Blissful Dream, Part 4 (v1)

Here's the 4th part of Blissful Dream. The next post will be the last part of the story.

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Karin stared at the door, her body trembling with anxiety. “Nina?!”

She ran outside and called out to her left. “Nina!”

A familiar, gentle and loving hand touched Karin’s shoulder, filling her with warmth and comfort. At first she was in disbelief, unsure if was just a dream, but she didn’t care. She turned around slowly, afraid that if she turned too fast she would indeed find that she were dreaming. Karin’s gaze met the large yellow eyes she yearned to see every day, the smile that always managed to wash away her worries and told her, “Everything will be all right.”

“Sorry I was gone for so long, Karin.”

“Kismet!”

Karin embraced her savior, sobbing hysterically with happiness. Nina stood beside them, talking with her bear, as Kismet returned Karin’s embrace with a loving smile and soothingly stroked her hair.

“You’re back! You’re finally back!” Karin choked between sobs.

“I’m back, Karin. I’m back. Everything’s going to be fine now.”

Kismet kneeled down to match Karin’s height. She wiped away the child’s tears with her hands. “I have some great news for the two of you. But before that, let’s eat!”

Kismet slung the sack of food over her shoulder with one hand, and took Karin’s hand in the other. Nina followed the two back into the house, still conversing with her bear. When Kismet set the food in the center of the den, Karin dove in and began eating with newfound energy. Kismet smiled sadly at Karin, then noticed Nina sitting besides her, singing and playing with her stuffed animal.

Kismet offered Nina a roasted chicken leg. “Here, Nina. You should try some, it’s delicious.”

“Oh, look mommy. The kitty cat brought us some food!” Nina took the meat from Kismet’s hand. “Is it yummy, mommy?”

Nina alternated between smearing the chicken leg over the bear’s mouth, discoloring the worn cotton, and taking a bite herself. Kismet gave a little frown and turned back to Karin.

“It looks like your sister is getting worse.”

Karin nodded sadly, her mouth full of food. “She barely eats anything now, even if I give her almost all the food. She won't even listen to me unless it's about mom.”

“I was hoping she’d get better over these years.” Kismet gave Nina a worried look. “Well, hopefully having parents and three meals a day will help her recover.”

Kismet grinned at Karin. Karin stopped eating and looked at Kismet, unable to believe what she had just heard. “Wait…you mean…”


Full: Blissful Dream, 1st Draft
First: Blissful Dream, Part 1 (v1)
Previous: Blissful Dream, Part 3 (v2)
Next: Blissful Dream, Part 5 (v1)