Series
Dream Sequence
Dream 2: Anansi the Spider, and the Dreamcatcher A voice from the speaker spoke calmly but firm. “Cheyenne Lightfoot your dream story. Please.” The voice came from the moderator of the Dream Study she and seven other participants signed up for in anticipation of receiving a generous monetary award. Cheyenne had just gulped the entire bottle of spring water after gobbling down a slice of decadent ‘to die for’ chocolate cake off the refreshment table. Her mouth was full as she pleaded for more time with the voice which appeared to be quite annoyed. “Miss Lightfoot, you are late and unprepared. Should I call on someone else?” With a muffled voice, Cheyenne begged for forgiveness. “I'm so sorry. I'm ready now. That chocolate cake was soooo delicious.” Cheyenne smacked her lips, wiped her mouth with the soiled napkin and plunged into the details of her dream. “At the beginning of my dream, I sat in the center of a circle of ten toddlers with my legs crossed like a fried chicken wing.” She cleared her throat and continued when no one laughed. “I was telling them the legend of the dreamcatcher. Once upon a time, a grandmother was sewing and doing cross stitching or maybe it was needlepoint.” Cheyenne shrugged her shoulders. “Her grandson stopped by with some food. He noticed a spider and was about to squash him when his grandmother stopped him. In turn for saving his life, the spider wove a web which would catch all the good and bad dreams, but only the good ones would come through the web and drop down through the feathers. From that point on, the tribes made dreamcatchers to protect the sleeping children. I held up a dream catcher to show the children how powerfully crafted it was. Can you see? Here, the spider’s web catches all the dreams both good and bad. The beads represented the seven directions called upon them to bless you. Good dreams flowed through the webbing and reach the feathers down to all of you while you're sleeping. Are we ready to make dream catchers?” I asked them. In my dream I sat them down in the art room and provided them with all the materials they needed to make dreamcatchers. I gave them colorful beads, feathers, strings, one wide circle which represents Mother Earth, four smaller ones used to enhance the largest circle. I walked around the tables helping out any child who needed assistance. They were having a lot of fun. So was I. Until everything went south. Suddenly, a loud booming crash was heard outside of the room. All the lights went out. ‘Hello, I think that's dumb. Who turned out the lights? You’re scaring us! I mean, the children.’ The children stopped their crafts and began running in circles. I calmed them down. Some pulled at my clothes, some hid behind me, and others cried out, mommy I need you. I think I was the one yelling mommy. I said to the children, don’t worry I'll protect you. I turned the lights on and said, ‘Everybody, follow me to the back door’. I gathered and herded all the children to the back door where all their parents and guardians were miraculously waiting. As soon as I turned back around, the intense stare of two red eyes from the back of the art room pierced my very being. I still had the dreamcatcher in my hand, and it surprised me when I heard a small voice. I looked down at the center of the dreamcatcher and noticed a spider. It was not just any old spider; it was Anansi the spider of African folklore fame. Anansi is a great trickster who professes than no matter how small you are, you can think to outwit your greatest enemy. Anansi whispered, ‘don't move. Any sudden moves will be seen as a threat.’ In my dream, a bad dream surfaced and escaped from the center of the dreamcatcher. The sun’s rays were overcome from the tremendous number of bad dreams the night before and a demon slipped through the vortex and now it was after me. Anansi told me that no weapon would be strong enough to defeat the demon. He also told me that I had to find a way to fool him. ‘How do I fool a demon?’ I asked him. ‘I don't know’, Anansi said with a gleam in his eye, ‘How do you?’ Anansi chuckled and continued, ‘I would offer him a reason for not destroying me.’ I asked him, ‘what do I have to offer?’ ‘Hmmm’, Anansi said, ‘you really don't have to offer him anything. You have to make him think that you're offering him something that he desires.’ ‘Umm, I know what I can offer him…my soul.’ Well, Anansi said, ‘that's quite a valuable commodity. Are you sure you want to offer it?’ ‘It's just an offer.’ I said. ‘I intend to keep my soul forever.’ I approached the demon ready for the negotiations of a lifetime. My lifetime at least. I gathered up my courage and marched toward the demon holding the dreamcatcher close to my chest. ‘How dare you approach me You are but a mere human.’ The demon grumbled. ‘Yes, but I know you want something from me…unbelievably valuable…my soul. I have an offer…’ Just that quickly in an instant, in a blink of a red eye, Anansi hopped from the dreamcatcher to the demon and bit him leaving a venomous toxin that devoured the insides of the demon. He imploded immediately. ‘What! Anansi, why didn’t you tell me your plan? You let me risk my life to defeat a demon when all you had to do was bite it?’ ‘Well,’ Anansi said rubbing his hind legs. ‘I needed you to distract the demon. Teamwork is the best plan. I needed you and you needed me. Your soul is intact. Check one. I remain unsquashed. Check two. One demon defeated. Checkmate.’
