The Dream
J. Price

Chapter One

Overtime at work. I’m exhausted. Some creep sends me notifications every day. I don’t respond and have asked my boss to trace them. It’s almost like having a stalker. I don’t like it.

The traffic is awful. It takes an hour to go 18 miles. I stop at the market and buy a prepared packaged stroganoff for dinner.
I can’t find a good music station in my car. Ugh!

With my feet kicked free of tight shoes, I leave them at the front door and sit down to eat the easy pre-made meal. I tune the radio station to a peaceful instrumental music. With my hunger satisfied,  I draw a bath of luxury. I light candles that surround the tub for ambiance, pour a glass of wine, and immerse my tired body into the warm inviting tub. Heavenly Lavender wafts gently in the air thanks to the fragrant bath salts I generously added to the warm water.

Afterward, I lazily get into soft silky pink pjs and slip into my feather bed.

The soft satin covered pillow embraces my heavy head while plush blankets warm me. I yawn. My mind wanders and I think of the busy day ending with the leisurely evening I’ve had. My body is relaxed and tension has gone.

Feeling light and airy, I drift off and suddenly find myself in an unfamiliar place. There are streets and buildings around me. Many lined with bushes and graced with tall healthy evergreens. It’s quite beautiful.

The car I’m driving isn’t mine. Everything feels real. This area isn’t one I’ve ever seen nor been to. It’s odd.

I’m cold. I glance at the temperature gauge in the car and it reads 32 degrees outside. Where are my silky pjs, I wonder how I am now wearing insulated slacks and comfortable boots, my jacket is light weight and warm. I turn the heat up high. Almost instantly it’s comfortable.

I don’t belong here. Pulling over, I get out to look around.

The cold bites my face yet it’s a sunny day. I still have no idea where I am. There is a man walking a dog. It’s a new breed to me, beige, very hairy and seems friendly. I see big expressive eyes, and mouth with a wide grin. Happy dog, stands about two feet high, not huge at all.
 
I look at the man, wearing winter Kahiki style slacks and coat the same color, nice dark brown wool cap and neat brownish blond hair showing around the cap. He is staring at me. I say, “Hello,” and nervously smile.
 
He looks left and right, then back at me and says, “May I help you? I don’t recognize you, are you lost?”

“Yes, I think.” I tell him. “Would you please tell me where I am. I just pulled over to find information. I don’t recognize this area.”

Just as I speak, a little girl opens the car door and gets out. “Mama.” She comes over reaching her hand out to me to hold.

I look down at this adorable girl, cute curly dark blonde hair, maybe 7 or 8 years old and seems quite self-assured. I have no idea who she is. Am I losing my mind? I am in unfamiliar territory here or suffering from amnesia.

The man smiles at the little girl, then back at me. “You are in Three Corners.”

“Thank you. I appreciate your help.”

“Well, it’s miles away from any other populated area. You must be tired from the trip. There’s a restaurant a few blocks down this road.”

“Thank you.”

Keeping hold of the little girls hand, I look down at her and smile. we go back to the strange car. It’s fairly small, light purple, four doors, very rounded design. Good for aerodynamics, I should think. It’s easy to drive. I don’t have to do much thinking for it to move along, nor, luckily stop.

“Mama, you don’t remember again, do you?”

I look at her bewildered. “No, I don’t. Do you know what’s going on?”

“Yes, mama. Every once in a while you have a dream about where you had been before coming here. You’ll feel strange for a while, until you get your memory back. It’s OK. I know where we live and can direct you.”

“Wow, thank you. So I do this often?”

“Not really, but we all did it for a while.”

I’m getting freaked out. “What do you mean?”

“Well, we once were from other places and since time bends, as does space, we came here unexpected and fast.

They teach all this to us at school so we can be understanding.”
We pull up in front of a beautiful home, white with green trim. Very neat. It’s inviting. The flowers are winter variety I am used to but don’t know their name. Interesting.

“Come on, mama. I’m hungry.”

“OK, I am too. We didn’t stop at the restaurant. My stomach is grumbling louder than yours.” This girl is darling. If this isn’t a dream I’m going to be happy.

She giggles.

Chapter Two

“What’s your name? I should have asked you earlier.”

