Dawn of the Dreamer (Dreamer Trilogy Book 1)

by L. J. Higgins

  ‘Miss Bailey, I’m sure you remember Nurse Cameron.’

  She held her hand out towards him, but I didn’t look and answered with a timid ‘Yes.’

  ‘I expect you have been comfortable whilst in our care, and I assure you that we will take good care of you until we can find a cure for your condition,’ she spoke with a sure and assertive tone.

  I looked up into her intrusive eyes, through the shine of her lenses. Her mouth was straight and stern as she read through her paperwork that sat neatly on the desk in front of her.

  ‘Nurse Cameron.’ She looked at me although speaking to him. ‘Could you please relay what Miss Bailey said to you the night of the incident?’

  Sensing Cameron was uneasy, I nodded. His eyes cried out ‘sorry’ as he began to speak, ‘Amelia—’

  ‘Miss Bailey,’ she corrected him. ‘Continue.’

  ‘Miss Bailey told me she had been advised by someone that the MultiMind Corporation was trying to control people’s minds.’

  ‘Is that correct, Miss Bailey?’ I could sense her eyes burning into my forehead as I stared at my hands fidgeting in my lap.

  ‘Yes,’ I replied gaining a little courage, ‘I was simply telling Nurse Cameron what I had been told. I never said I believed any of it. Just that it was what I had heard.’

  ‘If this is the case and you believe it not to be true, I’m sure that you would have no hesitation in telling me who told you these lies?’

  I did hesitate, which probably gave my lie away. ‘I didn’t know their name.’

  She looked at me unbelieving as Cameron interjected, ‘Dr. Muller, I’m sure this is all a misunderstanding. Surely, you can see Amelia, I mean Miss Bailey, believes we are doing our best to help her, and she can leave?’

  ‘You’re right,’ she answered coldly.

  I felt relieved at the thought of being able to go home; a weight began lifting from my chest.

  ‘If Miss Bailey believes we are doing our best to help her, I’m sure she’ll understand that in her current state of mind, it’s in her best interest to stay with us until we can find a way to cure her.’

  I swallowed down the reflux that burned my throat. Cameron’s face turned a pale white.

  ‘This is ridiculous!’ I cried out standing up from my seat, thumping my right fist hard on her desk. ‘You can’t keep me here against my will!’ Her calm demeanour only made me angrier. ‘What about my friends, my family? They’ll be looking for me wondering where on earth I am.’ I felt breathless as a mixture of rage and fear bubbled to the surface.

  ‘Well, Miss Bailey, you signed a document that allows us to keep you here if you are a danger to yourself or others around you. Clearly, you cannot control your temper. We have informed your housemate ...’ she referred to her paperwork, ‘Sarah Ferris that you are not well and that you will be staying with us. She asked to inform your parents herself.’

  Feelings of betrayal and frustration clouded my mind, and my chest and throat tightened as I desperately tried not to burst into tears.

  ‘Furthermore ...’ she rose from her chair to stand over me, ‘she believes that being in here is best as you have been associating with people that she doesn’t think are good influences on you. Unfortunately, she could only give us the names Joe and Riley, but I was hoping you could shed some light on who these negative influences may be.’

  ‘No!’ I yelled at her, boiling over, hatred in my eyes and on the verge of tears.

  Cameron walked towards me, but Dr. Muller was quick to stop him with a swift block with her right arm. With that, she summoned the security guards who had taken me from Sleep Room Four. As they took hold of my arms, I twisted and pulled in an effort to fight them off.

  ‘Don’t fight, Amelia,’ pleaded Cameron which only made me more furious.

  The guards tightened their grips around my arms and dragged me back to my room. I was kicking and screaming. Once I was inside, they closed the door and locked it, covering the window with black cloth.

  CHAPTER NINE

  Roaring like a crazed animal suddenly thrust from the wild into a small cage, I beat hard on the door with my fists.

  How could Cameron let them do that to me? Was he that weak he couldn’t help a friend? Guess I knew what the dream meant. How could Sarah betray me like that?

