Fractal Sea

Day 2

It is said that dreaming is something only humans can do.

Dream, where everything you wanted could be true.

A beautiful refuge from the harsh reality,

A safe haven for those who endured hardships.

But what about nightmares?

Could they perhaps be punishment?

A realm of torture full of animosity,

A cruel, detested place that serves as reminder of their sins.

Such is the nature of ephemeral realms like dreams.

Like a foam; they exist, yet they don't.

They appear and disappear in an instant.

Much like humans, isn't it?

As I started writing in the morning, father had already left for work. He always woke up before I did, but he never left without notice. At least he never forgets to leave me some breakfast, which is nice of him. As usual, I wrote things that I barely understand, which I copied from a book that I've found on the beach a week ago. This book is very thick and heavy that I struggled to carry it around. Everyday since I've found the book, I've been rewriting phrases I've found there into a piece of paper with a pen and ink. Though I never understood them, I can feel those words "calling" for me, which I don't understand how.

Speaking of that book, I did show it to father when I found it. He said it's written in a language he doesn't understand, which is weird, because I can understand the language perfectly without any help. Father just thought it was a bit odd, but he brushed it off saying that I might have studied this language beforehand, seeing as I always write and read things without his supervisions. But the thing is, I didn't study this language at all. I just somehow understand what the words mean in my language as if it's my mother tongue. Though, I never told father about this, because I think it'll make him worry too much about me.

"... That should be enough! Alright, I guess I'll go outside and look for stuff on the beach!" I said as I put the book away under a bookshelf, and neatly folded my paper on my desk. I rushed onto the beach to find more and more bizarre things to bring home and write about.

That is how my day usually went. I write things, go outside to look for things, bring them to the warehouse, and write about them. I don't go to school because my house is already quite far from the village, and all the schools are in the capital, which is even further away. It's such a shame, because I've always wanted to see what the capital looked like. I've only heard stories about it from father, saying that it looked and felt like heaven.

... Heaven, huh?

I wonder what that truly is.

A place devoid of strife, filled with happiness and laughter?

Or merely a concept made by transient people who are afraid of the neverending darkness?

Wait, why was I thinking all of that? I don't even understand half of the words I've thought of just now. It all just came to me like I've been struck by lightning, and I've never been stuck by one before! My head is spinning, I think I've read a bit too much for the day and overly thinking about it. I didn't even realize that my feet are already soaking wet by sea water.

Have I been thinking all of that unconsciously? I didn't even realize I was walking on the beach, and how I didn't bump my legs to anything along the way. So much so I've even forgot to put my sandals on, which I never once forgot to do, as it is what my father always warned me before I go outside.

... I can't think straight. I think I'm having a headache. I think I'll go wash my feet first and take a nap for now.

Mika.

Huh?

I felt like somebody called my name. I see nobody around me, but the voice felt near. I looked around once again to make sure, yet I still see nobody. I'm getting creeped out. I should hurry inside and go to bed, because clearly my head is playing tricks on me.

I washed my feet from the sand, wiped off the water so I don't wet my bed, and I quickly put the blanket over my head. I don't know why, but today has been really weird. I hope I can just sleep it off and forget t once I'm awake from sleep.

.

.

.

"... Mika! Mika!! Wake up!!" Father yelled as he shook my body to wake me up from sleep. I slowly opened my eyes and sit myself up with quite a bit of effort.

"Oh... Father, you're home early?" I asked as I rub my eyes to drive away the sleepiness.

"What are you talking about? I'm home at the same hour everyday, at the evening! This IS the evening, Mika! How are you still asleep?" Father yelled at me again, as if 've done something so wrong.

"Evening...? But father, I slept in the morning, how could it be evening already?"

"Mika, this is not a joke. Look outside your window, is it still morning for you?"

... Father is right. The sun had set, and the sky is getting darker. It's the evening.

But how? I'm sure I've took a nap quite early in the morning. How could I sleep my day away and woke up in the evening? Not to mention, my body feels all stiff and weird.

"... Mika, are you okay? Did you really sleep from the morning to evening? Tell me, dear." Father's tone of voice changed from slightly angry to worried. It seems my words have finally gotten into him.

"... No, I think I'm just misremembering things. I think I did take a nap a few hours ago in the afternoon, after all."

"Are you sure? Is it just you misremembering?"

"Yes, I'm sure it's just that."

I lied, of course. I really don't like to make father worry too much about me. I lied through my mouth, I think for the first time. And it was against my own father, no less.

"... Well, I'll take your word for it. Come on, then, I've brought dinner from the village. You better eat up, okay?" Father said as he held on my hand firmly. It's clear that he's already worried about me, but I won't make things worse.

"Yes, father." I complied.

After we took dinner, I immediately went back to bed. It was a very, very quiet evening for both of us. I even forgot to ask him the questions about mother.