By Saja Bo Storm4 years ago in Fiction
Dream Sequence
Policy Pete's Dream Number’s Book Eight strangers formed a wide circle around the center of the room. There were no windows, bare walls, and subdued amber light. The room temperature was a moderate seventy-two degrees. David Kensington sat in the center of the Queen Anne’s chair reminiscent of his grandmother’s gold upholstered reading chair. He used to watch his favorite programs in her room when his four brothers and three sisters refused to let him watch what he wanted. He was the youngest and the last child to get his say. So, he always ran up the flight of twenty odd steps to the third floor and knocked softly on his grandmother’s bedroom door. He could watch whatever he wanted while she smiled up from her Agatha Christie paperback and enjoyed his company. David scanned the room. He was observing the seven other people. Wondering what they had in common. Dreams, he thought silently. Our dreams. Someone sat perched on the edge of their seat., others were relaxed and comfortable, and the rest appeared comatose or sleep. A soft calm voice from the speaker located in the far upper right corner of the ceiling greeted the strangers. It thanked them again for being punctual and congratulated them for being selected for the unique dream study. At the end of the session, you will be awarded a generous cash payment for your participation. It asked if anyone had any questions and when no one responded the voice said, “David Kensington, you may begin with Dream One.” David squirmed in the comfortable chair and cleared his throat. He pushed up from the chair and walked over to the refreshment table grabbing a bottle of spring water and a granola bar. He took a sip from the bottle and walked casually back to his seat. “Should I tell you all about my dream?” “Yes, Mr. Kensington, if you would begin. We will start with you. Dream One.” “Well, I'm a city boy. I grew up in a rowhouse located in the heart of the city not far from the Inner Harbor and downtown. When I thought about my dream, I remembered that my grandmother playing numbers. She always had a dream book and when she dreamed about certain things like a pair of old shoes, running from a stranger, a cup of hot chocolate. It could be anything. Sometimes it was even a number. Almost every adult in our neighborhood played numbers on the street. And if your number came out, you won money. When I grew up, I did research on the numbers. Many people had dream books they referred to. In fact, I looked up the dream book on the website and I found Policy Pete's dream book written in 1933. Now Pete lived in Harlem, New York and he had a book that you could refer to for help in picking the perfect number. It coincided with anything that you dreamed about though. I looked and looked through that book, but I couldn't find any number for an old barn. 647 is the number for tractor though. He laughed, There’s a tractor in my dream.” “Mr. Kensington, the voice interjected, we’re waiting to hear about your dream.” “Oh, my bad. I almost forgot. As I was saying, I grew up in the city. There weren't many trees or other forms of greenery in my neighborhood. A lot of dirty white concrete, dusty brown bricks, and pasty gray cement. But I remembered that my mother planted sunflowers in the backyard and those flowers were beautiful. They had humongous yellow petals with brown centers. Hey, they were almost taller than me. It was very surprising that I had a dream about a farm. In my dream I remember seeing chickens and pigs, cows, and goats. There were about six or seven horses grazing at the top of the hill. The sky was as blue as the bluest blueberries. The air was fresh, and you could just breathe it in enjoying the sweet nectar. There was a slight breeze blowing and the sun warmed your body like a thin cotton blanket. The pungent smells of the farm contrasted with the horrible smells of the city like the car exhaust and the factory smoke. In the middle of the farm set a large old red barn. Sing so far away. I wondered where everybody had disappeared to because early in the morning most people who lived on a farm were awake doing farm chores. Of course, I knew nothing about what they did. I only read about it. Milking the cows, slopping the pigs, feeding the chickens and goats, and grooming the horses. In my dream, I couldn't feel my legs after a while, and I realized I was sweating buckets of stale liquid. The walk was getting difficult because the barn was situated at the top of the hill. The more I walked, the further it appeared. I stopped, put my head down, placed my hands on my knees and took a few quick breaths. I inhaled and exhaled several times before I continued my journey. The old barn on closer speculation was brand new. It didn't quite fit in with the rest of the scenery. It looked as if someone had just built it or placed