All Symptoms Red

Persephone

November 16, 1990

I feel like I'm falling. Where was I? I don't remember. Why is it all black? I can't see anything. I'm still falling. Water is dripping down my face. It's cold. My body feels hot.

Dorian gasps. His eyes widen as if he had just been shot. He looks around... he's in his room, and his clock show's that it's 6:37 AM. With a tired groan, Dorian brings a hand up to block the sun that poured from the blinds and basked on his face, soon forcing himself out of bed. The mornings in Southern California are usually fresh. In the end of fall, that is. But his body still feels hot from his sleep. He should probably shower... Dorian grimaces at the way he can can feel his tank top sticking against the sweat on his back, pulling at his shirt in hopes that it would get rid of the feeling somehow. He looks towards his door and back at the clock, contemplating if he should even shower because of the time. It usually took him about 30 minutes to school on the bus and 20 on his bike. His mother was always out either running errands, at her side job (a cashier), or her real job which was a therapist. Dorian never knew why she took in the side job if being a therapist makes a decent amount of money. Sure, she was a single mother, but with what she told him and his research, he figured it was sufficient. But of course, he was only 14. What did he know?

An ear piercing ringing came from the phone by his nightstand, pulling him out of his thoughts. He winced, quickly grabbing the handle and raising it from the dial box to his ear, not wanting to hear the whines of the phone any longer. "Brown Residence, who is this?" A laugh comes from the other side of the phone, genuine and sweet. "Autumn," Dorian thinks, eyeing the clock once more and figuring a short call wouldn't make him terribly late. He leans on his head board before bringing his knees to his chest. "Dorian, really?" Autumn whined from the other side of the line. Dorian could swear he could hear her pout. "I literally call you every morning!"

"Right," Dorian thinks to himself. His entire system goes on autopilot whenever he has the dreams like he did. Enough to function as a human being but not enough to live like one. These calls had only been recent enough that he still hadn't quite remembered they were in his schedule. Even now, Dorian was still rather groggy, vision blurred from sleeping so long and muscles barely from his paralysis state. "Well!" Autumn breaks the silence Dorian didn't even know he was in. Sometimes his thoughts can race 100 miles per minute and muffle any sounds around him. Other times he will simply forget he was in a conversation and lost his mind drift to nothingness. "Just wanted to make sure you're still alive! Have those dreams been going away yet?"

Sure, I don't have plans after school anyway. See you later then, it's getting late.
(AUTUMN hangs up. DORIAN winces and places his hand against his forehead.)
DORIAN:
Jeez, Autumn. You don't have to lie just to hang out with me...
(DORIAN goes to the kitchen to get an apple and his keys)
MELISSA:
Dorian...
DORIAN:
Yes... mom?
MELISSA:
Can't you eat something more... more?!
DORIAN:
Sorry, mom, but I am running late to school. Plus, it's Friday. We're not doing much today. At least I hope not.
(MELISSA chuckles)
DORIAN:
By the way, did you transfer the $20 I gave you to my card?
MELISSA:
Yes, don't worry.
(DORIAN winces once more and pinches the bridge of his nose)
DORIAN:
Yeah, yeah. Just don't forget, please. I'm gonna grab a bite with Autumn later, so I'll need it. Do you think I could use the car tomorrow too? I wanted to head out to downtown LA.
MELISSA:
Aw, sorry hun. I have work tomorrow, I'll be needing it.
DORIAN:
You don't usually work on the weekends though?
MELISSA:
Well, Sarah was supposed to be this new patient's therapist, but she's booked up. They put the girl with me. Poor thing, her parents are usually out. Contacting them was a hassle.
DORIAN:
Mm. Alright, well. I'll take the bus then.