Short Story 4: Dreams You Can’t Recognize

It was a crisp afternoon during fall, the best season of all. The leaves showcasing extravagant colors, the willow trees leaning, swooping branches from side to side, and the beautiful rays of sunshine piercing through the sky. Each gust of wind brushes past your hair, and the light sound of music just adds more magic to the scenery. Amber loved the brisk fall season, everything about it. To make it better, fragrances of apple pie and hot cocoa were all scented near.

I loved to walk through Wilson Park, a friendly neighborhood that was welcoming to everyone. One. two. Three. Four. Light beat. Drums. Bass. And the most light, floaty vocals I'd ever heard. One foot after another, in a dance-like stance, traversing through the soft grasses, the sticks and branches, through it all. I was able to be truly myself, in such a cozy place, which made it seem like an unreal scene. Am I in a dream? I feel so warm to my core, like I'm sitting by the fireplace, airy and smooth tones playing in the background like it is right now. But how, when I'm outside? Or maybe.... that's not right? But then, is this real or imaginary?

Is it all just a figment of near-sighted imagination? A desire only to be seen by people in a small bubble entangled with me, making a small world feel smaller with each step. Only seeing those that are close, never daring to leap away from the circle of safety. Never blinking an eye to those people, far away, calling my name. Waving frantically as they disappear into the fog, shouts yearning for my presence, as unrecognized forces keep my back turned to them...

Consumed, in a whirlwind of darkness and unknowing thoughts rummaging through my mind, leaving no room for positivity. I'm asleep but awake at the same time, as I feel a piercing pain of happiness. But other people say that happy doesn't pierce, it's like floating on a cloud, unrestricted and free; it gives energy and doesn't take it away. If that's true, what is this?

All of a sudden I peer down, and the ground crumbles into pieces, escaping my feet like quicksand. Falling, looking up towards the sky, not wanting to see my demise. It feels so realistic. Arms flailing, the tips of my fingers numb from the crisp gushes of air cutting my skin. Thunderclaps, the sweet sensation of rain being poured onto my skin before I feel the crackling pain. The fire spreading through to each limb, catching and ripping each from the inside. The sparks shooting out from my mouth, the thunderclaps muffling my yells.

And finally, I wake up. What kind of dream was that? Huh, that was really intense and honestly, it shook me. I slowly reach for my coat and jacket. I'm uncontrollably shaking as my shoes slip on. The wooden door makes a soft click behind me. I'm scared and I desperately need to get outside to my safe place.

The fall leaves surround and float around me as I stutter through the path, whilst weaving trees and bird chirps fill the air. I lose balance as I almost faceplant into a weathered, rusty sign. The sign reads "W i  l  s n   P a k" but some letters have faded away. Must be a pretty old park. I continue my adventure, not noticing the dimmed sunset and the cloak of darkness slowly closing in on me. Jazz music plays, taunting me to dance and groove. One. Two. Three. Four. Light beat. Drums. Bass. And the most light, floaty vocals I'd ever heard. One foot after another, in a dance-like stance, traversing through the soft grasses, the sticks and branches, through it all. A snap, and a cascade of branches starts falling from each tree in the distance as if someone cut them off within seconds. Slowly, it makes its way to my direction, inching closer and closer. I try to turn around and run back to where I came, but I feel as if my own limbs can't be controlled anymore.

My vision slowly seems to cloud, my head spinning. I can't think straight. I can't move. I can't do a thing. A pack of leafs brush my cheek as it falls onto the forest floor. My face starts to burn. All the trees are bare, poles stiking up into the sky. The floor covered in branches and leaves, I'm unable to see my ankles. My cheek starts aching, my face kept burning despite the leafs barely skimming my face. I look around in horror. Will I ever get out of this mess?