it there for ambiance because everybody knows you need an old barn on a farm. I mean there were tractors and other farming equipment and the animals so it wouldn't be right if there wasn’t a barn.” David continued while the others looked at him incredulously, some with questions reflected in their eyes. Someone shouted, “Just get on with it. Listen the suspense is killing me.” Yeah, someone else chirped in, “What’s in the stupid old barn?” “Oh. Ok, I'm sorry. I just recalled and recollected the details in my dream. You know how if you don't do that as soon as you wake up, you'll forget everything. Of course, I didn't forget anything. Now I was in front of the barn. There were no knobs only a board across the two wide doors. I tried to lift the wooden bar and secured with unknotted dangling rope which hung from the other door. The doors were extremely heavy. I wasn't sure I could lift them. I held my breath and gathered up some residual strength. I finally was able to push the door open. I slowly stepped in and noticed that the barn had windows but no light from the outside illuminated it. There was a huge crowd of people standing in the dimness of the interior. Some were sitting on the bales of hay. As I approached them, their eyes signaled me with expressions of trepidation, maybe fear. Some made hand gestures as if they cautioned me to stop. Although no one made a sound. It was quiet and still. The air inside was stuffy still and thick. Something in the back of the bar loomed over the crowd. Pairs of round spheres appeared motionless in the backdrop at the top of the barn’s highest point. I wasn't sure if I should continue or turn around and run.” David blew out a deep breath. “So, what did you do?” someone shouted from the circle. “Yeah, what happened?” another voice yelled. The room grew energetic with the sounds of anxious voices. The hum and the buzz of the crowd grew intense. A few of the strangers headed for the door. The voice interjected, “Everyone please quiet down. Calm down and remain seated. Mr. Kensington, finish your dream, please.” David stood up. He threw up his hands and frowned. “I don't know what I did, David said, I woke up.”
By Saja Bo Storm4 years ago in Fiction
Dream Sequence
“Dream on,” Marigold read the title on the bold purple and gold brochure. She decided to sign up for the dream study and looked up from the ad to view the Victorian mansion with elaborate gingerbread trim standing majestically at the top up the hill. Marigold laughed out loud. Whoa, what! The Uber driver pulled into the driveway and with a switch, he opened the trunk. Marigold hopped out and retrieved her luggage. She had dreamed of this very house. “My dream home! It's mine! What a great start,” she said as she shifted the bags to fit on top of each other and steered them toward the entrance. She stopped short and glanced up exhaling deeply. The scene took her breath away. A backdrop of four majestic trees behind the building with flashes of sun splashing between the leaves of a magnolia tree, a pink cherry blossom, a red maple, and a golden oak. To the right of the house stood a white willow tree with an ornate white wooden bench planted leisurely in front of it. A wrap around porch adorned with picket white fence borders with matching gingerbread awning hanging from the second story. On the left of the house there was an attached pewter domed gazebo complete with a white wooden rocking chair. There were ten windows including an attic window. The second-floor windows had ecru colored curtains and windowsills decorated with fresh begonias with exception to the two windows in the center which had curtains as yellow as daffodils. The walkway was rose quartz and limestone with shimmering bits of granite. There was the burnt orange, pink, red and white azalea bushes, hydrangeas rhododendrons blue zenith and ten distinct varieties of flowers in various sizes, shapes, and colors. To the right stood another walkway beyond the tree to the right of the house which was accented with an adorned archway centered over a walkway which led to nowhere or somewhere. “Time to go in”, she trudged toward the door and did a double take when she noticed a petite woman with shocking pink hair lounging on the white bench in front of the willow tree. She stepped forward and almost knocked over a tall, robust man with midnight black curly hair and bright dark eyes. “Oh, forgive me. I was still blinded by the beauty. The property she gestured not the girl on the bench.” He chuckled, following her eyes. “No problem, I’m mesmerized as well. I too am a member of the dream group.” She shook his hand. “Pleased to meet you. I’m Marigold.” “You go first please.” Ernesto said. He nodded as he held the door open and adjusted the strap of his carry-on so it would be more comfortable on his shoulder. “Thank you. Ernesto,” she smiled as they proceeded