"Calli, darling, you were meant for more than mediocrity," Ada summarized as they entered their modest apartment.

Calli was initially hesitant to live with the carer. While their age at first seemed similar, Ada had clarified that she was much older. Her mature attire often made Calli feel much younger. Ada liked to wear fitted pantsuits or dresses and heels. She dressed like a high-end secretary if Calli was being honest. It helped to imagine Ada as an older sister though, despite looking nothing alike. Where Calli would describe herself as brown, Ada was bronze. A beautiful bronze statue of a woman with dark ebony hair she often wore in a slick-backed high ponytail that managed to swish down to her waist.

The older woman had walked Calli home after the train incident, never questioning why Calli kept glancing behind them as they made their way. Rather, she'd spent the five-minute walk trying to convince Calli that everything happens for a reason and that working in the basement mailroom of some corporate conglomerate was not where Calli belonged anyway. She had not spared a single breath for Calli to interrupt with the recounting of her dream where it now included someone else present in the wheatfield. The train ride was another story, one that Calli did not wish to share. Ada had put up with a lot over the last two years. The last thing she needed was to find Calli had completely lost her mind.

"Great things take time," she continued. "Just you wait and see."

"Wait and see?" Calli asked incredulously. "It's been two years, and I haven't a clue where I came from or what I'm meant to do with my life. I can barely make it through a couple months of a job so simple a monkey could do it. In what world could I be made for great things?" She demanded.

Ada's face softened, "Calli, I-"

"No," Calli interrupted. "I know you're just saying these things to make me feel better. The truth is that if I can't get my act together, I'm going to run out of money. I won't be able to pay you any longer and I'll be out on the streets."

Ada scoffed. "You're being dramatic, darling," she said, waving a hand dismissively.

Calli threw down her things, "Why do you always do that?"

"What?" She asked, wincing at the clutter that spilled from Calli's bag.

"Dismiss my financial concerns," Calli waved her hand mockingly.

"Because they're unfounded," she answered calmly. "You aren't going to run out of money."

"Then let me see the account," Calli challenged. "Put my mind at ease, Ada."

Ada's lips pursed.

"Exactly," Calli shook her head. "You're not protecting me, Ada. I need to be prepared for the inevitable."

Her carer loosed a heavy sigh, "I have no doubt that your future will be fine. Can you just trust that I have your best interests at heart?"'

Calli narrowed her eyes, "I'm going to my room." She made sure to slam the door for emphasis.

Only guilt settled the rage and confusion that brewed within her. She hadn't meant to come across so heated. Ada did a lot for her, and it was nearly unfair to treat her so suspiciously. Yet, everything that had happened today had put her on edge. Finding another job was one thing. If she were losing her mind, things wouldn't be so simple going forward. She shuddered at the memory of the horned beast of shadows. Its bargain, however tempting, had felt of absolute wrongness. It wasn't real, she reminded herself. Although it offered little comfort to think of it either way.

She climbed into her bed and tried to recall the new addition to her reoccurring dream in an effort to rid her mind of the creature.

"Calliope, my love."

Her skin tingled, recalling how cool the hand had been in contrast to the heat of the summer sun. Love, she thought. My love, she let the words echo in her mind. Was I loved in my past life? No one had claimed her when she'd woken from the coma. Only Ada had been there. Tears began to blur her vision. She hugged herself tight and curled into a ball. Whoever they were, they either stopped loving me or they're gone now, she surmised, squeezing her eyes shut and letting the tears flow freely down her face. I just want to go back to that field, she begged her subconscious, burying her face into her pillow. I just want to go back.

The world suddenly spun, sending Calli falling as her bed turned into nothingness. She threw her arms out in a panic, attempting to cling to wherever it was she was falling from, but her hands only grasped at air. Around her, the walls of her room became endless blue sky. Her bedroom floor was now a field of tall grass turned gold by the summer heat. It quickly grew closer and Calli shielded her face for impact, then tumbled gently to her knees.

On all fours, Calli blinked. Her nails bit into the earth beneath her. She flexed her grip on handfuls of grass. What? Slowly, sheclimbed to her feet and looked out before her at the sea of a never-endinggolden field that swayed in a gentle breeze.

Birds sang in the distance.

Unseen, Calli thought. It was just like the dream she'd had at work. Where am I? Did I fall asleep? Glancing down, she nearly stumbled back in shock. She'd been wearing her work clothes when she'd climbed into bed, now she wore only a light slip that ended at her thighs. Practically naked and exposed, Calli attempted to cover herself with her arms. The chill she expected never came. The warm sun felt as real as her own touch. Guardedly, she reached out a hand, remembering how the tall grass had tickled her in her dream. Their feathered tops brushed against her, and she rubbed the gathered seedlings between fingertips. A smile crept across her face. This, this is it. The thing I long for. A laugh escaped her. This is it. I've gone mad. Her knees began to buckle.

