My Journal

-It Was Only A Dream-

STORY 2 ~ PART ONE

I bolted upright in bed, shaken from the nightmare that still lingered in my vision. The excruciating sound of a blade sharpening against metal---gasping for air as I'm being pulled deeper and deeper into the ocean---trapped inside a claustrophobic cage---or being alone in complete darkness. The nightmares vary when seasons change, or simultaneously with my emotions.

Tonight was different. Tonight felt worse than dying, or the sheer anticipation before the bomb goes off. Frankly, I would have never imagined the setting to be a nightmare at all. School was filled with delightful memories, and all too familiar faces. Faces I'd known all my life. But the human mind is indecisive, diverse, and aggrieved. And most are not strong enough to exile the negative thoughts, and soon reside in their melancholy. They allow anguish to consume them. Exactly like I have done. Perhaps that same anguish compelled and twisted my dreams, reidentifying what I thought to be optimal and even serene, into utter despair.

It was still morning. Dew rested on each blade of grass, and a light fog clouded the pinnacles of trees. A smaller school building approached closer and closer every tedious step up the winding stone path. The usual morning humidity was replaced with an unsettling chill. Elucidating my unusual unease would be impossible, for I couldn't even make sense of it myself. What I did know for certain was that imperil lurked where my senses couldn't detect. Impetuously, I kept walking with a swift pace until I reached the schoolhouse.

I froze, bewildered.

It appeared my usual entrance through the front doors was completely blocked off, barred by chains and confusing locks. Who? And why? What was behind the mysterious closed doors? A sudden wind spiraled up a pile of autumn leaves, and shaped them into a line floating about two feet off the ground. The line of leaves began to circle around me quickly in a dizzy motion, disorienting my view of the doors. My head feels as if my brain is spinning violently inside my skull. My heart rate increases every intense moment. And my stomach dropped like the sickening plummet of a roller coaster. To my relief, the buzzing leaves slowed. For a moment my vision was a cloudy blur. Once senses regained, a new path opened. It began at the side of the doors and seemed to wrap around the building. Should I turn back, or follow the path to my fellow students?

My curiosity took over, obliterating all sagacity. One foot in front of the other, I begin to make my way down the unknown path. Most would be apprehensive at the thought of not being able to predict one's future. Most would have turned back timidly. Though I, who have spent countless nights in obscure darkness, can easily vanquish remaining trepidation.

The path turns a corner and keeps going for about another twenty feet until I come across a rusty old gate. I cannot see anything on the other side, just pitch black. The gate comes up to my chest, and when I attempt to push it open, a horrid creaking sound emerges. I froze, hoping I didn't alert any more unnecessary spirits. I stood there motionless for several minutes and was only greeted with a grim silence. It isn't too late to back out now. . .No, no, no. . .must keep going. . . I give it a final push, and the gate swings fully open.

Ahead, the path seems to lead into different directions; left or right. Contemplating my next move, I had only just noticed it wasn't completely dark as of moments ago. Unfortunately, the two paths were the only things visible. How was I supposed to know which path to take? One could lead to death while the other my fellow classmates. Both could be a trick.

A sudden rustle of leaves whizzed past me, just like they had done at the front. The line then stopped afloat, as if trying to get my attention, and then fled down the left path. It wants me to follow. It's foolish, but this might be my only chance to find my friends. I'm afraid if I stay here any longer the spirits will become angry, or bored, and decide to finish me off. It was worth this risk.

PART TWO ---------->