Into A Dream

In Another Time

"I do not see." He said, looking down at me from his perch, bewildered. 

"I can't put it any clearer I'm afraid, because I don't understand it either, one minute I'm one thing and the next I'm not." I tried to explain politely, swallowing a sigh. 

"Oh, but it's not so complicated, not at all." He insisted, puffing on his hookah, lazily watching me.

Frustration grew inside of me. "For right now you don't know, but one day you'll grow a cocoon, as all caterpillars do, and come out a butterfly. Then you will find the confusion I have." I insisted.

He shook his head, "I will not."

"Well, we are two different people then," I said after taking a moment to breathe.

"Are we?" He stood up, towering over me, the smoke surrounding him almost like a cocoon. "Who are you?" He questions again.

"I am me." Aggravation aroused inside of me for we were back at the beginning again.
The caterpillar looked away, displeased with the answer I had given, and my lack of enthusiasm.

"Stay a moment longer," He suggested, for I had stood to leave, I once again sat. "Keep your temper."

"Is that all you have to say to me?" I asked puzzled.

He shook his head, I waited as he puffed away, the caterpillar finally took the hookah out of his mouth. "You say you've changed, but you can't remember things as they once were," He paused. "What things can you not remember?"

I thought it over, perplexing thoughts shifted, before I could say anything a long ringing noise shook the world. "What's going on?" Looking to the wise caterpillar for comfort but he took a puff of his hookah once again and blew a ringed cloud of smoke towards me.

"Until next time, child."

The bell for the end of the sixth period rang, waking me. Had I really slept all of the class?
Ms. Fairgood walked over to my desk as I was clearing my papers, "Alistair Land, I will never understand how you manage to pass this class when you spend more time asleep than awake." 

"I'm sorry Ms. Fairgood." 

"Try to sleep more at home, okay?" She pulled on her blue raincoat while giving me a wink. Glancing out the window I realized it was raining and that my uncle certainly would not be picking me up. 

Ms. Fairgood and I walked to the front of the school as she informed me of what I slept through, "Well, good evening Alistair, I hope your ride gets here soon." Once we reached the front, pulling her hood up she gave me one last smile. 

"Yes Ms. Fairgood, have a good evening too." I offered a small smile, deciding to wait until she left to start walking home.

The rain wasn't bad, avoiding the puddles was the tough part. Four blocks and six houses, I reached my aunt and uncle's house, 216 Grove Lane. 

Kicking my shoes off and hanging up my jacket, I tiptoed upstairs. Hoping to avoid my uncle. Just as my hand rests on my doorknob, turning it ever-so-slightly, "Alistair was that you? Come down here." His voice vaulted up the stairs. 

Before I shut my bedroom door I heard a creak, I paused, pushed my door back open. Nothing was there. 

"Until next time, child."