Everyone’s blood is red

Part 1

Winter was coming and the nights were getting cold. She snuggled up against his warm body as close as she could—the bulging stomach was already getting in the way. The baby was due soon.

‘Ouch!’ she gasped and pressed his hand against her side. ‘It kicked me!’

He smiled.

‘I guess it’s getting a bit cramped inside.’ His hand stroked her stomach gently.

‘I’m scared,’ she whispered into his ear.

His fingers slid up her cheek and ruffled her hair.

‘For first-time mothers it’s natural to be scared. You’ll be okay,’ he whispered back, kissing her forehead.

‘I don’t mean that. I’m not scared for myself, I’m scared for the baby.’ Her voice broke and tears welled in her eyes.

His hand stroking her hair paused.

‘Are you not feeling well?’

‘No, it’s not that either. I’m feeling fine. But I’m having dreams. Or rather the same dream repeating night after night. The first time I had it, I didn’t even know I was already pregnant. Then it would return from time to time. And now it’s coming every night’

She hesitated, filled with superstitious dread, as if simply saying things out loud would make them come true She hid her face on his warm chest and continued very, very softly, while tears were creeping down her cheeks.

‘In the dream I’m rocking him in my arms. It’s our son. Only he’s not a baby, he’s a grown man. And he’s dead—his unseeing eyes are staring into the sky, rain’s beating on his face…’

She started sobbing quietly, and he pulled her closer as if trying to shield her in his arms.

Now he was concerned, too. They both knew that there is much more to this world than what a human eye can see, and dreams are a window into the undercurrents of the reality which are normally hidden from consciousness.

He hugged her and held her tight, stroking her cheek and wiping her tears away.