Dream (The Waking Sleep Book 2) Read online

  Dream

  Lucy Adler

  This is a work of fiction and the product of the author’s imagination. Any resemblance to real persons, either living or dead, is wholly coincidental.

  Copyright © 2020 by West on Twenty

  All rights reserved.

  No part of this book may be reproduced in any form or by any electronic or mechanical means, including information storage and retrieval systems, without written permission from the author, except for the use of brief quotations in a book review.

  Created with Vellum

  Contents

  Foreword

  Chapter 1

  (17 years ago)

  Chapter 2

  Chapter 3

  (Beginning yesterday)

  Chapter 4

  Chapter 5

  (14-15 years ago)

  Chapter 6

  Chapter 7

  Chapter 8

  Chapter 9

  (13 years ago)

  Chapter 10

  Chapter 11

  Chapter 12

  (12 years ago)

  Chapter 13

  (Beginning 2 days ago)

  Chapter 14

  (A few hours earlier)

  Chapter 15

  Chapter 16

  (Beginning the day Max & Aury escaped)

  Chapter 17

  Chapter 18

  Chapter 19

  (10 years ago)

  Chapter 20

  (10 years ago)

  Chapter 21

  Chapter 22

  Chapter 23

  (10 years ago)

  Chapter 24

  Chapter 25

  (10 years ago)

  Chapter 26

  Chapter 27

  Chapter 28

  Chapter 29

  (Earlier that same day)

  Afterword

  Foreword

  As with Sleeper, this book employs flashbacks. Some are a matter of a few days - others go back a number of years.

  In order to help you keep the timeline straight in your mind, flashback chapters not only include the date (as every chapter does) but they also include a note in parentheses. The note gives you a quick reference as to how far back the flashback begins (e.g. “Ten years ago” or “2 days ago”).

  I hope this will make it easier for you to enjoy the story without having to worry about keeping too close an eye on all of the dates!

  ~Lucy

  There are more things

  in heaven and earth, Horatio,

  Than are dreamt of in your philosophy.

  ~Hamlet (1.5.167-8)

  1

  Year: 43

  (17 years ago)

  CHARLIE

  “And so, that being said, I am honoured to stand upon the shoulders of those giants who came before me. May we see farther, reach higher, and achieve even more - not only by upholding the standards they have set, but by challenging one another to be the best versions of ourselves that we can possibly be. Thank you for this privilege. Thank you for your confidence in me. I will not disappoint you.”

  Applause filled the cavernous banquet hall, rising and rolling through the room like the sound of a rainstorm beating upon a roof. As the man concluded his speech, he paused to bask in the outpouring of praise and support. The crowd, which numbered about three hundred, were standing on their feet, their hands clapping, their faces awash with admiration.

  After a wave and a shallow bow of acknowledgement, the man proceeded across the stage to the right, then down a short staircase. The crowd took their seats again just as he returned to his, at one of the tables near the front, beside a beautiful woman in a silver dress. He kissed her on the cheek after he sat down. She wrapped her arm around his shoulders and whispered something in his ear that made them both laugh.

  A lovely dinner followed, after which the crowd mingled and enjoyed each other’s company for another hour at least. As many of them as were able made sure to squeeze in a few seconds and a handshake with the man who had given the speech. The woman stayed by his side as he offered a smile and a warm greeting to each and every person that made the effort to congratulate him.

  After all, he knew he owed his promotion to them.

  Without their vote, he wouldn’t have just become the youngest person ever to be promoted to the Doctors’ Guild.

  _______________________

  “It seems so rebellious!”

  “Try not to think about it like that.”

  “I guess after how hard you worked to get here, I’m just not used to all this time together!”

  “It’s just one of the perks of the new job. And it’s only two free days per year. Don’t tell me you’re tired of me already?”

  They had been holding hands, walking along the side of the manmade lake that graced the massive front lawn of the Caxton-Meyers Institute. The woman pulled her hand free and then hugged his left arm as they continued walking, resting her head on his shoulder.

  “I could never get tired of this,” she said with a satisfied smile.

  _______________________

  “Soooo, what did they say? Did they approve your project? I’ve been dying to know!”

  The man put down his briefcase and slowly took off his jacket, draping it over the back of one of the chairs in the living room. Then he loosened his tie and kicked off his shoes.

  The woman squinted, pulled her mouth to the side, and gave him a sharp stare.

  “Ok, ok, don’t give me ‘the look’!” he laughed. “I’m only building up the suspense.”

  “There’s enough of that already! Tell me the news!”

  He stepped closer to her and wrapped his arms around her waist.

  “They said yes.”

  She gasped and threw her arms around his neck, and they hugged as tightly as they ever had.

  “This is so great, Charlie! I’m so happy for you!”

  “Thanks.”

