Things were going to be okay now. No aliens – what a relief! Maybe everything would even get back to normal. Deep down, though, I knew that normal was gone for good.
Some time before I fell asleep, I heard Mom get home. She was yelling at Matthew. Dad must not be doing well. I wished there was something I could do to help.
***
When I got to Bio class the next day, I found Bryce waiting for me, eyes all excited. I decided it couldn’t hurt to talk to him at this point. I was probably never getting Dennis back anyway. I sat in the desk beside him. Bryce grinned broadly.
“So, are you excited?” he asked.
“About what?”
“This whole dream hub thing sounds interesting.”
“Sounds weird to me. And a little invasive. I’m not sure I want people sharing my dreams.”
“You’d like my dreams.” He raised his eyebrows at me.
I sighed and opened my binder. Why did he have to come on so strong all the time?
“I’m just joking. You don’t have to look like I’m harassing you or something. Hey, what did you dream about, anyway?” he asked.
I looked at him and tried to smile. “I don’t know. I don’t remember my dreams most of the time.” I didn’t mean to be unkind to Bryce. It just came naturally.
“Aww…you didn’t dream about me?” I didn’t say anything but the look on my face must have set him straight.
“Just kidding! Just kidding! I was at a rock concert. Rock on!” he growled, holding up his hand, his thumb pressing down his two middle fingers, pinky and index fingers pointing into the air.
I sighed. His antics were attracting a crowd. And class was starting.
A tone sounded on the PA system. Then the principal’s voice came over the speaker. “Everyone who saw the message in the sky, please stop by the main office at lunch time.” He repeated the message again and then the PA clicked off.
“Oh, oh, we’re in trouble,” sang Bryce. “Getting called to the principal’s office.”
My stomach squeezed a little. “I wonder what that’s about?”
“My guess would be that it has something to do with the message in the sky,” said Bryce.
I couldn’t help rolling my eyes. He snickered to himself. Did he try to annoy me on purpose?
At lunchtime, I went to the office. There wasn’t a long line up or anything. I guess there weren’t that many of us who could see it. The secretary handed me a glossy single page flyer. I read it as I pushed open the door to the parking lot and started walking home for lunch.
The message, in bold print, on the top of the colorful flyer, read: We Welcome You To Our Peaceful Sleep Clinics – Starting Wage is $100/hr.
One hundred dollars an hour?! That was a lot! I would be able to help Mom with the medical bills and that would really relieve tension at home. I scanned the rest of the paper. The sleep clinics were places where Dreamers could go to sleep. Everything was automated. The clinics would allow users to interface with the Dreamer to experience their dreams. The flyer claimed that it was totally safe.
It did seem a little weird. It meant I’d be sharing my dreams with... who knew how many people. I shrugged. Some of my dreams were pretty awesome. It could be fun. And I wouldn’t have to go to college to become a nurse. I could do this instead. I did like the idea of helping people as a nurse but, in all honesty, I didn’t think I was cut out for it. It was something Mom wanted me to do but it wasn’t something I was actually suited for. For months, I’d been trying to think of something else I could do. Mom’s aspiration in the field of medicine just wasn’t for me. I loved sleeping and dreaming though – two of my favorite things. And maybe I could help people this way. Maybe I could teach people about honor and goodness through my dreams; maybe I could bring them joy. Bringing people happiness was a form of helping, right?
By the time I walked into my house that lunch hour, I had decided. I was going to be a Dreamer at a Peaceful Sleep Clinic.
After lunch that afternoon, I saw Bryce in Math class. “So, are you going to do it?” I asked him.
“Nah. Don’t see why I would.”
“Because we’d get paid a hundred dollars an hour, for sleeping!”
“My family’s totally loaded, you know? And I make enough spending money with my modeling gigs. I’m keeping my eyes on the prize. I’m going to be a movie star one day.”
“But this won’t take up all your time. It’s just when you’re sleeping. I thought you were totally excited for it?”
“I changed my mind. There’s no way this is really going to become more popular than movies. I’m going to become an actor. Plus the flyer made it sound like we were obligated or something, like we didn’t have a choice. I don’t like that.”
“I’m doing it because I want to help people. I think maybe my dreams could help people.”
He shrugged. “Whatever. I don’t care about helping. No one controls me.”
After school, I saw Dennis at his locker. He slammed it closed and started towards me. He stopped a few feet away.
“Hi,” I said. He still looked mad. What did he have to be mad about? He broke up with me!
“You’ve been talking to that guy, Bryce.”
“What, do you have spies everywhere? I’m a free agent. I can talk to whomever I want.”
“I saw the flyer and I checked out that company, Kingcade Worldcorp. There were no aliens.”
“Yeah, you were right all along.” I tried to smile at him. But he just looked angry.
“I don’t want you going to the clinic.”
“It’s not your choice, Dennis. They’re offering a lot of money. I can help my family this way.”
“I’m sure that’s really why you want to do it. Or is it because you want everyone to see your dreams? Dreams are private, Cara. It’s unnatural. What, are you some kind of exhibitionist or something? It’s disgusting.”
