5 ==> The Dream

The house was peaceful and quiet, all to yourself without a single shuffle or sound to be heard. It was like a rare serenity you've yet convinced yourself that it wasn't just a figment of your imagination, but is it really worth it? You were drifting, eyes having difficulty keeping open without force. They were like tiny sandbags as the sweet sound of nothing filled your hearing ducts. The familiar smell of old fleece filled your numbing senses as you raised the blanket over your body, snuggling up to the scratchy surface.

You miss having a recoopercoon, a troll equivalent to bed or pod, to sleep in. The constant luke-warm liquid encasing your skin as a young troll, acting as if it was an active nightmare fighting repellent. You could almost feel the comfort of the pod relaxing your stressed mind and making the world seem like an okay place for the moment. You knew this wasn't true, not at the slightest, but it felt so surreal. Soon enough, the little consciousness you had slowly slipped out of your minds threshold.

...

Darkness, it surrounded your being like a warm embrace into a total abyss. Everywhere you gazed was black, the color blinding your vision from ever finding an escape. There was nothing you could do to get out of this place, making you feel like a young troll again. You were a hopeless life form just floating, no support, no help, nothing. At least you could feel yourself moving, but an unknown substance seemed to control your movements, making them slow down and not exceed it's full capacity. Was this water?

As much as you wanted to scream, kick, and roll, you couldn't. Fear started to seep into your system with full impact, not because of the obvious darkness, but of captivity and loneliness that awaited. This must be what death feels like, what everyone has to do sooner or later. Once you die, this is where you'll end up; this abyss of nothingness. As frightening as it sounds, as scared as you were, on the outside you showed nothing. A blank stare of wonder was formed on your features like a mask, no emotion leaking out. Just as a replica of real life, you had nothing to share for the darkness' enjoyment and wasn't going to budge any time soon.

A sudden shine of light peered into your vision from above, and the answer to your question about the liquid trap was correct. You took the chance of hope without a single second of hesitation and started to kick your legs. The tips of your fingers were reaching above your head at the light, outstretched and ready for whatever was on the other side. Your body was an unidentified mass, an enemy towards the darkness as you cut your way out of it and into the sunlight with force. You break through the barrier with a violent gasp for air, a breeze of cold surprising your bewildered features.

Hands wildly splashed to your rescue, grabbing ahold of a cushioned edge of an unknown object. Your eyes flash around the lightly decorated space, drawing your body close to what your hands found.

It was a room, very familiar to be more specific. The walls were painted in pearl white, a brown tree with a rainbow of leaves sprawled out with gentle strokes only a mastered hand could accomplish. The window was open, letting a small, warm breeze blow in the small room. It seemed to relax you and give a sense of comfort and safety. You rested your arms against a recoopercoon that was once a horrifying abyss, you too afraid to go back under and see if it was true.

Your eyes quickly reacted to the sound of a creaking door as a figure walked in and you froze. It was a troll, female to be exact. Her casual apparel seemed to have a comfortable vibe, plain maroon dress that went to her ankles and hair as black as a crow's feather tied into a low bun. She gave a small smile towards your direction, eyes relaxed and upturned as if she was happy to see you, and you just couldn't help but to feel terror build up into your body again. You could feel your heart race as you stared at the woman you thought was no longer in existence, but here she is.

It's your mother.

No words were found to be spoken, only a wide-eyed stare that ended up for her to speak first.

"Hello Karkat." Her words were like faint echo's off a forgotten favorite song. You never knew you would be hearing her say your name again.

You wanted to talk, to rush out of the stupid liquid and hug her, but you can't. This seems all too surreal to be happening. 'Your mom is dead', and she has been for a while. How can you explain this to yourself?

She motioned a hand out for you to assumedly take, and for once in your life, you didn't rush to her aid. You were still shocked at the realization that she was here, in your consciousness or wherever the hell you were. Without much thinking about the possibilities of this turing into a nightmare, your hand finally grasped the outstretched one and she helped you out of the stronghold. You seemed to become dry as soon as the air touched your skin, fancy yellow clothing bared into existence as you flinched in surprise.

Out of all the nightmares you've had, this has got to be the most dragged out and tortuous of them all. The one person you held dear to your heart, raised you, nurtured you, and gave birth to you was here. Are you going to be witnessing her death again? Was this the whole point your mind set up? The fear coursed through you like thick blood, eyes widening in realization. No, you thought, I'm not going to relive that again.

"N-No!" You panicked, your reckless emotions seeping out onto the surface. All you could do at this point was pull away from the mother you once knew, that was alive.

The ghost of your loved ones lips drooped a bit and a look of confusion painted her aged features. "Do not be afraid." She took a cautious step forward, but you weren't easily fooled. You know something horrid is about to happen and you won't let that rest into place. Your eyes caught a glimpse of the door she entered through, was that an escape or an entrance to hell? You guess there's only one way out.

The figure in front of you was speaking, but only an intense sound of ringing was replaced as you made a run for the only escape route. Your legs carried you around and out the door with no resistance from the entity. That was a bit strange, you were more than expecting a surprise attack from her, but that was the least of your worries at the moment. The blinding light engulfed your figure quickly as you ran, not looking back at the door still evident from behind.

...

Waking up to a racing heart, clothes drenched in sweat, and a panicked sibling wasn't the plan for the unconditional 'whatever the fuck that was' dream. You were shaking still from the false adrenaline coursing through your body, not helping the amount of concern that seeped off the worried Kankri beside you with a wet rag being placed directly on your forehead. You made lazy eye contact as a groaning yet laced with complaint sound came from your gape hole.

"What... What time is it."

Kankri's eyes rolled as if it was non-important, but personally, you feel like complete shit right now and will get your way. "It's around midnight, but you don't need to worry about such things at the moment. You seem to be running a high temperature and I have already taken extra precaution of informing father about your illness. How do you feel? Do you need anything to make you more comfortable?"

"N-No... I'm fine." Your words were muttered as your body finally decided to relax against the comforter. You let a hand come up and touch the damp cloth, the coolness feel to it soothed your fried nerves.

The mattress shifted under Kankri's weight being added onto the edge, his head dipping down slightly as his irises scanned your complexion like a science project gone wrong. "It seemed as if that dream of yours was quite interesting, are the nightmares returning again?"

"What? No." Another half lie to someone who cares about you.

"Then what was it about?" Genuine interest was laced in his voice and facial expression, but yours in painful remembrance. Should you share such a sensitive topic to your trigger happy sibling? He was one trollian to trust and frankly, the only real male model you grew up to look upon for guidance.

With a long debate finally settled, you had decided to tell him some needed truth. Maybe he has answers to what you dreamed of? "It... It was about mom."