Chapter 16: False Awakening

Reminder:

This chapter explores the concept of false awakening, where the lines between dreams and reality blur. Readers may encounter scenes that seem real but are actually part of the dream realm. Keep an open mind and enjoy the journey through the twists and turns of perception.

Note:

Before reading this. Here are some things you should know....

—

According to the internet, Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) is a mental health condition that a terrifying event can trigger, either experiencing it or witnessing it. Symptoms may include flashbacks, nightmares, and severe anxiety, such as a traumatic event from experiences that may have temporary difficulty adjusting and coping, as well as uncontrollable thoughts about the event.

That's all. Enjoy.

Third Person's POV

A week had passed since Astra's conversation with Aunt Morph, yet the nightmares persisted, haunting her every slumber. Each night became a battleground, her mind warring against the encroaching darkness that threatened to consume her peace. Fear of what lurked within the realm of dreams kept her hesitant to surrender to sleep, seeking solace instead in the fleeting moments of wakefulness.

–Sigh– 8:30 am.

After a long night shift, Astra returned home feeling exhausted and disheartened. As she lay in her bed, she couldn't shake the feeling of unease that had settled over her. The prospect of facing another night plagued by unsettling dreams weighed heavily on her mind, casting a shadow over her weary body.

Turning away to her side, Astra's gaze drifted towards the cabinet tucked away in the corner of her room. Its contents seemed to call out to her, stirring a mix of curiosity and apprehension within her. With hesitant steps, she fetched a chair and reached for the largest box resting atop the cabinet. As she gingerly lowered it to the floor, a sense of foreboding washed over her, mingling with the faint glimmer of curiosity that still lingered.

The box felt heavier than Astra anticipated, but she persisted, fueled by a silent determination to reveal its contents. Inside, she discovered a collection of forgotten treasures - stickers, coloring materials, and small toys that stirred a sense of familiarity, even though she couldn't recall the memories associated with them. Deeper within the box, she found a pouch containing a worn assortment of pencils, each one bearing the marks of countless uses. A wave of nostalgia washed over Astra as she examined the worn pencils, a reminder of days gone by and the passage of time by someone.

"Whose belongings are these?" she wondered aloud, her thoughts drifting to Aunt Morph and the mysteries that surrounded her. Could these items hold the key to unlocking the secrets of her past? Astra's mind buzzed with questions, each one a thread in the tapestry of uncertainty that shrouded her existence.

At the bottom of the box, her fingers brushed against a weathered notebook bearing a single word: "Dreams." With bated breath, she opened it, the words within beckoning her into their depths. Tears welled up in her eyes as she read, the emotions within the pages echoing her own inner turmoil.

"Why am I crying?" Astra murmured, her voice tinged with confusion. The memories recounted in the notebook felt like shards of her own past, yet they remained just beyond her grasp, elusive as wisps of smoke.

As the ache in her head intensified, Astra set the notebook aside and retreated to her bed, the darkness of sleep enveloping her once more.

Astra awoke feeling burdened, her body weighed down by an inexplicable heaviness. Sitting on the edge of her bed, she took a moment to gather her thoughts, her gaze drifting to the clutter scattered around the room. Determined to tidy up, she reached for a notebook, intending to start cleaning. However, her efforts were interrupted by a faint yet distinct sound emanating from outside her bedroom.

It was a subtle noise, like something small being dropped, but it was enough to stir her curiosity. Ignoring it at first, she tried to focus on the task at hand, only to be startled when the sound repeated, not once but twice in quick succession.

"Hello? Aunt Morph!" With a sense of unease creeping over her, she walks towards the door, intending to investigate.

As she reached for the door handle, the room plunged into darkness, save for a faint glimmer of light that left her disoriented. In the blink of an eye, she found herself back in bed, her heart racing with fear. 'Was it all just a dream?' she thought to herself. The sensation felt eerily familiar, like déjà vu creeping in.

Cautiously, she examined her hand, seeking reassurance that she was truly awake. Finding nothing amiss, she scanned the room, only to freeze in terror at the sight of her open bedroom door. Cold sweat trickled down her spine as she grappled with the unnerving realization that something was not right.

In a moment of clarity, she remembered Aunt Morph and the possibility of finding answers. With determination, she rushed towards the door, but to her dismay, it seemed to elude her grasp, receding further with each step she took. Frustration mounting, she felt as though she was trapped in an illusion, unable to break free.

