Tremble

Chapter 20: Dreams

Why are miraculous events and crazy occurrences so often referred to as dreams. Yes of course, I know that the term dream in this context means a crucial goal in life, but to me when I hear the word dream I don't gather 'achievement' from that. I see restless sleep, a dark tumble of blankets and semi-consciousness. I see square and circular puzzle pieces. Your brains attempt to sort out items in your head, no matter how jumbled and randomized. It is not a nightmare, because a nightmare makes at least some sense; enough sense to wake you in a cold sweat. Dreams for me are a terror far past fear.

That night my mind refused to shut off. The men in suits, my cat, that granola bar that me and Margret stole from Mark, the lab flooded with coffee. Strange, but then there are these unsettling moments of clarity, where the mind does a complete 180 on you.

I saw before me the men in the suits once more, this time conspiring about...something I suppose. I then see squirt come in, sit, and speak to these men. The one in the middle smiles and dismisses Squirt, Squirt nods and begins to leave. As he does so he snatches one of the weapons off the ground and proceeds as usual. Squirts face had little emotion, but in his eyes I saw a flicker of hope.

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I sit and stir my oatmeal , my mood pensive. I observe folks going about their business, some cleaning, some getting ready for work (during the day some less powered individuals were allowed to work a low profile job), and others just enjoying a fine morning.

Mark approaches me with his plate of eggs.

"Hey, did ya hear about the prank some one pulled in the kitchens?" He remarked.

Someone put Mentos in the water that was to be made ice, so now when anyone gets a soda it explodes in about five minutes.

I nodded solemnly.

" Why such the Debbie downer?" Mark asked with a smile that formed into a concerned frown.

"Oh just got a lot on my mind that's all." I pulled the least fake laugh I could, and went to go dump my tray.

I didn't want my friends to be dragged further into this mess. I had the urge to go confront Squirt, but on what basis would I do so.

Oh hey Squirt, I had this super weird dream where you were conspiring with the super evil bad guys, and that you are in possession of one of their supreme death rays of doom, you wanna tell me about that?

I cringed at my overly sarcastic thought.

I walked the base halls, observing my surroundings constantly, awaiting a high tech, weapon clad team to come blow the base up. Over time my fears rose despite the lack of activity. Kart never came to speak with me neither did any of the other council members, I saw no men in suits that day or the following week; no strange happenings, no absurd death threats just normal life at the base.

" Kimps!" Shouted Margret on the other side of the table.

Mark, Margaret, John, and I were passing the time of the lazy summer afternoon playing cards. I laid my cards spectacularly spread revealing a full four Queens.

"Mark I've had my set of cards forever, how come you didn't notice the signal!" John said slightly frustrated, slightly humored.

Me and Margret basked at out victory over the boys and updated the score sheet in the lounge. Just as we were about to continue, a crash alerted us out of our chairs. My breath blew still and slow and my eyes darted around the room.

All of us crept into the Hall to find a ghastly scene. Squirt lay in the middle of a pile of glass and fluorescent green liquid, he was clearly knocked out, but in no serious condition. John swore and lifted his brother by his arm and supported his back.

" What is this?" Margret questioned as she dipped her finger in the slime and sniffed it. Evidently it wasn't strawberry scented and she recoiled.

Mark shifted the glass beneath his shoe staring at the mechanical bits within the mess. It then came to me, I knew what had done this. The high tech weapons in the room with the suit clad men had similar pieces in its machanics as far as I could tell, but at the time no green sludge held residence inside. Mark spoke.

"We need to go tell Kart about..."

" No don't!" I said whilst being faced with indifferent stares.

"I've.. I've seen this stuff before, it's one of the weapons that belong to the intruders." I paused. " Its best not to let Kart know yet, I think when Squirt wakes up I'm going to ask him a few questions."

Surprisingly my friends acknowledged my request and we moved Squirt to his room and dumped the weapons contents into a lab hazard box.

I was afraid of the answers I may receive, but I pursued.