“That’s not fair, Dennis. I am really doing this to help my mom. You know we’re drowning in debt because Dad’s sick. But, even without all that, I see this as a good opportunity. I can bring my dreams, my form of entertainment, to people. It’ll be a more positive option. Better than most of the other entertainment choices out there. It might even help people.”
Dennis laughed derisively, an ugly expression marring his features as he stepped towards me. “You’ll be a dream-sharing prostitute.” He stopped laughing and his hands clenched into fists at his sides. He was standing too close again. “Cara, if you do this thing, that’s it. There’s no chance for us. We won’t even still be friends.” His narrowed blue eyes locked on mine in a challenge.
I spoke quickly before I lost the nerve. “Then I guess we’re not friends.” There was a tremble in my voice but I snapped my mouth shut and just stared back at him. Dennis opened his mouth like he was about to say something more but then he turned around and started down the hall. I stood there and watched my only hope for a normal, happy life walk away from me forever.
Chapter 4 – The New Job
That evening, Mom was home and we had a family dinner, the three of us. Matthew was smiling a lot. I could tell he was enjoying Mom’s improved mood. She had made pork chops, rice and peas. I set the table without being asked and got out the juice and the salt and pepper. I wanted to try to keep things nice for Matthew.
“How was your day at school?” Mom asked. I looked up and saw that she was talking to me.
“It was okay.”
“Good. Let’s eat. I’m starved.” We all sat down at the table. Then we recited our usual before-meal prayer in unison.
“Thank you, God, for the wonderful food we’re having today. Amen.” Mom liked to keep the praying short and simple, nothing too religious. She didn’t like anything too religious. She probably thought it was a waste of time. Dad always liked praying. But, to Mom, it was just a routine.
When the meal was almost over, I pulled the flyer from my pocket and unfolded it. I slid it across the table towards my mot
her. She wiped her fingers on a napkin, picked up the paper and scanned it. When Mom looked up, her eyes met mine.
“What are you thinking, Honey?”
“I would like to sleep there. Then I could help out with the bills.”
Mom’s eyes filled with tears. I hadn’t expected that. She stood up, walked around the table and pulled me up into an awkward hug. After a tight squeeze, she let go. “I think that’s a good idea. I’ll sign the application, giving my permission for you to start work early, because you’re not quite sixteen yet.”
“Thanks, Mom.” Relief flooded my mind. She was going to let me do it.
“When do you want to start?” Mom sat back down.
“The flyer says the clinics are already open. I’d like to start right away if I could.”
“That sounds like a great idea!” My mother beamed. “I’ll take you there right after supper.”
Maybe our finances were even worse than I thought. “I think I need to take some online test and then they give me the address.”
My mother still smiled at me from across the table. “That’s fine. Why don’t you go take the test now, while I clean up? Then we’ll go.”
I tried to smile back. Hopefully, things would be better now. I would be able to help the family and stay out of her way.
While Mom did the dishes, I went to my room. I picked up my laptop from my nightstand, set it on my lap and opened it. I surfed to kingcadeworldcorp.com. Near the bottom of the page, there was a link that said, “Click here to take the test to be qualified as a Dreamer!” I clicked the link. The ‘test’ turned out to be really easy.
If you can see what’s written on this page, congratulations! You’ve passed the test. Proceed to 232 McGregor Street, the nearest Peaceful Sleep Clinic to your location, to enroll in the Dreamer program! This is the first day of the rest of your life!
My backpack was on the floor beside my bed. I grabbed a pen and small piece of paper from it and scribbled down the address. Then I took my time packing up my PJs, toothbrush, a change of clothes and the other things I would need. If I came out of my room too soon, Mom might not think it was a real test. I didn’t want her to get upset or change her mind or anything. She was unpredictable and random like that, sometimes. Or maybe I just didn’t want to do the dishes. I smirked a little at that but I felt bad too. It was usually my job. But I’d be contributing financially now, so it was probably okay to slack off chores for one night.
When I came out, Mom had just finished up in the kitchen.
“I’m ready,” I announced.
“Great! Perfect timing. You got the address?”
“Yes. Right here.” I held up the scrap of paper.
“Good.” She took the address from me. “Matthew, put your shoes on. Let’s go.”
The three of us piled into the car and drove for about ten minutes to McGregor Street. We arrived at a small, unmarked building. It looked new. The building’s exterior was very clean and brightly lit. But there was no sign on the outside of the building saying we were in the right place. We got out of the car and approached the building. The door opened for us automatically. I felt a little intimidated as we went in. A security guard, standing in the foyer, nodded at us. My heart squeezed a little more but he didn’t say anything to us.
“Why did I have to come?” whined Matthew.
“Hush,” said our mother.
In the lobby, there was a woman sitting behind a fancy, large, white desk - one of those tall ones where you can’t really see the person until you walk right up to it. I went up to the desk.
“Hi, I’d like to work here. I took the test online.”
