"Dream Escape"

A Short Story

I rode my bicycle down the hazy dirt road with such a speed that surely no one could keep up. Behind me followed three dark figures. Sunlight consumed the road directly in front of me and darkness itself pursued me. As I continued, one of the figures tripped over a piece of clay. Pedaling fiercely, I was quickly losing stamina. The two remaining figures followed me over the grassy hillside. Darkness ruled my world except for a light that emanated from over there. With the two behind me and gaining, I ran as fast as I could. Finally they found me hiding in the bathroom. In an attempt at eluding them, I threw my fist at one, but nothing happened. Again, I swung my arm. Then he punched me, but like my failed attack, his rendered no affect. I then flew toward the largest cloud I could see. I hung above it in the purple sky of euphoria. Others were present, but distant. I saw what I wanted and waved my hand. It flew toward me and I caught it in the same hand. When the whip cracked, I sensed fear. I was fear. Ash filled the air around my island, which was surrounded by lava. Hell’s demons cracked their whips at everyone and I stood as fear. My bedroom was darker than normal. I lay as fear. Spinning, I could not stop. It did not stop. Never would it stop. Blurs rounded my sight and I was fear. There she was. Moonlight from a nonexistent source lit her figure. She was mine and I controlled her. I could use her as I pleased. She tempted me with her eyes and with my mind I removed her shirt. She kissed me because I made it so. And I ran from the three still. They were relentless. I took the stairs; they followed. Orange light formed my surroundings: a desert, a storm, tornadoes made of orange light and softness. But the barn was too dark—I would never find her. Nut there she was. I knew her name and she kissed me. Darkness ensued. I was alone. The room emptied. Blackness. Alone. Blue. Dark blue. Here she was. Young. I am young. She is fun. She is my friend. We played together. She was my best friend. She looks like me. I know her. She is me. But here I was again. Outside. It was bright, but night. And in my bed I was fear. Moonlight lit our faces. She kissed me. Blonde hair and blue eyes. When our lips parted, I knew I had never loved—until then.

by MFW III