  They hugged a little longer. The man closed his eyes and let his head rest against hers as he breathed in the smell of her hair. Then she pulled back enough to give him a kiss on the cheek before she whispered in his ear.

  “You’re going to change the world, my love.”

  2

  Month: 4 | Day: 7 | Year: 60

  DAWN

  Creak-crack. Creak-crack.

  The gentle squeaking sounds of the wooden deck beneath the rocking chair were almost as soothing as the pink hue cast by the rising sun. The hillside looked like a watercolour in the stillness of the morning. There wasn’t even a breeze to shake the branches on the trees. And the birds had only just begun to find their voice.

  Daria tucked her legs up under her on the rocker and held her cup of hot tea tightly between her hands. The steam rose in a cloud, and she could feel the warmth on her face just before it dissipated into the cool mountain air.

  Her mind was empty as she stared off into the distance. But it was a good empty.

  A few times, she felt that she ought to be thinking of something, reflecting on something, trying to remember something. But each time, she would feel another impulse, a deeper ‘nudging’ within her that said it was fine - maybe even ‘the right thing to do’ in that moment - not to think.

  And so she kept rocking, sipping her tea, and breathing. Breathing in the morning air, laced with the fragrance of the fir trees. Breathing in the stillness of the world.

  _______________________

  “Oh my gosh, you’re up!”

  Daria didn’t reply with words. She set her mug down on the deck and jumped up out of the chair, leaving it rocking wildly on its own as she lunged at Jake, her arms open wide.

  They hugged for a solid three or four minutes, their eyes closed, t
heir bodies swaying and turning as a flood of emotions washed over them, then slowly settled again.

  “I’m so glad you’re alright,” he said quietly.

  She burrowed her face into his shoulder and neck, and a few tears slipped out.

  But she was smiling.

  _______________________

  “Sorry for bringing Brix to the clubhouse.”

  Jake laughed.

  “I don’t think you need to apologise for anything! I’m sure you’re still a little groggy but I can’t wait to know what happened back there. What did you do?”

  After their hug, Jake had pulled one of the other rockers over and sat down beside her. They were holding hands as they talked.

  “I guess I just felt it, and then I went with it. Easy peasy.” She gave him a cheeky little smile. “Honestly, though... that’s kinda what it was like. The gift... it was pretty insistent. I just listened, like you said. Besides, what was the alternative? Dr. Reston was standing right ther--”

  As she said the doctor’s name, something suddenly came to mind. Something he had said in the lab as she and Corey watched from the observation deck above.

  “By ‘went with it’, I’m assuming you mean Translocation? But, how did Brix and I end up here with you?”

  Daria held the other thought for a moment and focused on his question.

  “Uh, well, I sorta reached out with my hands, in the dream-state I mean, and you guys just vanished with me. I don’t really know how I did it.” She shrugged her shoulders then drained the last drops of tea from her mug.

  “Amazing. Crazy amazing, actually. There aren’t that many of us who can translocate. And I’ve never even heard of a sleeper who can take someone with them - let alone two people!”

  There was a lull for a minute or so as Jake shook his head in awe and stared off at the view.

  Daria was looking down at her empty mug, turning it in her hands.

  Is now the right time? Why not, I guess?

  “Um, Jake?”

  “Yeah?”

  “So, when Corey and I were looking for Brix, we overheard some stuff.”

  “What stuff?”

  “Something Dr. Reston said to Aaron Barrymore, right before he gave him a shot of Direx.”

  Jake’s face suddenly looked worried and Daria was afraid of where the conversation might lead. But she needed to know the truth.

  “What did he say?” Jake replied, doing his best to act casually.

  “Well, he mentioned you, actually.”

  “Me? What about me?”

  Daria took a deep breath and then continued.

  “He said that you wer--”

  Just then, the screen door burst open. The springs squeaked and squealed as they held on for dear life, trying to keep it from flying off its hinges.

  “Dashy!!”

  “Brix!!”

  Daria was barely out of her chair before her friend practically jumped on her with a hug.

  “What the heck, Dashy?!” Brix said more than once as neither of them wanted to let the other one go.

  “I know, I know!” Daria laughed as they rocked back and forth in their bear hug. Finally, they released each other and Brix pulled up another chair beside them.

  “So, you’re like some kind of superhero, or something?” she started, getting straight to business. “I mean, that’s pretty cool, right?”

  “What are you talking about?” Daria laughed again. “I’m not a superhero.”

  “Well, this guy,” Brix replied, pointing at Jake, “said that he thought you must have saved us and brought us here. So how’d you do that, then?”

  “Uhh...” Daria hesitated. She wasn’t sure how much she was allowed to tell her friend. She glanced at Jake for some kind of guidance.

