A Minute to Midnight

by Thomas Gomez

“Yeah,” I cleared my throat. “Everything's fine, it was just a nightmare.”

  “Okay, let me know if you need anything.”

  It was still dark out, four in the morning. I lay back and rest my head on my pillow. As I watched the images flash before my eyes I reached over and grabbed hold of John's hand, afraid to let go. It felt so real, so vivid.

  I stared at the ceiling, lost in thought. Would I ever be able to shake these horrid dreams? I thought for sure they would go away once I had John, but they didn't. I didn't really know what to do, so I slept.

  When I woke up that morning I wasted no time calling Dr. Monroe. I needed help deciphering my dreams, but I couldn’t tell John about them.

  I was lucky he had an opening right then. I had just enough time to get dressed and I was there with time to spare. I walked in, saying hello to Courtney the receptionist as I signed in.

  “Well good morning, Henry.”

  “Morning, Courtney. How are you?”

  “Couldn't be better,” she said smiling. “You look a little shaken though, is everything okay?”

  “Yeah, just a few bad dreams, I'm hoping Dr. Monroe can help me get rid of them.”

  “Well good luck, I miss that smile of yours.”

  I half smiled as I walked to Dr. Monroe's office. Courtney was always a joy, probably the jolliest person I've ever met.

  “Why hello Henry. Glad to see you,” Dr. Monroe said as I walked in.

  “I'm definitely glad to see you. I could really use your help,” I spoke as I sat down. “My dreams are back.”

  “Really? I thought you and John were so happy, what happened?” He asked curiously.

  “Nothing happened, that's the thing. We're just as happy as ever yet the dreams are back and I have no idea why.”

  “Well maybe it's just your subconscious reminding yourself of how hurt you were when he left, basically saying it's afraid he'll do it again,” he spoke as he thought, occasionally losing focus. “Maybe it's just a warning. Has John been submissive lately?”

  “No, not at all. He's been perfectly attentive and caring. We even finally consummated our relationship the other night, it was wonderful,” I tried not to smile, but I did anyway. I was too happy to fight it.

  “Hmm… well was John happy afterward? Was he glad that you finally did?”

  “Yes, he said he had never been so in love with me. You see why I'm so confused? None of this is relating.”

  “Well then maybe you just don't want to let yourself forget it. Perhaps you're afraid to get too attached to him in fear that when or rather if he leaves you'll fall into your depression again? Maybe you should tell him about the dreams, let him know how they make you feel. What he says may reassure you to the point you'll stop having the dreams.”

  “Yeah, I suppose I could try that,” not that I wanted to.

  I didn't want to tell him about the dreams because I was afraid he would overreact. But what Dr. Monroe said made sense. I must have just been afraid to get too attached. If he ever did leave me I'd be destroyed, depressed. I had to tell John everything, maybe he could reassure me.

  I left his office and scheduled another appointment with Courtney before heading home. I was nervous to talk to John about it, to see what he would say.

  I walked in my apartment and John was lying across the couch playing a video game. I lifted his legs and sat down, placing them in my lap.

  “I need to tell you something,” I said nervously.

  “Okay,” he paused his game and looked up at me. “What's up?”

  I told him everything. I told him about how the nightmares first started when he left, and how they woke me up daily. I told him what Dr. Monroe said, saying he didn't think much of them.

  “What gets to me the most is how they always end. Sometimes they start different. But they always end with a car accident. And it's always at the same time too,” I told him, dazed and confused.

  “What do you mean the same time?” He questioned curiously.

  “Well the accident always happens just before midnight. It's crazy right? It's always the same.”

  He sat up, keeping eye contact with the ground. “Well it's probably nothing,” he said reassuringly. “Like Dr. Monroe said. You're probably just worried, but don't be. I'm never leaving again.”

  “Promise?” I asked.

  “Promise,” he said as a smile swept across his face.

  I leaned in for a kiss but the very second my lips touched his, an unnerving chill shot down my spine. It was cold, sinister. I shivered a bit and pulled away.

