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Chapter 7: The Dream

I slowly opened my eyes, expecting to see light, but I didn't. I couldn't even feel the water from the shower. No, when I opened my eyes I was in some... place, I felt awake. I squinted my eyes to see through the dark and noticed there was a pathway of what seemed to be brick. I followed the pathway with my eyes, before spotting a person sitting on a black bench underneath a single lantern that reminded me of the ones portrayed as vintage. It had a black pole with the light encased in a glass cage with black poles on the edges. All of that pretty much sums up the decor, and population, because everything else is just darkness. With nowhere else to go other than to the figure or off the edge, I decided heading towards the man was the best bet.

Is this what happens after you die? I wondered to myself, remembering I was standing in a shower moments before this. "Hey, excuse me?!" I screamed at the figure, still heading towards it. The figure didn't respond, so I got closer. The person- or thing, was wearing what I could best describe as a cold-war business suit. What I assume to be a man's face, was shrouded in darkness, thanks to the black fedora he was wearing.

"Hello...?" I waved my hand in front of his face, wanting a reaction.

"Hello, John." The man responded, looking up to reveal a pretty normal looking face.

"How do you know my name?" I questioned the odd man.

"I know most of everybody around here. Take a seat please, John."

I took a seat on the wood bench and questioned him again. "Am I dead?" I asked rather bluntly.

"No, you're simply dreaming."

"Alright... If I'm dreaming, why do I have 'free will' to do whatever?" He didn't respond to that question. "Okay... why am I here?"

"Glad you asked, John. I'm here to warn you."

"Warn me? About what? Am I in trouble?!" I replied quickly, shaken by the quick turn of events.

"Our time is short. All I can tell you is the entire facility is in jeopardy, along with you and your friends' lives and, as of now, only you know of it." The man sat back, crossing his arms in his lap as if he could care less that he just told me people could die.

"What?! If you know of it, can't you prevent it? What is the danger? Who is causing the danger? Can I prevent it? This is all so sudden!" I rambled quickly, wanting, longing for answers.

All he responded to me with was, "So many questions, and yet, such little time."

"You can't just tell me I'm in danger and not give me more information! Just answer my ques-"

He cut my sentence short, saying "This is your wake-up call."

I opened my eyes and quickly bolted up, turning off the water as it had grown freezing from the excessive use. I decided to just dry off instead of finishing my shower because I'm pretty sure figuring out a life-threatening ordeal is more important than an ice-cold shower.

While I was drying off, somebody called to me, "John, are you alright? You've been in there for a while!" The voice sounded like Jaques, so I responded back.

"Yeah, I'm fine. Just finished up! Sorry if I scared you." I put my foundation clothing back on and grabbed all my supplies. "Actually, on second thought, I'm not fine," I responded shakily, opening the door to my shower.

"Oh my gosh, what's wrong?" Jaques ran over to me, concerned.

"I fell asleep in the shower and had this awful dream. A weird man in what I can best describe as wearing a business suit told me the facility and faculty here are in danger. I want to say it's just a dream, but I'm concerned..." I responded, hanging my head low and shaking it.