Dreams are what the mind projects, and make them look real even though it's just pure imagination. However, this sort of dream of mine felt too real for me to even grasp the situation I am in. As I lay down on the uncomfortable recliner of Lyla's SUV, I started to doze off, not knowing where on earth my imagination was going to take me to. However, what's strange about all of this was hearing the loud horn that was emanating from the lighthouse, which sounded too familiar, as I carefully opened my eyes.
I felt the cool wind blowing right through me, and with the smell of fresh Douglas fir trees that are quite common in the state of Oregon, especially near the area where I lived, it was indeed quite strange to say the least. And what shocked me the most was seeing myself, standing right next to the old Lighthouse; with its hinges and structure fully restored and well lit, even though it was in the middle of the early afternoon. Seeing this lighthouse, I carefully approached it and placed my hand on the edge of the smooth concrete wall. Giving it a good tap, I felt it cold to the touch, and rough.
"This can't be real. Can it?" keeping my hand firmly on its rough surface.
I immediately made my way to the door; however, something felt wrong. Just as I was about to reach the doorknob, the winds shifted awkwardly around me. The gushing of the winds blew tremendously, and in just a matter of minutes, the scenery behind me grew darker, with the intense grumbling sounds of the wind….I knew what it was. I turned my gaze to the horizon, and to my horror, I saw the approaching Tornado. It was exactly how I would have imagined, ferocious, with an intense monstrosity. It was coming steadily, and at a quick pace, it was tearing everything apart that got in its way. What was odd about it was that it was not only tearing things apart, it was also tearing the scenery itself, leaving nothing but darkness behind it.
"This has to be a nightmare?" I said, while I remained frozen…. "That thing, is tearing everything apart….."
I couldn't even move, and how could I? I was too scared to even turn my gaze away from it. I as well had to shield my eyes from it since a lot of the broken debris was flying everywhere, that it was hurting my eyes. As I felt the winds growing stronger, a newspaper came flying towards me, and blocking my view.
"Ouch!" I shouted, while trying to remove the newspaper off my face.
As I moved it away from my face, I scoffed. My curiosity got the better of me, as I straightened the newspapers' contents, and very carefully began to read the big bold letters…. "Time Is Inadequate….The beginning of the End"
After reading its content, I begin to turn its pages to see what else it has to offer. But, the more pages I turned, the same bold letters kept appearing….each and every one of the pages, repeating itself like an infinite loop. What peek my interest was the small date that was on the left side of the page, written in a small font. With precaution, I adjusted my eyes and began to read the date that this newspaper was published,
"December 31, ####? What the hell? That's this year!" Spooked out of my mind, I let go of the newspaper, wishing for this nightmare to end soon.
My mind was hazing, and I was beginning to go insane. Until I heard someone shouting my name….but that voice…it sounded so familiar. It was Max's voice….
"OMG Max!"
I jolted towards the sound of her voice, and was trying to figure out where she was.
"CHLOE! CHLOE!" Shouted Max, whom I had a hard time finding out where she was.
"MAX! MAX! WHERE ARE YOU?" I replied, worrying about her, and wanted to know where she was.
I stumble upon her below the edge of the hill, holding on to the root of the old worn out stump that was clinging outwards; barely holding on to dear life. I was shocked, and begin to notice the root itself was slowly giving way. And not a minute too soon, I dropped myself to the edge and tried to reach out towards her, hoping to grab her on time before she plunges into the ocean below. Due to the storm brewing closer, time was running out. And as the rain poured in harder, I couldn't reach her at all….
"Come one Max! Grab on to my hand." I said, trying desperately to reach her.
However, Max had a hard time climbing due to the terrain all moist and hard to climb on, and in just mere second we locked eyes with one another. Staring at her glimmering blue eyes, I lost my focus, not realizing already too late that she lost her grip on the root that finally broke off causing her to fall off, and on to the high tide below.
"CHLOE!!!" She screamed as she fell dangerously below.
"MAAAAAAXXXXXXXXX!!!" Shouting right back at her, as I watched in horror, and seen her disappearing on to the ocean.
"Chloe? Chloe? Chloe?" said the mysterious voice…..
Very carefully, I felt a tap on my shoulder, and as soon as I turned around to see who it was…. my mind suddenly jolted me awake. I gasped and realized now, that it was all just a dream. But how can it be? I felt it, and it was real. Scared out of my mind, I realized now that the car had finally come to a complete stop, parked right in an old abandoned park area facing the ocean, and standing right next to the hill where the lighthouse once stood. Clearing my throat, and stretching my joints, I spotted Lyla on the driver side with her seat recliner adjusted. To my shock, I noticed where we were….back to the place where my troubles had started.