  “You okay?” he asked curiously.

  “Yeah, I just got a little chill, it's nothing.”

  He went back to playing his game and I sat there watching. I started to get sleepy, probably because the dreams kept waking me the night before. I leaned my head back and began to doze off.

  “Henry!” John called my name, concern filling his voice.

  “What?” I called as I awoke.

  “You must have had the dream again, you were yelling in your sleep.”

  “I'm sorry, I didn't mean to stress you, I'm fine.”

  “Are you sure?”

  “Positive. What time is it?” I asked.

  “Nine. Let's go to bed.”

  We got up and went to the bedroom. As we lay there I listened to his breathing. Listened to him by my side. It was comforting after having those dreams.

  I leaned over and kissed him, his lips were warm. We grew more fervent, intense. But the more we progressed, the more I worried.

  I could see images of the dreams flash in my head. John and I sitting in the car. The clock reading eleven fifty-nine. The bright lights emanating from behind him. It was chilling, horrifying.

  “Wait!” I called out, pain in voice.

  “What's wrong, are you okay?” He asked in a panic.

  “Yeah, no. I don't know. I'm sorry; I'm just a little on edge.”

  “It's okay, Henry. I promise the dreams don't mean anything, you just have to let them go.”

  “I know, I'm trying but it's hard.”

  I lay back down beside him, trying to clear my mind. These dreams were a menace and there wasn't a thing I could do to control them. I was at their mercy.

  I tried to think of other things; like my birthday, spending time with John, Brittney and Cheyenne. Anything was better than the dreams. As my thoughts drifted, so did I. I was asleep before I knew it.

  The next morning I woke calmly, easily. I didn't have the dream the night before, so was it gone now? Was I finally done with it? I guess I would have to wait to find out.

  “Good morning, John.”

  “Good morning,” he said as he stretched lying in place. “Sleep well?”

  “Yes, for once.”

  “Good, you see? I told you the dreams were nothing, you just had to let them go,” he spoke sounding sure of himself.

  “I guess you're right, I suppose I was just being paranoid.”

  I got up while John lay there, stretched halfway across the bed. I walked out of the bedroom and over to the bathroom. I looked in the mirror before leaning forward to splash water on my face. The water was cold and refreshing. John called to me from the bedroom.

  “Hey, what are we doing today?” he yelled.

  “I don't know, maybe we can go to Chey’s?”

  He waited a moment before answering, “Yeah, I suppose we could.”

  “Okay, then can you call her and tell her we're going over? I don't want to just show up.”

  “Sure…” he called back sounding groggy.

  I turned on the water to the shower, allowing it to trickle through my fingers. I waited until it was warm enough, and then hopped in. I was relaxed, feeling good about not having the dream. I was really hoping this meant it was over. I didn't want to experience it once more.

  As I got out I wrapped the towel around me, drying myself. When I was finished I wrapped it around my waist and walked out of the bathroom. I ran into John as I walk
ed through my bedroom door. I half smiled and leaned in for a good morning kiss.

  The second his lips touched mine I had chills shoot up and down my spine. It was abrupt and uncomfortable. I pulled back, gave him a confused look and without saying a word I walked past him through the doorway.

  I didn't understand the chill, but I also didn't want to think about it. I was naked under a towel, I probably just got cold. I quickly got dressed and went out to the kitchen to have breakfast while I waited for John. It took about thirty minutes but he finally finished getting ready and it was time to go.

  “Hey, good morning!” I said as I walked into Cheyenne’s house.

  “Good morning guys.”

  “Is Brittney coming?”

  “Yeah, she should be here in a little bit. I told her you guys were coming,” she said as she guided us to the kitchen.

  “So what are we going to do today?” John asked.

  “I don't know, we could go to the beach?” Cheyenne answered.

  “Nah, I kind of want to do something else. Something a little more adventurous,” I said as I sat at the dining table.

