Absent Link

Chapter 3: Dream

Beep, beep, beep. Beep, beep, beep. The alarm clock by Dylan's bed called out, but he didn't stir. Dylan's earbuds were still playing music, but they were no longer in his ears, as they had fallen out a long time ago and lay hanging off of his bed.

Beep, beep, beep. Beep, beep, beep.

Dylan groaned and opened his eyes. He turned to his left and reached out an arm to hit the stop button. As he sighed, he sat up and turned off the music from his phone. Dylan felt dizzy and needed to take a breath of fresh air, so he climbed out of bed and walked groggily out of his room. It led straight to the small living room, which was next to the kitchen; not a big house necessarily. His mom was already up preparing breakfast. It was pancakes, Dylan's favorite, but he wasn't hungry. He walked through the living room and opened the back door without a word.

Instead of smelling the familiar trees and feeling the cool breeze wash over him, a different encounter awaited. As soon as the door opened, a swell of icy air slammed onto him, clogging his ears and seeming to invade his soul. Dylan covered his face with his arm until the wind was gone, but when he looked out, he was horrified. The grass was red, and the sky was black and thundering. The backyard trees were withered, and ants crawled out of them. The ground shifted and wobbled in a nauseating way. Dylan jumped back and slammed the door shut. His heart was pounding.

Dylan shouted, "What the heck is that?!", his voice dry with panic. He rapidly shuffled backwards, and looked out the window next to the door, but none of his earlier sights were there. The sky was a pleasant blue, and leaves sparkled on the dark brown trees. A squirrel ran up one of the branches and hid behind the trunk, almost teasing his fear.

"What's wrong?" He heard his mom ask from behind him. Her voice sounded monotone and unconcerned.

Dylan turned around to face her, but she wasn't at the counter. He glimpsed around with short, rapid breaths, but she was gone from sight. Suddenly though, he felt two snake-like arms wrap around his chest. He screamed and tried to shake them away, but they only tightened. Long claws dug into his stomach, slicing slowly through his chest. Dylan thrashed to free himself, but the arms only tightened their grasp. They began to slowly lift him off the ground, and he felt soft hair curl onto his shoulders. Looking up in fear, he saw an uncanny recreation of Theena's face, his mother's eyes completely black. It seemed like a twisted and warped portrait. She was tall and lanky, jittering with evil but gentle twitches.

"Dylan," her mouth moved lethargically, "It's time for breakfast."

Dylan grunted in agony, 'What?' he thought. Out of the blue, a distant knock echoed through the house. The creature began opening her mouth and drooling on Dylan, who closed his eyes, tears squeezing out. Was he dreaming? He must be! He heard his mom again, but this time when he opened his eyes, he found himself back in bed. He had indeed been dreaming.

Dylan was panting, and he whispered to himself with a shaky voice, "Is that the parasite?" Dylan stared into his ceiling, shaken up. "Why would doctor Frost not tell me about that."

"Dylan, please wake up its eleven."

Dylan closed his eyes, exhaling slightly. He sat up and hopped off of his bed, walking over to the door and pulling it open. There stood his mom, regular size and with a tired look on her face. "Why did you lock your door?"

"I always lock my door at night. You've never cared before."

Theena shook her head. She peeked around Dylan at his room and sniffed the air curiously. Dylan thought he might know what she was looking for but he didn't say anything. What was there to say? Dylan had more serious matters on his mind. For now, he had decided to trust Frost's council for now, and just try to live with it.