The Dream Machine

Five

I jolted off the ground and got to my feet. George was sitting next to his computer, headphones around his neck, mouth agape, "So, you can go back in time why you sleep? Cool." 

"Actually, that has never happened before. Last time I did it, it showed me what was going on in the present while I was asleep. I guess the chloroform changed my sleep awakenness or something."

"It's cool either way. Yet, it's weird how you woke up so fast because of the chloroform. You were only out for five minutes."

"That's insane," I replied, "I was out for a least fifteen during school, and that slumber was by my own merit."

George started pacing around his room, left eyebrow raised, "And who was that guy who started out as a preschooler and shape-shifted into a man?"

"I've never seen him," I said, not lying. I had really never seen him before, "Well, I guess I better get going. My sister is gonna start calling the cops if I don't get home soon." I stretched off the metal headband and gave it to George. 

"Can't you stay a little longer? I mean, this outreaches all signs of sciences. We need to talk more about this." 

"We'll talk more about this tomorrow after school. Until further notice, we're gonna run these tests to see what's really going on inside my head."

"Neat," George breathed, as I walked out his bedroom door, down the stairs, and out into the open air. It was time to start my regular walk home. Cars were swerving by, many people getting home from work. My parents were just now leaving for work, ready to start their shifts. I had never told them about my dreams, not only the dreamscapes, but also about the darned concrete wall. The words just couldn't proccess. They would probably never spill out of my mouth, only if they were lying on their death beds and it was the final statement I said to them. My thoughts were cut short as a blue-green minivan stopped at the curb where I was standing. 

"Want a ride?" the driver asked. The voice was male, perhaps in his twenties. 

"No thanks," I answered, continuing not to look at him, "I don't take rides from strangers."

"Oh, but I'm not a stranger." he declared, "I know you, Sadler. I know all about you. I know your crush, Lizzie. I know everything."

I turned and my face turned from fuming to surprised. It was him. The man from my dreams. The one who was trying to convince me that my life was a story, one that he most likely knew the ending do, as if it was a New Yorks Times #1 Bestseller. And before I knew it, I had already walked across the sidewalk and sat down into the passenger seat. 

"Thank you for coming." he smirked, as a vast gas filled the air. It was strong, stronger than chloroform. Strong enough to knock both me and the mysterious man unconscious instantly. 

I awoke in a dim-lit room. The only lights kept flickering, unwilling to make themselves go out, knowing that they still had something to live for. Four gray walls surrounded the walls connected with a gray floor and ceiling. The room's was about normal size, meaning that I didn't have to duck my head just to stand up. My body was leaned up against one of the walls. The man's body was leaned right next to mine. He looked as if he was asleep. I slid my way across the glistening tile and poked him on the arm. His body stayed motionless. Then, suddenly a purple canister appeared across the room. It appeared to be a bull horn, because of the curves leading to an opening. It was the only object in this seemingly dead place, because not even a door was marked throughout the almost darkness. I got to my feet, groaning, and saundered to the placement of the object. My hand slipped onto the slippery plastic and my finger slid over the button. One push and the room would be awakened in its sound. 

I pressed the button and the room illuminated in light. No more was it all gray and dreary. It was brightingly white. No darkness hid in its glory. The lights were blasting, gaining new life. Mysterious guy had gotten to his feet and was already strolling towards me. 

"Welcome to your Dream Headquarters," he exhaled, extending his arms throughout the whole room, "This is where you will learn to use your powers." 

"I'm sorry," I muttered, "but you're gonna have to back up at least thirty minutes, because you haven't explained anything."

"Well, to give you a brief introduction, my name is Frederick Matthews, and you're in a dreamscape."

"No, really," I concluded, "Now, what's going on? Why did you basically kidnap me into this place?"

"Hey," he breathed, "you're the one who got in the car."

"But I'm pretty sure you used some kind of power to pull me in." 

"Oh, but the only power I have is the same you hold."

"Oh, and what would that be?"

"You can make anything happen in the universe during your dreamscape."

"Then if I can really change anything, wouldn't the other people who had my abilities before already fully destroyed the earth?" I questioned.

He answered, "No, because I believe that it has, is, and only will be, you and me against the world."