Dreamland || Minsung

Chapter 4 - Welcome to Dreamland

Jisung POV

I've never told anyone but... I lucid dream.（1)

I worked hard and practiced a lot when I was a teenager, and now everytime I go to sleep I'm here in my little forest where I can truly be myself.

I'm sure the other members would find it pretty weird, I don't actually think half of them would know what to make of it.

Chan would probably give some dad-like answer like, "just as long as it makes you happy" or "just make sure you're safe"

You know, domestic fatherly stuff...

I'm sure if I told Felix he'd hit me over the head and tell me to shove it up my-

''-Ahh the flowers looks lovely today''

Colorful peonies raise their heads to the sun and dance in the gentle breeze. The stream is crystal clear and I can't help but dip my toes in and play with the cold water. This is my favourite spot after all. In the clearing between the trees where a seemingly endless river runs through.

The possibilities of this forest are endless of course. There are no limits to this imaginary dreamland I've made for myself. Every rock, every animal, they all come from the deepest part of my mind.

I open my notebook and begin to scribble on the empty pages. I often get inspired by my time here and instantly wake up with new ideas for music.

With my busy life I keep finding myself stressed about the smallest things. There is so much to do, and so much of it is out of my hands. This is the one place I have total control.

No deadlines, no performances, no members-

''Hi?''

Huh?

The sound of a soft voice shakes me from my thoughts. At first I'm confused by the fact there is such a warm and new sound in my forest.

And then there is just straight panic.

''Um excuse me,''

What?

My mind is moving a million miles a minute. It's my dream, I get to choose who I dream up. So why is someone else here?

I look up from my book and see a man in the distance across the water. He awkwardly waves his hand around trying to signal me.

Who the hell?

I lift my arm and wave back stuttered. I was planning to just write a few lyrics and mostly relax, so why has my brain created a new character. 

Is it just me or does he look kind of familiar.

The man peers over the water and suddenly freezes obviously surprised. I continue to squint trying to connect the dots.

Funny thing about dreams is things can be so close but feel like they're miles away at the same time. People you think you know seem faceless and hard to recognize even when they're right in front of you.

The man moves away from the edge of the water, still in shock from what he's seen.

I look behind me and there is nothing but trees.

Ohh it must be me he's looking at... I don't look that bad right?

From the stranger's movements, he's either just as confused as I am or I must look worse than I thought.

Determined to figure out who the visitor is, I discard my book and start trudging through the water.

Bright orange fish swim between my legs and kiss me with their scales. the stream isn't deep at all, the water probably comes up to my mid thigh, but the current sure is strong.

With every step I take, I'm one step closer to him. It's as if the colour is fading back into his appearance as I approach him. His fluffy brown hair becomes saturated from the root and his chestnut eyes seem to glow in my presence.

Time to find out who you are.

Just when the blurry face starts to come together, I feel the current pick up and I'm suddenly swept under.

I instinctively yell, but all that comes out is bubbles.

What's happening? Why can't I control it?

My backside smacks against the rocks and I feel myself slipping from my perfect dreamland. I fight to stay in my mind but the sunlight is fading and I feel myself sinking deep deep down to the bottom of the stream which is now so much deeper than before.

I've only ever lost control of my dreams a couple times and they've all been when I was less experienced. It can be really scary to suddenly feel the power slipping through your fingers.

Some people become paralyzed until they eventually wake up. Some people get stuck in their dreams and watch as their world becomes a nightmare.

Why is everything going wrong?

Even in the darkness that is engulfing me, I can see the surface has been disrupted from something dropping into the water.

Just as everything turns cold and black I feel a sharp tug on my wrist.

It's him...

~~~~~~~

（1) A lucid dream is a type of dream where the dreamer becomes aware that they are dreaming. During a lucid dream, the dreamer may gain some amount of control over the dream characters, narrative, and environment.

There is the quick definition for those of you who are unfamiliar with lucid dreaming.

I wasn't too familiar with it myself before writing this book, but I thought it was a really interesting concept and I wanted to write about it.

If you guys know anything about lucid dreaming whether it be from personal experience or just common knowledge I'd love to find out more.

Hope you guys are enjoying the story so far, we'll be back to more humor sooooon!

...sorry for the slow burn...