The Dreamer

Chapter 10

Involuntarily, Travis began running down the dark alley. He tried to stop and slow down, but all efforts were useless. His head screamed for him to take control, but Travis’ body was essentially a puppet, moving however the force controlling him wanted. He struggled against himself, mind verses body, will fighting force.

            He approached the end of the alley and turned left. He continued to resist his actions as he sprinted down the sidewalk.

            Eventually, he gave up fighting and gave in, realizing he could not influence his actions. He was relieved when he could freely move his eyes, and in spurts surveyed the area around him.

            The buildings and homes were vaguely familiar with Travis, but he couldn’t place his exact location. He passed a street sign and quickly read it.

            Lundar St.

            It didn’t sound too familiar to Travis.

            He felt his body whip to the right and his eyes tore away from the sign and to the direction his body was running.  

            In front of him was a road lined with houses. The lights were off in all of them. He crept down the sidewalk, staying away from the light produced by the street lamps lining the road.

            He stalked down the street, crouching, hugging the shadows. As much as Travis wanted to command his body to turn and run, he had no power over himself. His mind felt separated into two parts. One half was known to Travis, and in this section fear, alarm and worry overwhelmed him. The other half was a mystery to Travis. Those thoughts were hidden, kept a secret known only to the source of the power empowering Travis’ body.

            He passed the first house, then the second, stopping in front of the third. It was a quant three story house, dark green with white shudders. Steps led to a porch which circled around the house. He cautiously approached it, advancing soundlessly towards the front door. Travis abandoned hope of regaining control over his body and instead focused on watching in fearful anticipation. He gathered details about his surroundings, hoping he would remember them when he awoke from dreaming.

            He was dreaming, right? It felt real, but at the same time he was distant and separated from reality, from his body. He couldn’t remember the last time a dream of his had made sense and was probable. Dreams were usually illogical and nonsensical sputterings of the brain, distorted reality which left the dreamer confused, frightened or even entertained. His current environment seemed genuine, yet since he was distinct from it he was sure he was still in a vivid dream.

            His reached the top of the steps and began to move towards the back. The floorboards of the wrap-around porch did not make a sound, benefiting his movement. He turned the corner and approached the back door. Gripping the doorknob, Travis’ hand twisted it, unresponsive to Travis’ renewed attacks on his limbs. The door swung outward and Travis stepped inside.

            The night hindered Travis’ vision, but he could see basics. The room was a large decorative kitchen, painted a dark brown. As he walked through, he passed an oven, dishwasher, stove and microwave. He saw an island sat near the oven, equipped with drawers. A plate with cookies rested on top. He exited the kitchen through a doorway and stepped into a wide open lounge room. A couch, television, small coffee table, recliner chair and in the back right corner, stairs led to an upper level.

            As his person approached the stairs, Travis rushed through possible reasons for his being here. However, he quickly laughed at himself. He was trying to analyze and predict a dream. A dream in which he had no control of anything, so why waste the strength to construct scenarios for his being in another human’s house? His body climbed the flight of stairs and a hallway stretched in front of him, extending to his right and left. He took a left and passed a door. There was a final door at the end of the hall and Travis began to shake. His arms and legs were steady externally, but internally a fright wormed into his consciousness. He couldn’t act on it though. He was powerless to prevent any of his actions.

            The door opened without a sound. He entered, his body calm and efficient. A bed was centered against the far wall, a dresser to its left and computer atop a desk to the right. A lump lay to the side of the mattress, signifying a body. The soft sound of breathing was the only noise. Against his will, Travis’ body slowly and silently began to move forward. He stepped to the edge of the bed and the outline of a person, wrapped in blankets, was visible. A head covered with long, straight black hair was above the covers. Travis’ hand reached into his pocket and pulled out a roll of tape. He hadn’t noticed it until now. He tore off a piece a few inches long. The tearing sound didn’t wake the sleeper. The person’s face was towards Travis.

            Suddenly, his arms shot out quickly and in a fluid motion pressed the tape over the person’s mouth. They jerked awake, eyelids flying open and body twitching and squirming. As they tried to sit up, Travis saw a middle aged woman, wearing sweatpants and an old T-shirt. She screamed, but the sound was muted by the tape. Realizing there was something covering her mouth, she reached up to tear it off. Before she could, Travis’ hand formed a fist and he swung at her head, connecting. She slumped back on the bed, unconscious.

            He threw the blankets aside and stretched her body out, arms outstretched and legs together, forming a “Y”. In his other pocked was thin rope several feet long and a sharp pocketknife. It unnerved Travis that he had so much with him, yet did not realize it until now.

            Taking the rope, he cut it into strips and began to tie her hands and legs to their positions on the bed. The knots were formed quickly, tight enough to hold her still yet still simple so not to use as much rope.

            His arms worked like an experienced professional, securing her limbs with speed. In his mind, Travis was far from calm. His mind raced with scattered thoughts and unanswerable questions. Worse of all, he still remained unable to do anything but observe.

            He moved to the bottom of the bed and stood with his back turned to her, arms crossed.

            The girl lurched awake.