The days rolled by in a rhythm that felt both familiar and new, like a song Maya had never quite learned but found herself humming anyway. Work was a blur of faces, chores, and quiet moments stolen between tending residents and sneaking glances at her phone.

Maya has been having dreams. Weird ones. She always remembered her dreams like, flying with an open airplane or walking on a river beside the mountains...but this was different.

The dreams didn’t stop. If anything, they had grown more vivid, painting strange images behind her closed eyelids. One night, she dreamed of a thick forest bathed in silver light, where shadows danced just beyond reach. Another, she wandered through a stone chamber, ancient symbols glowing faintly on the walls. In every dream, a presence lingered—something watching, waiting. But when she shared these nightly stories with Eva, it felt less scary and more like a private adventure between sisters.

“I swear,” Eva said one morning, smirking over breakfast, “you’re living in a fantasy novel.”

Maya laughed, brushing a stray lock of hair behind her ear. “Maybe. But at least it’s more interesting than spreadsheets and meds.”

Eva gave her a wink. “Just don’t let the dream-people catch you, okay?”

Maya rolled her eyes but couldn’t help the smile tugging at her lips.

At work, Maya’s coworkers noticed a difference. Not a bad one, but a shift. Tamara, ever the observant one, caught her staring off during a morning meeting and gave her a playful nudge.

“Hey, daydreamer. What’s got you spaced out today?”

Maya blinked, then smiled. “Nothing, just tired.”

Sanja grinned from across the room. “Or maybe someone’s got a crush.”

Maya’s cheeks heated, and she shot a warning glance their way. “Keep it down.”

Alex chuckled, clipboard forgotten in his hands. “You’re glowing, Maya. Like, seriously.”

She shrugged, trying to play it cool. “It’s just... work. And life.”

But the truth was, every day after her shift ended, Maya felt a spark waiting for her just outside those doors.

Jack was usually there, leaning casually against the railing or sitting on a bench, always with a smile that made her heart beat a little faster.

One evening, as she approached, he grinned. “You’re late.”

“Traffic,” she said, pretending to be annoyed.

Jack shook his head. “You’re impossible.”

They settled on the bench beside the river, the sky painting itself in soft shades of pink and purple. Jack pulled out a small bag and triumphantly revealed his prize.

“Waffles,” he said proudly.

Maya laughed. “You’re ridiculous.”

He shrugged, eyes twinkling. “Only for you.”

Between bites, their conversation danced between silly and serious. Jack asked about her favorite movie, her worst fears, and her dreams—not the weird nighttime ones, but the ones she held close during the day.

“I want to travel,” she confessed. “See the world, meet new people.”

Jack nodded thoughtfully. “Sounds like an adventure.”

Their fingers brushed, and this time, neither pulled away.

Meanwhile, somewhere between realms, Jack’s conversation with Castiel painted a different picture.

“You should see her,” Jack said, pacing with excitement. “She’s amazing. Brave, funny... and so real.”

Castiel looked up, eyebrow raised. “Sounds like you’re smitten.”

Jack grinned. “What can I say? Even God falls hard.”

Castiel chuckled. “Try not to scare her off.”

“I’m being perfectly charming,” Jack insisted.

“Sure you are,” Castiel replied dryly.

Back at the retirement home, Maya felt a strange energy inside her—like a fluttering warmth that she couldn’t explain. The dreams haunted her, but she pushed the unease aside, focusing instead on the moments with Jack.

One night, they wandered through a quiet park, the air crisp and filled with the scent of autumn leaves.

“You’re distracting,” Maya murmured as Jack’s hand found hers again, fingers entwining naturally.

“Good,” Jack said with a smile. “Because I plan to keep distracting you.”

They laughed, shared stories, and stole kisses beneath the amber glow of street lamps. Jack teased her about being a terrible dancer, promising to show her his ‘moves,’ which Maya met with playful skepticism.

On a rooftop later, under a blanket of stars, Jack surprised her with a soft forehead kiss.

“Stop it,” Maya whispered, laughing.

“Can’t help it,” Jack replied, eyes shining with affection.

Yet, amid the joy, the dreams persisted. One morning, Maya described a particularly vivid one to Eva.

“I touched a glowing stone, and it felt warm, like it was alive,” she said.

Eva’s eyes widened. “Maybe it means something.”

Maya shrugged but the thought settled deep within her.

Jack’s chats with Castiel grew more serious.

“She’s special,” Jack said quietly. “More than I thought.”

Castiel nodded. “With gifts come burdens.”

Jack’s smile faltered. “I’ll protect her.”

One evening, by the river, Jack brushed a stray hair from Maya’s face and said softly, “Tell me about your dreams.”

Maya hesitated but shared a fragment.

Jack listened, calm and patient.

“You’re not alone,” he promised.

Maya looked up, hope blooming in her eyes. And for the first time, the dreams felt less like warnings and more like the beginning of something new.