Dreamwalker

All a Lie

I lie in bed and stare at the ceiling, my eyes slowly roving over the little cracks and flaws in it. I’m almost scared to fall asleep. My mind wanders back to this afternoon.

          “A Wraith? Are you sure?” I asked Jeremy, feeling the fear growing in my stomach. He nodded, not making eye contact with me, his mind seemed to be elsewhere.

          “Yes, I’m sure. This is n-not good…” He thought in silence for a few minutes, his brows furrowed in concentration.

          “When you g-go to sleep tonight, try not to dream alright? If you do slip into your d-d-dreamscape, just stay in your sanctuary okay? I have to do something tonight so I w-w-won’t be able to see you.” I remember feeling a little put out, especially since he didn’t mention the kiss, he was acting like it never even happened. I reprimand myself, there were definitely more important things to worry about right now.

          “Okay…I’ll see you tomorrow then?” He gave me a weak smile, and then kissed my cheek.

          “S-sure, I’ll see you t-t-tomorrow.” After that he got up and walked away, his hands shoved deep into his pockets, his head down. I sat in the park for a little while, and then went home.

          “Don’t dream? Might as well tell me not to breathe. It’s not like I have a choice in the matter.” I mutter to myself, rolling over on my side and bunching the pillow under my head. I let out a sigh and tried to think of something else besides Wraiths, and dreamwalking, and Jeremy…yeah, not working.

          I bush my fingertips across my lips, remembering the kiss. It had felt electric, and so impossibly good. If I’d known that’s what a kiss felt like I would have found a boyfriend long ago. I wonder if it only feels like that with a special person though…I smile slightly at the thought and then drift off to sleep.

*  *  *

          I look around confused. I have no idea where I am…no wait a minute…I’m in a park. It’s strangely familiar, and somehow I know this is no ordinary dream. If it is a dream at all…

          I stand up and wander through the slowly moving swings, rusty merry-go-round, and the splintering play castle. Why does this look so familiar? I struggle to focus on the fleeting memory, but it continues to elude me, dodging just out of my grasp the minute I get close. Suddenly I hear something, so I stop and listen.

          “Come out, come out…you can’t hide forever.” I gasp, and back up until my back hits the wooden castle. I dig my fingers into the worn out wood, and look around frantically, not really wanting to see anything.

          “Go away!” I shout at the empty park. A low chuckle echoes through the still air, sending shivers down my spine. The memory is growing clearer now.

          “Oh sweet little girl, why don’t you come out?” I put my hands over my ears and my breathing speeds up. This is my worst nightmare…why is it coming back now? I had blocked it away, locked deep in the recesses of my subconscious. I try to tell myself it isn’t real, but I’ve been teleported back to my six year-old self, and I am terrified.

          “Please…leave me alone.” Another chilling laugh. This can’t be happening to me! He was gone, I hadn’t seen him again since that day. He was just a figment of my young imagination.

          “Oh, but I’m not. I was, and am, very real. And I will find you.” I suddenly feel a hand on my arm and I scream, pulling away. Two hands grab my upper arms and I hear a familiar, calming voice.