inside the lush vestibule. There was a sign to the left that read, Place your luggage here. Be sure to add on name tags. Then proceed to the lobby where other instructions await on the four tables. They followed the instructions and pushed forward to the first table. They noticed color coded name tags with matching room keys. There was also a red arrow pointing to Table 2. They heard a bustled behind them as they moved on. “Hi, guys.” came a deep voice behind them. “I'm David… David Kensington and this is Cheyenne Lightfoot.” “Yeah, we met at the train station and shared a Lyft.” Cheyenne said as she pushed past David and snatched her name tag and keys. “Game on! ”Umm, we're the first ones here I guess.” There were three other name tags left. She adorned her jacket with the name tag and rushed toward the next table. Ernesto and David shrugged and gestured for Marigold to continue. “So much for good manners, “David grumbled loud enough for everyone to hear. Cheyenne had already read the instructions for Table 2. They were told to select a favorite chair that they could use in the sleep presentation chamber. She made her selection and emailed it to the website although she was still undecided about the color’. When she looked up, she realized the three members behind her had already proceeded to Table 3. “Geesh, this isn't a race. Some people need more manners.” David, Marigold, and Ernesto looked back and noticed two other women at Table one retrieving their name tags. “Oh, she’s the one who was sitting outside. I remember the pink hair and the names on the last name tags. They must be Alexia and Princess. I wonder if they know each other?” Marigold said as she walked up to Table 3. Ernesto and David were peering into the medium size cardboard box. They were instructed to select one folded paper. “Ladies first,” they said together. “No, I think I'm going to be the gracious one this time. David shook his head and reached in for a slip of paper. “Woo hoo, I’m number one!” David shouted. Ernesto was next and then Marigold. Shortly after Cheyenne arrived and reached in. Cheyenne read the instructions. “This number represents the order of your dream presentation” “Damn” growled David. I’m going first. “I'm 4, Ernesto chimed. “I'm right behind you David, Cheyenne said, “I'm number 2.” Princess and Alexia stepped up to the box and reluctantly retrieved their slips of paper. “I think I'm last” Princess said, “number 8.”” I’m lucky number 7,” shouted Alexia. They heard a scuffle at the front door and noticed the man trying to handle four pieces of luggage without much success. They all laughed and preceded to Table 4. “I guess he plans on sleeping his life away”, Princess said. “I don't know maybe he brought some dream enhancers” Cheyenne added. “What are those?” Ernesto asked.” “There’s no such thing. I was just kidding.” She laughed. “Don’t be too sure. maybe they have made some scientific advancements in the field of dream study.” David offered. The dream group headed for Table 4. Table four’s instructions for the group were to continue their journey at their leisure. There were brochures on the table with information about dream interpretation, the REM syndrome, the layout of the establishment, the floor plan with directions to the exercise room and sauna, the spa, inside swimming pool, library, entertainment room for gaming and streaming, a movie theater and then outside tennis, volleyball, basketball courts, and a golf course. The man with the four pieces of luggage collapsed in front of the group. He panted like a wild animal. After a few breaths he said, “this place is fantastic!”. I'm Jason Lee Jones, but you can call me ‘number 5’”. Let’s do this!” he shouted giving Ernesto and David high fives. He was heading for Alexia and Cheyenne, but they backed away graciously. “What happened to number 3? Cheyenne asked. Right ahead of them stood a posh- looking restaurant., “I am starving!” exclaimed Alexia. Ernesto said, Yeah, let’s go eat.” Princess said,” I guess after that we can decide what activities we want to engage in” “And Cheyenne, Alexia offered, you can search the grounds for number 3.” I’m just kidding, c’mon join the group.” The rest of the group chuckled as they all entered the restaurant together. When they walked in, they saw a lanky young man wearing aviator shades sitting at a large circular table devouring a huge cobb salad. He gestured for them to come over. “Hi everybody, I am doctor Moon… Aiden Moon, number 3. Everything's buffet style. Why don't you grab your food and come over to join me? When everybody sat down at the table, David shook Moon’s hand. “How long have you been here man? you look oddly well rested.” he asked. “I got here at 4AM. I crashed for at least four hours upstairs on the second floor in my cozy room. The accommodations are as good as a five-star hotel. Heated bathroom