“Seren, it means star. I like it. The sky is magical and ever changing. We can see the bright stars at night. The planets are much more difficult to see. They aren’t as exciting to watch.”

“I love your name. What am I called?”

“Willow. Do you like it?”

“Yes, have I been here long?”

“Since time is strange, yes, you’ve been here for years. I am your daughter. So, you have some surprises ahead again, I think. Few people remember their yesterdays like you. It’s because you are very intelligent and observant. Be patient, mama.”

We enter a neat, welcoming living area of earthy greens and subtle pinks, soft material on sofa and two chairs. It’s warm and looks cozy. I notice the kitchen and a man. A MAN! He looks up at me and smiles. Sets down a bowl and spoon, then wipes his hand with a towel and comes to me. He gives me a fantastic hug and as he kisses me, he backs away, stares at me and says, “You remember again, don’t you?”

“Enough to know I won the lotto being here with a fantastic family. Oh, Lotto is a gambling thing. Sorry. I just feel like I am living a wonderful life here.”

A boy enters the room, “Hi, mom. I just finished a thesis on energy. I love that science stuff. It is a constant yet has variables.” He stops, looks at me and says, “You remember again, don’t you?”

“Some of it. What is this all about? I need to understand?” And with that I turn to the handsome man who is my husband, evidently, “What is your name, and yours, son?”

“I Am Quinn, it means intelligent. And Dad’s name is Jason, meaning healer. He is too, mom.”

Jason looks at me and says, “Ours is a house of love, Willow. We learn, laugh and share thoughts and grow into an inquisitive, happy family. We are fortunate. So far, what do you think? Shall I show you around?”

“Yes, please. I do have many questions, but have no idea where to start, and I’m hungry. So is Seren.”

Jason heads for the kitchen, “Come, sit. I cook well and will fix you a fine meal. Are you hungry too Quinn?”

“Sure am, Thanks dad. I’ll put my work away and be right back.”

I go to help my ‘husband’ and find it is actually fun to work with him. We have a cool rhythm. “I wasn’t married in my other life.” I tell him to see what he thinks.

“I remember you telling me that. You had a traumatic death. You were not finished with your learning there and needed much more time. You were stuck in a never-ending circle. That’s why you were somewhat jolted here.”

“Wow. But how did I die?”

“Evidently someone killed you. You’ve been confused ever since the transition took place. We all are surrounded in love when we leave one place for another. You were focused on your life and didn’t want to leave even though you were not content with it. You wanted so much more and was trying hard to achieve your dreams. Now you have them all.” He smiles over at her. “You have the love of your own family. Quite a bonus.”

“Is everything rosy and perfect here?”

“Hahaha, hardly. There is much to clean up. We have a variety of personalities. Some psychopaths, narcissists, even killers. We have peace loving people and strong willed too. We have weak and curious alongside pushy and intense. Every personality you remember around

you before. We are just in a different place. You won’t miss anyone and as a bonus, your best friend from there is here.”
“Really?”

Yes, but you didn’t meet me there because I was living in another astral plane far from you. This had to happen for us to meet. Destiny, my love.” And he kisses her. Then continues to cook.

“I know this is crazy, but I feel really content and loved here.”

“Willow, you and I have gone through time and space to be together. That’s amazing. Love is strong. This is just one life we’ve had together. Can you imagine that?”

“We are lucky, and that’s a strong feeling. I think I was lonely before. I didn’t have this full, joyous life. It’s really stunning.” I kiss him on his cheek and happy to be with my family every day. My heart is so full it’s bursting.      

Chapter 3

You all have made me comfortable. This has been so scary. I thought I was just dreaming but now, well, I am still deciphering this to make sense of it all.

Jason reaches across the table and squeezes my hand. “You will be fine. Just take it slow.”

Quinn adds, “Mom, you’ve had this happen before. Each time you remember more. I believe there is a reason your memory is expanding. There is something important for you ahead.”

Jason added, “we know you were murdered in your last life. You have blocked that part out. It has been years of intense searching to find out what happened to you. Evidently you were stalked. He entered your apartment, put poison into your wine inserted with a needle. He watched you die. We all believe it wasn’t his first time.”

“Oh, Jason, I remember being in terrible pain now. You have brought that awful memory back to me.”

