I lie awake listening to the steady breathing of my sleeping friends. I’ve been lying awake for hours but I just can’t fall asleep.

I roll over onto my side, Anne, my best friend, lies there, sleeping peacefully. As I look at her calm face a small smile creeps onto my face. Ever since the… incident, she’s had nightmares every night, it’s a relief to see her finally getting a restful sleep.

Anne’s expression changes then, it goes from calm to scared. She jerks sharply, rolling over and then turning back to me. Tears begin to spill from her eyes as moans and groans in her sleep.

“No…” She whispers, “No, no! Please no! Stop! Please!”

Nightmares again. It was foolish of me to think that she could actually have a good night’s sleep.

I look at her, wishing I could take those nightmares away from her. My head starts hurting, just a little at first but getting stronger.

I bring a hand up to my head as my vision begins to blur. Anne fades from my view and is replaced with another image. A house. Anne’s house.

The rain pours down heavily yet still many people crowd the streets. My eyes are puffy from crying but something else is different. I look down at my hands but… they’re not my hands! These hands are smaller and a good few shades darker than my own. I look up and down the street and I see it then. It’s the night _it _happened, exactly as I remember, except I’m seeing it from Anne’s perspective.

All eyes land on me and I run inside. I start up the stairs but stop suddenly as a voice calls out.

“Anne!” I turn to see Anne’s father at the bottom of the stairs. “Anne, what have you done!?”

He’s furious, and when he moves towards me I stumble back. He grabs me by the neck and throws me down the stairs. I try to push myself up, try to run but he’s to fast. He grabs me again and presses me against the wall. He hits me, hard. He hits me again, harder.

“You stupid, stupid girl!” He looks like he’s about to explode.

He drops me to the floor and I kneel there, coughing and spluttering. “Pathetic.”

He kicks me and I fall onto my side. He motions to kick me again.

“Stop!” I scream.

Light explodes around me and Anne’s father screams in agony. The house crumbles down around me and a thought rings loud in my ear.

I am one of them. I am a freak. A monster.

The headache returns and everything fades. I’m back in the tent, my friend lying next to me. I look at Anne, her eyes are open now.

“Nightmares?” I whisper, trying to keep my voice steady. She nods before rolling over.

That was Anne’s nightmare, exactly how she described it. I was in Anne’s nightmare.

I’m one of them too.

Mom sied: get ready to the pool Edan sied:ok mom Mom sied:hurry up now Edan sied:zzzzz wacks up what mom? Mom sied:ugh i sied hurry up now! Edan sied: ummmm mom? Mom sied:>:(what sweetie The end…

Last Night in october, dark outside, cold inside, I waited for phone call, outside cold and dark, and raining a little. The lamp on the street is blinking, something wrong with the bulb or something wrong with the connection. Maybe is the tight day to improve the activity and start the new action, who know it.

There were two kingdoms and they were enemies and the princess was named Evie and the prince of the other kingdom was named Rhett and Evie acts like a boy and was raised like one and she dresses like a boy and Rhett didn’t know that and they

Dream Journal: Danny 4-22 I dreamt of not being able to run again. It was typical. I had to use mailboxes to move down a road. But something was different. There was a woman at the end of the road. As I pushed my way to the last mailbox, I could move again, and there she was—a beautiful Brunette in a long, flowy red dress. I couldn't remember much after that, but that was a change I wouldn't mind dreaming again.

4-23 It was the same dream, but she wasn't there this time. I don't quite remember anything else.

4-26 I had this dream before where I was driving a car and trying to keep it straight, but this time, I was in the passenger's seat. When I looked over, there she was--the same woman from the other night. She didn't say anything. She just looked over and smiled. Then she jerked the steering wheel and crashed the car.

4-28 I remember a schoolyard. It looked like I was in the middle of nowhere, with a playground to my left and a basketball court to my right. There seemed to be a white, brightening filter over my vision, like the ones they put on memory scenes in romance movies. The woman was sitting on the swing. She seemed to pull me in with her eyes. I sat next to her on the swing. It was like I already knew her because we talked for what felt like the whole day, but I couldn't remember a single word. Did I even ask her name?

5-2 We got married- at least, I think we did. I pushed myself through endless trees- pine, I think. She stood in a dress with a long train in an opening in the forest. She had a bouquet in her hands, her hair was put up, and she had a huge smile. I think I said yes.

