I was blinded by lights. An everlasting illumination of bright, blinding lights. I knew darkness could be dangerous, frightening. But what of lights? The radiating trickery of them? The way they bloke your view and you wouldn't know what was lying ahead? You hoped something good might find their way to you because, of course, lights were supposed to be good; but you could never know.
It was only when I was fully consumed in lights that I realized the significance of my situation. I was afraid of the possibilities. Always had been. I was afraid that meanwhile I stood there, like a stone, something was playing against me. Something was waiting. And I was losing my mind, not for the first time.
I took in a sharp breath. "You are dreaming," I told myself.
And at once, when I finished my sentence, I heard a noise behind me.
"You are weird."
I jumped, slightly. It was a child's voice. And I knew that voice.
"Henry?" I whispered.
"Your dress is weird," he repeated.
I turned around to see that I was right. I saw little Henry smirking at me in a childish way. I liked that smile. And I realized that I couldn't see anything else but him.
Lights, because of the goddamned glimmering lights.
"Where are we?" I asked.
He smirked even more. "You don't know?"
"Should I?" I took a step but he backed.
"Ask the paper," he said.
"What?"
"Ask the paper."
"What paper?"
"The paper, the paper," he singsonged. "The paper you see everyday."
"Newspaper?"
He smiled again, "You're smart."
I shook off his comment, "What should I ask?"
He took another step behind. "You will know."
He stepped back, again; and suddenly my vision came. And wouldn't you have guessed it? I was at the lake. I looked from Henry to the crystal water in the lake which was only a few feet away from me. Henry kept on backing and I suddenly realized what was about to happen.
"Henry?" I whispered through my clenched breath. "What are you doing?"
He didn't answer, turning his back on me this time.
And then he started to run.
"Henry! Don't!" I tried to scream. But then I realized that my voice wasn't working. It was typical. Nothing ever worked in a dream. This was a dream, wasn't it? But then it shouldn't have felt so real.
And I closed my eyes because I knew it was a dream. This had got to be a dream where I knew I couldn't save him. I couldn't save anybody. I knew what I would hear next. A splash in the water as he dived. And I knew what would happen after that. I would wake up.
And I did. In an oddly familiar surrounding with the pulsating dream still laced in my mind.
_
I heard noises in my slumber. Sounds that felt like coming from distance. I tried to make them out in my sleep until they became clearer and I realized that I was not sleeping or dreaming, anymore.
I kept my eyes closed, even when I woke up as I heard two voices talking, whispering. One of the voices was somewhat familiar female tone. The other was a gruff, husky male one.
I didn't dare to open my eyes as the voices of two people kept arguing.
Female: And then she fainted--
Male: Just like that?
Female: Yes, poor thing.
Male: And you took her home?--
Female: She was already--
Male: No.. I mean, inside our house? In our room?
Female: She fainted, Art. What do you suggest I should have done?
Male: I..uh..but do you think it's safe?
Female: Nonsense. Are you the man of the house? Because you are certainly not acting like one.
Male: Be serious. She could easily be a bandit or...something. First you keep the door open ajar and then—
Female: Don't worry. She's good. I can tell.
Male: Huh. You can tell.
Female: You didn't see her eyes. They were—
And, at that precise moment, I thought to go over with this and fluttered my eyes open; almost dramatically as the lady had mentioned them only a millisecond ago.
I must tell you, I was not totally surprised to see myself in an unfamiliar room. I mean, what should I expect other than a room in my house that was completely foreign to me? I saw that I was in a small but neat and organized room with very less furniture to organize with. The worn out, grey ceiling of the room was right in front of my eyesight as I opened my eyes. In an instant, I propped myself up from my slouched position with my elbow to find that I was right. I was not alone in the room. Two other people were sitting on the same side of the small bed I was on. There was the lady from before, dark hair and light eyes. And another man. Stone-faced and white. He had dark hair with occasional strays of silver between them; although he did not look quite the age. His face was filled with frustration. That was one of the basic things I learned about him, honestly. From that moment to the days that came in. He was always very, very much frustrated.
I took another drag of long breath before sitting on the bed, properly. I did a little fake cough, only because I wanted the lady to notice me. Which she did, with a kind smile. And that was one of the basic things I learned about her. From that moment to the days that came in. She was always very, very much kind.
"Oh, someone has woke up," she said. I have to say I was surprised how sincere she sounded.
I tried to match her smile. Which was not at all successful.
"Are you alright?" she asked and the man snorted.
"Shut up, Art," she shook her head in disgust before again turning her attention to me.
"Are you alright?"
I sighed. "I think I am."
"Here, drink," she handed me a glass of water that I only noticed then was placed in her hand.
"Thanks," I muttered unsurely as I took the glass from her hand. I could feel their eyes on me as I drank, the cold water bringing a soothing sensation on my body.
"So," I heard the man's voice and forced myself to look at him with steady eyes. "How exactly did you—"
"Why don't you let her drink, Art?" the woman crossed. "Let your questioning slow down."