Cult of the Endless Dream

"Aleck…"

A child's eyes fluttered open. His black hair clung to his forehead, damp with sweat. The steady hum of tires against asphalt filled his ears, the gentle sway of the car rocking him slightly.

Something felt… wrong. His back pressed into the cushions, the familiar scent of the family car wrapping around him like a fading dream. But the moment he stirred, an unease set in and his suddenly grew heavier.

"Mom…?" His voice came out hoarse.

"Aleck, wake up." His mother's voice drifted from the front seat, but she didn't turn to look at him. Her hands were locked onto the steering wheel with fingers clenched so tightly the knuckles turned white. His father sat beside her, rigid and staring straight ahead.

Aleck rubbed his eyes, his hands sluggish, his mind still thick with sleep. The moons light poured through the window with it's ghostly haze, but it did nothing to chase away the chill seeping into his chest.

Then he tried to move. Only once he did his heart slammed into his ribs.

Thick, rusted chains dug into his wrists and held them firmly in place. Panic surged in him like wildfire. He jolted upright, breathing in sharp gasps as he yanked at the metal bindings. "W-what!?"

"Aleck, don't struggle," his father's voice was hollow, like it wasn't really his. "The Father will make you better. He'll make us all better."

Aleck froze. His father's words barely registered as he was too busy pulling and twisting in an effort to fight against the chains. The metal bit into his skin leaving raw, red marks.

"NO! PLEASE!" Alecks voice cracked. His body thrashing against the seatbelt that still held him in place. "DON'T DO THIS! I DON'T WANT TO GO!"

The car slowed as gravel crunched under the tires. Aleck turned his head, and the sight stole the air from his lungs.

Their was a shack. A small, rotting wooden structure that barely looked big enough to hold a single person, let alone be a building of any kind. Its slanted roof sagged, eaten away by time and rot.

But Aleck barely noticed the shack because of the man standing in front of it. He was tall, thin and draped in flowing black robes that swallowed the light around him. The white collar of his priestly garb was pristine and untouched, but the rest of him… something about him bled wrongness.

Aleck couldn't explain it. It wasn't just the way the air seemed colder around him or how the light itself dimmed near his presence. It was his eyes.

Emerald green. Striking and bright like the leaves of trees that rustled in the forest line nearby. Bright like a man filled with divine enlightenment.

But Aleck knew better. Because when he looked into them, he saw something dead. Something long past human.

His father opened the car door, grabbing him roughly by the arm. "F-FATHER, PLEASE!" He kicked, twisted, anything to get away, but his father was stronger.

Dragged across the dirt, Aleck stumbled, knees slamming against the ground. He barely noticed the sting as his is gaze locked onto the priest.

"Father Valorion," his father's voice was steady and reverent. "Your sermons have shown us the way forward. We accept your offer, so please, let this child be our donation to the Church of Endless Dream."

Aleck's stomach dropped. But for some reason he kept hope in his heart, only to realise it was all for naught.

His mother stepped forward, her voice just as steady. "Yes, Father. Please take him. This child's body will be the vessel of the Messiah. He will walk this Earth again."

Aleck's breath came in ragged gasps.

His mother, the one who had held him when he was scared, who had told him bedtime stories, who had promised she would always protect him. She didn't even look at him, completely enthralled by whatever cult like dogma she had allowed to fill her head with wicked thoughts.

His vision blurred. "Mother…" His voice was barely a whisper. "Please…"

She responded nothing.

The priest finally spoke. "Your devotion is recognized, my children." His voice was smooth, calm-like a saint bestowing blessings upon his flock. "You have opened your hearts to God fully."

Then his gaze flickered to Aleck. A small, almost tender smile touched his lips, "And you, little one… You need not fear. I promise no harm will come to you."

Aleck recoiled in disgust. He wasn't a fool even at this age, and immediately recognised the emptyness of the man's words.

"He's lying!" His scream tore through the air, raw and desperate.

His father's grip tightened. He shoved him forward. Aleck stumbled and reached out, his mother was right there, her hand just inches away...

But she stepped back like he was nothing. Like he wasn't her son.

A sob burst from his throat. "Mom! Please! Don't let them take me!"

She didn't even flinch. A cold hand settled on Aleck's shoulder.

"Do not fear, child," Valorion murmured. His touch was light. Almost comforting. "You will partake of the body of Christ. Feast on his flesh and bones so he shall live through you. You alone will be made whole. You will know His love when he walks this Earth again."

Aleck screamed. The car door slammed as his parents stepped back, their faces distorted in the dim glow of the headlights.

The engine rumbled to life while the wheels slowly spun backwards to reverse.

Aleck jerked against the priest's grip, fighting, clawing, but the man didn't budge.

"Mom! Dad! DON'T LEAVE ME HERE!"

Red taillights flickered in the night. The car reversed backwards then turned. And then they were gone.

Valorion exhaled softly, like a man at peace. Then, slowly, he turned.

With a push the shack door groaned open. The interior of the shack was nothing but a placeholder. Their was no furniture, tools or even any decorations. Whatever this man was doing in here, he did not want revealed to the outside world in the slightest.

Aleck barely registered the outside world anymore. With his mind was blank, his body trembled so hard he could barely stand.

He watched as Valarion pulled open a metal silver hatch imbedded into the ground. When it opened, it revealed a pale, white concrete staircase stretching down into the earth. Flickering, dying lightbulbs lined the entire wall as it dipped down into what could only be described as a stairway to hell.

Aleck shook his head frantically, heels digging into the dirt. "No—No, no, no, please, please don't—"

The priest didn't answer, only guiding him forward. Behind them, the door slammed shut behind them.

--------------

Cyphers eyes bolted open, blood dripping down his cheeks in red streaks that stained the ripped apart mattress he slept on.

Clawmarks dug into the surface of the beds wooden frame like it had been ravaged by a wild beast.

Cypher abruptly sat up, moonlight brighter then when he fell asleep, appearing to be morning time.

"What was that..." Pressing a hand to his cheek, the entire dream deeply disturbed his state mind. It felt as though he relived a memory that had been stolen forever.

Beside him, Rain gave a concerned look. He tilted his head from the counter he was perched upon, having moved away when Cypher suddenly started struggling in his sleep.