Dreams of The Past

Throughout my life, i was always an outcast to everyone. Even in the modern days... where people are using smartphones, drive luxurious cars, have fancy air conditioning... I'm stuck in this hellhole of a slum.

Of course, i can only dream of getting such luxuries. Until something happened.

I'm a fairly well known person in these slums, Well... Probably because of my bad reputation.

However, the scene suddenly changed, it looked like a past memory i've forgotten.

"Where is this? Why does this place feel so nostalgic?"

I looked around the place, it was a big grassy plains with the setting sun over the horizon. This place seemed to have awakened a deep memory from within me.

After walking for a short amount of time, i heard ruffling noises from the tall grass.

"!?"

I raised my guard, embracing for what's gonna happen. But nothing ever did, it felt like the ruffling was getting further away from me.

I looked around. left, and right. But there was nothing, no movement... No sound.

But i remember where the ruffling was. Because of my curiosity, i followed the ruffling where it was last heard.

After what seemed like hours of non-stop chasing, i reached the end of what used to look like an endless plain of tall grass.

It is a big open area, with giant 3 meter-tall grass that act like walls surrounding the area.

In the middle of it, there was a small girl, roughly 10-12 years old in something that can be called as an "upright fetal position", quietly sobbing.

I was bewildered at this, my eyes widened, a hint of confusion clearly visible on my face as i look at the crying child from a distance

"Huh? Why is there a child in the middle of these plains...?" I said, with a hint of confusion and bewilderment.

I wanted to approach the little girl, and ask her what's wrong. But i just can't ignore my mind, my mind is screaming at me. Telling me that it's dangerous.

I can feel that my heart and brain are having a heated debate, deciding whether to help the child, or just ignore her.

I finally went with my heart, and approached the child.

As i slowly approach the child, my heart was thumping loudly. In both anticipation, and anxiety.

I don't know if it's because of my nervousness, or if my brain was playing a trick on me...

But reality seems to distort and bend, the closer i get to the child. It's as if the existence of that girl itself is able to distort space.

"What the.."

When i was finally an arm's length away from the kid, i asked her.

"Hello...? Kid, what are you doing here-"

I got cut off.

The girl turned around, her face was distorted in an unholy way.

My expression quickly turned into one that was full of fear and dread. To describe it, her mouth was distorted upwards, creating a smile that was sadistic and terrifying. Her eyes were big and wide, almost cartoony.

I quickly ran away, but before running... I caught a glimpse of something on her forehead, it looked like a symbol or sorts. But i couldn't picture what it was.

I kept running, and running... Until i fell to the ground, tripped on a small rock.

Instead of landing on the ground, i woke up in my room.

"AAAAAHH- Huh, wait... It was a dream?"

I was on my bed, in my poor room. I lived in the slums, after all.

"Ugh, why do i feel a headache?" I asked, looking out the window that's covered in duct tape.

I slowly stood up, while rubbing my forehead to get ready for the day.

As i got out of my slum, i made my way to work. But since i have a bad reputation, i can't help but notice people glancing at me and whispering as i'm walking down the muddy street.

I could clearly hear them badmouthing me, saying things like:

"Ugh, James is here. Why must he get to roam around free? Even though he just makes our life worse." Somebody asked

"I know, right? I just don't get why the Chief lets him roam around freely." Another one exclaimed

Well, that's me. I am James Myers, "The Mischievous Fool". Atleast that's my title.

Their badmouthing isn't wrong though, i remembered. 3 months ago i blew up the Chief's slum with fireworks for New Years.

I think i went too far on that one, i still don't get why the chief is still kind enough to not lock me up behind rusty bars.

As i'm walking down the street, i can't help but remember that dream... That symbol...

What did it mean?

While i was drowning in my thoughts, i accidentally crashed into a stranger.

"Sorry-"

But when i look to find out who it was, it wasn't a stranger.

"Oh.. F***"

It was one of the notorious gang members in the slums.