  All I wanted was to see Rose. Just her presence made me more at ease, just as Joe and Dawn’s did. Instead I was alone, locked in a small room with only my maddening thoughts to keep me company.

  Before I’d entered the ward, I was confident I hadn’t been crazy, but the longer I stayed, the more insane I would become. I needed to get out, but felt my efforts would be hopeless. Growing frustrated with my own pacing, I threw myself on the bed and sobbed into my pillow until I had no more tears to cry. Exhausted, I lay staring at the ceiling. As my adrenalin wore off, a burning pain throbbed in my arms. Red finger marks shone painfully. Someone delivered my dinner, but I didn’t eat it. I was lost in my own world of hate and rage as negative thoughts and images paraded through my mind. When the lights went out, I imagined them playing out on the dark ceiling above me like a projection.

  The darkness consumed me, and cautiously, I reached out to feel what was around me. My hand met the rough timber of a wall in front of me. My eyes adjusted, and I was in an old room lit by pale moonlight streaming through a dusty glass window. As I approached it, I recognised where I was, the view of the beach brought it rushing back: the shadow man’s shack. This time I had nothing to lose. Everything had been taken away from me by people I’d trusted. Including my ability to make my own decisions, something I’d only recently begun to embrace and understand.

  It was a dream; it couldn’t tell me any information about my waking life that I didn’t already know. I was alone, trapped, and had been betrayed by everyone I cared about. Marching across the room, a barrage of feelings filled up inside of me expanding, ready to explode.

  ‘Go on!’ I cried out, breaking the silence. ‘Do what you want! Here I am!’

  As I brushed past the doorway, the paint flaked off and fell to the uneven timber floor. I turned into a short hallway that led to a dusty lounge room, moonlight filtering through a broken window.

  There was no one in sight, which only fuelled my anger, ‘Come on! I’m right here!’

  Bursting through the front door, I marched down the rickety steps making my way onto the beach. As I strode further along the sand, I felt as though I could implode with rage. Where is this shadow man? Why isn’t he chasing me?

  Spinning around on the spot searching around me, I yelled with every bit of air my lungs could exhale, Come and get me! Come and get me!

  Bang!

  Turning towards the sound, a thud tore into my chest, burning ...

  ***

  My eyes shot open, and I gasped for air once again, clutching at my chest in agony. I scrambled into the foetal position at the head of my bed, my eyes darting around the brightly-lit room. I’m not sure how long I was there for, collecting my thoughts and trying to calm myself. I’d never felt so much anger and hurt before. It had drained me of every ounce of my energy.

  My thoughts wandered to the serenity of the beach back in Sandhaven. It always had the power to make me fresh and new again. My stress began to lift loosening my throat and chest. I looked at the foot of my bed; my pile of clothes had been delivered. What time was it?

  There was a knock at my door. The window was still covered with black cloth.

  ‘Amelia, its Nurse Cameron. I’m coming in. Okay?’ His voice made my chest tighten again fuelled by the sense of caution I got from his voice. Did he think I was going to attack him like a feral animal? As he entered, I decided I would remain quiet. I wouldn’t even look at him. So I sat, hugging my knees, and staring at the crumpled up navy blanket at the foot of my bed where my pile of clothing sat neatly.

  He pushed through the door carefully, surveying the situation. He then slid inside, closing the door behind him. As he got to the desk,
I heard him drag the little wooden chair from underneath it and turn it around to sit, facing me. Still I focused on the end of my bed, so angry again that I struggled to fight back tears that choked me. The warm touch of his hand on my left arm distracted me. It took me by surprise, and despite my plan, I looked directly into his engaging blue eyes.

  First I felt it in my chest, my throat tensed as it rose up and burst from my eyes. Uncontrollably I sobbed, not caring what he thought of me. I just needed to let it all out, and my body had decided against my wishes that this was the way to do it. He came towards the bed and sat next to me, wrapping me in his arms.

  ‘I’m sorry, Amelia. I’m so sorry.’

  He sat with me until I had run out of tears again and was so exhausted. All I could do was rest my head against his firm chest.