  John sat down next to me while Cheyenne prepared a pot of coffee, her morning ritual. Neither she nor Brittney ever go a day without their coffee.

  “What about a nature preserve?” I asked happily though their response was highly underwhelming.

  “A what?” John asked, confused.

  “Let’s take a walk down a trail in one of those nature preserves. It’s like walking down the beach only this way we’ll be in a preserve surrounded by trees and maybe even some animals. It’s fun I swear!”

  “I don’t know, it seems a little dirty to me,” Brittney said as she walked into the kitchen. She stopped to grab a cup of coffee before joining us at the dining table.

  “Hey Brittney, thanks for letting yourself in,” Cheyenne retorted.

  “Come on, you guys never do anything different. With you it’s always the mall or the movies or something like that. Try something new, please?” I pleaded.

  “Ugh, I suppose we could give it a shot, right? I mean if it turns out to be hot and gross then we can leave,” Brittney answered.

  “Sure… why not?” John said unwillingly.

  I looked at Cheyenne in desperation. “Please Chey? Do it for me?” I asked.

  “Fine! I guess, but don’t expect me to like it,” Cheyenne answered.

  “Yay! I already have a place in mind.” I said as I grabbed Cheyenne’s laptop which was conveniently sitting on the dining table before me. “Here, this one,” I said, pointing at the laptop screen.

  “Brooker Creek Nature Preserve?” John asked.

  “Yeah, I mean I know it’s a bit of a drive but it’s definitely worth it. I went once a while back and it was absolutely gorgeous! The scenery is to die for, I promise.”

  “I guess the drive won’t be so bad, right?” Brittney said sounding unsure.

  “Look, I don’t really even want to go but since it’s a long drive, how about we leave now?” Cheyenne snapped.

  “Okay, calm down Chey. We can go now. Just let me finish my coffee,” Brittney answered.

  Once Brittney was finished drinking her coffee we all piled into John’s car. Cheyenne and Brittney sat in the back seat, showing as little anticipation as John was.

  “Okay, none of you really look like you want to go-”

  Cheyenne interrupted, “so then we don’t have to?”

  “No… I was going to say, just remember that it’s so much more fun than you think. I promise this place is beautiful and a lot of fun. You won’t want to leave.”

  “We’ll see about that,” Cheyenne muttered.

  Finally after about forty minutes of driving we arrived at the nature preserve. It was gorgeous. Nothing but plants and wildlife, no humans dared destroy it.

  “Behold, Brooker Creek,” I said as we all climbed out of the car.

  “Wow,” I heard someone say.

  I turned and looked at them, “Wait, who said that?”

  John and Brittney turned to Cheyenne, “Okay, so it’s prettier than I expected, so what?”

  “Told you you’d love it,” I said laughing.

  “I don’t love anything yet. All I said was wow,” she snapped.

  We walked up to the beginning of the trail; John held my hand as Brittney and Cheyenne followed close behind. I could hear their quiet whispering, their approval of John and me. As we walked down the trail we pointed out flowers and other plants, admiring the various colors and sizes. It was beautiful.

  “Agh! Can you guys hold on a minute?” Brittney called from a few yards back.

  “Yeah, what’s wrong?” I asked.

  “I’m having a shoe issue, just a second.”

  I took the chance to sneak away with John for a moment. I grabbed his hand and pulled him into the bushes next to us. He looked at me, curious and confused.

  “I thought we could use some alone time,” I said just before our lips touched.

  His kisses were always different, always more exciting than the last. But this one was different in a more discomforting way.

  As we kissed I could feel chills shoot down my spine. I pulled away and looked at him, “Sorry, it’s nothing.” I said as I leaned in for another kiss. I wanted to ignore it, to forget it even happened, but this time was more unnerving than the last. This time I saw images. Images of the dream were shooting through my mind, reminding me that they were here to stay.

  I pulled back again, this time more abrupt than the last. “I’m sorry I…”

  “It’s okay, I get it.”

  “You do?” I asked utterly confused.

