Nightmares Alive

Mr. Oleeth

"Ring Ring!" The class bell rang just as I walked into my classroom door, Room 302: History.

"Perfect timing, must I say Ms. Martel," remarked Mr. Oleeth. "Please do not test my patience furthermore.

"I'm sorry sir." Filled to the brim with embarrassment, I walked to the front of the classroom where my desk sat.

On the hot and stinky bus ride to school, I recalled the events that happened at breakfast. I had pulled out a journal from inside my backpack and decided to make a list of questions about this situation. I had come up with:

~What was my dream truly about?
~What do the flashing images mean?
~Are the images supposed to represent my nightmares?
~Who was the hooded captive and the mysterious man?
~What's going to happen to me?

         
After reading over these questions over and over again, I convinced myself that was a good start. I also managed to convince myself that I was going to be OK and that there is nothing to worry about.

"Thank you class for all arriving on time. If you count Ms. Martel's close call," Mr. Oleeth stated.

All eyes turned to me, except Mr. Oleeth's. He didn't seem to notice that as he picked up a whiteboard marker and started writing something on the board.

I swear that teacher hates me, I thought to myself. I don't understand. Ugh. After silently complaining in my head about him, I returned my focus to the board, which read,

TEST TUESDAY, MAY 26th
QUIZ ON THE OTTOMAN
EMPIRE AND
CONSTANTINE THE GREAT.
STUDY!

Really? I thought as I jotted down my quiz into my weekly planner. There goes at least an hour of my free time. And, to make matters worse, I still have to figure out what is going on with myself. Hold up and shut up Sarah, I already told you that it was no big deal. Now pay attention, he's talking again!

But before I could focus back onto Mr. Oleeth, I started to feel faint again. As I started to panic that I would be embarrassing myself in front of the whole class, my mind immediately clouded over, and I started to lose control of thinking. Like before, I lost all sense of my hearing and my eyes were glazed over again.

Normally, I would be hyperventilating by now, but now my mind was so clouded over that I felt very calm and relaxed. I felt like someone else could think for me and I would be just fine. I felt this way for a good moment when another flashing image came to me.

This image was very similar to my previous one. However, this time, the man that towered over the hooded captive was staring directly at me. Disturbingly, there was no one else in the room, which meant that the image must be in the captive's perspective. The room was very dark except for a dim, fluorescent light that was right above me and the flashlight that the man was holding. What really made me lose my relaxation was the object that he was holding. He seemed to be holding out a knife, one similar to the one in my dream.

I would have stared more at the image in front of me to get a better idea of my "situation", but I started to regain my focus. My mind and my eyes became clear, and I could start hearing again.

No one seemed aware of what had happened, mostly because the students were sneaking text messages to other students in other classes on their phones. The five people in my class who actually cared about history were staring intently at the board and putting their complete attention to Mr. Oleeth. I was satisfied that no one noticed, but I still felt uncomfortable. If I was going to have these "visions", as I started to call them, there was no way I was going to experience them here, at school. I raised my hand silently, at the same time holding my breath so I would appear pale.

When Mr. Oleeth finally took notice of my hand, he asked, "Is this a comment or a question? Is it related to this topic?"

"It is a question, but it does not relate."

"Is it necessary?"

"Yes."

"I'm waiting. Does it look like I have all day?"

"I'm sorry, but I am not feeling well. Could I go down to the office please?" I asked him, hoping that he would believe me. No way would I be staying here. Not now.

Mr. Oleeth gave me a suspicious look. But he told me, "OK. I hope you feel better."

"Thank you," I gratefully told him as I grabbed my books and exited the room.

As soon as I was out into the empty hallway, I felt overjoyed. Let's start figuring out what is going on with me.