Today started very interesting. I woke up almost the same as last time, except now, I felt a bit unsettled. Yesterday it was simply familiar looking, but this time it's straight up suspicious. I mean, yeah, I can believe, that from the lot of characters my brain creates when I sleep, one looks like I have seen him. There are only so many faces in the world, some of them are bound to be similar.
But Nico appeared twice in two of my separate dreams already, without me ever meeting him. And he seems to know it. At least he is very mysterious.
"He will find me next time too"- was it? Does he mean my next dream? And anyways, what was wrong with this one? Sure, I blacked out at the end, but everything was otherwise very normal. I'm going to need some time to figure this out. Luckly, Sunday is the uninitiated feast of freetime for me.
I did the rest of my morning routine in a pretty usual way. I spent a whole hour in the bath, so I ended up shortening my day by a bit, but I'd say it was worth it. Although I was having trouble with breakfast, since by now my fridge is mostly empty. Luckily I also just received payment for one of my requested works, so I decided to walk to the grocery store in the suburbs. The weather is nice, and since the walk to and from is about half an hour, I'll have plenty of time to think about tonight's dream.
It would also happen, that Amy was collecting her mail when I was leaving, and she gave me a rather strange look.
-Good morning Zackary.
-Not this again... 'Morning Amy.
-It's interesting to see you outside the block. Bug infestation?
-Out of food.
-Oh, hey, if you are already going out to shop, could you pick some stuff up for me too? I'll give you the greens necessary.
-Okay... tell me what.
-You might want to write it down...
-I have a good memory.
-Oh? Well, in that case, please get some olive oil, since I'm running out, a new sponge, mine flew out a window, some dishwashing liquid would also come in handy. Oh, a new chopping board, the last one flew out the window with the sponge. Also, do you think they sell shampoo there? Well, if they do, get something coconut scented. If they have freshly baked bread, then that too. But only whole grain. And of course greek yogurt. And maybe some toilet paper.
-Uh, I mean, yeah... I think, I guess, can do that, probably... maybe...
-I'm just kidding. Here, my shopping list, take this with you.
-Oh thanks, that makes it moderately doable.
-Alright, take care of yourself kid, ya hear me?
-Thanks Amy.
It has almost been half a year since I walked this much. There was a time when I would constantly be under the open sky. Back then, I used to live in Oregon. I was wondering what exactly forced me to leave everything there, and to set out for Detroit. My family is probably still there, but I've got such faint memories of my life as a child. Maybe I should visit sometime. Or maybe when I manage to open my first exhibition. Then I would have something to be proud of, to tell stories about. But for now, I should concentrate on what's in the present. But to be honest, I am not quite sure about that. I wish I could let go of these dreams, but I feel like there is something... special about them. For now, I think the best I can do is sleep. And until then, maybe I can do some kind of experiment.
I decided that when I get to the store, I will find myself an interesting sounding cereal, and I will keep thinking about it for the rest of the day. Just to see if my dreams have any roots in reality.
Time rushes by like a rocketship when I'm alone with my thoughts, so I had only so much to think about before I arrived, but I kept myself to my plan. I first went through the list Amanda gave me, then I went to look for that cereal I will remember. I ended up picking Flame's flakes, mostly because it should be easy to memorize. I mean, you don't see chilli flavored cereal every day. I was even a bit tempted to buy a box, so I ended up staring at it for a few uncomfortable moments, trying to decide, so by now it should have found it's way into my head. After a while though, the pressure was too much, and I ended up taking one home.
The encounter with the cashier went somewhat not as intended. I was basically repeating Flame's flakes in my head on a continuous loop. And when I got to the part when I was supposed to say good morning, all I could force out of my mouth was "Good flame". So there I was, standing in front of the surprised woman behind the counter with a dense line behind me, all looking in my direction with the signature expression of gathered concern, in a silence that I haven't experienced before in my life. Well, my wake life anyway. Luckily at least the lady understood my situation, and saved me from becoming the most awkward thing in the entire store.
-Good morning to you too sir!
-Yeah, sorry, I'm just tired.
-Oh, I understand. I know how it feels being ready to finish the day an hour after waking up.
-Hmm. I wouldn't have guessed. You seem pretty energetic.
-Well, for now.
-I hope this lasts longer for you.
-Thank you.
At least I didn't leave my card anywhere, so the rest of the checkout went pretty smoothly. But when she came across the cereal I was buying, she started expressing concern again. As if she knew something I didn't. But then I was too busy trying to leave as soon as possible to try and understand the look she gave the box. I couldn't bear the potentially imagined feeling of being impaled by the eyes of the other customers.
The way back I almost made running. Even so, I had somehow descended into my thoughts again, which made me realize something. I don't really know what I'm expecting. And if it doesn't show up in a way I can recognize it, I won't be able to tell if it worked. I made myself pretty unsure, so by the time I arrived home, I was in desperate need of a helping hand. Luckly, I knew just the person.
-Hey, Amy! I'm back, can you let me in please? -At first I got no response, but I heard her clear her throat by the intercom, so she had to be right there.
-I got the things you wanted.
Luckily I pretty much know how to talk to her, and as I expected, as soon as the sentence left my mouth, the loud buzz arrived from the gate, signaling my access to the entry.
-Hi Zack. Ran into any trouble?
-No, I've got everything, but... I'll need your help.
-Huh? What did you get yourself into again?
-No, it's nothing like that, I would just like you to only talk with me about chilli flavored cereal.
-What?
-I'm afraid you heard it right.
-Well son, I have experience in a lot of fields, but I've never got a request like this, ever. Luckily for you, I am a jack of all trades, eager to try out new things, so I think it can be solved.
-Thank you Amy.
-You can always count on your main chilli cereal wingman.
And so we spent the rest of the day, talking only about my newest discovery at the grocery store. I didn't quite get the chance to taste it, because I was pretty occupied, and I even tried to paint it, just so I would remember it. But that time will have to come too once...
Right now it is my time to go to sleep, so I will see if my theory ends up being true. But I haven't had much time to think about what it means if it is indeed right. I wonder if I could influence my dreams to get to know more about what's going on.
