I stared at this woman nervously for a few moments and finally murmured, "Sorry, what happened to Trudy?"

  Instead of answering my question, the woman just laughed at me. I shot daggers at her. Then she realized I was upset and felt bad. "Oh right. I'm Trudy. I used magic to change back into my true form. Do I look like the young Trudy you imagined?"

  I was no longer nervous, but I became angry and snapped, "Don't laugh. You scared the hell out of me! Was that whole story about you all made up?"

  She looked a bit embarrassed and took a few moments before replying. "Sorry about that, but I will say some of it is true but changed somewhat. Anyhow, my real name is Fortia."

  I fell silent as I was taking in what I was seeing in front of me. "Are you a fairy or something?" I asked puzzled.

  Fortia was quiet herself and didn't respond right away. "Right. About that..." she starts.

  I shook my head at all this. "I'm still not convinced this whole two days hasn't been a dream," I replied tiredly.

  Fortia looked like she wanted to talk but I continued my conversation before she can get a word in herself. "I have this nagging doubt that some things don't add up and this couldn't be a dream. I know that can't be possible though. I'm more confused than ever," I sighed.

  "Would you like for me to prove to you that this is not a dream?" she said convincingly. I was thinking to myself, what she could do to convince me? As I'm lost in my thoughts, I am startled out of them when Fortia suddenly pinched me.

  "Ouch! What was that for? Did you just pinch me?" I yelled.

  "Sorry, but I had to prove it's not a dream," she replied sheepishly.

  "Well, don't you think you could have found another way to do that, that didn't hurt??!" I shouted.

  "I didn't mean to hurt you. Maybe it will help explain things to do, if I tell you a bit more about myself," she said.

  I took a deep breath and relaxed a little and then she continued. "I'm a hybridia," she said.

  Did I hear her correctly, I thought to myself. I never heard of what she said. "A what?" I said confused.

  "This place where I brought you to, is my home Spectra. This is another world or realm. There are several types of beings here. They are called puras, hybridias, parsmagics and humans."

  "Huh? Are you an alien or something?" I asked. I just stared at her. I was totally lost.

  "Not exactly. This is more of a realm than another world. A realm is in another dimension, so it's not in your universe, so we are not aliens. Let me find a place for us to sit and I'll tell you more," she replied.

  Fortia showed me around and we walked through this beautiful sun drenched forest and through a clearing to a breathtaking waterfall.

  "What a beautiful place!" I exclaimed. The place almost seemed too beautiful to be true.

  Fortia smiled and said, "It's a great place to go and think and it's very calming too."

  We had a seat in the grass facing the waterfall. "You were going to explain all the beings of this place, correct? And you said this is another world?" I asked.

  "More precisely, it's another realm, a realm that contains magic. Most of the beings in our world possess some sort of magic. You have the Puras, or the purebloods. These are the pureblooded witches, fairies, mermaids, genies, etc." she said. She paused for a moment and continued. "Then you have the beings like me. We're hybridia. We're hybrids, or mixed blood. For example, I'm 50% witch, 35% fairy, 5% tree nymph and 10% genie."

  I was thinking about this, trying to take all of it in and said, "Hmm..very interesting."

  "Then there are the parsmagic. They very little powers. They have barely detectable magic or very heightened human abilities. Or their abilities can be unpredictable or a combination of both," she said.

  "What do you mean?" I shrugged.

  "Let's say a parsmagic has some mermaid blood. Some may be excellent swimmers, even better than a human. They may also be able to hold their breath a lot longer than a human. Then of course we have the humans. You know what they are.

  Fortia froze and said shakily, "How could I forget?! We also have the dark beings!"

  "Dark beings?" I said confused and a bit scared.

  Fortia calmed herself down and continued, "They are the ones who are in possession of dark magic," she said. Now I look at her terrified.

  Fortia must have used some sort of magic to calm me down, because I started to feel a bit relaxed out of nowhere. Then she said, "These include your sorcerers/sorceresses, trolls, goblins, and some parsmagics."

  Don't get scared. This is probably not real anyhow. Definitely interesting, but not real, I thought.

  Fortia's expression darkened as she seemed to remember something. "These parsmagics were able to get dark beings to give them more power, dark magic," she said angrily. Then she frowned and said, " A majority of the dark beings banded with parsmagics and humans who felt they were treated unfairly. This partnership gave some parsmagic more power with dark magic. They worked with the dark beings and humans to attack the rest of us." It seemed like she was remembering something very sad and very personal.

