Chapter 5: They Dream

Chapter 5: They Dream

Leila liked her dreams. It was the realm she had the most control over. She entered her dream curiously. Today, she was on top of a mountain that she remembered climbing with her parents. Mount Jumbo, she remembered smiling. The grass was soft against her bare feet. She snapped her fingers and a glass of wine appeared in her hand. She took a sip, relishing the beautiful sight before her. The sea of clouds seemed to sink the sun, swallowing it whole. It seemed the sun was bathing in pink and orange, blending with each other but keeping their individuality.

Today, she didn't feel the need to change much in her dream anymore. She breathed in heavily, feeling the strength in her body fade. She felt her eyes gloss up, remembering memories from her distant childhood.

All I want to do

Is to get lost in the clouds

“How does it feel to swim there?” She asked herself.

"That’s probably not a good idea." A male voice called to her. She raised a brow, glaring at the person behind her. He was a fairly tall medium built man. He had well-kempt short brown hair and was wearing a green sweater. His brown eyes were framed by thick-rimmed glasses. Caden didn’t really expect much from the door but he thought that there would be more mysteries lying behind the door that kept annoying him. All he sees, however, is a woman. A woman who is currently snapping her fingers.

But he was still there.

“Excuse me?” She said, “This is my dream.”

A lucid dreamer? He thought. He was holding up a phone, taking a picture.

“Don’t take my photo.” She warned, instinctively.

“I’m not.” Caden explained. “What are you doing?”

“For some reason, I can’t get rid of you.“

“Why would you think you can get rid of me?” He paused and then had a spark of brilliance confirming his earlier suspicions. “You’re a lucid dreamer, aren’t you?”

“Yes. Now, can you explain to me why you’re here?” Her brows furrowed.

He thought back to the hunting dog hanging on the door. He felt more confused as to why he was here. Is it because this woman is a lucid dreamer? He pondered.

“I can visit people’s dreams. Just checking this place out.” He replied casually. “I can’t leave once I enter a dream, so you’re stuck with me for the rest of the night.”

Leila paused. She didn’t really know what to say. After all, they were both inside a dream. Was anything possible in a dream? Was this guy an actual person? Or was she dreaming of this man? Is this a part of the dream she couldn’t control? She felt weary about the guy.

“Okay dream guy,” She started, sizing him up. “What’s your name?”

“Caden,” He replied, looking at her curiously. She nodded slowly.

“My name is Leila.” She introduced herself. She looked around. “Well, this is my dream.”

“The view is beautiful.” Caden looked onwards, looking at the sea of clouds. A calm breeze blew over them. “Where is this?”

“It’s Mt. Jumbo.” She replied, snapping her fingers and offering him a glass of wine. “Well Caden, since you’re stuck here. I don’t really mind the company.”

“You know you can’t poison me in a dream.” He replied, taking the glass. She rolled her eyes and fake laughed before replying.

“I didn’t poison it.”

There was a sense of freedom meeting a stranger in a dream. The pinkish and orangish hue of the sky made the clouds look like it was lost in a dreamy ocean. Both of them, however, seemed very weary of each other.

“You’re the first lucid dreamer I’ve met.” Caden confessed. “What do you usually do to change your dreams?”

“I do a lot of things.” Leila replied.

A moment of silence erupted between the two.

“You know people would usually go on to say why.” Caden commented once again.

“They would.” Leila replied.

Another moment of silence.

“And I thought I was fun at parties.” Caden broke the silence once more. Leila grunted and sighed.

“Normally, I relax by myself when I dream.” She replied. “I like being alone.”

“Hey, I like your dream. It’s pretty chill.” He commented. “Nobody’s naked or being stupid. Pretty sure I hit the jackpot.”

She raised a brow on this.

“What kind of weird shit did you see?”

“My best friend’s thing.” He trailed off. “Absolutely mortifying.”

“Thing? Are you 12?” She scoffed. “Call it his dick?”