5-7 I dreamt she chased me with a knife because I cheated on her. But I don't remember cheating on her in my dream. I mean, I don't remember half of my dreams anyway.

5-12 Who is this woman? She's been in every dream of mine. I almost couldn't wake up this time. I was trapped in an empty basement with a black pole in the middle. Chains draped off it, and a chest was in the corner of the room. The chest was just a black abyss. I was pushed in, and that's when I woke up.

5-19 We started dancing in the middle of a busy street. The cars were synchronized, close to touching but never doing so. Either we were in slow motion, or everyone else was on fast-forward. She told me she loved me. I remember asking her, "Who are you?"

Dream Journal: Jane 4-22 I entered his dream tonight. I can't believe it worked! Who knew shifting could help you be in someone else's dreams? This time, I made my grand entrance. I tried not to change his dreams too much, as I didn't want to make him suspicious.

4-28 I had this thought today of sitting with him in our spot at our old middle school. He seemed to enjoy it. He told me how beautiful I was and how he'd love to have a wife like me. I was so happy!

5-2 The wedding was perfect. My dress, make-up, hair- it was all perfect, and I didn't have to do a thing! Of course, I had to create a challenge for him. I had to know he was serious. He gave me such heartfelt vows. It was all so perfect. He promised he would never hurt me and would love me forever. I knew he was the one. I knew the restraining order was a hoax.

5-7 I saw him out with another woman today. Did his vows mean nothing? I shouted that I caught him cheating, but he acted so clueless. How could he have done this to me?

5-12 I can't forgive him. I overheard him say to someone that he hated movies with someone chained in the basement, so naturally, he had to learn his lesson. He deserves never to see that girl again.

5-19 Maybe I was being too harsh on him. I thought a night alone without stress or marriage talk could reelevate our feelings for each other. At least, that's what I thought. None of this is real… is it?

Awaking, this shall come to pass. Vision shattered like a glass. I survey this sinking sky. Observing, I see you, me and Eli.

Maybe we’re dreaming. What was I thinking? My awareness is shrinking. What’s this scene that I am seeing?

You, tears falling so sweetly. He, catching them so gently. Me, witnessing you both grieving - Me, then I take control.

I’m seeing…

Things we fine without me there. I took charge and led us nowhere. We just watched the stars descend. Is this a beginning or another end?

I pull back my hands. You both turn your heads. Eyes are just so red. Oh, the pain I’ve left you with!

If I should die before I wake, I pray you find a better way.

The skies are sinking to the ground, Clouds are searching - I can’t be found.

Heaven’s gates are open wide, Why do I fear to go inside? What is this darkness in my mind? If I awake, God, make this right.

They deserve much more than me. They deserve much more than me. They deserve much more than me. When I awake, please kill this dream.

Never push the devil Who first was an angel Prodded, pinched and pained Your chaos in its mind invaded And brought no peace invited In all this it ignored Then your pride eclipses The devil turns to you

Grace was a hot coffee person—didn’t matter the time of year or hour in the day she needed hot coffee. Her favorite spot was Grey Star Cafe. Instead of the usual uncomfortable wooden tables Grey’s embraced luxury and privacy with tiny reading nooks you could rent by the hour. She paid for her coffee and 3 hours of nook time.

Cup of coffee acquired she moved to the back of the cafe towards her favorite nook. Bracing herself for the cozy pillows and the great view of the botanical gardens her city was known for she reached for the handle and it was locked. Disappointment washed over her. It was totally a first-world problem to be disappointed by a public service, but dang it she needed one thing to go right today. Knowing it was in vain she tried the lock again and, to her shock, it opened.

Inside was a softly snoring man. Maybe in his thirties. His discarded jacket and tie told Grace he probably needed the room just as much as she did. There were a lot of law offices, just like hers, in the sector of the city. Resolute, she went to close the door when she thought she heard the man say something…was that a cry for help?

Grace reached for the man’s hand and something was wrong. In this air conditioned space he should feel cool, but he was burning. The burning sensation raced up Grace’s arm becoming a white hot pain behind her eyes. She dropped her coffee and used the heels of her hands to soothe her aching eyes, but the burning continued. Just when she thought she’d pass out from the pain it stopped. She slowly opened her eyes.

