Into the dreaming

Ch 1: Dreams and Nightmares

"Soon little one" the soft voice whispered almost reverently "soon, you will return home."

I stared up into her ethereal blue eyes, the words forming on my lips but I could already feel myself slipping before I could speak.

In the next instant I bolted ramrod straight up in my bed. I could feel my heart hammering in my chest and was acutely aware of the thick layer of perspiration I was covered in. Taking a deep inhale, I grabbed a pillow and covered my face. With the exhale I threw myself back onto my bed, closing my eyes and taking in the silence. After taking several more breaths with my face buried beneath the pillow I finally threw the pillow to the side and dragged myself out of the bed. After rushing through my morning routine and preparing for the day ahead of me I was finally ready to go. I glanced at myself in the mirror. Looking at myself over with a critical eye. I looked tired. My brown eyes looked dull. My curly brown hair while pulled up into a decent puff - had seen better days. I looked decent enough for the day ahead of me but I knew that when I met with my parents for our weekly dinner my mother would know something was up. I sighed, taking one last look at myself before rushing out the door into the busy New York streets. I loved living in New York. I was convinced it possessed a magic of its own. Despite the start of the day I could feel my mood lifting as I neared my job, a small used book store on Grant street across from the Cozy Corn

er Deli. I'd worked there for almost 3 years, since I graduated high school, and it had done nothing but exceed my expectations. I loved being surrounded by books all day. Genie, the owner, was a kind hearted,silver haired woman with a quick wit and even quicker temper. I had come here to read and get away nearly every day my senior year so it came as no surprise to her when I asked about a job a month before graduation. I shook myself of the fond memories as I pushed open the door to the small storefront, the overhead bell announcing my entrance. As I scanned the room for Genie i mentally took note of several boxes scattered throughout the store.

"Oh Dear there you are! Great news, we got a Huge donation 8 boxes"

"Some of them haven't even been touched," she added with a playful eye roll.

Well I guess I knew what we were doing today. After getting settled we agreed that I would unpack and categorize the new books and that she would deal with customers. Genie didn't know it but I was perfectly content with this arrangement. I got out my headphones, chose a playlist and got to work. As I worked I went into a sort of autopilot. I knew I was sorting the books but I was also aware of a haze in my vision. I could feel my heart begin to beat more rapidly and I desperately wanted to blink but my body wasn't operating under my control at the moment. As my vision cleared I heard myself let out an audible gasp. Those eyes! "Great, I'm going crazy," I muttered to myself. I heard the faintest tinkle of a laugh "Not crazy..you will be home soon little one" I felt more then heard the words. For several moments I was shocked. I was used to the dreams. I had been having them my whole life but this had never happened when I was awake. After several moments it was over. My vision cleared, I was active in the moment. It was as if the moment never happened except when I looked around I realized I had already finished with all the new books. I glanced at the clock and was shocked to see that it was already 4:30. My shift is over! What the fuck happened I mused tomyself. Did I have some sort of dissociative disorder? I glanced up at the clock again. As worried as I was about what was going on with me I was more worried about my mother.. So I headed to the front, said my goodbyes to Genie and headed back to my apartment. I had exactly 45 minutes to get showered and meet my parents. Almost an hour later I sat across from my parents.I examined them as the waiter took our orders. My mother, while perfectly styled and smiling graciously, looked tense. Something was on her mind. After watching her for several moments my eyes quirked to my dad raising an eyebrow slightly in question. He simply shook his head.