NIGHTMARE : Lie Lies In Eyes

2. Hallucination

Without glancing into a mirror, I could imagine the terror etched across my face. The expansive hall was teeming with students grouped together. Large doors and stairs adorned all four directions, while a grand chandelier hung majestically from the ceiling. The floor, slippery with abstract dragon or monster paintings, added an enigmatic touch. The ceiling boasted paintings of seven gods, and huge, ancient-modeled candle holders graced the spaces along the walls. The room exuded a regal essence, adorned with small and large sculptures that contributed to its grandeur.

A collision jolted me, and a muffled apology reached my ears, but the face of the person remained veiled, concealed by his turned back. Whispers of Roman figures echoed around us. Regaining my senses, a desperate urge for escape propelled me to test each door. Finally, the sixth door in the West yielded, moving slightly. A breath of relief escaped me, for none of the preceding doors had relented.

Just as I prepared to open it, an abrupt and insolent tug interrupted my progress. My irritation manifested in a sharp stare, only to be met by the unexpected presence of a traffic policeman, materializing seemingly out of thin air.
Scolding me, he exclaimed, "Are you here to end your life? You want to snatch away my job. Kids these days!" He continued, "Look, girl. You must live for your parents' sake. Understand that. And don't linger on social media. Sometimes, it gives wrong perspectives."
A sudden awakening placed me in the center of the bustling city road. I hurried home as fast as my legs could carry me. Jitters crawled up to my head.

The following day, accompanied by my nanny, I found myself seated in Dr. Shion's office.

Dr. Shion, with a calm demeanor, inquired, "What's the matter?"

"I'm not kidding, Doctor," I replied earnestly. "I'm witnessing unrealistic things while fully awake. Everything I shared earlier wasn't some vague creation; it's my reality. I have experienced it. Please, believe me. Just yesterday, I was in Narsic Street, but somehow ended up in the middle of the road leading to the Highway Station."

She nodded thoughtfully. "Okay. Is there anything specific that triggers these vivid daydreams?"

My voice carried a hint of frustration as I asserted, "I'm not daydreaming." I continued, "But yeah, it all started after that painting."

Dr. Shion, intrigued, questioned, "Painting?"

I nodded, "Yeah. I saw this painting in the museum last week."

She, connecting the dots, empathized, "I get it. Listen, Emma. It could be acute daydreaming. It happens. You mentioned having a terrible nightmare, and the painting might be imprinted in your mind, haunting your thoughts every second. You just need to relax. However, sometimes, it could lead to serious issues. I'll check up on you next week. Take these pills for now, not regularly, but when you're stressed."

Twelve hours slipped away without any illusions haunting me. I heaved a sigh of relief and decided to take a quick nap. Amidst the delicate embrace of sleep, indistinguishable chatters filled the air. A gentle shake and a whisper disrupted my brief respite, "It's not time for a nap. Get up. Otherwise, we'll be kicked out in no second."

Startled, I rose from my slumber, only to find myself once again standing in that haunting painting hall. Shock pulsed through me as the disorienting reality sank in.

Seated beside me, the girl pulled me down to join her. "Are you nervous? So am I. Don't worry. It'll be adventurous and fun." Her voice carried a sweet sugar.

Another girl joined the conversation, "You're not new anyway."

The first girl, acknowledged, "I know. But every time it feels like new. I'm just overexcited and overly nervous."

In a voice betraying my anxiety, I questioned, "Who are you? Where am I?"

The first talkative girl began her introduction, "I'm Ashley, and she's Morgan. And you're in—"

A sudden hush swept through the hall, halting Ashley's explanation abruptly. All eyes turned towards the front where a white-bearded old man in his nineties stood on the dais.

He spoke, "Dear students, welcome to The Grandiose. Allow me to introduce your teachers - Eden, Lucifer, and Gaia. This school is a haven for understanding and conquering life's challenges. As long as you're within these walls, you are bound by its rules. Any breach will result in serious detention. Consult the notepads in your hands for the rules. Dismissed."

I became aware of something in my hand.

"Welcome to The Grandiose, Miss..." Ashley greeted.

Lost in contemplation of the scar on my palm, a mark that had vanished back home, I was momentarily silent. Ashley prompted, asking for my name once more. Breaking free from my thoughts, I replied, "Emma."

For a while, I forgot to trace my way back. Upon regaining my composure, I continued wandering through the hall. Suddenly, the sixth door caught my attention. Opening it, a voice remarked, "You've entered the wrong chamber." Students were engrossed in their classes.

Ashley intervened, "You're new here. Come with me. I'll take you to your class."

Resisting, I asserted, "No. I don't need to. I have to go home."

Undeterred, Ashley pulled me into another room and assigned Morgan to look after me. Morgan rolled her eyes and took a seat. Ashley vanished as someone entered the room.

In the chilling moment of witnessing him, a scream tore out of me. He stood before me—the same sturdy man I had sliced across the back with a sword. Subconsciously, I realized the girl he had been choking was none other than Morgan. Panic surged, compelling me to dash out of the room. In my frantic escape, I collided with someone, sending me tumbling to the floor. The impact stung my back.
While assessing any potential wounds on my hand, I discovered that the scar had vanished. As I looked up, I found myself in my bathroom. Nanny rushed in, offering her assistance as we made our way to the living room. Concerned, she dialed Dr. Shion for guidance.

Dr. Shion observed me with a furrowed brow. "This time, you neither saw any picture nor anything related to it."

I replied, my confusion evident, "Yeah. I was peacefully asleep in bed, and then I found myself in the bathroom. I don't sleepwalk, I swear."

Leaning back in her chair, she considered the situation. "Okay. Listen carefully. I suspect it's acute schizophrenia."

I stumbled over the term, "Schizo- what?"

"Schizophrenia," she explained patiently. "It's a condition where a person hallucinates unrealistic things in a non-virtual environment. Imagination knows no bounds; one could even hallucinate fish walking on land like humans or humans sprouting wings and flying like birds."

My eyes widened at the revelation. "Is it serious?"

She gave a slight shrug. "Not exactly. But it can be. Look, you just need to take these pills as prescribed and actively dismiss the thoughts that lead to hallucinations from your mind. Understand? I'll come again."