Why was I trapped inside a dream again?
Last time, I had woken up to the day I was kidnapped and couldn't return to the real world without reliving every single second of that day. It seemed my mind was determined to imprison me within these memories.
But now was not the time for thinking; I had to follow Richard. For the first time since the day I was taken, I could walk without those heavy chains on my feet. Being able to take a single step outside that cursed room where I was held captive triggered an urge to sob uncontrollably.
Since when had freedom become such an unattainable, such a foreign concept? How bitter it was to be able to touch it only in a dream... Tell me, can a person cry in their sleep?
I wanted to cry like a child, sobbing until my tears ran dry; yet my eyes wouldn't even well up. When was the last time I had cried? I couldn't remember.
I couldn't remember.
How much time had passed since my soul became this parched?
Not a single scene materialized in my mind. No, now was not the time to dwell on this; Richard was disappearing from sight. As Richard closed the door and left the room, I lunged forward with all my strength before the door could shut completely. No matter how fast I ran, I heard that metallic closing sound. I had no time to stop; I closed my eyes, thinking I would slam into the door, but like a ghost, I passed right through it with a cold breeze.
I laughed to myself.
"It's a dream... How foolish of me, fearing I'd hit a door in my own dream."
Yes, this was a dream; just like the one I had on the day I was kidnapped. I just had to wait for it to end. But this time, there was a difference: I was completely free until the dream ended, and most importantly, I could find a clue to escape.
When I opened my eyes and looked around, the sight froze my blood. Had I been kept on the top floor of a luxury apartment all this time? As I scanned the surroundings, something caught my attention: there wasn't a single personal item belonging to Richard in the house. It was as if no one lived here. Empty shelves, soulless furniture... Apparently, Richard didn't sleep here. I was dying to search for more clues, but I couldn't lose Richard as he headed toward the elevator.
"I will get out of here," I whispered to myself.
I kept repeating these words like a vow.
I followed Richard like a shadow as he walked toward the elevator. I had finally stepped out of that room where I was held captive, even if it was only through a dream.