***

              Later that night as Aiva slept, the dream of Nothing visited her once again. Its intensity would have frightened her, but that fear vanished, replaced by Nothing. It went on indefinitely. She had no memories of there being anything else in her life besides this vast emptiness.

              At least she hadn’t a moment ago. Now there was an edge to the Nothing. Something was pushing. Pulling. Becoming.

              It was a mystery to Aiva. The Nothing moved to envelope this intruder of existence. Before devoured though it became a voice, which swelled into a multitude of tones. The Nothing receded and the sounds filled words. A message. A command.

              “Wake up!”

              The Nothing shattered and Aiva blinked up at three faces. She attempted to put names to their features, a task which would be much easier if she could even remember her own.

              One by one the memories dropped back in. Samantha had a look of amusement. Elaine appeared concerned, but offered her a warm smile. Christina was shaking her head in annoyance as she went back to her own room across the hall.

              They were all back to their own business by the time Aiva had processed what had happened.

              “Better hurry girl, or you’re gonna be late!” Samantha laughed.

              Aiva still felt misplaced.

              Elaine walked over to her cousin and placed a hand over her forehead. “Are you okay?”

              Aiva nodded and forced her voice into a yes, punctuated by a yawn.

              “Man, you are a hard lady to wake up. Must have been a good dream.” Samantha teased from over Elaine’s shoulder.

              Aiva did not reply, instead moving on unsteady feet to the bathroom. She didn’t have time to shower so she tossed her nightgown in a corner and began to dress herself. As she pulled the uniform blouse on, the sleeve caught midway up her right arm. Bemused, Aiva dropped the shirt to the floor.

              There was something on her. She went to brush it away, the texture rough. Confused she picked at it only to realize that the small, dark, oblong patch covering her elbow wasn’t on her skin. It was her skin. As she prodded it there was no pain, no sensation at all.

              There was a knock on the door. “Come on slow poke! I’ve still gotta do my makeup!” Samantha’s voice came muffled.

              Aiva shrugged. She had many allergies; the appearance of this rash was probably no different.