Dreams and Fears

Soft breathing played from the phone’s speaker, her own personal white noise. Eyes closed in the pitch dark, she could almost feel the hot air against the back of her neck. A small snort and breathy murmur emitted and she held back a giggle. He was fast asleep. There was something about the vulnerability. The talking and gradual intermittent yawns. The slurring. The eyelids no longer able to part. But neither person willing to say goodnight and end it.

Warmth filled her belly, fireflies illuminating a dark cave. The all-encompassing darkness of the room wrapped around her like a tight embrace.

When she opened her eyes, all of her familiar surroundings were gone. She was outside. She didn’t remember how she got there, nor did she remember not being there. The air was heavy and she was shrouded by ancient-looking trees. It was eerily quiet, other than the occasional breeze flowing through and tickling the leaves. The sky was colorless. Not dark, but entirely devoid of clouds, stars, or a moon. Rapidly swiveling her head in either direction, there were infinite paths of trees stretching out as far as she could see. Then, she heard it. A slightly distorted breath in and out. Her eyes widened as she felt for her back pocket, her phone. He was still there on the call, his name illuminating the screen. She turned up the brightness and the slightly fuzzy silhouette of his face came into view. His hair mussed by the pillow. The bend of his nose, sharpness of his chin, and his slightly parted lips. Her heartbeat quickened and she spoke, voice just above a whisper.

“Hey.” She paused and listened. Nothing but soft breathing.

“Are you awake?”

A slight snort and sharp inhale. 

“Hi.” He said in a low, slurred murmur.

“I’m sorry for waking you up.”

“Wasn’t even sleeping.” He said slowly and deliriously. She grinned and felt heat rise to the surface of her cheeks. Click. Her screen suddenly glowed yellow and he rubbed his eyes before turning on his side to face her. “Everything ok?”

“I don’t know where I am.” She felt a slight tremble in her throat. “I’m scared.” she said in the tiniest whisper. She angled her phone slightly upwards and saw his pale jade eyes widen.

Typing bubbles appeared on his side and her grip tightened around the phone. 

Her stomach dropped and she felt a chill on the back of her neck. Goosebumps rose up and down her arms.

She switched back to the call and his video feed was gone, replaced by his profile picture. She held the speaker up to her ear and heard thumping in between quick breaths. Was he… running?

“Those texts. Are you messing with me? Because it’s really not funny.” Her voice grew timid and more fragile with each word. 

Static was breaking up his audio but she heard “No” between uneven breaths. Then, “I’m… trying to find you.” She wanted to shout, scream into the endless woods so he could hear her. But where was he? He lives hundreds of miles away? How could he possibly get to her? If she is even anywhere near where she lives. The vast expanse of forest on every side of her is entirely unfamiliar and the sky is secretive and dangerous. 

Scratch. Scratch.

She heard a sound like a machete scraping against a tree trunk. It was quiet and distant, but began growing louder. With each new scratch, she heard branches break and leaves shake. It was coming from behind her.

Pure fear infected her and spread throughout her whole body. Her legs suddenly felt heavy. She couldn’t speak. She couldn’t move. Her mind was filled with an overwhelming and all consuming noise. Then a voice cut through the sharp ringing in her ears.

“Don’t turn around. Don’t think. Just run.”

“I can’t move. I’m not going to make it.” She felt her fear turn to total defeat.

“I’m right here. You’re gonna be ok, trust me.”

The warmth and reassurance in his voice was like a wave of calm enveloping her. She released the tension from each and every muscle in her body and the weight in her legs slowly released itself. Her lungs expanded and slowly contracted. The scratches, the leaves, the wind, it all became faint and she focused on the sound of her heart beat. Each thump grew slower and slower. She no longer felt the ground beneath her feet. Instead, a feeling of complete and utter weightlessness. The trunks and branches blurred together as she soared up and out of the immense forest. Floating at the top and gazing across the never-ending wilderness, she felt total warmth and lightness. 

“Hey.” Said a soft voice. “You ok?” She held up the phone and the screen was filled with his smiling face. “I knew you could do it. You didn’t need me either.” He laughed.

“What about you?”

“I’ll be fine.”

“I can go back. I can fly over until I see you.”

“I’m ok. We were never trapped. You just needed to realize you were the one in control.”

“What do you mean? What is this place anyways?”

He smiled and opened his mouth, but instead of words, quiet notes played and started building up louder and louder.

She turned over, squinting as her eyes adjusted to the sunlight streaming in from the gap beneath her curtain. She pressed stop on her alarm and unlocked her phone, just to be met with a groggy face. He opened his eyes very slightly and turned over, meeting hers.

“Oh, hey. Good morning.” He rubbed his eyes and attempted to fix his hair as he gave a sheepish smile.

“Good morning. You, uhh, fell asleep on the call.”

“Sorry about that. You should’ve just hung up.”

“Well. You actually helped me sleep, I think.”

“Hm. Maybe I should accidentally fall asleep on calls more often. Or on purpose.” The corners of his mouth turned up mischievously. 

“I wouldn’t mind that.” She blushed.

“Ok, well, I’ll leave you to it and get started on my morning routine. You’re so lucky you can’t smell my morning breath through the phone.” He grimaced.

“Wait.” She squeaked. He stared back calmly. She hesitated, her heart racing and muscles tensing down her body.

“It's ok. Take your time.”

“The thing is. Well. Basically.” Her face burned and her throat felt like it was swollen. She closed her eyes and his words replayed in her mind as she focused on each individual deep breath.

“I like you.” She said.

“I like you too.” He smiled and his eyes sparkled.

“No. I mean I like like you. Seriously.” Her eyes were wide, pupils intense.

“Well probably not as much as I like like you. You know, not just anyone gets to hear my snores.” He laughed.

“Really? Your whole block can probably hear them.” She raised an eyebrow.

“Wait. I was just joking. Do I snore? ” His voice was higher, more panicked.

“Uh. Course not. I was also joking.” She bit her tongue and tried to stop her mouth from contorting into a smile.

“Same time tonight?”

“If I have too.” She grinned.

“I’m gonna need a little more enthusiasm than that.”

“I was kidding. I’d love to.”

“Have a nice day. Text me when you can, ok?”

“I will. Bye.”

“Bye.”

CALL ENDED