  ‘I want you to know I haven’t forgotten you,’ he whispered, ‘I’ve convinced Dr. Muller to let me work with you because I think you trust me and maybe I could get information from you.’

  Looking up, I glared at him.

  ‘Only as a cover to try to get you out,’ he explained, still whispering.

  Nodding so he knew I understood, and still resting my head on his chest, I began to listen to his heartbeat, its rhythm making me calm and safe. How could I have doubted him? I should have trusted my instincts and my heart.

  ‘I need you to promise me that you will conform as much as you can while you are here,’ he pleaded. ‘I need time, and you need to be patient, but I will get you out of here.’ His conviction lifted my spirits.

  He hesitated for a moment before holding my weight, while he stood up from the bed, laying me back onto my pillow.

  ‘I really care about you, Amelia ... Please trust that.’

  His eyes were ridden with guilt, so I gave him a small smile attempting to reassure him that I believed what he was saying. He touched my arm with his warm hand once more before leaving the room. He looked back with a sympathetic smile before closing the door and removing the dark window covering.

  That whole day, I didn’t venture out, or even eat for that matter; I was consumed by my thoughts and weakened by the emotional roller-coaster that had become my life. Rose looked in on me a few times but had realised I needed space. By the time I went to sleep, my anger had morphed into hurt, and I was so exhausted that if I’d dreamt I didn’t possess the energy to remember.

  When I woke up in the morning, I was more optimistic and had come to the conclusion that my best bet was to trust Cameron meant what he said and would get me out. Hopefully, it would be sooner rather than later. Once the lady placed my clothes at the foot of my bed, I slid them on and made my way out into the hallway with a deep breath. A new day meant a new outlook. Being around so many ladies after being in isolation for the past day was overwhelming, but the sight of Rose with a welcoming but worried smile had me exhaling my apprehensions.

  ‘You okay?’ She stood in front of me, her arms reached out and her hands resting on my shoulders.

  ‘Yeah, I just needed to wrap my head around some things,’ I replied embarrassed.

  She stepped forward to wrap me in a tight, friendly hug.

  ‘We all found it tough at first. I ran screaming down the hallway. I want you to know I am here for you.’ She let me go, and I nodded with a grin. ‘I bet you’re hungry,’ she exclaimed, and she took my arm to lead me towards the dining room.

  The rest of the day played out as normal as it could be. It was a bonus that I wasn’t called in for a talk with Dr. Muller. She must have decided that the best way to get to me was through Cameron. Doubt seeped into my thoughts a few times throughout the day. Regardless of whether I could or couldn’t trust him, I decided that it would be best that I didn’t tell him information that could get anyone – or even him for that matter – into trouble.

  After a shower, I said goodnight to Rose and a couple of other girls I had spent time with during the afternoon. I went to bed and felt relieved to have another dreamless night. An array of muddled images flashed into my mind, but by the time I awoke the next morning, I wasn’t able to remember what they were.

  Renewed as if I had taken a dip in the cool briny water at Sandhaven beach, it was the first good night’s sleep I’d had in years. Despite my predicament, I had a smile on my face. Once dressed in my customary white top and grey pants, I walked out my door towards the dining hall, and was greeted once again by Rose. I realised even though she was across the hall from me, she always managed to beat me to breakfast.

  After breakfast, we remained at the table with a few other ladies. Betty was in her seventies. She joked that her family were relieved they’d taken her away because they thought she was going crazy with her pro-Dreamer talk. Lisa was one of the youngest in the ward and was of the belief that it wouldn’t be long before the government would find out what was happening and release us. Rebecca believed the government already knew and were a major part of the whole conspiracy and we were never getting out.

  It was interesting to hear everyone else’s perspectives and that when they’d first arrived, they’d a hard time dealing with it too. Their openness was surprising, and they were happy to explain how they felt about the MMC. I decided that was why they were still prisoners in the Psychiatric Ward.