tile, jacuzzi, king-sized beds, duvet covers…and much, much more. I opened the windows, and the view was astounding. You’ll see. Hopefully, soon. I came back down to get something to eat. I see you all have different tastes. There’s burgers, sushi, shrimps and grits, chicken and waffles…he pointed at Cheyenne’s dish, and I don’t even want to know what you’re eating.” Cheyenne slurped and winked at him. For the next couple of minutes everybody was silent chowing down. Cheyenne gulped a few sips of water and said “I think I'm going to follow your lead Aiden. I'm going to take a shower and try to relax.” “I'm going outside to shoot some hoops Ernesto shouted, anybody want to join me.” “Sure”, David offered. “Count me in too, “said Jason. “I’m going to the gym” Marigold interjected. Aiden quipped; “the gym sounds good as he rubbed his stomach. I’m stuffed and I need a workout.” “I think I’m going to the library, Alexia added. “Princess said, “I’m not sure where I'm going.” “You can join us Ernesto shouted we need another player.” She answered, “Ok, I think I need to change…” A voice from a speaker interrupted, “Welcome beautiful dreamers, your last instruction is to deposit all electronic devices in the lockers outside of the gaming room. You’ll received them back after the dream study group has ended. Have a pleasant evening have and be ready to report for your first presentation at 8 A.M. for Dream One. Mr. Kensington if you step outside to the right of the restaurant and take the corridor to the left, there's a long narrow hall. When you're ready to retire for the evening, there's a room especially made for those who are presenting their dreams the next day. The dream room is equipped with amber light, sensitive sounds conducive for sleep, and a bamboo mattress and heat sensitive linen. The walls are lined with proper ventilation panels. If any of you have further inquiries, please list them, and place them on the metal locked boxes outside of your rooms. I wish for all of you good dreams. Good night, sleep tight, and don’t let… Well, I think you know the rest.” The sleep study group studied each other’s reactions. They were stunned. All a handful of mouths slack jawed and gaping, and eyes widely opened. No one moved. Then everybody scrambled, and began running in five different directions, not quite ready to get their dreams on.
By Saja Bo Storm4 years ago in Fiction
Just Let Me Die Here (A Serialized Novel) 34
The hospital waiting room is empty save for one man asleep in the corner. Above him, a TV is playing BBC News with the sound muted. I sit down and try to figure out my next move. I didn’t get much from meeting Brent, aside from a somewhat uneasy feeling. On the screen, a tank moves across a desert landscape. Then the picture switches to video of the Australian Prime Minister meeting with the Chancellor of Germany. I wouldn’t have known who they were if it weren’t for the titles on the screen. I’ve always been amazed with how much more in-tune the rest of the world is with other parts of the world. The show then turns to U.S. news. That morning, tornados had touched down in Arkansas and Missouri, killing seven people, injuring others, and destroying homes. I see my own life reflected in the pictures of the aftermath.
By Megan Clancy4 years ago in Fiction
Creature Arena Battle 1 (Earth Dragon vs The Desert Wall)
Creature Arena Battle-off In this project on Cyber Dragon Publishing, I’ll post descriptions of monster/creatures/beings, list their abilities, and pit them against one another in an online voting battle. In the end, with the help of your votes, we will see who won in the end. After this, an animation or motion comic will follow depending on what choices are made by voters.
By Cyber Dragon4 years ago in Fiction
Book 1 Flight of the Armada Chapter 9 Part 2
The Thuringi always enjoyed the radio and got a better grasp of English from it. They listened to the music curiously. Thuringi music was comparable to Earthian folk music, largely acoustic and told stories through its lyrics. The first time Carrol heard ‘Sh-Boom’, she could not figure out what it meant. “La-da-da-da-da-da, Da-da-da-da-da’ meant nothing to them, to say nothing of the mystery of what or who Sh-Boom was. The instrumentals were well liked; ‘A Summer Place’ reminded Glendon of a winding drive in his speeder back on Thuringa, and the smooth sound of the violins were as pleasing as the sholti players that entertained during Festival at Arne.
By Jay Michael Jones4 years ago in Fiction
No Ferry Today (Part 6)
A group of islanders had gathered on the beach in front of The Beach Bar. They weren’t right up close to the water, out of experienced respect of the tide. They had dragged the abandoned beach chairs up closer to the front of the little restaurant/bar, added several others, and sat together, staring out to sea.
By Paula Shablo4 years ago in Fiction