As she looked down, the scene before her shifted, the floor morphing into something unfamiliar. Bewildered and desperate for answers, she knew she had to seek Aunt Morph's guidance. With renewed resolve, she braced herself for the challenge ahead, determined to unravel the mysteries that lay before her.

For the last time, she gasped as if emerging from underwater, the blaring alarm jolting her awake. Blinking, she surveyed her surroundings, feeling the weight of confusion pressing against her chest. Sensing nothing amiss, she sighed in relief, her gaze scanning the familiar contours of her bedroom. With a grateful whisper to herself, she rose from the bed and made her way to the bathroom, still trying to make sense of the strange experience.

Emerging from the bathroom, the surrealness of the situation lingered in her mind like a stubborn fog.

"It feels like a dream within a dream. Weird," she mused silently, heading towards the kitchen to prepare dinner for Aunt Morph. With no work scheduled for the day, she had ample time to cook, yet her thoughts remained fixated on the inexplicable events of the morning.

An hour later, food was ready, and Aunt Morph returned home, her cheerful demeanor filling the space. "Did you prepare this?" she asked, a smile brightening her face. Returning the smile, she nodded in affirmation as Aunt Morph expressed her delight at the meal. As Aunt Morph excused herself to change, she settled at the table, the unsettling memory of the nested dreams refusing to fade.

Pouring two glasses of cold water, she pondered the possibility of having dreamt within a dream, the vividness of the experience leaving her feeling disconcerted and frustrated.

"Astra?" a soft voice called her name. Startled, she turned to see Aunt Morph standing beside her, a look of concern etched on her face.

"Yes?" she replied suddenly, her mind so consumed with thoughts that she hadn't noticed Aunt Morph's approach.

"What's wrong, dear? Are you lost in thought?" Aunt Morph inquired, taking her designated seat. "I called your name several times, but you seemed distracted," she added, her concern palpable.

'Should I ask her for help?' Astra pondered silently. 'I don't have much knowledge about dreams or whether I am actually experiencing them right now. Perhaps she can shed some light on the matter.'

"I'm thinking about something that happened earlier," she admitted, feeling compelled to share her thoughts aloud.

"Why? What happened?" Aunt Morph's gaze was fixed on her, her concern evident.

"Earlier, I dreamt that I woke up, only to realize I was still dreaming," Astra explained, mirroring Aunt Morph's earlier revelation. She met Aunt Morph's eyes as she spoke.

"Do you mean the dreams felt so vivid that they almost felt like reality, but then you realized you were still asleep?" Aunt Morph asked, her words echoing Astra's own experience.

"Yes," Astra replied, astonished by the accuracy of Aunt Morph's description.

"You're experiencing false awakening," Aunt Morph explained calmly, though Astra could detect a hint of concern in her voice.

"False awakening? What's that?" Astra asked, her confusion evident.

Aunt Morph took a deep breath before responding. "False awakening, or false wake, is a phenomenon where you dream of waking up repeatedly. It can happen once or multiple times, and you may not realize when you are actually awake. In simple terms, it's like being caught in a loop of waking up that feels as real as reality, but in truth, you are still asleep."

What Morph explained seemed to shed some light on Astra's perplexing experiences. "So, this isn't just happening to me,' she mused silently.

"But why is it happening to me?" Astra inquired, her curiosity piqued.

"According to research, it's quite common. People often experience false awakenings when they're stressed or anticipating disruption during sleep. Some individuals are more prone to it, especially if they struggle to relax fully before sleeping," Morph explained.

"Ahh," Astra murmured, impressed by the explanation.

"Is that all?" Morph's concern echoed in her voice, her eyes probing Astra's hesitance.

Astra grappled with an internal conflict, torn between revealing her secret to Morph or keeping it buried within. After a moment of deliberation, she decided to confide in her aunt, recognizing her as the only confidante she could trust. 'She's the only one I can turn to,' Astra reasoned with herself.

"Y-yes, I feel fine," Astra responded, attempting to reassure Morph while suppressing her own confusion.

"Then why do you seem troubled? You know you can tell me anything, dear," Morph's words dripped with genuine care, her tone a soothing balm to Astra's apprehension. Astra met Morph's gaze, attempting to convey her sincerity, yet the nagging unease refused to dissipate, casting a shadow over her resolve.

Unable to meet Morph's gaze, Astra steeled herself before finally uttering the words. "Well, I... I think... I think I might be one of the superhuman," she confessed, her voice barely above a whisper.

~ To be Continued ~