Lucid Dreams


It happened again. I woke up from a dream, maybe, or perhaps it was a nightmare. Whatever it was, it caused me to wake up suddenly as though I was crashing into my own body at full force.

The first thing I noticed was that I couldn’t move and the only part of me that seemed capable of movement were my eyes. I stared wildly around my dorm room. It was dark and my eyes travelled to my dorm door. I noted that the door was open.

I knew I had closed it. I lived alone and that thought put me on edge. The air felt different in the room, as though something might happen. It was as though the world was holding its breath and teetering on a knife’s edge.

I stayed like that for what felt like hours. I lay there in the dark, waiting for something ominous to crawl out of the darkness, but nothing did. Maybe the evil in the dark was waiting for when I fell back into a deep sleep.

It felt like hours, but eventually the feeling came back to my body and I wriggled my toes. The first thing I did on regaining movement was to rush to the door, peeking into the darkened hallway.

I was looking for that presence I had felt, but it was gone. I shut and bolted the door. I made my way, with some trepidation, back to my bed.

I must have fallen back to sleep because I awoke to the bothersome sound of my alarm.

**************************

“And how long have you been having these episodes of disturbed sleep, Eleanor?” Dr Ross queried.

I shuffled in the uncomfortable chair, peering round the room at first, analysing his certificates and portraits of his children. A little girl and boy. I averted my eyes and met his kind gaze.

“For about a week now.” I murmured, ashamedly.

He turned to his computer, typing in a few details before turning back to face me, offering a cheerful smile.

“Are you stressed at all? University must be very tiring.” He motioned for me to continue.

I was never very good at social cues and fumbled a bit to think of what to say. I felt ridiculous and my palms were pressed together. I could feel the sweat between them and my throat felt tight.

“University is stressful, but college is too,” I paused, considering my words. “How come these ‘episodes’ started now?”

He nodded as though pondering the question for a few minutes.

“First time away from home?” He asked, ignoring my question.

“Yes, it is. My parents live in back in Rushton.” I replied.

He turned again and typed something onto his computer. I took a few calming breaths whilst his attention was diverted. He turned to face me again, offering another kind smile. I hoped he had come up with a reason as to why these sleep disruptions were happening.

“Right, Eleanor,” He clasped his hands together. “In certain stressful situations our bodies become nervous, whether we want them to or not. This can result in disturbed sleep, lethargy or in some cases, depression. It’s just your body’s way of saying that it’s worried.”

I pursed my lips together and he stopped speaking, checking to see we were on the same page. It was reassuring to know it was just stress. I should have realised it was. This was my first time away from home. I was in London doing a degree in Social Work and it was my first year. Perhaps I was more nervous than I gave myself credit for.

There was one thing niggling at the back of my mind and I shifted nervously in my seat when I remembered it.

“I recommend you go to bed early, rise early, eat healthily and devote time to relaxing….” Dr Ross was cut off when I started to speak.

“Sorry, it’s just I’m not sure how to say this next part,” I suddenly felt like he may judge me. He paused and motioned for me to continue. “At night when I lie there it feels like someone is in the room with me and yet there’s no one there.”

He frowned for a second, but nodded as though trying to reassure me again.

“That is very normal in cases like this. People often say that they can feel a presence, but rest assured that you are safe.” He reassured.

I nodded then and diverted my gaze to the clean carpet. The appointment didn’t last much longer and I was soon ushered away. I left the room, traipsing down the corridor. I still felt nervous, but a little happier now I had been doctors.

Whatever that feeling was at night was obviously nothing. It was all in my mind. I left the doctors, making my way down the busy street. The streets zig-zagged until I got to Oxford Street. I carried on down the road, peering in shop windows as I passed.

The nearest tube station was just down the street opposite a H&M. I got there eventually and made my way down the stairs.

My journey back to the dorms was uneventful and I spent a lot of time watching the tunnels fly past until I got off at Kings Cross to get to the Piccadilly Line. I wasn’t very keen on the underground, but it was the most efficient way to get around London.

There were no seats on the train, but I only had one stop before I had to get off so I didn’t mind. I got off when the train stopped at Holloway and followed the crowds of people to the exit.

My dorm was located a little way down the road from the Holloway university campus. It was large building and a lot of students lived there. There were a few shared rooms, but I liked that my room was my own.

I wasn’t from the city. I came from a small village in Northampton. I wasn’t used to loud noise and the craziness of city life. I wasn’t popular and I kept to myself.

I crossed the street to the dorms and pushed the large door, letting myself in. Today was a lively Saturday afternoon and I could hear the other students laughing and chatting. I walked up the stairs to my dorm.

I unlocked the door and slipped inside. I was so glad to be home. Needless to say, my evening would be spent writing essays and, maybe watching Britain’s Got Talent. Yes, this was exciting stuff happening here.

I threw my bag on the bed and sat at the desk, opening my laptop and beginning a riveting essay about policies and procedures whilst working with young adults.

**************************************

I peeked out the window when I noticed it was getting dark. The clock in the corner of my computer screen read 10:15. I had been working so hard that I hadn’t noticed the time. I saved my work and shut the lap top.

I went about my usual routine of getting ready for bed. I sat on the edge of my bed when I was in my pyjamas and sighed. I hoped tonight I would sleep better. I cuddled under my cover and reached over, clicking out my lamp.

Sleep seemed to come quickly and for that, I was very thankful.

I must have awakened at some point because I heard something dripping and my eyes opened. Here we go again. I couldn’t move again and I wanted to groan in frustration. I knew I just had to ride it out until I could move again.

I gazed across the room at the open door and sighed internally. Maybe, I had neglected to lock it. I lay there until I felt that same presence filter into the room. My mind was screaming that it was all in my head and wasn’t real. I was imagining things.

The atmosphere seemed to have intensified and it felt like you would choke on the air in the room. It set my nerves on edge and, despite being unable to move, I felt the hairs on the nape of my neck rise.

The room suddenly felt colder and I could see my breath as I exhaled. What the heck was going on? A noise, like a creaking made me avert my gaze to the door.

My eyes widened as a dark figure slinked into the room. I wanted to scream and yell for help, but no words came out. The figure strolled over. He looked like a guy and when he got closer I could see that he was, despite the long hair.

He stood at the side of the bed and leaned forward, locking eyes with me. Other-worldly blue met dark brown and he smirked, cocking his head to the side, observing me.

Something cold touched my face and I realised he had just caressed my cheek in an almost loving manner. He must have been human, but there were no guys in the dorm that looked like him.

“Good Evening, Eleanor.” He murmured, tracing his fingers down my cheek.

The feeling in my body just wasn’t coming back and I watched as he sat next to me, continuing to observe me. Who the heck was this guy? Was he the ominous presence? And what happened to this just being in my mind?

He parted his lip to speak and decided not to. He bit his lip in a playful manner and his beautiful eyes matched. His hand traced down my face again.

“See you tomorrow night, Ellie.” With that being said, he vanished as though he hadn’t been there.

I then regained full use of my body. I sat up, panting hard and gasping for breath. I touched my cheek and it felt cold, like a corpse had just touched me.

The tears came then and I curled up in the corner of my bed as far back to the wall as I could. I didn’t go back to sleep again. Despite being tired, I was also absolutely terrified.

I stayed there until the sun shone into the window and then I finally got up and started the day again, this time dreading the night to come.

Notes