Lucid Nightmares

Chapter 1

Christian felt like he was either rising, or the world was falling away from him.

A bright light filled his vision, as did happiness fill his mind. He felt the gaze of a million eyes, and the fluttering of as many wings.

Christian did not know how he got here; this strange cloud world with orbs of light staring at him with piercingly blue eyes, full of sunlight and hope and happiness. He just knew he could stay here forever.

Or... not, because then the happiness was dashed away as he appeared to be falling back down.

***

He opened his eyes again and found himself sitting in what appeared to be a fancy hotel lobby. It was a large room lit by a massive crystal chandelier, which didn't appear to actually be attached to the ceiling; it just floated a few feet below it, as if an invisible chain were holding it in place.

Christian looked around. There were some other people here; some looking forlorn, others chatting excitedly.

"Oh, poor dear," said a voice right next to him. He gave a start and snapped his head to his right so fast he popped it. There was a rather large elderly lady sitting next to him, wearing a hospital gown. She held her hand to her heart. "Too young to die," she said.

"Uuuh--" said Christian.

"I apologize for startlin' you, darlin'. My name's Olga." She reached over and briefly touched his arm. "Forgive me, hun. It's just a shame that people can die so soon..." she said as she took out a cloth from her shirt pocket and dabbed her eyes with it, "when they have so much life left to live."

"I'm... dead?? Where am I? Where... are we...?" Christian was becoming increasingly panicky.

"Calm down, dear. We're... oh, but I don't know if I should tell you..."

Christian looked at Olga expectantly.

"We're... in Hell, sweet pea. I'm sorry."

Christian sank back in his chair, in shock. He felt like he was dreaming, but he knew he wasn't. The last thing he even remembered was getting a meal at a Dairy Queen drive-thru before blacking out.

"I'm sorry," Olga repeated. "I'm such a blubbering mess when I get emotional." She gave a small, sad laugh and dabbed her eyes with her cloth again. "What's yer name, darlin'?"

Christian looked up slowly. Everything sounded distant, even his own voice when he said, "Christian."

"Close! I'm Catholic," Olga replied. Seeing the confused look on Christian's face, she said, "Oh! You mean-- oh, sorry dear," she laughed again, this time happily. "Got it, your name's Christian."

Christian got lost in his own thoughts; Olga had kept talking, going on about her own grandchildren. His thoughts were broken when a door appeared in a swirl of fire at the center of the room. It opened, and a short lady who looked like a flight attendant stepped through with a calm, warming smile.

"Olga Dupree?" she said, looking around politely.

"Oh, that's me. Don't worry, dear, they'll get to you quick enough." Olga stood up and briefly gave Christian a hug with a "good luck, sweet pea" before waddling through the door with the flight attendant lady. The door disappeared in another swirl of flame.

Christian sat alone for a few minutes before getting up and exploring the room. He found a table with a cooler on it, with a spout for dispensing drinks. He picked up a red solo cup from a stack next to it and pressed the button on the cooler spout, which started emitting a warm brown liquid. Christian took a cautious sniff, and then sipped. It was hot chocolate; he remembered it was his favorite drink. He savored it for a little bit, but then had to step away when someone behind him said, "'scuse me, kid."