Read Veil Of Midnight :: Dream (1)

As I slowly opened my eyes, I found myself once again in the dream. Its depths are unfathomable and ever-changing.

No matter how many times I returned to this place, I could never quite shake off the unsettling feeling that it evoked within me.

This dream has always been covered in dark shadows. No matter where I look, there is nothing other than darkness.

That's why I started to call it the dream of darkness.

This dream was a paradox, its nature unpredictable. It doesn't always act in one pattern. Even after all this time, I still couldn't understand this dream or those dark shadows.

Sometimes it pursued me relentlessly, as if intent on shattering me into a thousand fractured pieces. Other times, it cradled me in its obsidian embrace, offering a strange sense of solace and comfort amidst the chaos.

Its gaze was both scorching and piercing. Yet, it was also tender. In the dream, I felt the darkness whisper of self-destruction, yet it also filled life into my weary soul.

In this murky dreamscape, comfort isn't the only thing that happens. Fragments of memories flickered like ghostly images right before me.

As if they whispered and insisted on me. "That's not you. That's not Bian, but someone else."

These words echoed inside my mind, leaving me with a sense of uneasiness.

I took a deep breath after staying silent for a few minutes and questioned the darkness. "This is all just a figment of my imagination, right?"

The memories I always see are mine, right?

Yet, there was no response, only the heavy weight of the darkness around me.

Sinking to the ground, I let out a weary sigh and waited, my heart heavy with unanswered questions. What secrets did this dream hold?

As soon as I braced myself for whenever this dream world would unveil.

Hah...forget it. I'm just going to watch the memory fragment and not think about anything else.

Anyway, what was it going to show me today?

I won't wake up from this dream until someone calls me or until this dream ends.

So, I took my time to watch the new student.

I didn't even know she left an impression on me today; otherwise, this dream wouldn't have shown her fragment to me.

There is a student from our class who knows her from their elementary school days, which seems to help her swift adjustment to the new environment.

She effortlessly interacts with her peers, drawing them in with grace. She somehow resembles a flower that effortlessly attracts bees.

She is the polar opposite of me. If we had met years ago, I would have never been envious of this.

Few teachers already knew her due to her family background. It definitely ensures a smooth path ahead for her in this school.

While her future seems promising, I want a glimpse of something good, something only meant for me. I want a ray of light…

"Bian, wake up. We're outside your house," Uncle's voice wakes me from my dream.

"Huh. Yes, uncle," I mumbled, rubbing my eyes as I got off from the bus. The bus driver, used to my routine, however he still asked,

"Why do you always fall asleep right after getting on the bus?"

"I'm perpetually tired. What can I do? It's a four-hour journey from home to school and back," I replied.

"True."

Uncle still waited for me until I entered my building before driving off. There were still a few students on the bus; it would take another half hour before he reached home.

Hah, now I need to climb the stairs. Why do they need this much time to repair the elevator?

Ding–Dong….

"Who is it?"

"It's me, Mom."

Click….

"Do you want to eat something?" Mom asked.

"No, I'm going to sleep."

"Siiiiiiiiiiis."

"Wait, don't hug me now. Let me freshen up first."

"Tell us everything you did at school." All of them looked at me with curiosity therefore I just smiled at them.

"Later, I'm tired now. Vivi and Zain, how was your school today?"

Their eyes lighten up with spark as such they are waiting for me to ask them. "Much better. Do you want to know what happened in our school?"

Their eyes sparkled with stories they were eager to share.

But I'm tired and need to rest.

My schedule is already packed. I need to sleep.

And I also need to prepare myself for the dream I'm going to have.

Every time I attempt to sleep, the dream traps me.

So, I can't even say I'm having a proper rest. Sometimes it feels like my soul just drifts aimlessly.

When did this all begin? Ah, it started five years ago. At first, I was afraid of dreams. Now, I'm just waiting to see if I'll ever have any normal dreams again.

Indeed, a wishful thought, as darkness envelops me now. An eerie sensation creeps over me, urging me to run, yet I am fixed in this place.

This darkness has never been easy when I'm at home; it's even more menacing than any dream I had on the bus or anywhere else.

My body is already paralyzed. The darkness has taken the shape of a lot of hands, and is restraining me. It sometimes seems to say something, but its words never reach me.

I endure, offering silent prayers, hoping for either a swift end to this dream or someone wake me up.

Unfortunately, no one will wake me up for another two hours.

Even though it only takes two hours for my physical body, here it feels like the weight of years have passed.

Cough…

Tears are flowing down my cheeks. I'm trying to free myself from their grasp. If they want my demise, then please, just let it be. Why are they making me suffer so much?

Click-Clack...

Something is approaching me, slowly taking steps toward me.

Click-Clack...

The sound sends shivers down my body. I try to close my eyes and ears, not wanting to see or hear. But I can't close them. Those hands of darkness lift my face to see what's coming.

Click-Clack…

Darkness has taken the form of a body and is moving towards me. I wish I could close my eyes.

“I..I..I don't want to see you here again, Mom.”

Her hand reaches for my throat, tightening its grip.

"Why did you do this?" her voice resonates with anguish.

"I didn't mean to... I had no ch—"

"How could you?"

Her words pierce through me. She didn't want to hear my explanations.

"Please, listen... I never meant for this," I implore, desperation lacing my pleas.

Her eyes locked onto mine, and a storm of questions unleashed.

"Why? Why? Whyyyyy?"

"Mom, please listen... I—" A strangled gasp cuts through my words.