Buzz buzz a plump carpenter bee hovered over a buttercup. Sun yellow petals splayed open. Air over the meadow honey thicken. A feather of rage tickled my belly. I forced myself awake.

Peaceful Zander was sleeping next to me. I’ve always had lucid dreams. As a kid I didn’t know people weren’t aware of their dream world. I love carving my dreams out of my imagination. I was an astronaut. I was an explorer. I was powerful in my dreams and no one could hurt me.

I leaned back and sank back into the meadow. There were dozens of carpenter bees, their fat furry bodies drunk on neon pollen. Blossoms undulated writhing in desire. Sinking My heart was a cracked brick as the rage swam up my spine.

Drowning in buttery petals I forced myself awake. I stretched on my pillow cool blood slicked. Zander’s open eye’s watch me without blinking.

“Good Morning love,” I said over the rising buzz of ten thousand bees.