  "I hope you understand, it's difficult for me to talk more about it now," she said warily.

  I sensed that and said sympathetically, "I'm sorry about that."

  "I do have more questions but not about this. I was wondering why you picked my friend and I to use magic on," I asked.

  "To better understand that, let me tell you what I am," she stated.

  "You mean other than a hybridia?" I asked.

  "Yes. We all have different job roles here and I'm a Master Guardian," she said.

  "Guardian?" I asked unsure.

  "Yes, I'm a Guardian. My job is to help people on Earth who feel lost and need guidance," she replied.

  "Like a Guardian Angel?" I asked.

  Fortia laughed at this and said, "They don't actually exist, I mean not in the way you think. Not angels I mean, Guardian Angels. I guess that's just what some Earth people call us. We're not angels. We do help people figure out how to get out of a rut through magic and self-understanding," she said.

  I was trying to make sense of this but things didn't seem any clearer. "What? Some sort of magical therapist?" I asked.

  "Something like that," she said.

  I was overwhelmed by all this information. I stopped for a moment, got up and walked around. Finally, I said, "So, we were selected as people you needed to help?"

  "Well, yes," she said.

  "Why us? You really think we need help??" I said shocked.

  Fortia rolled her eyes at me and I shot her a dirty look.

  Fortia blushed and said, "I'm sorry. That was kind of rude. But yes, it was determined that you need our assistance. Uh...kind of. Well you are the primary target, but we need your friend's help to help you. Therefore, we figured we could help her and use her to help you too."

  I was hoping her explanation would make things a bit clearer, but it certainly didn't. "I'm so confused right now," I said.

  "I should get your friend to explain the rest," she said.

  Would that better help me believe that this isn't a dream? I would know how my friend would react and if it wasn't realistic, then I'd know it wasn't a dream. Nah, it could be one of those realistic dreams. But, I did know it would be entertaining and distract me from some of my worries, I thought.

  "She's going to be pissed off to be woken up early on a Sunday," I said smiling.

  "Ah, she's not one of those early risers like you and me?" she said.

  "Nope, you may hear some four letter words when you get her," I said laughing.

  Fortia smiled. "I see," she said.

  "And that won't even be because you woke her up early. She will just think it's just another "crazy dream", like the soap opera one," I said.

  That both made us chuckle. "I see that I got my work cut out for me here," she said.

  Suddenly, Fortia performed another magic spell and I saw the same flash of light from before, when she transported us to Spectra. I was amazed yet again by this and looked at her with an expression partly of shock and delight.

  A few seconds later, Esme appears in her pajamas in a spot not far from me. "What kind of crazy ass dream is this!?" she shouted.

  She stared at both Fortia and me and said exhaustedly, "I keep on saying we can't leave the Chinese food out that long and eat it."

  "This isn't a dream," I said excitedly. I still wasn't a 100% sure if it was or wasn't, but seeing Esme's reaction to us was priceless. She crossed her arms and glared at me.

  "Yeah sure, just like your other character said in the other dream! How convenient!" she snarled.

  I chewed on my lip nervously, wondering how Fortia would react to this. Before she even has a chance to react, Esme continued, "Hey, who are you over there?!" She pointed to Fortia and stared her down.

  I sighed and just shook my head. "Now, I'm dreaming about fairies!?" Esme exclaimed.

  "No need to be alarmed. And I'm not a fairy," Fortia said calmly. I was impressed. I expected a bit more of a reaction of her, but she was able to keep her cool. "My name is Fortia," she said.

  Esme rolled her eyes at Fortia. I could tell she didn't like being played the fool. "Yeah right! Next you will say you are the good witch of this marvelous land!" she sneered.

  I'm just shaking my head, wondering what will happen next.

  Fortia had an evil smile on her face and whispered to me, "You want me to pinch her? Then she will know it's not a dream?"

  I rolled my eyes myself knowing that while this was very funny, things would not end well if she went this route.

  "What's that all about! Now you bonded with this creature?" Esme said.

  Now I was a bit angry that Esme was taking this too far. "Esme, wait. I know this is all a bit much but there is no need to be rude," I exclaimed.

  Esme sighed. She didn't apologize but she calmly said, "I'll humor you all about this dream. So who's going to tell me what's up?"

  Fortia just shook her head in disgust as Esme and she whispered, "Are you sure I can't pinch her?"

  Now, I glared at Fortia and she said sheepishly, "Ok, ok. I won't."