“Nope.” He replied. She raised a brow at that. “Also found out that my best friend’s sister thinks I have a ten pack.”

Leila coughed, laughing a bit. “She dreamt about you?”

“Yeah and in her dream we were doing the do.”

“Fucking.” Leila eyed him.

“Yes, that.” He replied.

“Sounds like the girl has a crush on you.” She commented.

“The kid is 16. Hormones. Plus she’s practically my sister.” He replied. “I’m 23.”

“Wow.” Leila took a sip from the wine. “Well, when I was at that age I had a crush on my sister’s best friend.”

“I’m sure that guy wouldn’t want to see your crude fantasies of him either.” Caden replied.

“I’d be mortified if he saw any of my dreams of him,” Leila replied, relaxing a bit.

“Ah, mutual shame.” Caden stretched. “Best conversation starter.”

Leila choked on her drink. laughing a bit. Caden gazed upon the clouds a bit, stealing glances at Leila. She was a fairly average built girl. She had long dark brown hair and big bright green eyes. She had a bit of a puff to her cheeks and she had light dewy brown skin. She had a feel to her. He just couldn’t put his finger on it. He looked on to the sea, spotting a hunting dog amidst the clouds.

“Did you see that?” He pointed to the clouds. Leila furrowed her brows.

“No? What am I looking at?” She questioned.

Caden pressed his lips together. “Never mind. Must have seen something wrong.”

Pause

“So Caden, this is weird but you’re a dream walker right?” Leila questioned. Caden was a bit taken aback.

“Dream walker? Is that what you call me?” He laughed. “It sounds like something out of a story book.”

“It is.” Leila looked back to the view. “My sister loved telling me that story.”

“Mind if I hear it?” Caden questioned.

“In a sea of dark lies a reef of doors,” Leila started. “Doors only a few can reach.

Amongst the few are the walkers

Who enter the gates

Peering into the plays

Of the stage we call our minds

As we slumber

When we are stirred by the dreams

That haunt our subconscious

They come to hold our hand

And provide us with a strength

That helps us wake to a dream

We call our lives.”

Caden took a moment to soak it in. It was very accurate so far. He came to a void that held hundreds if not thousands of doors. Where was he when this tale was told in school?

“What do you think?” She questioned.

“You’re a good storyteller.” He smiled softly. She huffed and furrowed her brows, avoiding his gaze.

“I was talking about the story.” Leila said.

“It was good.” He said. “Pretty accurate.”

He looked back at the view. The dog was back. What? He looked back again. There it was. It was as if it was taunting him. He stood. I need some answers.

“Caden? What are you doing?” Leila raised a brow, perturbed by his sudden actions.

He breathed in and started bracing himself. Soon he sprinted and leapt towards the clouds. Leila’s heart skipped a beat, scared. She watched the form of the man fall through the wisps of white.

“What the fuck Caden?!” She cursed.

Through the ever expansive warm sky, Caden fell with a rush of wind. He breathed the cold in, relishing in its powerful hug. A couple moments later he saw another figure dive into the clouds. He assumed it to be the only person in this dreamscape. He looked around.

No.

No dog anywhere.

She screamed as she fell fast.

“Why’d you jump in too?!” He yelled.

“I don’t know! I thought you were going to die!” She screamed.

The air gushed around them as they passed by cloud after cloud. Soon, a hint of green showed in their visions.

“Oh my god!” She screeched.

“You have nothing to be afraid of!” He yelled. “It’s your dream!”

She couldn’t hear him through her screams. He shook his head. He positioned himself and caught her in the air. He wrapped his arms around her tightly and took one hand to guide her face to look at him.

“Leila! Listen!” He yelled. She blinked, stopping her screams but her heart still raced like crazy.

“You’re in a dream!” He continued. “You’re under control!”

“I am?” She questioned.

Right.

I am a lucid dreamer.

The harsh current of air stopped and they started floating. Leila started breathing in and out slowly, calming her racing heart down. Caden let go of her, distancing himself.

“Are—?”

And she woke up.