The forest was just getting thicker. Not thinning like the man in the dark cloak said it would. It should be over now, but instead it’s just beginning. Branches started to tangle in my hair; roots entrapped my feet and ankles. I tripped over a sharp rock, tumbling over a small cliff, crashing in the freezing river.
I gasped jolting up. I was in my short pajama bottoms and a white tank top. I was soaking wet in frigid water in the bathtub that I forgot to drain last night. Where the branches scratched me, I was scabbed over.
Another dream.
I have been having dreams lately, and when I wake up it shows. The other night I was burned along my forearms, in the morning I was burned in the same spot. These dreams are getting dangerous and I can’t tell anybody or they’ll lock me up for my protection.
I looked at the bathroom clock, it read 6:50. I had only an hour to get ready. I got up, drained the tub, and dried off, putting on fresh clothes. In forty minutes I was ready to leave the house. I wore a long sleeve, gray and teal stripped shirt with skinny, dark blue jeans. I slipped in converse shoes, and let my dark brown hair tumble over my shoulders. I applied light makeup and grabbed my backpack.
I walked into my first class, history. I dreaded history. Why learn about our past, when I can learn about what’s now? Mr. Witchman is terrifying. He has hollow dark brown eyes and baggy skin. He always wears something black; today it’s a black button up shirt with black pants.
“Miss. Lesley, how nice of you to join us today.” He said. I was gone the last two days of school due to my dreams. “Yes…um I was sick so, yeah.” I said ducking my head so he wouldn’t notice the scrape that ran along my forehead. I sat down in my seat next to a girl named Sierra.
“Today class, we will learn about the Ancient Greeks…” he started. I tuned him out and everyone for the rest of the day.
The bell rang for school to be over. I got into my green Volkswagen bug. It is old and run down. I started it and drove down the main rode to Wilkin’s Dinner. This has been my job for the past two years.
“Lesley! I heard you were sick! Poor thing!” Mrs. Wilkin exclaimed. After her husband died, she ran the joint. “I’m fine now.” She nodded and handed me my apron. I smiled a little and slipped it on.
“Lesley! Table 24 needs a waitress!” Lila, Mrs. Wilken’s daughter called to me. “Ok!” I called back. We have been friends since I worked here.
“Hello, how may I help you?” I asked an elderly couple. “Yes dear, we’ll have two breakfast platters, hold the meat and extra eggs.”
“Anything else?” the husband was about to speak, but his wife cut him off. “Two waters please.” She said, scolding her husband. I walked past getting their food. The man slipped a piece of paper in my hand, it read, two packets of sugar. This made me laugh.
I came back with the steaming plates and waters. I hid the sugar behind his cup. He nodded in thanks.
After work, Lila and I went to my apartment. My parents were gone on a cruise that they do once a year. We sat down on the couch and watched Pretty Little Liars. “okay…so tell me, why are you so quiet today?” She asked.
“Hmm? Oh…um no reason, just tired.” I faked a yawn. “Sure, yeah. I know you’re lying, but whatever.” She smiled a menacing smile.
“Oh please.” I laughed. We ended up falling asleep on the couch.
I dreamt I was endlessly falling, hitting the walls and started to bruise. I woke up and was sore to the touch. I went to take a shower before Lila woke up. When she did she announced she was leaving.
It was Saturday and I had no work, so I stayed at home reading a book for a book report. I heated up some tea and cuddled with my pillow, getting comfortable. The book was The Kite Runner.
For about an hour I read. Then a loud knock shook the room. I got up to answer. A young adult, probably 18 collapsed inside. He was breathing hard and bleeding everywhere. “Oh my God!” I screamed, pulling him inside. I laid him down on the floor and ran to get the first aid kit.
I took off his shirt and started to soak his skin with a washcloth. His hand jolted and clasped around my wrist. I screamed crawling backwards. “Lesl…” he started to say, but passed out again.
He was about to say my name. He knew my name. How did he know my name?
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he was cleaned where i dared. On Sunday, he woke up and stared at me. We held the stare till i spoke, "How do you know me?" I asked.
"You are in my dreams."
"What?"
"I dreamt that you were running through a burning field and i guided you straight through it, not around it. Or the other night, i told you to go into the forest to get out."
"You were the man in the cape thing? No, that's impossible." I showed signs of hysteria.
"No it's not. It's deeper then you think. i'm telling the truth." he swore."Okay, if it's true, why the hell would you tell me to go through it?!" I started to shout.
"Because! that's the only way out! You have to get past the obstacle or you'll forever be in the dream!" He was getting angry with me, i could tell.
in a calmer voice i said, "You are welcome to stay until my parent's get home." I left the room, not bothering to wait or a reply.
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that night, the man showed his face, it was the guy who came last night.
"Lesley, swim through the ocean, it's the only way." "No! I will not fall for that again!" I screamed at him. "Suit yourself." He said disappearing.
instead of going into the ocean, i went up the sandy hill. it felt like hours and i was only at the bottom. Another hour and i was hardly 1/4 of the way up.
Frustrated, i sat down. maybe he was right, I'm doomed to stay in this dream. I looked back at the ocean and decided, it was the only way.
I threw my body into the sea and swam. Silk streams wrestled with my body pulling me under. I lost all my breath.
I woke up, gasping for air. My silk sheets were suffocating me.I wiggled out and went to the kitchen. He was there.
"Who are you?" I demanded. "I'm Troy." He smiled. I knew he knew what happened in my-our dream. I nodded.
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so since this is only a short story i will only be revealing this part. want to hear the rest? then vote for it!
