The Dreamkeeper

Part I

Jisoo played with her name badge that hung from a lanyard around her neck. It was glossy, gleaming off the lights in the elevator that whined and groaned against its wires as it ascended up past floors. A smile tugged at the corner of her mouth as she read off her name:

Jisoo Kim Caretaker
Dreamologist

It was a step up from the scribbled sharpie and lousy sticky nametags she had worn throughout her training. She was glad to leave those days behind, ridding off the mint green trainee scrubs in exchange for a navy blue lab coat and a plastic badge.

"Nice, isn't it?"

Jisoo looked up at Sandara, her Senior Caretaker, blushing slightly. The elevator doors chimed open on the sixth floor and Sandara motioned for Jisoo to step out first. Falling into step just ahead of Jisoo, she led them through the corridors of the Dream Bank Care Unit.

"You'll check in here every morning," Sandara drew her attention to the front desk and kept moving. "Even if you stay over night, you're required to check in by six the next morning at least so we know you're still on duty."

The Care Unit was laid out like that of a tiny hotel. Two hallway sectors branched out on either side of the front desk. One was designed for permanent residence, two assigned to each room. Down the other hall sat the supply rooms, private doctor areas, offices, emergency rooms and rest centers for walk-ins to spend time of recovery

"Here is the recreation room..." Sandara continued.

Inside the Rec. Room played an old black and white movie for empty couches, tables, and chairs. In the corner, Jisoo noted a wood chipped, upright piano stocked with wrinkled music, their edges dog-eared.

Rounding back from the tour, they passed a set of thick metal gray doors that sectioned off the Special Care Sector. Limited access was granted to only a handful of Caretakers that watched over Dreamkeepers who weren't stable enough or needed extra care than those in the main Care Unit.

Jisoo's eyes lingered on the two, tiny windows cut into the doors filled with thick, bulletproof glass. All she could see was stark fluorescent white and gray.

"The break room," Jisoo's attention was drawn back around. "We'll talk in here."

Sandara slid her badge into the card reader. A green light flickered signaling their access and they stepped in. A few other Caretakers sat around, chatting quietly amongst themselves. They greeted Sandara with bows and regarded Jisoo with welcoming smiles as Sandara introduced her.

"Take a seat. Would you like some coffee?"

"No, thank you." Jisoo sank into a chair at the table Sandara moved to by a small window. In the entire sixth floor, it was the first window she had seen.

"We'll start you off small," from her clipboard, Sandara unpinned a manila file folder. Excitement swam through Jisoo as Sandara cracked it open. "Go on. Take a look."

The patient's name was Lee Hyeri. She was a Dreamkeeper of five years now rendered into a permanent and seemingly irreversible coma.

Jisoo's brow furrowed as she continued to read.

"From your training assessments your expertise are more suited for active patients, but this one will require you much attention."

"Brain deterioration is serious." She looked up. "And something we've been trying to stop."

Jisoo nodded, looking back at the file. Her head tilted at the little word Active next to her name. "I thought you said she wasn't active?"

"By active, I meant literally. She isn't responsive, but Miss Lee is still being used for extractions." Jisoo cocked her eyebrow. "But extractions would only-"