The Beginning of a Nightmare

     Quickly grabbing my keys and wallet, I knew I was extremely late for work and I was going to face the wrath of my boss. AGAIN! I was contemplating getting a cup of coffee along the way, knowing my efficiency would be halved in it's absence. In the coffee shop, I noticed a child looking lost, probably trying to search for his parents. Under normal circumstances, I would have loved to help him but I could afford to be selfish today. I would lose my job if I wouldn't reach office in 5 minutes. Besides, the coffee shop was really crowded; I am sure his parents must be here somewhere. He would be found.                                          

     As I was exiting the cafe, I saw the same child tugging at my trousers, with a pleading look in his eyes. His eyes were deep blue like the ocean, with tears glistening in them. My heart ached seeing him like this, but I really didn't have any option. Ignoring his helpless look, I walked away from him. He continued to follow me. I knew he was a child, but today I was in the foulest of moods. I quickly spun around, screaming-                         

     "Hey kid, quit following me!"                 

     

      The words had barely left my mouth when he started howling. I instantly regretted my outburst, realizing that taking out my frustration on a little child was extremely mean. I was just about to go pick him up and help him when suddenly a car sped towards him and hit him with utmost force. Blood and body parts splattered all over, covering my face in them. For a minute, or maybe more, I just stood there transfixed, unable to comprehend the events that just transpired. Suddenly, I felt unable to move, as if I was trying but my limbs just wouldn't cooperate.   

   Distantly, I heard a loud harsh ringing. Was it the siren of the ambulance? I tried reaching near it, and swiftly awoke. On my bed. In my house. I looked around, the realization dawning upon me that it was just a nightmare and the loud sound belonged to my alarm. I took a moment to get my act together, breathing a sigh of relief. It wasn't real.                                  

    I looked at the alarm clock, my look of relief turning to one of utmost horror. I was late! Hurriedly leaving the house, I stopped to get a coffee and saw the same kid staring at me from across the cafe. This couldn't be happening. I brushed it off, thinking that my mind was playing games with me. It had to be a hallucination. The child followed me out of the door and I ran, longing to get away from my nightmare. Just as I turned around to chance taking a look at the kid, making sure he wasn't real, it happened again. I found myself covered in blood and bloody insides. Everything was exactly the same; the only difference being that this time around, I had no idea what to do next. 

       Two hours later, I was at the police station, recounting everything that happened. The police officer looked at me weirdly. I could guess what he must be thinking- this man is absolutely crazy and out of his mind. When I stayed my ground, he scratched his head and said-                                                                       

        "I see someone has been watching Final Destination. Personally, I love those movies too."                 

        Knowing that I was only wasting my time here, I decided to go back home. I was trying to think of a logical explanation for all this, but I couldn't come up with anything. It was extremely frustrating and horrifying at the same time. Deciding that there was nothing a good sleep couldn't fix, I went off to sleep, delaying the inevitability of it all. 

     

    I walked hesitantly, still unsure about whether I should do this. I tried to weigh my options- no one else would believe what I told them. If there was even a semblance of truth in what happened; if there was anyone who could give me an explanation about my condition, it was this man. I had got his contact from my friend, who believed that this man could actually help me. He said that all those cases that were beyond the understanding of normal doctors and psychiatrists, this man solved all of them. No one actually knew what he was or what he actually did, but he helped people. And that was all that mattered for now.                                                                       

      I was waiting outside his office while he was busy attending to someone else. Just as I thought I was alone, I saw a man appearing suddenly, swiftly striding across the room and taking a seat next to me. Nothing seemed wrong with him, at least not in the quintessential sense. But then again, I was sure no one could tell about my internal battles just by looking at me. He stared at me for a really long time. I was feeling uncomfortable- fidgeting with the documents in my hand, trying to look anywhere but at his piercing gaze. Suddenly he grabbed my hand and I flinched-                             

       "It happens to you too, doesn't it?", he said.                     

      "I don't know what you are talking about. I would appreciate it if you mind your own business", I replied, maybe a little more harshly than I intended.                                 

      "You see things, don't you? The reality. Before it happens. I know you do. Don't try to deny it. I know it all too well, because I was in the same position as you a year ago. I know how you must feel."                                           

       "How? I mean, really? This happened to you too? For a year? How do you manage? There has to be some explanation for it right? Some way out of it?", I asked, suddenly letting go of all my qualms about this man.                

       "End it. End your life before it is too late, like it is for me. It is just the beginning for you. The day you start hearing those voices, oh those God awful voices, it will be too late for you. They won't let you kill yourself, howmuchever you want to. They want you, just like they wanted me. You have to trust me. It is a curse," he spoke fervently.               

     This man went on and on about nonsensical things, how he heard voices in his nightmares, voices that told him to do horrible things. Apparently these nightmares would progress to flashes of reality through the day as well, making a person unable to distinguish between flashes and the actual reality in real time. Then the voices would begin. It sounded really terrifying but I refused to believe this man. Just as I was called for my turn, the man grabbed me and warned me-                       "Remember what I said. End it."

   I woke up suddenly, sweating profusely. I had another one of those visions, feeling more real than ever. If this continued for a year like that man in my nightmare had said, then I would surely become what everyone thought I was. Insane. I had to do something about it. Instinctively, without even consciously realizing what I was doing, I felt myself reaching for the phone, calling my friend. He gave me the contact of the same man I saw in my vision. I got ready and walked towards the building. It felt as if nothing was in my control, as if I was just some puppet being forced to do things.                                                                               

    I didn't want to believe everything the man had told me yesterday, but while I was sitting there and expecting him to come to me, then listening to everything he had to say all over again, I realized that maybe what he was saying was the truth after all. So when I was called for my turn, instead of going inside I walked away. Just as I was exiting the building, I turned around to get a last look at that man. But he had disappeared. As if he never existed, as if he was just a figment of my imagination.                                             

    No sooner had I stepped inside my house, that doubts started clouding my mind. Absolute confusion took over me, making me doubt which choice I should make. Maybe I should have given myself a chance and gone inside that man's cabin. Maybe he could help me, just like my friend said he had helped the others. All these thoughts were still revolving in my mind when I felt my eyelids becoming heavy and tiredness taking over me. 

   I found myself standing in the middle of the road, at the same road where it all began. The same road where I saw that little kid die right in front of my eyes. My fault. It was my fault. I could have helped that kid. But I knew that wasn't possible. All this was predetermined, all this was written. There was nothing I could do to change it. Suddenly, the finality of it all started dawning upon me. This is the end. Maybe it is for the best. This has to happen. So, when I saw the same Red sedan accelerating towards me, I decided to give in to my fate.         

             I woke up after seeing that vision, feeling relaxed for the first time since these visions started. I felt myself getting up and getting ready, knowing that it was time. Time when this would all be over. After an infinite amount of time, I was in the middle of the road, waiting for my fate to play out. For my life and death, to take its natural course. There was no fighting it. Just as I saw a familiar red car coming towards me from the corner of my eye, I heard a voice. A strange, wispy voice, whispering-                                                           

             "Hey Ryan, move away. You belong to me now. You will do everything I say. You and I are going to have so much fun".                                                                

             Hearing her creepy laugh, I felt myself walking away from the car, walking away from the only chance I had to end it all.                                                                                 

             The actual nightmare had just begun.