The Watch – Part 226:

(Tom’s Perspective)

The sun’s rays poked their way through the curtains, bathing my eyes in their warmth. I woke up, gently and slowly, the comfortable pillow under my head and the mattress under my back forced me to have a lie in.

‘Knock, knock,’ Alex’s voice called through the closed door. ‘Are you awake yet?’

‘Yeah, I’m awake,’ I called back.

‘Good,’ and the door swung open and in stepped Alex, wearing a black and white striped dressing gown with matching pyjamas. Her radiant smile made the sun look dim, and her red, shoulder length hair made her blue eyes shine brighter than ever. She was carrying a tray with a plate of toast sitting next door to a full glass of orange juice.

‘What have I done to deserve this?’ I asked, sitting up.

‘Nothing,’ she said, placing the tray on my legs. ‘We’re inside your mind remember; it has to start somehow. Plus, you need breakfast, so here you go,’ she said, neutrally.

‘Fair enough,’ I agreed, eyeing up the well-made breakfast, which smelt nice.

‘I thought we would still be on the sofa,’ Alex queried. ‘And why am I wearing pyjamas and a dressing gown? It would have made much more sense if we were where we left of, you know,’ she said.

‘Hey, I can’t help that,’ I said, truthfully. ‘It’s not my fault I got shot by those needles. They hurt a lot, you know. And I was shot by a Taser. I guess my mind wanted me to feel something nice after all that,’ I counter argued.

‘I guess that makes sense, but you still haven’t answered why I’m in pyjamas and a dressing gown,’ she said.

‘That part I wasn’t in control of, I’m afraid to say,’ I said, again truthfully.

‘Well, I’ll let you off this one time only, then,’ she said. ‘If it happens again, I will blame you, OK,’ she said sternly.

‘OK,’ I said wanting to get stuck into this breakfast.

‘Whilst you’re having your breakfast, I’m going to get dressed. When you’re done, I would like you to get dressed as well. We have a busy day ahead of us.’

‘I’ll be right down,’ I said, smiling. Alex turned and started towards the door. ‘Oh, and Alex,’ I called before she disappeared out of the room. She turned around to face me once more.

‘Yeah?’

‘How long will I be here? I mean, how long will this dream last?’ I asked.

‘You were shot with five needles that were full of sleeping potion – you’ve forgotten what the actual name of it is, so we’ll call it that if and when you remember – but whilst you were immune to it at first, the electric current didn’t mix well and the sleeping potion “activated”, if you will, and therefore you were knocked out. You’re here for as long as it takes for your body to process all of the sleeping potion. Unfortunately, that won’t be as long as you’d hope it to be, I’m afraid to say, because it won’t take long for your body to become immune to it once more, which means we had better get everything that I have planned for you done before you do wake up.’

‘Nice Segway,’ I said.

‘I don’t think that counts as a Segway,’ Alex said, thinking it over.

‘Doesn’t it?’ I asked.

‘I’m not sure. But let’s not ponder what we can’t figure out. You have your breakfast, I’ll get changed, and then we can get stuck into the day ahead. Deal?’

‘Deal,’ I agreed.

‘Good,’ she smiled, turned around and walked out of the room, closing the door behind her. I rubbed my hands together, preparing myself to get stuck into this breakfast. I picked up one of the pieces of toast and took a large bite out of it. It was delicious. My mind’s a good cook, although I don’t think that a piece of toast counts as cooking, but still. I then took a sip of the orange juice which was as fresh as can be, and it didn’t have any pulp, either, which was a bonus as I absolutely hate pulp. I can’t stand the stuff.

I don’t know what is happening to me in the real world, and frankly I don’t care. If I’m here, that means I’m still alive. I want to make this day last as long as possible, even with a time limit.

When I had finished my breakfast, I climbed out of bed and made sure that the duvet was flat. I don’t usually worry about making my bed in the mornings, but today it felt like the right thing to do, so I did it. I found a set of folded clothes at the bottom of the bed: Just a standard blue T-shirt and trousers that were designed to lounge about in. After I had pulled them on, I picked up the empty tray and made my way downstairs where I found Alex sitting in the living room, wearing the same clothes she wore in my previous dream: Ripped jeans, and a white tank-top. I placed the tray down on the kitchen counter and entered the living room.

‘Ready?’ she asked, standing up.

‘Ready for what?’ I asked.

‘We’re going out,’ she said.

‘Where to?’ I asked.

‘You’ll see,’ she said. She hasn’t answered any of my questions, but I didn’t mind. I don’t mind what happens in this dream as long as I am able to stay here as long as possible.

‘OK,’ I said, simply.

‘Great,’ Alex said, turning on the spot and making her way to the front door. The door wasn’t locked, so she opened it and stepped out, with me close behind. The day was beautiful. It was the perfect temperature with enough clouds in the sky to dim the sun enough so that it isn’t constantly in your eyes. The road running in front of the house was empty and there wasn’t a single person in sight. Alex closed the door behind her and stood beside me. She then took my hand in hers. I felt stronger with her beside me. I had no worries or no responsibilities. It was just us two and the world.

TO BE CONTINUED…

Thanks for reading

Antony Hudson

(TonyHadNouns)