The sun filtered through the dense canopy of trees, dappling the forest floor in shifting patterns of light and shadow. I sat at the base of an ancient oak, its gnarled roots forming a perfect seat, my white and green floral dress a splash of color against the earthy tones.

Coco, my fluffy grey rabbit, twitched his nose on my lap, his soft fur a comfort as I stroked him. My gaze drifted upwards, past the towering trunks, to the endless expanse of green leaves, imagining a future where I was as beautiful and graceful as my mother.

Suddenly, a faint, almost white-blue light flickered about ten feet away. It pulsed, a silent beckoning that drew me in. Hesitantly, I rose, Coco momentarily forgotten, and followed the ethereal glow deeper into the woods, a strange warmth spreading through my outstretched hand as I neared it.

My foot caught on something hidden, and I stumbled, bracing for the hard impact of the ground. Instead, I landed on something unexpectedly soft, which let out a muffled groan. My eyes snapped open, and I scrambled back, falling onto my bottom, only to see my golden-haired older brother, Bruce, sprawled face down on the ground.

Around us, the forest had vanished, replaced by a clear, serene area with a shimmering lake at its heart. The blue light, hovering over Bruce, now dived into him, shielding him. Without thinking, my hand reached out again, and a small blob of light stretched towards me, caressing my palm. It danced, shaping itself into a tiny, luminous bunny.

“Lia… Lia, wake up! Wake up! Wake up!” a voice echoed, pulling me from the vision. My sister, Aaliyah. The dream faded, replaced by the familiar ceiling of my bedroom. “Five more minutes,” I groaned, clinging to the last remnants of the strange encounter.