Alex dropped the duffel bag on the floor, took off his cap, and dropped onto the bed. He lay there motionless for some time. The night’s preparations are finished. Everything outside the cabin was ready. Now he only needs to finish the work inside the cabin. The same work, the same day, the same God damn nightmare. He was trying to understand how he felt. He picked up his phone and slowly dialed the same number he has been dialing for the last 12 years. No answer. “Fucking Helena, I’ll kill you when I get out.” 

The clock struck 5 PM and the grandfather clock in the corner began to ring loudly. He closed his eyes and sighed loudly. Fear began to rise in his chest, building up like a volcano threatening to erupt at any moment. His eyes watered and a lonely tear began to fall down his cheek. He breathed in deeply and jumped out of his bed. He gazed out of the open window and watched a beautiful sunset. Such rich and varied colors, such a beautiful horizon. The clouds were like great wings of gold and yellow. In that view, he saw the flush of a lover’s cheek, the red of a beautiful rose, the gold of a fair maiden’s hair, a sky of fire, and the orange of every wintry hearth. Even in a nightmare, such beauty can exist. 

Such were his thoughts though he didn’t understand them. He stood upright with his shoulders back, with a heart once again full of hope he made the same announcement he has been making for the past twelve years. The same declaration he made the first night he entered this nightmare. “I’m not going to die today.”

Silence, crept over the forest as darkness descended. Slowly but surely all lights faded away. All but the light of the cabin. All windows were closed shut and boarded with layers of wood and nails. Alex sat near a fireplace surrounded by weapons. His preparations were complete. Every gun was loaded and every knife sharpened. Ammo is close at hand. Fire stocked and burning bright. Time? He quickly gazed out of the one open window and saw nothing. The last line of light was consumed by total and utter blackness. Alex picked up the phone again and dialed. “Come on Helena, for the love of God answer,” the phone rang and Alex counted. He looked into the darkness and counted. Ten heartbeats per ring his heart was racing. No answer. He whimpered and was about to redial when he heard it. Drums. From the deep, dark black heart of the forest. Drums. The phone was suddenly powered off, the fire played as if a great wind was blowing. Drums. They are coming, and there is no way out. Drums. The nightmare begins again. Drums. A whisper filled the air, a harsh terrifying voice. No light can outshine my darkness. Drums. Alex shook as he grabbed his shotgun. “Come on you son of a bitch, I have beaten you back for twelve years and I’ll do so again.” He said it with a shaking voice. And terrible laugh was the answer. Drums. Drums. Drums. They are here.

***

In the lab Alex’s body suddenly shook violently, James looked at his vital signs for a moment then continued to read his magazine. Helena entered the room wiping her wet hands and asked, “How is he?” James yawned and replied, “every once in a while he shakes and his vital signs spike for a few seconds or so.” James dropped the magazine and turned to Helena, “I’d say he is terrified or very excited.”

“How long has he been dreaming?”

“Umm, about twelve minutes.”

“Keep monitoring him and unless something unexpected happens let him finish his two hours”

“Two hours! Isn’t that too much for a first test? I mean come on it’s the first time we try this machine.”

Helena shook her head and said, “It’s his machine so let him have his fun. In any case, we have safety measures if he wants to get out he needs to call us and it will send an alarm to the system.” James nodded. The safety measures did make him feel better. “But Helena what if something goes wrong?” Helena sighed “You know what they always say, be careful what you wish for”

Morpheus System Status:

Power [Online]

Life support [Online]

3rd Modelling [Online]

Dream Receiver [Online]

Dream Builder [Online]

Subconscious Input [Online]

Time Modulator [Not responding]

Communications [Not responding]

Safety Measure [Not responding]