritable maze. She’d lose me if I wasn’t careful…so I sprinted. We were taking a beating in the battle outside. Boulders smashing into the castle proved it. Its foundation shuddered under the soles of my feet.

Our enemy’s trebuchet were relentless. Their bombardment echoed through the corridors. Dust, dirt and pebbles fell from the mortar onto my head and shoulders, getting into my eyes. I had to blink through the coughs.

“Please! Let me help you!” I called out again. 

“Come on, Wendell,” Doubt says. “RUN!”