Human Dream Catcher

Chapter One

"Deep into that darkness peering, long I stood there, wondering, fearing, doubting, dreaming dreams no mortal ever dared to dream before." ~Edgar Allan Poe

I glanced at the clock through blurry eyes and felt a lump forming in my throat when it read five thirty-seven a.m. I would have to be getting ready for school in twenty-three minutes and I hadn't gotten a wink of sleep. My body shook violently with my silent sobs and my mouth gasped for air. It was strange how my body seemed to be reacting correctly to a suicide attempt, yet my mind was perfectly clear. Inside, there was nothing. No sadness, no remorse, no guilt, no anger. Nothing. It was the most peace I had felt in a long while. I didn't sleep tonight nor would I ever again.

The past few years had left me exhausted and feeble. I dreamed that somebody broke into the house and held everyone at gunpoint just last week. I woke up with a barrel pressed to my temple. Luckily, my mother was able to call the police and they arrested the man. I'm not sure I can really blame him, however. He was simply a pawn controlled by my dream. I had another incident that involved my younger sister May.... We still haven't gotten over that one in particular and I knew my parents would never admit it, but they blamed me. I could see it in the looks they gave me everyday. I hugged my knees to my chest as I sat bare in the empty bathtub and wiped away my tears. My family would be safe after tonight.

Safe. My mind clung to the word as it echoed in my head and I closed my eyes, bracing myself for what was to happen next. Inhale. I gripped the knife in my hand and found my wrist. Exhale. I pressed down.

~O-~O-~O-~O-~O-

"Lyn? Can you hear me?"

Darkness blanketed me and lead filled my limbs as I lay motionless on some sort of flat, uncomfortable surface. The feeling of vertigo grasped me with a steel fist and not one single part of me was responding to my orders. I was completely and totally disoriented. The slightest sensation of another presence near me only added to my list of worries as my mind went from a crawl to a walk. Am I dreaming? What's happening? I tried to scream, but my throat felt like it had been torn to shreds. Help me!

"Lyn, move your eyes if you can hear my voice."

There was a tingling feeling all over my body that started out very light at first and increased until it was pins and needles like when my feet fall asleep. Muffled sounds filled my ears along with a strong ringing and the sound of my heart drumming. For the first time, I realized that all my senses save for touch had been stripped away. They were just now returning to me, weak and nearly useless. With this discovery, I attempted to move once more to test the limitations of my body. I found I could, in fact, move my eyes underneath my sealed shut eyelids and would've sighed in relief had I been able.

"Very good, thank you. You've been out for two days, Lyn. You lost a lot of blood. Do you understand what I mean when I say that? Move your eyes for yes."

The voice was slightly clearer now and I could tell from the tone it was an older male. His words were heavy and difficult to accept due to the meaning behind them. I had lived. The lack of familiarity told me that I was most likely away from home, probably in a hospital. I felt my brow furrow as I moved my eyes again.

"My name is Dr. Cardel and I was assigned to tend to you for awhile until you've made a full recovery. You're at the Pockman's Hospital. We've arranged a room for you once you're ready to move about, but for now, just rest, okay?" He paused for a moment and at first I was troubled by this until I remembered to move my eyes in response and he kept right on talking. "Good. I'll be checking on you every so often, Lyn, to make sure your levels are stable." With that, I heard him take three footsteps until he closed the door behind him and was left to myself.