Alice and Her Dreams

Part 1

Alice unexpectedly woke up from an involuntary kick. She opened her eyes immediately after, as if waking up from a nightmare. There was barely any sunlight outside her window. Her alarm hadn’t sounded yet and she wanted to sleep more. She tried to recall every detail of her dream to bring herself back to it. Her dream was so vivid that she could still feel the emotions as she embraced her soft cold pillow. But the shock of waking up couldn’t make her go back to sleep. She tossed and turned around in her bed until she finally found the energy to get up.

Her day went by as usual. As an AutoCAD operator, she spends hours in the computer creating 2D and 3D technical drawings. There was nothing creative or inspiring about it. On hectic days, she barely eats for lunch to finish everything on time. Her work was boring and exhausting but she was always hard working. However that day, she felt so tired and unmotivated. Her dream earlier that morning bothered her so much. As she went to the ladies room, she tweeted ‘Have you ever dreamed something so real you were so sure it was another reality?’

Alice left the office by 8pm. There were still a few drawings left in her table but she could not push herself to work anymore. While in the elevator, she saw that her tweet was liked and retweeted by someone named ‘Queen’. The profile picture was that of a white rose. It was probably just a random account by someone who wants to be checked out and followed, Alice thought.

“Hey Alice!” It was Abi from IT. “You wanna grab some dinner?”

She looked at her watch and felt her stomach grumble when he mentioned dinner. “Sure. What are we going to eat?”

“Fancy some pasta at March’s?”

March’s is famous for their fancy desserts that’s beautifully paired up with English breakfast tea or brewed coffee. But they also have some quick-to-order pastas that’s perfect for starving on-the-go people like Alice.

“Alright. Let’s go.”

After walking for a while, Abi asked. “You’ve been really quiet. Are you alright?”

Alice paused for a while. “I just had this weird dream this morning.” She sighed. “I don’t know why I’m so affected by it. I would usually have these dreams every now and then when I was younger. They’re really very real that sometimes I would end up catching my breath or crying after waking up. But when I was in college those dreams started to lessen until I didn’t have it anymore. Now, all of a sudden, I had a vivid dream again.”

“Yeah, I would have them too.” He said as he lit a cigarette. “But I tend to forget those dreams as the day progresses.”

“But I don’t forget the details.” Alice said. “I remember the rooms, the places, the faces… It feels as if they were real memories.”

Abi looked at her. “Oh that’s weird. But hey, don’t let it affect you. Maybe you’ll get used to having these kind of dreams eventually. What was your dream by the way?”

Alice took a deep breath. “I was in a street waiting for a cab. This white taxi pulls over and I get in. The taxi was weird because it looked like a regular size cab but inside it was like this long vehicle, like a limousine of sort. Of course there was a driver inside. After a while, in my dream, I somehow got in touch with the driver and we became close. He went with me to the hospital for something I didn’t quite understand. And I just knew that we had this connection with each other. Somehow I didn’t want to be separated from him. Then I suddenly woke up.”

Abi finished his cigarette as they arrived at March’s. He didn’t quite know what to make of her story. “So what bothered you was the feeling that you were separated from him because you woke up from that dream?”

“I think so. And when I sleep again this evening, I know he won’t be there because it’s going to be another dream. And it feels quite sad. Am I going mad?”

Abi laughed. “You probably just need to eat some dinner.”

They both sat down and got the menu. Abi ordered Bolognese while Alice had a Classic Carbonara. Then they changed their topic and talked about work and hobbies.

When they paid for their bill, the waiter told them that it has already been paid for.

“By whom?” Alice asked.

The waiter gave her the bill and the receipt was scribbled ‘Queen’. Abi didn’t seem bothered about it. He just felt lucky about the free dinner. But Alice knew there was something more. She remembered her tweet.

“That’s curious.” She mumbled.

“What?” Abi asked. “Curious? You said curious?”

“Don’t mind me.” Alice replied. “Where is this person? Is she still here in the restaurant?” She asked the waiter.

The waiter pointed to the al fresco tables. Alice and Abi got up.

“You go ahead Abi.” Alice told him.

“Okay. Are you gonna be alright?”

“Yeah, sure.” She wasn’t quite sure. Her heart was pounding. “Thank you for tonight.”

“Okay. See you tomorrow. I’ll close the ticket you sent me this evening first thing in the morning.”

“No problem. Take care.”

“You too.”

As they stepped out of the restaurant, Abi went on his way while Alice looked around the al fresco tables. A group of giddy girls just got up and left. The only ones left in the area was a couple whose back was facing her. The woman had a long pale blond hair while the man beside him was wearing a hat. He was writing something down while she was drinking some tea.

“Excuse me,” Alice said. “Are you… Queen?” No one responded. Alice felt foolish and turned around.

“Yes,” she replied as she placed down her cup. “I am Queen.”

She turned back to them. The woman looked at her with a smile. Her red lips and dark brown eyes contrasted well with her pale hair.

“Why would you pay for me and my friend’s dinner?”

“I paid for your dinner.” Another man showed up in their table and sat down with them. He was well dressed in a sleek three piece suit with a gold chain attached to his vest. He took off his glasses to wipe off the lenses.

“So, why would you…” Alice question trailed off as he took a pocket watch from his coat. It was connected to the chain on his vest. He looked at the time and placed back the gold pocket watch. There was something odd about the man who just arrived, Alice thought. It’s as if she has seen him before.

“Why?” the man in the fine suit repeated. “To see if you read the signs properly.”

“What signs…?” Alice was more confused than ever.

“Signs that will lead you to the rabbit hole.” The man with the hat replied.

Alice was too familiar with the term. Her namesake was after the famous story by Lewis Carroll about a girl who falls down a rabbit hole.

Then the man with the hat stood up. He lifted his head up and looked at her. Alice gasped for breath as she saw his face. It was the guy from his dream.

Alice felt her hands grow cold. She stared at him for a while, trying to make sure it was really him based on what she can recall. He smiled at her. Yes, it was that smile. She remembered it very well. But how could it be possible?

He handed her the piece of paper he was writing on.

It took a while before Alice took the paper. She read it aloud. “You are not dreaming Alice.”

Then Alice felt herself kick involuntarily. She lost control of her body. She felt like the ground disappeared and she was falling down. Then she suddenly opened her eyes and woke her up from her sleep.