She was in a dark room. An intense heat was coming from a fire at its center. She recognized the structure from one of those silly dating shows—it was a kiln to fire glass. At a bench near by was the sleep man. He’s was working with a delicate blue glass. Grace was overwhelmed by the heat and sound in the space, but he seemed in his element. She tried to reach out to him, to speak, but nothing happened. Frustrated, Grace wished and alarm would sound to get the man’s attention. And then it happened. The small space started vibrating with an unearthly sounds. Then jerked, dropped his beautiful creation, and looked directly at her. Scared, Grace closed her eyes and she felt the world shift under her feet.

“Hey, did you hit your head Miss?” a familiar voice said. “Help is on the way.”

Grace opened her eyes to realize she had fallen. Her neck was been braced by one of the barista’s and another was standing over her with a cell phone. She tried to look around, but the neck brace stopped her.

“I’m fine,” she insisted as she got to her feet. She dusted off her clothes in vain—her skirt was stained with coffee and her winter stockings torn.

“You!”

She looked up at the sudden accusation to see the snoring man starring at her in horror.

“What about me, sir?”

“You were in my dream!”

It’s dark here.

Soggy, almost. No. Musty? I don’t know. The world is vague, except for a few gleams of dots and patterns that occasionally cross my vision. Otherwise, it’s just a gray haze that I lie in, until, that is, it falters into another reality.

Losing consciousness is a waiting game that takes time—the longer you think about it the longer it takes. The longer your heart races in excitement about falling into a world that is only and truly yours, the harder it is to fall asleep.

I’d say I’m waiting somewhere in between reality and my dreams; a blank and empty sub-reality that will fade into whatever dream my mind places me in. Eventually.

I want to say that it started two weeks ago, but I can’t be sure. I don’t know how long I’ve been controlling my dreams; maybe I only realized it two weeks ago. Maybe exploring the depths of one’s creativity inside of their minds while dozing is an ability we all posses, but not one we all can get in touch with.

Here I wait, trying to clear my mind, trying to open the vaults to my brain that trap my dreams inside. That’s my theory, at least. A loss of consciousness is the key to open them. And when you’re excited about dreaming and your excitement envelopes your mind, the key is pretty damn hard to get.

My thoughts are interrupted by an abrupt and brilliant light that seeps through the haze and gray and darkness. The world swivels and takes form as I watch my surroundings and my torso and legs come into view.

It’s time.

THIS IS A CONTINUATION OF ESCAPIST AND STALKER.

Finally, he was in control. No voice in his head, no ghost pulling the strings. It was a rare thing, nowadays, to be in charge of himself. To do what he wanted. So he slept. Tonight, he was going to give her a real dream, a good dream. One that didn’t involve him murdering her in the alley. One where he could tell her the truth again, like he used to. All went well. He whistled, just like he did before when they wanted to find each other. She didn’t whistle back, but that was fair. He turned into the alley and emerged from the shadows. That’s when it seized him. That’s when it went wrong. He panicked. Not again, not again! He’d been so close!

“What did I tell you?”

He jolted awake right as he watched himself kill her again.

“I warned you. There will be consequences.”

It was all in his head. All in his head. She was fine, he hadn’t hurt her, all in his head. He took a deep breath, focusing on his breathing. In and out. In and out. “Why?” It came out a sob.

“You will see someday. She is a danger to you.”

He didn’t understand, she hadn’t done anything. At least, not that he knew of. He wanted so badly to ask how, HOW, was she dangerous, what was she going to do? But he knew the answer would only cause more questions.

“I do hope you got the chance to say a proper goodbye. If you didn’t though, I can’t say I feel sorry. I do love a good tragedy.”

He didn’t sleep the rest of the night.

-•-•-•-•-•-•-•-•-•-•-•-•-•-•-•-•-•-•-•-•-•-•-

“It was just… different this time. His smile wasn’t as creepy and he almost looked panicked at the end. It was weird. And it didn’t last all night. Not this time.”

Chrysalis-the older one-watched me as I talked, her eyes seeing past me.

I couldn’t tell you how long we sat there, her lost in her head. She never seemed to blink and she never seem to breath. There was only the sound of the wind outside.

“Well,” she finally whispered. “It would appear we’re running out of time.”