Everything is too perfect which is the 2nd sign that everything is wrong. The manual on my desk is titled 'Combat Logic: Volume 2' but whenever I try to focus on it, the letters re-arrange and squirm off the book. I'm not dyslexic, so this happening to me is definitely wrong.
The classroom smells like rotting corpses but there is no dead body in sight. There are 2 clocks on 2 walls opposite each other. I sit at my desk with perfect posture except it doesn't feel like it.
I turn my head over to analyze Sana but why does she have 2 pens? My heart rate increases by 20 bpm. Impulsively, my eyes dart from desk to desk.
2. 2. 2. 2. 2. 2. Why does everyone have 2 pens? Why are there pairs everywhere? Why does the number 2 keep on appearing? Am I going insane? 2 clocks. 2 pens. 2 doors. Maybe I'm overthinking things?
"Alright then students, turn to page 22 in your books." 2 again? "I would like a volunteer to read out paragraph 2."
"Me! Me!" Someone shouts out.
"Alright then Toby."
Toby? But he's dead. How is Toby here? Why's my memory fuzzy? Something is definitely wrong.
I turn my book to page 22. If this is a dream then I won't be able to read the words. Wait hold on…I can read it perfectly?
"When engaging a Class-A brute, the practitioner must prioritize structural instability. Aim for the lateral collateral ligament or the ocular cavity. A single, concentrated strike to the cervical vertebrae is often sufficient to neutralize a high-output threat before they can stabilize their stance."
Hold on that's not what it says on mine. I check to see if I'm on the right page and I am on page 22. Mine says
' To survive in a den of wolves, the lamb must not run, it must become the wind. The wind will soar through the den and knock the wolves down.'
Now that I think about it that is a strange metaphorical concept and should not be in a combat logic book. Therefore I am in the conclusion that I am in a lucid dream. Now there's a way to absolutely confirm if you're in a dream and that is to feel pain because a dream is not real, you cannot feel pain.
I pinch myself on my arm. Never mind, how did I forget that your brain can trick you into feeling pain. Instead I have to feel a pain that I have never felt before and that is, to be punched, in the face. Believe it or not I have never been punched in the face because of the number 2 rule: always protect the face. Wait now I've been saying 2. This is bad, real bad.
"Hey Jaxen, punch me in the face."
He looks surprised and says,
"No can do, I don't do that."
"Then you leave me with no choice."
I swing my arm my fist clenching. Fortunately, it collides with his face.
"Yo what you doin-"
I punch him some more until he's on the floor.
"Alright you asked for it"
I watch his fist connect. I see my head snap back and the sweat fly from my brow. It's a perfect cinematic shot. But there is no heat. No ringing in my ears. Just the cold realisation that my body is somewhere else. It's like watching a movie of my own assault with the volume down.
This is most definitely a dream. Now if it's my dream, does that mean I can do anything I want? Stretching my legs, I go in a squat position and jump as high as I can.
Unfortunately, I could not fly. So maybe I can't manipulate my dream after all, that's no fun.
I might as well try waking up. The most common way to wake up is to blink lots or squeeze your eyes as this utilises physical control retained during REM sleep. Other frequent methods include calling out or screaming 'wake up.' In a way it's more like if you have a strong willpower you can end a dream.
My breath deepens as my eyes open and shut various times and I try squeezing them but I am still dreaming. Time for the other methods.
"WAAAKKEEE UUUUPPPPP!!!!!"
I scream until my lungs run out of oxygen.
How can this be? After all this, how come I'm still dreaming. Maybe I need to repeat it some times.
"WAKE UP! WAKE UP! WAKE UP! WAKE UP!"
This is hopeless. Maybe I should try jumping out the window? My heavy legs move towards the 2 windows. Why's my body so stiff? My hands reach for the window handle as it creates a sliding motion.
Swip
I carry my legs over the sill and stand on the edge, my shirt snapping in the wind. Outside, there is nothing. Only shadows lurking like a fox. I jump.
Crack!
My body slams into an invisible barrier, the air turning into solid glass. I fall back into the room, gasping. I try again, and again, and again. I'm a bird in a cage.
Out of options, I run swiftly towards the crooked, old door. Let's see if I can escape the facility then.
BANG
I slam the door shut as I enter the hallway - it's long, never-ending. The buzzing sound getting louder and the smell of rotting corpses getting stronger. My eyes scan for another door, an exit. Why is there no exit? The walls cave in, making the hallway smaller and thinner, until the width was just enough for a a figure to enter.
It feels cold, suffocating.
The person staggers and wavers in an uncanny motion as they grip something tight in their right hand. It's still too dark to see her face, but I have an idea on who it is. I'm not scared, after all, where's the fun in that?
A mysterious light illuminates on the prop she is holding. It's a knife. A short, sharp dagger, perfect for doing the job. I shoud know.
The light now starts going up, revealing her face. It is me…..