Story Town

Part 1 - Alien Dreams

 Before I even opened my eyes I knew I was dreaming. A cool breeze played with my hair, I could hear the grass swaying beside my ear. I stretched my arms and sat up. Hugging my knees, I surveyed the cartoonesque scene spread as far as the eye could see. The grasses were red and dewed. The first rays of the rising suns sparkled purple in the dim light. I stood up and walked towards a sea of lights.

A nearby town just waking up. The buildings seemed almost alive, creaking with the wind. Like a plant each one was uniquely gnarled towards the sky. I strolled onto the quiet boulevard with the bliss of one who knows they're dreaming.

One of the doors opened up as I approached and a woman stepped out. She closed the door behind her, looking down at her wrist.

"Good morning, miss."

She glanced up at my face, at first not understanding. Then horror rearranged her features into a scream. The door slammed shut with a strip of her dress caught at the bottom. I shrugged and kept walking, a Big Joe Turner song playing in my mind. 

At the end of the street stood a lonely saloon. I waited for a car to pass before crossing. Its sleek 50's look turned my head, the driver's wide eyes stared into mine. It swerved into the other lane but righted itself in time to avoid the large transport vehicle going the opposite way.

The saloon was musty and smelled of alcohol. The stone floor was cool on my bare feet. As I made my way to the bar, my jeans on the ground was the only sound besides a quiet AC unit hidden somewhere. Resting on the counter was a golden bell. I hit it and sat down on the cushy seat. I had to resist the urge to spin 360's and look like a child.

A burly, goateed man appeared, wiping his hands on an apron around his waist.

"What can I get for you sir--" He grabbed something from under the counter and pointed the business end at me. "I don't know what you are, but we don't serve your kind here. Beat it."

"Excuse me? My kind? I'm just here for a drink, buddy."

"This is your last warning, I'm calling the Guard."

I stood to leave and felt a pressure on my chest. I hit the ground and the air whooshed out of my lungs. Stars swam in my vision as my shirt heated up. Any minute now I'll wake up, don't worry. I closed my eyes and opened them, tried again. I pinched myself really hard. Nothing. The heat was growing unbearable, I opened my eyes to find flames flickering up on my shirt. A scream bubbled in the back of my throat as I beat it off, burning my fingers in the process. The sound of boots on pavement sounded in my ears- time for me to leave. I scrambled to my feet and ran out a side door without looking where I was going.