  “It’s ok, Dash,” he replied, catching on to what she was asking with her eyes. “I’ve already given Brix a few introductory lectures!”

  “Yeah. I’ve even tried sleeping!” Brix said, her eyes widening. “Like, I slept, what? Three hours last night?” Then she yawned, as if on cue. “And that!” she exclaimed, putting her hand to her chest. “What’s that all about? So strange! But in a way, at the same time, it kinda feels good, you know?”

  “I do know,” Daria replied with a smile.

  “I mean, I know I’m not one of you. And that’s fine. But maybe there’s something to this sleep thing for me, too. Who knows. I’m probably just rambling because I’m tired. Tired! Listen to that! I sound like you used to, Dashy!”

  “Just promise me one thing,” Daria replied. “When you get drowsy, don’t pinch yourself to stay awake!”

  ____________________________

  They spent most of the morning reminiscing together. Brix particularly enjoyed getting to tease Daria about all the time she spent thinking Jake wasn’t interested in her. There may have been more than one “I told you so” in the conversation.

  But Daria was fine with it. She even laughed at herself a few times, covering her face with her hand as she blushed once or twice.

  As the sun climbed higher in the sky and it began to feel more like ‘day’ than ‘morning’, Daria put her hand on her stomach.

  “I’m really hungry. Should we wake everyone else and get Max to make us some lunch?”

  She was smiling as she spoke, her eyes filled with joy. She seemed light and easy, and Jake loved seeing her that way. Which made it all the more difficult to tell her the truth about their friends.

  “He’s not here, Dash.”

  “What do you mean? Where is he?”

  Jake didn’t answer right away and Daria could see the struggle on his face.

  “Did something happen to Max?” she asked, her voice sounding more urgent now.

  “I - um - I don’t know, actually.”

  “What about Aury?”

  Jake pressed his lips together in a hesitant, reluctant look. Daria put her feet down on the deck and sat forward in her chair.

  “And Corey and Julia?”

  His face didn’t change.

  “What happened, Jake? Tell me what happened?”

  “I don’t know, Daria. I honestly don’t know. The last thing I remember was translocating inside the facility so that I could open the door before you guys got there. You know, just like we had planned. Once I got to the other side, I --”

  He stopped himself. He realised he was about to open a can of worms. And he wasn’t sure that now was the time to tell Daria the truth about his new ‘condition’.

  “Yeah, aaaand??” She was waiting eagerly for him to continue.

  “And... some guards were there. I guess they were watching the door, or something? I think they must have hit me on the head or tasered me or something. I’m not sure. Next thing I knew, I was waking up here. That’s it.”

  It made him nauseous to lie to her. But he consoled himself that they would talk about it all soon enough, when the moment was right.

  “Were Julia, Max, and Aury still with you before you translocated?”

  “Max and Aury were. After the fire alarm went off -- I’m guessing that was you guys, eh?”

  “Yeah, Corey pulled it.”

  “Well, after it rang for a little while, Julia decided to check our exit and see if anything was stirring outside. I think she was kind of antsy, just waiting. She hadn’t come back by the time I jumped the door.” Jake shrugged his shoulders. “But what about Corey? Why wasn’t he with you? Or could you not bring him along when you translocated us? I’m not criticising, by the way! What you did was incredible enough!”

  “Uh, no, he wasn’t with us.”

  “Is Corey that guy that carried me?” Brix asked.

  “Yup,” Daria replied. “But once Brix woke up, Corey went back for Aaron.”

  Jake nodded slowly as he thought about their friends. Daria leaned back again in her chair, closing her eyes. Her brow was lowered in concern and anxiety. She ran her hand up her face and over her forehead, then let out a deep sigh.

  “I
can’t believe I’ve just been sitting here joking and having fun while they’re all missing. Why didn’t you say something?”

  “Because there’s nothing we can do about it right now,” Jake said calmly. “Except wait.”

  “Well, maybe I can try to have a vision or something. We can figure out where they are, or what happened? Is there someone you can message, like you did with Aaron when we were looking for Brix?”

  “We don’t have any way to communicate from here. Basically, all we’ve got are the clothes we’re wearing.”

  Daria crossed her arms and stared at the trees that surrounded the open area in front of the cabin.

  “So then, what happens now?” she asked quietly.

  “We make for the settlement in the morning. That was the plan, remember?”

  “But didn’t you say that if we got separated, we should wait here for three days before moving on?”

  “Daria, you slept for forty-eight hours. It’s already been two days.”

  Her head snapped to the right, her eyes locking with his.

  “I slept how long??”

  “Forty-eight hours.”

  “You’ve got to be kidding?!”

  “Nope, he’s not,” Brix chimed in. “You’re hardcore, Dashy!”

  She shook her head a few times, then let it fall into her hand. She rubbed her temple with her thumb.