— So, sweet Julie, have you told them yet ?

— Grandma, I already told you I can't ! Now would you please just let me dream of something else ? Sleeping is for getting some rest and I can't do that if I'm getting tired of seeing you every night !

— Do I have to remind you that the last time you saw me was ten years ago ?

—  No, it was last night !

— You know exactly what I meant ! You do love your granny don't you ?

— Yes...?

— Tell them then !

— I can't  !

— Why that ?

— Because... Because I'm trapped with some vampiric assholes who won't let me go home unless I help them accomplish some stupid prophecy that I don't believe in one second !

— Can't you just sneak out while he's in highschool ?

— No because- Wait a minute, how do you know that ?!

— You weren't THAT away from the truth when you mentioned Voodoo...

— What do... What ? Oh well, just- Why didn't you just tell me that, the night following that thought instead of vaguely repeating that I absolutely needed to help you ? 

— Because it was kinda fun to just watch you burning your braincells thinking you're going crazy.

I stopped for a few seconds to think and suddenly said, like I was in a cartoon and a lamp suddenly started going on and off right over my head.

— Wait a minute... If that Voodoo thing is real... And I'm not sure I want to know the details... WHY DON'T YOU JUST GO TALK TO THEM YOURSELF ?

— Okay first of all, it's not Voodoo. I only told you you weren't THAT away from truth, and I'm not giving details even if you had asked. Second of all, DO YOU THINK I DIDN'T TRY ?! Those imbeciles didn't believe me. They preferred to pray and to surf some dumb so-called dreams explanations websites. I thought a girl currently living with known fantastical creatures would be more likely to believe my words.

— Okay, let's say I believe you. I don't see what's holding you from just going back home and telling them everything directly instead of passing by my dreams. I'm ready to bet they believe me at least as dead as you are.

— Maxence told them you were on a mission, without giving details.

— Did they really buy that ? For fuck's sake I'm 14, what kind of mission could that even be ? Don't answer ! I don't know if I could handle that. But... Hey ! You know Max. Why doesn't HE tell them ? He's free to go wherever he wants !

— Do you really think it's that simple ?

— I don't see why it wouldn't be.

— Think, Julie. Think ! Why do you think I'm playing a ghost role nearly every night in your dreams ?

— I don't have a bloody idea. The hypothesis of my subconscious not accepting your death is still on the back of my mind.

— This is no ordinary dream, Julie. What do I have to do for you to stop messing around and start believing me once and for all ?

— I don't know, honestly...

— I do ! I bet you didn't know that during her childhood, your mom had a toy named Mr. Grougri.

— But...

— There you go ! Just call her first thing tomorrow and when she'll confirm that info you'll stop doubting me.

— You're funny ! How am I supposed to do that with no number ? Vladimir destroyed my phone !

— You don't know your mother's phone number by heart ? She said, falsely horrified, What the hell is wrong with this new generation...

— Granny...

— Fine ! It's [for obvious reasons that some little quirky wannabe funny calls this number for real and ends up bothering some old lady or whoever, the staff decided to censor it. It's the only reason, nothing to do with laziness, be assured.] Hurry up and call ! See, another proof that these are no ordinary dreams.

— Okay. I sighed, and I feel I've been doing this a lot lately, just, tell me what happened.

— To make it short, ten years ago, I did go on a trip.

— To where ?

— I didn't tell anyone.

— Well nice played ! Imagine if you got lost or worse-

— Stop interrupting me ! She said, interrupting me. I didn't tell a soul because I didn't know.

— What do you mean ?

— The flyers were about a free vacation for Seniors with an unknown destination.

— And of course you didn't think much of it !

— Come one Julie, we don't refuse free stuff !

— Is Uncle Scrooge McDuck talking to me right now ? Can you imagine that scenario happening during the second World War ? What it could've been ?

— Well I'm not Jew.

— That's not-

— Will you let me finish ?

I nod, not really having another choice.

— Thank you. So I went to the place the flyer said would be the starting point. Turns out the vacation was a "surprise" cruise, meaning we only know the destinations after getting on land.

— Where's the poop ?

— Language !

— You're not convincing me that this "magical trip" lasted ten years.

— Don't be silly. You added extra three years.

— SEVEN YEARS ?!

— I see you know how to count. Don't forget it was a cruise exclusively for old people, so the boat went slower. We also stayed longer in each country we visit. Without mentioning having to change directions multiple times, some minor issues occuring on the way here and there...

— How many places did you visit, exactly ?!

— I honestly forgot. Oh, we also stayed a little while in some desert place on the ocean. It was magical ! I mean it sure was a long way to get there but we had so much fun  !

— How long ?

— You're asking a little bit too much to an old mind ! How am I supposed to remember details of things that happened six years ago ?

— It's over now ?

— What is over ?

— Your so-called dreamy cruise !

— It was ! And yes, it's sadly over.

— Then why don't you come back ?

— Did you even listen ? I just told you the dreamy cruise Seniors Edition lasted seven years, not ten !

— I thought...

— Don't think ! Anyway, at the end of that magical vacation, I needed to go back home. But first I went to my friend Vérone who did bet I wouldn't make it alive from that trip. IN YOUR FACE ! I got myself sixty bucks.

— Granny !

— What ? She even added a little bonus because none of the passengers with me entered their forever sleep.

— Granny...

— Anyway, she said while clearing her voice, I'm sure you're dying to know what did your dear grandma do during the last three year.

— More or less, yes...

— Well, you're gonna laugh. She finally began and her voice was slowly getting higher.

I'm expecting the worse.

— I more or less told myself I would invest what I won... In the Casino.

— You were taken in by the greed.

— Who can resist Vegas ?

— YOU WERE IN LAS VEGAS ? Please, tell me you did nothing worse than gambling.

— What happens in Vegas, stays in Vegas.

— I can't believe you just said that.