Emily was dreaming. She was sure of it.
She was small again. Her steps were light and uneven as she moved down a long hallway.
The place felt both familiar and distant at the same time, as if she had walked through it countless times and yet had not seen it in years.
Soft lights floated around her, small spirit-like beings that followed her movements with quiet curiosity.
They remained silent, but their presence was comforting.
She turned her head slightly as she moved forward, watching them drift along behind her. There was no fear in her expression, only a childish excitement that made her movements quicker.
"Come on. You'll fall behind," she said, her voice bright and full of energy.
The spirits kept up with her pace.
At the end of the hallway stood a large door.
It looked taller than she remembered. Its surface was marked with patterns that seemed to shift if she focused on them too long. Even so, she did not hesitate. She reached out and pushed it open with both hands.