  Betty had been a patient for over a month. She said she was just happy to have food and a bed while she waited to die. She always spoke of her mortality, but I was unsure if she was serious or it was supposed to be a joke. Each time, I nervously laughed with the others, except for a lady named Jacqui who found it ridiculous to talk about death in such a morbid way and wasn’t afraid to let everyone know.

  After lunch, an athletic young lady with gleaming long blonde hair tied back into a ponytail introduced herself as Natasha. She directed us to change into shorts and a singlet she provided, after which we followed her through the hallways of Level Ten. Each of us scanned our wrists as we left the ward, and we took turns riding in the elevator up to Level Eleven. We scanned our Wristochips again as we filed through a narrow doorway into a huge room with synthetic grass and giant glass windows.

  The room opened up into an expansive space and must’ve taken up at least three-quarters of the eleventh floor. Spread out in front of me was a full tennis court, a courtyard with relaxing sun lounges you might find beside a motel pool, and a greenhouse set in the back left corner. There was even gym equipment set up beside the tennis court. It didn’t appeal to me at all.

  ‘For those who haven’t been up here before, welcome to the MultiMind Corporation’s Indoor fitness centre,’ began Natasha with an enthusiastic grin. ‘Feel free to join me for a workout or simply enjoy the time soaking up some vitamin D.’

  Exercise machines and weights weren’t my idea of fun. I’d always lived in places that kept me active, helping Mum and Dad with jobs on the farm, and in Sandhaven, the fact that I couldn’t afford a car meant I had to walk everywhere I wanted to go. I ventured towards the sun lounges, and as I lay back, I relaxed, enjoying the sun warming up my skin. I’d missed the heat of the sun and, closing my eyes, I imagined lying on the beach: cool salty breeze on my face and my hands and feet half-buried in the warm, rough sand, listening to the waves rippling up against the shore.

  ‘Don’t forget me.’ The soft, warm voice made me smile, and I turned my head to find Joe sitting next to me.

  ‘How could I?’ I replied, happy to have him by my side.

  We sat together, enjoying the view and each other’s company. His peaceful energy was filling up every inch of my being. I missed him so much for someone I’d known for such a small amount of time, but there was something about Joe that attracted me to him.

  ***

  ‘Amelia!’ Upon opening my eyes, I came face to face with Rose, who was shaking me awake. ‘You were talking in your sleep. Are you trying to get yourself into trouble?’

  I realised I must have fallen asleep and was disappointed it wasn’t real. Despite being awoken so abruptly from my relaxing dream, I appreciate
d the chance to see Joe again and experience the peace I had when I was with him. The vividness of the dream kept me smiling for the rest of the day.

  Attempting to distract myself, I joined Betty for a tour of the greenhouse. She pointed out various plants and flowers. I nodded absently, still distracted until she pointed at one that stood out more vibrant than the others. A bright purple orchid flowered at the back of the glass room, and as we approached it, I absently reached out and brushed it gently with my fingertips. Its soft petals reminded me of Dawn’s magnificent collection. If only Dawn were here to tell me what to do next.

  Within moments of arriving back in the Psychiatric Ward, dinner had been served. Still content from my daydream, after I had eaten, I was happy to relax on the couch in front of the television attempting to recall every sensation I’d had in the dream. It was getting late. I’d already had a shower, and most of the ladies had retired for the evening.

  ‘Ready for bed?’ yawned Rose.

  Lazily, I stood to make my way to room 24. Looking at the floor, I made my way lethargically out of the dining hall. I caught sight of a pair of old sneakers only a second before running into the person who owned them with a thud!

  ‘Oh my goodness! I am so sorry!’ Looking up, I came eye to eye with the person I had crashed into.

  CHAPTER TEN

  His dark brown eyes stopped me in my tracks.

  It couldn’t be, could it?

  I was scanning his familiar features and eyeing his scruffy hair. The shocked expression he wore indicated he hadn’t expected to see me either. As he went to speak my name I shook my head, regaining focus and remembering where I was. To admit I knew him would only create problems. They already knew Joe was the name of the person who had put the Dreamer conspiracies in my head in the first place.

  ‘I really am sorry,’ I said again, urging him with my eyes to pretend he didn’t know who I was.