“There’s more. We believe this same soul is here stalking you again. Bring the pictures over to us Seren. She took three of these at at different times. Whenever he has appeared, you’ve suffered a memory loss. You endured great trauma.”

Jason holds me firmly as I look at the pictures. I gasp. “OH, it’s him.”
I look at Jason, now with tears, “What can we do?”

“I’ve contacted the Intergalactic Rulers of Safety and they are watching him and investigating his moves since he has been here. They said he is most likely responsible, so far, for dozens of murders that have been discovered.  They will notify us when he is in custody and all the evidence is absolutely solid.”

“Thank you, I finally know why I’ve had such blank-outs.”

Seren has been a big help. She usually goes with you everywhere. She is one smart little girl. People don’t pay attention to a kid. That’s how she acquired these pictures. She has more and has turned them in.”

Quinn has been researching his whereabouts as well. He has an abundant library at his disposal full of information that transcends our little world here.

“Now, I pray for his capture and putting this mess behind us. I want a stress-free life. Jason, I feel like I’ve known you forever and feel a strong connection. We fell in love, didn’t we?”

“We sure did. I felt I was driven to meet you when I was in the wrong life. I died an old man struggling with this unfulfilled feeling. We had to go through a lot to get here.”

“I like it when you hold me.”

“OK you two. We’re out of here.” With that the kids leave the room.

The next morning I get up, dress and get going. I want to make a special dinner for everyone. Seren and Quinn are at school and Jason is at work. Those things evidently are a constant regardless of our location. Outside I see the car I drove, it is mine. OK, then. I can drive it now happily.

The market of choice is crowded. I purchase vegetables. I had to read about some as I don’t have all my memory back yet. I guess I don’t cook often. Who knows?  It all smells wonderful in here and there are so many choices. I can hardly believe the variety and abundance at my fingertips. I take my full basket to the car.

As I get to it, I’m attacked, hit and grabbed. I’m thrown into a van type vehicle. My eyes are covered, hands are constricted, and mouth is taped.  I can’t see nor yell out.

“Well, you seem to have survived my determination to end you permanently. I don’t know how, but Here we are again and I have a second chance. Lucky me. I’ll watch you die again, painfully, slowly. You’ll have no one to help you. You are alone. You’ve never even looked at me. You’ve ignored me then and now.  You’ve never glanced my way. I’ve followed you into the elevators, parking lots, stores, I’ve offered you shopping carts, Nothing! Nothing! Do you even know how that makes me feel?”

“I didn’t see you. I don’t usually notice people around me because my mind is on work. I’m sorry.”

He’s a strong man. He grabbed and yanked me out of the van, then bodily forced, half carried, half roughly pushed me into a building, and shoved me into an uncomfortable chair. He removes my eye cover. I was looking at a grey huge space, small windows high, two doors, on each end, and it is empty except for my chair, a makeshift desk and chair behind it, nothing else. It is a very dirty place. My God, he smells. The foul odor of sweat and filth permeates the room and my nose. I’m looking at the same man that killed me ‘before’. He removes my disgustingly dirty mouth gag. I spit out the taste, and ask, “Why are you doing this?”

“I enjoy your pain as I watched you die. I will again. I’ve seen your self-confidence, perfect little life and happy family. I’m sick of it. You should be mine. You should have been mine before, but you were so stuck up I didn’t exist in your world.”

“What have you done with your life?” I ask him and watch his eyes go into slits and his mouth tightens firmly.

“I do what pleases me. Now it’s my turn again. I’m so lucky to get this chance twice. I have so many choices of how to end this scam of a life you’ve built. I could use Poison, knife cuts, shooting you with my gun, starvation. I want it slow and miserable. I have all the time in the world to watch you and enjoy seeing you die again. You are a bitch and will pay for ignoring me.”

As he reaches over with a sharp large knife to most likely cut me, we hear a huge ruckus. I jerk back as far as the chair I’m tied in will let me.  There is a tremendous thunderous noise. ”Back away Norm, you’re finished. We have proof of six murders here and history has shown dozens more throughout the galaxy. You are a predator.

They remove my shekels and I am freed. I’m shaking and crying, so thankful this is over with. I can now heal and live my beautiful life with a wonderful loving happy family. I am the luckiest woman in the world, no, all the worlds.