Thave experienced many crazy occurrences in my lifetime, stories of real fun and adventure that any young kid would love to enjoy. I also have always had a vivid imagination, creating storylines for me and my cousin to re-play, but this was a step further into a reality. A moment that seemed too real, but not at all, at the same time. I woke up in the middle of the night. A feeling of unknown came over me, and it took a moment to realize I was in my older sister’s room. I was not more than seven years old at the time, and I was laying in her bed, but she was not there.
Her old full size bed was covered in a blue comforter with yellow daisies on it, and the room was painted yellow. The darkness seemed to cast a spell on the room, and it seemed as if I was looking through a dark filter. The yellow wasn’t the bright color | remembered, and I felt so small compared to everything else. The street light casted shadows of the tall, thin tree through the window, and dark, intimidating images danced across the wall and ceiling. Even though I was only in the room for a moment once I woke up, it seemed as if time stood still.
Once I become clear of my surroundings I remembered something suddenly. As silly as it seems now, it was devastating at the time. I left my doll, Isabelle, in the sandbox underneath the old treehouse our dad built. I could hear the wind against the wall length window, and remembered it was supposed to rain, but it was not raining yet. I had a feeling of nervousness and fright, and everything seemed strangely familiar. I slid out of the covers and my bare feet landed on the rough carpet. A sliver of light was shining through were the door was cracked, and I fumbled toward the door.
My small hand reached up toward the doorknob and pulled it open. The night light was shining a dim glow in the small nook of the hallway, where I stood for a moment. All the other lights were off and my parent’s bedroom door was shut. I knew that it must have been late. As I tiptoed out of the nook, it became darker. I slid my hand against the wall in the living room to guide me. I felt the ottoman brush against my leg, and I knew I was almost to the doorway that led to the dining room. I held my hands out infront of me, reaching for the unknown.
The cold metal of the dining room chairs collided with my hands and alerted me that I was closer. I reached from chair to chair, until I made my way out of the dining room. I felt the cool tile underneath my feet and I turned left, toward the back door. Moonlight shined through the creases of the blinds, and a nervous feeling came over me. I knew I was not supposed to go outside by myself, especially at night. I knew if I didn’t go get her, poor Isabelle would be ruined. She wouldn’t cry anymore or make happy cooing noises when she was full, plus my mom would be mad at me for leaving her outside.
I waited for a split second at the door contemplating my two choices. Before I could change my mind I unlocked the tough deadbolt and swung the door open. I stepped into the cool night. The dark clouds blew across the sky, and the wind whipped my hair around. An uneasy feeling settled in my stomach as I made my way to the sandbox. I looked around my large backyard, but everything seemed normal, It is just dark outside, I told myself. As soon as I stepped out I realized I forgot to put shoes on, the feeling of the cold concrete porch bled through my socks, but it was too late now.
I hurried across the mulch, and then the grass. Small shards of wood stuck to my socks, and the dew soaked them. When I reached the treehouse I crouched underneath in search for my doll. I saw her! Excitement rushed over me as | lunged for the doll. I squeezed her into a tight huge for a moment, but just then the wind ceased, it was the calm before the storm. I suddenly heard loud cars racing down the road and it frightened me, this was the deja vu I have experienced before. Three black SUVs ripped down the long driveway that was on the side of our yard.
Tires screeched as they spun into the grass. It started pouring just then, and I made my break to the door. In my hurry, I dropped the doll, but didn’t realize until I was halfway back to the door. I heard the doors of the cars open and slam shut. Three large men raced toward me. In their dark suits and sunglasses they were very intimidating. That’s when I noticed Annabelle was no longer tucked under my arm, the men seemed far enough away, I thought I could make it there and back before the reached me. Traced toward her, as they raced toward me.
The wind and rain whipped across my face and blurred my vision. My feet slid toward her, and than I quickly turned back. The men were just feet away and I wasn’t sure if my small legs could outrun them. As I made my way back to the door, my feet couldn’t stay in contact with the ground, I slipped and slid back across the concrete, and as my hand met the doorknob, one of the men got to me. I was grabbed by the waist and was quickly pulled away, just then a quick crack of lightning sounded! I was knocked awake in a panic.
I could hear rain pounding on the window, my heart was racing, and I couldn’t catch my breath. The familiar setting of my sisters room came into view, and I realized I slept in her room that night because of the storm. I am only dreaming. I shook her awake. When she realized I was upset she talked to me, and confirmed that it was only a dream. I was still awake, but she soothed me enough to where I could now lay back down without being afraid of going back to sleep. When recapping that dream it was a moment that seemed too real, but not at all, at the same time.
I have had this dream multiple times, both before and after this experience. During this dream I had a sense of familiarity, without knowing I was dreaming. What inspires nightmares in young children? This has always been puzzling to me, and psychologist say dreams reveal more about the dreamer, than anyone in the dream. Reflection of dreams can help understand the dream, and it can also help conquer fear. I know that your environment can influence your dreams, which explains the rain.
My childhood fear of being afraid of the dark could have inspired the setting of the dream, and my parents consistently warning of strangers might be the cause of the men trying to kidnap me. The nightmare seemed scary at the time, but upon recollection it didn’t seem so intimidating. Understand what may have caused the dream could be one reason why I never had the dream again. Dreams can be a message from the unconscious mind, but the messages may not be as difficult to understand as I thought. Dreams and nightmares can be a powerful tool to use, once conquered.
