Awakenings

Prologue

Awakenings

Book 1 of the Grave Misgivings series

by C. E. Sundstrom.

Copyright C. E. Sundstrom 2014.

Prologue

“Hope is a waking dream”

Aristotle

Sunday, February 12th, 2006.

11.35 A. M.

Kinglake, Victoria, Australia.

“Monsters!” I say absentmindedly as I peer over the top of my dog-eared novel, distracted from my fantasy world by the chatter coming from my geriatric box television. It had always been my intention to upgrade my T.V to something created this century though when push came to shove, I just couldn’t bear to retire old faithful and its unique milky pink picture quality. My television has character, which is undeniable. Unfortunately that is its sole redeeming feature.

“Yes, Michael. Many children of pre kinder age show a propensity to make up stories about Monsters,” Carmen Montague, T.V psychologist extraordinaire says determinedly as her shimmering tangerine dress sends my head dizzy with some sort of mild epileptic fit.

“Really,” Doug Sullivan says as he tries unsuccessfully to display some interest in the topic he has been blessed with today. He can’t help but wonder if a subject such as this is the reason why he decided to take up journalism in the first place. Surely there has to be a more relevant topic for his talents to cling to than this drivel. “Does the research show why this would be the case? Is it simply a matter of growing minds letting their imagination run wild?”

“You would think that would somehow be the case,” Carmen continues as she leans forward, trying to add an air of anticipation before she releases her no doubt extraordinary insight into the inner mechanism of a toddler’s brain. “However, the latest research from Cambridge shows something more deliberate is taking place.”

“How so?” Doug drawls as he too leans forward, as if they are about to exchange some form of massive secret, keeping the rest of the world ignorantly in the dark.

“Well, the latest results are somewhat anecdotal at this point but the researchers are already making some surprising findings.”

That’s code for this is interesting hearsay, I guess.

Carmen continues, “They have discovered that there seems to be a direct correlation between children inventing imaginary monsters and a child’s desperate need to feel loved.”

“So to clarify this for the viewers out there,” Doug says with a cheery grin of disdain towards the camera, “you are saying that young children invent monsters in order to gain some attention when they are feeling lonely or neglected?”

Carmen nods, “That is a little over simplistic but generally speaking you are correct in your assertion. Young children invent monsters as a devious and deliberate way to manipulate parents into spending some time with them………”

My mind begins to drift as their words become unintelligible. Their conversation becomes white noise as I ponder this last statement. I say to myself, “Is that what I did? Was I just seeking attention as a child?”

It makes sense to me now that I am an adult, though there is nothing sensible about imaginary monsters.

“Julie!” I hear a familiar voice call out to me. I pause, considering the validity of what my ears have heard. The notion that he is here is too crazy to even contemplate.