  “You can’t stop thinking about the dreams right? You finally get a good night’s sleep and it makes no sense to you,” he answered.

  “Well, yeah but how did you know?”

  “I could tell, with the way you pull away from me. It’s like you’re afraid each time, like you’ve seen a ghost or something.”

  “Wow, I didn’t think you paid such close attention.”

  “I always have.”

  “Then maybe you should’ve realized I liked you years ago and saved us all this trouble.” I laughed.

  “I wish I had, then I wouldn’t have been so lonely all this time,” he smiled.

  I kissed him again, this time a normal kiss. Finally, I was beginning to fear that I would never be able to kiss him again. As I pulled back from him, this time slowly and calmly, I smiled and then looked down.

  “Is something else wrong?” He asked with concern filling his voice.

  “No, I mean… I just don’t want this to be a recurring thing, you know? I don’t want to worry about an image popping in my head or a chill shooting down my spine every time I try and kiss or hold you. I just want it to be normal for a change.”

  “It will go away, I promise. You just have to remember that they don’t control you, you control them. If you don’t think about it, they won’t pop up in your head. I know it’s harder than it sounds but don’t worry, you’ll get it.”

  “Thanks,” I whispered with a lack of confidence.

  “Come on, we have a whole preserve to go through and I want to see some animals!” He said, eager to move on.

  “I told you you’d like it,” I said as we walked back out to the trail.

  “There you guys are, I thought you went ahead without us.” Cheyenne exclaimed as we walked out of the bushes, “Ugh! You guys weren’t doing anything naughty, were you?”

  “What! Cheyenne! Seriously? Why would we do that with the two of you standing right there?” I asked sharply.

  “I’m kidding, gosh. Take a chill pill will ya?”

  I rolled my eyes and turned around to continue down the trail. I held on tightly to John the rest of the way, not a single bad thought crossing my mind. The preserve was relaxing and calming, the perfect getaway.

  After about an hour of walking we all stopped for a break.

  “I'm going to check the map and
see where we are,” I said as I pulled the map out of my pocket.

  “You got a map?” Cheyenne asked.

  “Of course I did. This place is huge and I didn't want to get lost,” I exclaimed.

  “I doubt it's that big.” Brittney retorted.

  “Actually, according to the map we're only a quarter of the way through.”

  “WHAT!?” They all snapped unison.

  “Relax! We don't have to finish the entire thing in one day,” I said reassuringly.

  “Geez, I had no idea this place was that big! That's pretty incredible,” John answered.

  “Yeah, that's why I love this place.”

  “All right, so can we go ahead and turn back now? My feet are starting to hurt,” Brittney asked.

  “Well maybe if you hadn't worn flats to a nature preserve you wouldn't have that issue,” I retorted.

  “Yeah, you're not so smart Brittney,” John added.

  “Whatever, now I know what not to do. Can we go?” She answered.

  We turned around and headed back, spotting a few birds on the way. I was glad they even gave the preserve a chance rather than fighting me to go to the mall.

  “So? Did you like it as much as I said you would?” I asked, eager for a positive answer.

  “It was okay,” Cheyenne answered shrugging her shoulders and looking away from me.

  “Liar, you loved it didn’t you?”

  “Okay, so liked it? So what?” She asked.

  “So I was right,” I grinned.

  “Well I loved it too,” John answered smiling.

  “Big deal, you’re his boyfriend. You’re supposed to like it,” Cheyenne retorted.

  “Actually, unlike some people I realize that there is life outside of the mall,” he answered glancing at both of them.

  “Whoa, don’t bring me into this one,” Brittney called.

  “Can we leave now? I may love nature but it makes me a little nasty and I would love to shower,” I said as I walked to the car.

  They all followed me to the car and I wasted no time hopping in. After that long walk I was more than ready to get home and relax, and I could tell by the expressions on their faces as they sat down that they felt exactly the same. The ride home gave us all a chance to relax.

  “So, I’m thinking about Chinese. Anyone want to join?” Brittney asked randomly.