Not Just a Dream
The desert sun scorched my head, my feet felt heavy as I trudged through the slippery, sinking sand. My throat was dry, my body ached for water; deep inside there was a stronger ache, one that made my heart ache so badly. I collapsed in the sand, a small bag thumping softly next to me, and closed my eyes. It felt so wonderful to lie still, I had been moving for days in the seemingly endless desert. My water had run out long ago and I had very little food left. I squinted my eyes open, trying to ignore the parched feeling in my throat. There was no way I could go on much longer without water, perhaps there would be an oasis further. Perhaps my family was not far ahead. I slowly pulled myself to a sitting postion and stared out at the desert sand. The innocent blue sky held no clouds and the scorching sun was set in the middle of the sky, it had to be around noon. I forced myself to move on, trying to ignore the growling pains in my stomach. Suddenly I stopped, there was a man standing in the distance. His body seemed to be moving in place like liquid, the heat waves probably caused the movement. He smiled and waved, I lifted a hand and starting running, the sand caused me stumble. I drew closer and closer, yet the man still seemed far away. Finally I stopped, panting, it was no use, the closer I got the further away the man became. After I caught my breath I looked out to where the man was standing, he was gone. I was alone again. I collapsed in a heap on the sand, exhausted, thristy, and hungry. My eyes closed again and I imagined myself in a pool, the cool water lapping against me.
***
A voice broke through my thoughts. “Janessa, get up!”
I oepned my eyes and tumbled out of bed onto the floor. “Mom?” I looked up at her through sleepy eyes.
A cool hand grabbed my wrist. “Are you ok?” My mom helped me stand.
I slowly stood. “Yeah.. where am I?” I rubbed my eyes, relieved that I was only dreaming about getting lost in the desert.
“Janessa, the heat must have affected you big time.” Mom sat me back onto the bed.
I tilted my head. “What are you talking about?” I ran a hand through my hair, then jerked away. There was sand in my hair? How? Wasn’t it all a dream?
“You got lost from our group, your father found you wandering through the desert. You were very dehydrated and dazed.” She handed me a glass of water and I sipped it, the cool liquid felt so refreshing. “Remember..?”
I slowly shook my head, “But I was dreaming..” My voice faded.
***
My eyes blinked open, I was still in the desert, the heat as sweltering as ever. A man stood over me, holding a bottle of water. “Miss?” His voice held a thick accent. “Are you alright?”
I stood and grabbed the bottle, only to find the man gone and myself grabbing at the open air. A sob escaped my throat, causing it to hurt. My knees sunk back into the sand. I tried to cry, but no tears came from my eyes. I rocked back and forth in the hot sand. Finally I stood and decided to go on.
***
A cool cloth swept across my forehead. “Jan?” A male voice asked.
I moved slighly and forced my eyes open. “Dad?” I tried to sit up but was pushed back down.
“You need to rest.” He handed me a bottle of water.
I took it, my hand shook. “Was it a dream?” I asked, then took a sip of the water.
“A dream?” Dad looked at me confused. “Janessa, what do you remember?” He pulled the cloth away.
“I-I was lost in the desert..” I stammered.
Dad looked at me funny again. “Janessa..” His voice echoed in my mind then faded away.
***
*Bleeep-a-Bleeep* *Bleeep-a-Bleeep* The alarm clock shook me out of my sleep. I sat up and glanced around me, I was safe in my bed. I smacked the alarm clock and laid back down. “It was all a dream.” I murmured to myself. “Just a-” I stopped, stood up and went to the window of my room. Outside was the vast desert full of golden sand. I went and slipped on my shoes then pulled my foot out. “Sand?” I poured sand out of my shoes.
I let the shoe drop, my heart nearly stopped, my clothes were torn and dirty. My hands shook as I grabbed the bottle of water beside my bed.
“Oh you’re awake!” Mom stepped into the room and smiled. Her smile faded. “Janessa, what’s wrong?”
My voice shook and confusion clouded my mind. “What happened to me?” I asked, scared and confused.
“Honey, are you all right?” Mom touched my cheek. “You look pale.”
I fell back onto the bed, a familiar hurt, lost feeling swept over me. Suddenly I remembered what happened, it wasn’t just a dream.
~~~~~~