Dream 1: Recurring

Constant Dreams Are Fine, But Not to the Extent That I May Die

...

They say… dreams show the memories of your life in other worlds. Like in this world, you’re a student, but in another world you’re an actor. In some other worlds, you may be a millionaire, or just simply poor struggling in your life.

But, I am – I thought as I stare at my face in my mirror. I only had one dream… and it’s always recurring. No matter how many times I think of other things before I sleep, the same dream always appears in my mind. I thought and stared at my deep blue eyes. I wonder… I thought as I looked at the blue in my eyes. Like an abyss…

I wonder if I only had one other life aside from this one?

…

“Woah! It’s snowing!” I exclaimed, my eyes shining as I looked at the falling snow. I giggled when it fell on my nose.

“How do you like it?” a man asked and grinned as he patted my head.

I smiled brightly. “They’re beautiful!” I answered. “I love the snow now - !” I said and giggled.

The man smiled. “But – “ he said and stood up. He looked around, his face serious.

My forehead knotted. Why does he look serious? I thought, puzzled.

“ – you have to stop liking the snow now, since – “ he said and whispered something.

…

My eyes went wide and I gasped as I sat up on my bed, panting. “What… what was that just now - ?” I thought, catching my breath. I immediately looked around my room, confirming I’m still in my room. I sighed, relieved, when I saw the familiar wall and ceiling. “Whew… I thought it was real – “ I muttered and went down to bed. I walked towards the window. “But, how can it be real when – “ I said and opened the curtains. I smiled at the sight I saw. “ – we’re in reality and not in some fantasy world… right?” I muttered and walked towards the kitchen.

Time to make some breakfast.

…

“Hey, you look pale…” a coworker told me when she saw me.

“He always had been pale but not this so pale…” my other coworker spoke.

“Are you alright?” she said.

My coworkers asked me with concern when I arrived. I forced a smile. “Yeah.” I answered and went to the cashier’s place. It is time for my shift. “Good work.” I told the previous cashier.

“Yes. Good luck!” he told me and left.

I just nodded and took his post. The others also went back to their work. I looked around the convenience store. This job is boring… I thought as I swiped the drink the customer bought. … and simple… I secretly sighed. “It is 42. 5.” I told her.

She nodded and took out her wallet.

“How about I give you an exciting and complicated job?” a voice asked.

“Sure – “ I answered, then froze. My eyes went wide and I looked around, shocked. It couldn’t be the customer in front of me since the voice that asked just now is a male voice.

“Err… hey?” the customer asked, puzzled by my behavior.

I blinked. “Oh. Sorry – “ I apologized and took her payment. “Thanks. Please come again.” I told her and smiled.

I then proceed to the customer next in line.

…

“We should seal it.” the man, the one from my previous dreams, said. His face is serious, and mad.

“We can’t!” a woman, the queen, said. She’s crying. “Or he will – “ she said and sobbed.

“But – “ the king said and looked at the queen. “ – we have to.” He told her.

The queen looked at him. “Dear…” the queen called, looking at the king, shocked. “Do you know what you are saying?” she asked. “If we’ll seal him, then he’ll – “ she said and cried.

“I know.” The king answered, his face pained. “But, if we won’t seal him…” he said and gritted his teeth as he balled his fist. “We love him, but…” he said and a tear fell from his eye.

The queen’s eyes went wide. “Dear, you can’t be…?” she said, shocked. Her face distorted in pain and sorrow. “How could you do this - ?” she asked, crying. “He’s our beloved – “ she said and mouthed.

…

“Hah!” I gasped and opened my eyes as I sat up on my bed. I catch my breath, heavily sweating. “Damn it… that dream again – “ I muttered as I held my head when it hurt. I gritted my teeth as I tried to remember the dream, but, like my previous dreams, they're all too vague when I try to remember them. “Damn it…!” I cursed and went down the bed.

Another day to start.

…

“That’d be 63.10.” I told the customer.

“Thanks – “ she said and took out her wallet.

I just nodded and looked at the other customers lining up. I’m thankful my headache for that dream earlier was gone, but – I thought and looked at my watch. – it’s already past my shift. I want to go home now… I blew out the air and took the payment from the customer. “Thanks – “ I said and swiped the food the next customer bought. “103 – “ I said, but was cut off when there was suddenly a gunshot.

“Hold it right there - !” a voice said. We all ducked and covered our heads.

I saw a man grinning evilly and laughed. He walked towards me.

“Hand over the cash, you too!” he told me and looked at the other people.

“Oh, no…” my coworkers called, shaking in fear.

I frowned. That’s why I hate working overtime – I thought and blew out air, pissed. I reached the cash register.

“Hurry - !” the man said and pointed the gun at me.

“No!” my female coworker cried and moved.

“Stay right there!” the man said and shot the floor next to her feet.

She gasped and crawled back, shock and fear were written all over her face.

“Wait until I take your cash, too – “ he said and grinned evilly as he looked back at me. “Where’s the cash?” he asked as his finger touched the gun’s trigger. 

“Hail…” my coworkers called, scared stiff in their hiding places.

I pressed my lips tight and touched the register. “Hey – “ I tried to call the man, only for my eyes to widen in shock as I held my breath when the man’s index finger slightly pressed the trigger.

Suddenly, I felt everything go in slow motion, as well as the finger pressing the trigger.

“What…?” I muttered under my breath and looked at myself. I can move normally.

“Ah…” a voice muttered.

I turned. I saw a man with a wide black hat looking at the goods in the rack. “This tastes bad, I bet…” the man in black clothes muttered to himself.

I looked at him, shocked. “Who are you?” I asked. He can move normally, too. I thought. Like me. I added. Wait, no. This isn’t what I should think. This man – I thought as my eyes narrowed while I looked at him. When did this man arrive? He didn’t notice him.

“Hm?” the man in black muttered and glanced at me.

I can’t see his face well since his hat is covering half of his face.

“Ah… that’s right.” He spoke and clapped his hands. “I didn’t come here to buy…” he said and looked at me. “I came to pick you up.” He told me.

“Huh?” I said and looked at him, weird. “Who…?” I asked. But, my eyes went wide when he was suddenly in front of me.

He pushed the man with the gun aside. “Hmm…” he said, staring at me as he leaned towards me. “You seem like… ah.” He said, then stood straight up. “I guess this isn’t the time yet…” he muttered.

I looked at him weirdly. I don’t understand a bit of what you said! I thought, then sighed. “Uhm – “ I called and looked at the people inside the convenience store that was frozen like a statue. “Are you the one who did this?” I asked and looked at him.

“Hm?” he said and looked at the others. “Oh. Well – “ he said and looked at me, then grinned. “ – what do you think?” he asked.

I just looked at him.

He smiled. “Well, then – “ he said as he adjusted his hat. “ – I’ll come pick you up when the time comes… like – “ he said and looked me in the eye.

Gray eyes… I thought.

“ – tomorrow?” he asked and smiled.

My eyes went wide. ‘tomorrow’? What will happen tomorrow? I thought.