  "Well, are you going to tell me what is going on or what?!" she yelled. I glared at Esme this time and she just sighed and said, Sorry, please explain."

  "I told your friend I was going to call you here to explain everything," Fortia started to say.

  Then Esme interrupted again and exclaimed, "Hey you! If this isn't a dream, why am I wearing my pajamas?" I realized that Esme was just being so rude because she didn't think this was real anyhow, so it didn't matter how she acted. But I wasn't sure, so I wasn't going to take any chances and be really rude.

  "And, I don't have any shoes either!" Esme said disgustedly.

  Wouldn't that mean she's not dreaming if she's wearing the same clothes, I thought.

  Fortia was all too happy to cast another spell on Esme. Before Esme could realize it, another flash of light came about and moments later, I saw Esme with a pair of workout pants and a tee shirt.

  Esme just stares at me in shock and said, "What's going on here?"

  I just replied, "Look down and you'll see."

  I could tell she was a bit scared but she didn't show it and acted like she was amused when she said, "This is much better. Then she was silent for a minute before continuing, " So who is going to tell me what the fuck is going on?"

  I thought Fortia would be annoyed at Esme but she just looked entertained as she whispered to me, "You're right about her foul language."

  I hid a smile as Esme retorted, "Olivia, can you tell your friend to stop talking about me?"

  "Sorry about that. Fortia, please fill in Esme," I said.

    "Hi Esme! Sorry for the shock," she said.

  Esme just stared at Fortia, emotionless. "I know you think it's a dream..." said Fortia.

  "Listen, I said I would humor you," said Esme apathetically.

  "Fine. If that is what you want," sighed Fortia. Fortia then wagged her finger at Esme and said, " I will prove it though later!"

  "Fine. Please just tell me what is going on," said Esme unenthusiastically.

  "Would you like to have a seat like Olivia and I had before?" said Fortia.

  "No, I'm good. I can't wait to hear your explanation. This has got to be good!" said Esme sarcastically.

  "Esme!" I shouted.

  "Sorry. Please just tell me what's going on," said Esme politely.

  "Well, your friend here told you about the old woman she met in the park," said Fortia.

  "Yeah the old chatty woman. What does she have to do with this?" snapped Esme.

  Fortia was unperturbed by Esme's response. "Well about that...I'M that old woman!" she said.

  Esme just laughed. She stopped and then said, "Wait! You are serious?"

  Fortia just glared at Esme and Esme just glared back. "This dream just gets weirder and weirder," said Esme.

  I was really frustrated at Esme at this point. "Esme!" I yell.

  "I didn't realize she was supposed to be serious!" said Esme.

  Now, I felt very awkward. I blushed and said to Fortia, "I'm really sorry about my friend."

  Fortia looked angry and I was fuming at Esme. "I'm going to have a little chat with her," I said.

  Esme saw that I was serious and looked a bit pale when I called her over. "Fine. Let's go," she said.

  We walked over to a quiet spot before I started in on Esme. "What was that about?! Did you have to act so rude?!" I said angrily.

  "What does it matter anyhow, it's a dream!" Esme replies angrily.

  Fortia turned around for a moment and then went back to looking at the waterfall.

  "Let's both calm down and take a deep breath," I said calmly.

  Then I whispered, "Fortia is looking at us."

  Esme sighed and then I continued. "I know you don't believe me, but can you please just go along with me? I know I can prove it to you later, if you give me the chance. And if I'm wrong, you can say I told you so or something like that."

  Esme smiled evilly and said, "You mean when you are wrong."

  I just rolled my eyes and said, "Please."

  Esme acquiesced, "Alright. On the off chance, this is real, I shouldn't be rude to you and Fortia. Is that good enough?"

  "Thank you so much!" I replied happily.

  Esme then smiled at me and said, "You're welcome. But don't get excited yet. I didn't say I believed you yet."

  I was still smiling as I said, "Fine, fine. I'll take what I can get, FOR NOW."

  We walked back to where Fortia was standing and I apologized to her. Esme followed my lead and said, "Yes, I'm sorry."

  Fortia smiled and said, "I've gotten all that and worse. We should all forget about that and move on."

  "Fine. Can you please explain more?" Esme asked.

  "Well, you know how your friend told you how I gave you both the candy. Then after that, you ended up going into the soap opera and becoming characters in the soap."

  "I explained to her that I thought that she was mistaken, that it was a dream," explained Esme.

  "But it wasn't a dream..." Fortia replied.

  "Say what you want, but I'm not going to believe you that the soap opera dream and this one are real," Esme said.

