REVERIE: Twisted Reality

Day 44: Prince's Subconscious IV

Alexandria Lennon

Subconscious Memory (Reality) Mulberry, Door 6

I found myself in front of my school entrance.

I saw Shaw standing by the gate waiting for someone. 

He was all grown up and handsome.

I saw myself walking out the gate and Shaw quickly walked towards the other me.

The other me looked at him in confusion, "Who are you?"

I remember this incident. It happened just a year ago.

"I had a feeling when you stopped writing to me letters a few years ago but I didn't expect you to forget all about me." Shaw said sadly.

But the other me just gave him a weirded-out look and said, "I have no idea what you are talking about. If this is a confession then I'm sorry but I don't date. I'll excuse myself and please don't bother me about this again."

Shaw wasn't able to say anything. The other me walked away and Shaw just stood there bewildered.

One of my guy schoolmates approached Shaw and asked him, "Aren't you Shaw Sokolov? The pianist?! Wow. I saw you on TV a couple of times. I knew Lennon was hot stuff but I didn't know she was this popular but I guess you still weren't enough to make her list, huh?"

Shaw looked at the guy in annoyance and asked in a serious tone, "What do you mean 'hot stuff'?"

"So you don't know about her huh? It's well-known that Lennon needs money that's why she works shifts after school. Including being a waitress at a high-class restaurant. And according to rumors, some wealthy patrons are willing to pay her for special favors." The guy told Shaw. 

"I guess it's true because she shot down every guy who comes after her, even the rich ones. They probably can't compare to the men she comes in contact with every day. So you should give up, she'll probably just end up as a mistress of some business tycoon. And you surely could do better than-UGH!"

Shaw grabbed the guy's collar. His eyes were burning in anger and I heard him speak through gritted teeth, "I don't care. As long as she's still alive, I don't care! All of my efforts were just so I could be with her. So if it's money she wants then I'll give it all to her."

 Shaw let go of the guy and started walking away. 

The place started to get enveloped into darkness but before everything could fully disappear I heard Shaw whisper under his breath, "I just need to work a little harder."

I was back in front of the Mulberry door. 

I was dazed as I walked my way to the next door. 

Subconscious Memory (Reality) Rasin, Door 7

I found myself in a hospital room this time. 

I noticed a familiar face by the door. It was Shaw's mother.

She was shouting at a doctor. I moved towards them so that I may be able to hear their conversation clearly.

"HOW COULD YOU AMPUTATE HIS ARM AND LEG?! DO YOU HAVE NO IDEA WHO HE IS?! HE'S SHAW SOKOLOV! THE 3 TIMES WINNER OF THE BERLIN INTERNATIONAL PIANO COMPETITION?! YOU JUST TOOK AWAY HIS FUTURE?!" Shaw's mother shouted furiously.

I was surprised by what I've heard!

'A-Amputated?!'

"I understand how you feel, Mrs. Sokolov. My wife and I love his concerts and I know that it is unfortunate. But at least your son is alive. It is very rare for anyone to survive a car accident of that scale. There-" The Doctor tried to explain but  Shaw's mother cut him off.

"THAT'S THE BEST YOU CAN DO?! WHAT IS HE SUPPOSED TO DO ONCE HE WAKES UP?! HE'S RUINED! HE MIGHT AS WELL JUST BE DEAD-"

I walked away from them and quickly went to where Shaw was sleeping. 

I tried to touch him but my hand just passed through his body. 

"W-what happened to you?" I asked weakly while I quietly cried. 

Darkness started to engulf the place and just before the memory could disappear I heard Shaw's voice,

"So this is reality's response to my dream with Alexandria. Two missing limbs and a non-existent future. If that's all there is to it, then I would rather live in my dream and never wake up."

I couldn't stop crying when I returned to his subconscious.

I wanted to run to him now and apologize.

Shaw...

I went to the next door and opened it.

Subconscious Memory (Reality) Wine, Door 8

I was floating in darkness after entering the room. 

The place felt familiar. I suddenly heard my voice from somewhere in the darkness,

"I'm so tired,

So very exhausted.

I just want to fall into a dream and never wake up." 

"Is that so? So even you, Alexandria, have given up?

But it's all okay now, what we couldn't achieve in reality, we'll achieve in our dreams.

And in our reverie, we can always be happy."

It's Shaw.

All of the reveries, the entries I've read in my subconscious started to replay before me in Shaw's perspective at rapid speed. 

And with each and every time a reverie end I can't forget the look on Shaw's face.