I quickly ran away as fast as i could, dodging obstacles and crowds of people.

Luckily there was a conveniently placed wooden plank that i used to hit the guy as hard as i could, though... He'll probably come back with his other friends.

I was out of breath, panting for air when i finally managed to escape him. I shrugged that aside and just made my way back to work.

When i arrive at work, i'm greeted by my one and only friend, who's also a Mischievous Fool like me.

Her name is Paryss Elleonore. Our first meeting wasn't quite friendly, but we'll get to there later.

Paryss has a nice wolf-cut hair, black eyes, glasses, she usually wears full black clothing that covers her body. So, she's modestly dressed. She's rather tall too, atleast 168 centimeters. Or in freedom terms, 5 feet 6 inches.

She can be seen approaching me, waving her hands joyfully as the distance between us close.

"Hey!! James!! Have you had breakfast yet?"

Paryss asked me, with a bright tone. Her eyes wide and cheerful, with a glowing smile that can soften a broken one's heart.

(sigh) I think i'm exaggerating.

"You're as cheerful as usual huh, Paryss? But to answer your question, no. I haven't had breakfast yet."

I lied, i actually ate breakfast. But since Paryss' foods are really good, i can't help but lie, so i could get a taste of them.

Paryss looked at me, trying to find a hint of dishonesty. Of course, i wasn't trying to hide the fact i was lying either.

I looked back at Paryss, slightly nervous and sweating. Clearly an indication that i'm lying.

"You're lying." Paryss exposed me.

"Alright, i am. I did have breakfast..."

I just sighed in resignation after that, but i still got a taste of Paryss' signature Cream Puffs.

"Hey, Paryss."

"Hm?" Paryss responded, while munching on her Cream Puff.

"I had a strange dream, you're a dream expert, right?"

I asked Paryss, but Paryss just looked at me with a curious glint in her eyes.

"What? You think i'm those weird Fortune Tellers?" Paryss scoffed, looking at me as if i was a crazy guy. But she didn't have a tone of denial, instead her tone was rather teasing.

"... Eh, nevermind."

"Aww, you're no fun." Paryss pouted, to be honest, she looked pretty cute when she was pouting.

I just laughed softly, and went back to work.

But today was kind of weird, i keep seeing unfamiliar faces. Perhaps there are new residents?

It's impossible though, since these slums are already full.

Anyhow, i just ignored them.

But i'm still thinking about that dream... What was that? Who was that girl? Why did the girl look so... Familiar?

(sigh) After doing some tomfoolery after work, i head back home. With a brand new teddy bear that i scammed from a kid!

I laid down on my bed and drifted back into slumber.

Then the dream appeared again, i was back in the grassy plains.

"Honestly, where have I seen this before...?"

I asked myself, looking at the never-setting sun on the horizon. But something was pretty odd here.

There was a tree now, really big. The tree was at least 32 meters tall, there i saw the girl again...

When i spied on her from afar, she was still crying in a fetal position.

But i didn't dare to approach her again, instead, I was hiding behind the tall grass that surrounded the open area.

I looked at her forehead, there it was again! The symbol, but I somehow knew what it meant.

"Continuity...?" What is Continuity? What does it mean?

Anyhow, the girl noticed me. Her distorted features sent a shiver down my spine.

She... SHE RAN IN MY DIRECTION!

"OH F*** NO!!!" *as i said, instantly turning back to run away from her as fast as I could.

but i once again stumbled on a rock and fell. Instead of waking up from my dream, i landed on the ground.

Panicked, i looked back... To see nothing?

Was the girl not chasing me after all?

Skeptic, i stood up and looked around my surroundings again. To make sure that she was gone.

I let out a deep exhale, relieved that the girl was gone.

But just before i could say anything, i heard a young female voice... That's strangely soothing, yet terrifying at the same time.

"James Myer..."

"Huh!? How-" I thought, I was very certain the girl was gone.

I didn't dare to turn back, and just stood there like a statue.