  "I do have ways of proving this...other than pinching," Fortia said. I turned red as Fortia said this. I know she was kidding but I wasn't sure Esme did.

  "You were going to pinch me?" Esme said gruffly.

  Fortia backtracked after seeing that Esme didn't take that well. "Um..I...Well I mean, there are other more effective ways to do so."

  "Ok. Say I believe you. How would you do that?" said Esme unsure.

  Fortia thought about this for a moment, "Well, you would need someone to else to back up my claim that this is not a dream."

  "Like Olivia here? I already told her I don't believe her," Esme said.

  "Yeah, you told her a lot more than that," murmured Fortia.

  I just shook my head. Both Esme and Fortia weren't helping matters, antagonizing each other.

  "Did you say something about me?" yelled Esme.

  I whispered to Esme, trying to diffuse the situation, "Listen, forget about what she said. Please!"

  Esme calmed down a bit , "Ok. I won't let her get to me. I'm sorry."

  "I mean, I wasn't entirely convinced either, but I think I'm starting to believe it. Why don't we just try her idea and see if it works. We have nothing to lose." I said.

  "What do you suggest?" Esme said.

  "You would not tell anyone else about this of course," said Fortia.

  "Of course..." said Esme sarcastically.

  "What I mean is that you could call a parent or a friend and ask them about something. Then you can call back this person tomorrow and act like you are being forgetful. Ask them if you had discussed the thing you claimed to have forgotten about. If they confirm that you did, then you know it couldn't have been a dream. This is because you spoke to them today and they will confirm that. Do you get my point?

  "I could certainly try it," I replied eagerly.

  "I don't know..." said Esme reluctantly.

  I glared at Esme and said, "Remember what you said to me."

  "Fine, I will do that," Esme said. On the off chance, this isn't a dream, can you please tell me what is going on?"

  "Let me switch spots so you can talk to Fortia easier," I said.

  Fortia told Esme everything she told me. I saw that Esme was listening but she didn't look like she believed Fortia.

  A little while later Fortia said to us, "Why don't you come with me. Let's walk around. You will enjoy the scenery and we can talk a little more after."

  I expected Esme to hesitate or say something negative, but she just shrugs and said, "Ok."

  "You will love this place, it's beautiful!" I said.

  So we walked around for a while taking in the majestic mountains and fields dotted with sheep and quaint and adorable cottages. Fortia is talking and telling us about the people and the importance of the mountains and a bunch of other things about Spectra. Finally, she said, "We're almost there."

  After walking up a mountain trail, we stared into a beautiful view of the valley and see more of those sheep and cottages and a river cutting through the valley.

  "Isn't this a beautiful place!" I exclaim.

  Esme smiled and said, "Yes, it is."

  Then out of nowhere Esme asked, "So was that why Olivia got to spend all that time with Kaleb and I was unconscious?!"

  I turned around to face Esme and said, "I thought you said you didn't believe all this!"

  "Well, on the off chance this is true, I thought I would get my point across," Esme said.

  "Right, as I said, I'm assigned to Olivia. However, I could help you a little because by doing that, you can also help Olivia. You both will see what I mean in time," said Fortia.

  "To be honest, I don't believe a word of this. I did promise my friend, though, that I would hear you out," said Esme.

  "Ok. Fair enough," replied Fortia. She thought for a moment and said, "I know this all sounds strange and makes no sense, but it will be clear in time. Please promise me that you both will try my idea to confirm this isn't a dream. Call a good friend or parent or someone else close to you."

  "We will. However, I admit I'm still confused about all this. And still not entirely convinced, but we'll try," I said.

  "What she said," Esme said.

  "Thank you. I'm sorry about springing this all on you both," Fortia said.

  "What are we supposed to do? Are we supposed to eat the candy and go into more episodes of the show?" I asked.

  "That's entirely up to you," Fortia said.

  "That's not very helpful," Esme retorted.

  I wanted to be annoyed at Esme for that response, but she had a point. "Could you please clarify that for us?" I asked.

    "I'm the Guardian who is supposed to provide you guidance, not give you the answers. I do promise though, things will become clearer soon," Fortia said.

  Now, we both glared at her. "Uh, thank you then," I said reluctantly.

  "Thanks?" said Esme sarcastically.

  "I will take you both to the park now," said Fortia. She performed her spell and soon we found ourselves back in the park.

  Fortia's POV

  I foresaw a tough road ahead for both of the women. I also saw that they would be able to overcome their challenges and succeed.