Restless

My Final Dream

I woke up in the dirt. Exhausted and in pain. I groaned and sat up, rubbing the back of my head. I looked around. I was in the park down town. The sun hovering over the horizon. "Why am I in a park?" I whispered. I struggled to stand. It felt like my legs were broken but I was able to walk. "What horrors can I find myself against now...?"

I limped around the park aimlessly. I heard the giggle of a little girl and the sound of a plastic ball bouncing. I approached a water fountain. I searched my pocket for a quarter. After a moment I managed to find one. I looked at it in my hand "please... let me go home..." I flicked the quarter into the water and sighed "if only it actually worked..." I started to walk away from the fountain but out of the corner of my eye, I saw a small shadow running in the bushes. "Jessie?" I called out. The figure stopped and looked towards me. I swallowed and took a deep breath. I took a step towards her but she ran off again. I sighed and continued walking around the park.

After what seemed to be hours of walking through the never ending park, I heard the high pitch laugh of Charlie. I froze and looked around. I heard rustling in the bushes a few yards away. "Prepare for what you're about to see Jason..."
"What... what am I about to see?" I stuttered. Charlie laughed again and the bushes rustled once more until he was gone. "Please God, let me out of this hell..." I whispered to myself and backed away.

I felt something squeeze my hand. I instinctively squeezed back but there was nothing there. I heard faint cries "he squeezed my hand!" A female voice called out. "What...?" I thought. I shook my head and continued on.

I felt like I was in the park for an eternity. I sat down and sang an old tune my mother always sang to me at night when I was young. "Someone's sleeping lord, be with them". I loved that song. I found myself singing it at random times. It was comforting when I was afraid or alone. I missed my mother. More than ever. But I can't forget about my father. He was always there for me when I needed him most. I just wanted to be in his arms and cry. I didn't wanna be here anymore.

I fell asleep on the ground and woke up a few hours later. It was completely dark now. I rubbed my eyes and yawned. I got up and looked around the park. Nothing had changed. I shrugged and started walking again until I heard the giggle again. I saw Jessie running across the dew covered grass. I'm going to follow her, even through the sharp pain my legs were in. Maybe I'm supposed to follow her. Maybe she will take me home, or perhaps end my life. Whatever fate to come to me, was a welcome one.

After a few minutes, I saw a light. A street light. Finally! Jessie was heading right for it. I noticed she was running with her red ball in one hand and Charlie in the other. She stopped and kicked the ball high into the air. She giggled then ran after it. The ball rolled into the street. Jessie didn't seem to noice a car coming right towards her. "Jessie!" I yelled. I ran faster than I ever have in my entire life. She reached her ball in the street, the car closing in fast. I reached her and grabbed her. I was about to throw her out of the way, but it was too late. I was in the air, Jessie still in my arms. Her eyes were closed and she slowly, slipped out of my grasp. Everything was in slow motion. After a few long moments, I hit the ground hard. Then... all was black again...