A cool hand smoothed down her arm to support her elbow as the body it belonged to stepped in close against her back, covering her in shadow as he caught her.

Calli froze.

"Calliope, my love, you've come back to me." The man held her tight, not allowing her to fall.

It's just a dream. A beautiful dream, Calli thought, closing her eyes as she sank into his touch. In just a moment I'll wake up.

The man loosened his grip and idly traced a finger up her arm, across her collar bone, trailing up to tilt her chin toward him. Her skin perked at his caress, reaching for his touch. "Every night I beg to dream of you. To see you. I long to have you in my arms, my love," his breath was hot against her cheek as he spoke.

She whimpered. It's just a dream. If I open my eyes, I'll wake up. She's squeezed her eyes shut tighter.

He brushed his nose against her cheek, "I fear the consequences of our actions were too steep."

"Our actions?" Calli hesitated to ask, "Who are you?" Maybe this is a memory within a dream. She wanted nothing more than to stare into the face of the only person to ever know her. The only person who loved her. The fear the dream would fade away when she looked kept her eyes shut.

His breathing hitched, "I am only a shadow who wishes to be a man." He placed a delicate kiss on her cheek, "Is there anything you wish for, my love."

Calli struggled to keep her eyes closed. I wish, I wish, she recalled Dorian James' gameshow, "I could wish to find you."

The man huffed a laugh, "Don't waste a wish on such a trivial thing."

"What?" Calli's eyes shocked open.

The world around her had returned to the cold dark of her bedroom. She buried her face into her pillow and blinked. Just a dream, she thought as her heart sank. She placed a hand to her cheek where the feeling of his kiss lingered. Just a very vivid dream. Despite that it was only a dream, the man was right. Wishing to find something long gone was a waste of a wish. Money was another matter. That was something she truly needed. Something she couldn't live without. Calli gripped her chest. She still wore her work clothes. Everything in the dream had felt so real. She had felt the raw material of the slip against her skin. The way the sun warmed her. The delicate way the man had traced his finger up to her chin. All of it had felt so real. It was only a dream, she thought. A heavenly dream. It has to have been just a dream. The alternative is that I'm going crazy.

A light knock sounded from her door. "Calli, darling," Ada tentatively called. "I want you to know I take your concerns very seriously. I saw this in the mail and thought of you," she added, sliding something under the door.

Calli eased out of bed and slowly went to gather whatever it was that Ada offered. It was a thick cardstock folded in two. She opened it and found a flyer.

THE WISHING GAMES, HOSTED BY WORLD RENOWNED FILANTHROPIST DORIAN JAMES.

"You truly do not need to wish for more money, Calli, but I believe this could be one way to get what you want," the woman continued.

PRIZE TO INCLUDE ONE WISH GRANTED BY THE BILLIONAIRE HIMSELF, Calli read on. AUDITION FOR THE ONCE IN A LIFETIME OPPORTUNITY TO STAR AS ONE OF SIX CONTESTANTS.

One wish. Calli shook her head. No, this is silly. They would never choose me, she thought. The auditions would be held in two days' time, across the city in what Calli thought had been a derelict warehouse district. Calli opened the door. "There's no guarantee they'll choose me. I need to be more practical. I should see the doctor and get my medications increased. Then I'll start looking for work again."

"You don't need more medication," Ada argued.

"I do. I'm losing jobs getting lost in a daydream," and hallucinating, Calli shivered.

Ada grabbed her hand and squeezed, "Maybe you just need to experience more things in life. Get you out of your own head. You never know. Something magical might happen."

"No," Calli protested. "I do know. Nothing magical has ever happened to me. Why would it start now? I need to get a steady job and move on with my life. I can't keep relying on a carer."

Ada winced, "When the day comes you no longer need me, I'm not going to just walk away, Calli. We have become family, have we not?"

The woman did remind Calli of an older sister. Strict but kind. Encouraging. She had never considered Ada would think of her in the same way. As a younger sister. As family.

When Calli didn't answer, Ada continued, "Just let me take you to the auditions. We'll see what comes of it. If nothing, then I'll take you to the doctors to change your medication right away."

Nothing will come of it, and she'll have to accept that I need more help than she can give. Calli nodded in agreement, "Okay."

A broader smile than Calli was accustomed to spread across Ada's face as she made a small shriek of glee. It was not a sound Calli had ever heard come from the woman. "Oh, darling. This could be just what you need to lift your spirits," she exclaimed. "Tell me, what will you wish for?"

Calli rolled her eyes, "Money."

"Oh, darling don't be so pedestrian. I've already told you; you don't need to bother wishing for such things," Ada scolded.

"It's my wish. If you're going to mock me for my wish then don't bother taking me to the auditions," Calli retorted.

Ada threw her hands up, "All I'm saying is, maybe by the end of the gameshow you'll find something else to wish for."

Calli crossed her arms, "Yeah, maybe but not likely."