The lady behind the desk handed a clipboard up towards me. “Please fill this out.”
I took the clipboard and, leaning against the desk, filled it out, using the pen that was attached to the clipboard. Mom leaned over my shoulder and told me what to write when I got stuck. Then she signed on the line to give parental approval for starting work early. The woman checked over the form.
“Thank you. This is perfect,” she said, with a pleasant smile. “When would you like to start?”
Holding up my bag to the lady, I said, “I’ve come prepared. I think I’d like to start tonight.” I looked to my mother for confirmation. She nodded.
But, on the inside, I was starting to get cold feet. I wished I hadn’t told Mom that I wanted to start today. It would be strange sleeping somewhere new. I was feeling really anxious about it now. The whole thing seemed just so weird and creepy. Maybe Dennis was right. Was I a bad person for wanting this? Could I even trust them? When you’re sleeping, you’re totally vulnerable. Was this going to be okay? No one was reassuring me. The receptionist seemed friendly in a professional way but… it was all so impersonal.
It was as if Mom could sense my uneasiness. “You’re very lucky to get such a wonderful first job,” she murmured as she patted me on the shoulder. I guess she wasn’t worried that they would do experiments on me or abuse me or anything. Or else she didn’t care. Or else she was so blinded by the promise of money that nothing else mattered to her. But she did pat me so…that was something at least.
Okay, I was probably just freaking out inside for nothing. I waved goodbye to Matthew and Mom as they left.
“Right this way,” said the receptionist. I put my backpack on and followed her through the door behind her desk into a wide, brightly lit, tiled hallway. Everything was clean and white. There were six doors leading from the hall, two closed and four open. She led me into a small, white-walled room. There was a cot in the middle of the room. It was sort of like a hospital bed. There was an orange, flexible, bowl-like hat on the metal counter that ran along one side of the room. No wires connected the hat with anything. And that was all. I guess I was expecting a metal-dome headpiece connected by wires and tubes to the walls and ceiling. I was relieved. This didn’t seem too Frankensteinish.
“So, you can just get in bed and put on the orange sleeping cap, whenever you’re ready.”
“Is there somewhere I can change?” I patted the shoulder strap of my backpack.
“Certainly. There’s a bathroom right this way. And also lockers where you can store your things.” She led me out of the room and pointed past a closed door to an open one at the end of the hall.
“Thanks.”
In the clean, one-person bathroom, I slowly went through the motions of undressing and dressing and brushing my teeth. Then, folding my hands, I prayed that God would protect me and that this would work. I was afraid of sleeping here but I felt like it was what I was supposed to do.
Wearing my slippers and carrying my bag with me, I shuffled out to my room. I didn’t know how the lockers worked so I just kept my stuff with me. Once inside, I closed the door. No lock. That was a little unsettling. After I dumped my bag by the wall, I walked to the metal counter. I held the funny orange hat. It looked like an orange shower cap or a swim cap. I put it on. It didn’t feel uncomfortable or anything. I walked to the cot, kicked off my slippers and climbed into bed. As I drifted off to sleep, I felt that I had made the right choice.
***
I was standing in darkness, shivering. Just ahead of me, I could vaguely make out the start of a massive swinging bridge. Most of the bridge was cloaked in darkness. On the other side of the bridge, I could see light. A voice called from the other side but I saw no figure.
“Come!”
I hesitated. The bridge was so dark. What if it’s not safe?
I heard the voice again, a trustworthy voice. “It’s not safe. But it’s better than staying in the dark.”
I looked behind me and to each side but I couldn’t see anything. It was really dark here. My heart pounded in my chest. I didn’t dare cross the bridge. But did I dare to stay in the darkness? There was light on the other side. Making a decision, I stepped forward onto the bridge. My fear was high but I controlled it - putting one foot in front of the other. The bridge swayed beneath me. The farther out I got
, the more it swayed. I closed my eyes for a moment and held tightly to the ropes on either side of me. The swaying became less. I opened my eyes. The light was closer now. Step by step, I got closer to the end of the bridge, closer to the pool of light on the other side. Finally, my feet touched the solid ground. I stood under a lamp, bathed in warm yellow light. I felt that the one who had called me was pleased.
***
My eyes fluttered open. I stared up at fluorescent lights inset in a white ceiling. It was odd, sleeping with the lights on. But I felt strangely peaceful. The white clock on the white wall read 4:00 in the morning. Not time to get up yet. I let my eyes fall closed again.
***
It was nighttime. I was at a carnival. The lights on the rides sparkled like magic gemstones, glowing with inner fire. The scent of cinnamon doughnuts made my stomach growl. But then I saw the roller coaster. It was one of the biggest I had ever seen. It went up so high into dark sky that the lights on the top looked tiny, like twinkling stars.
“Yup. I have got to try that.” The male voice beside me startled me. I looked and saw Bryce! He was grinning at me. “Well, hello, Cara. Fancy meeting you here. Shall we try the adventure together?”
“The adventure?” I echoed.
“The name of the coaster.” Bryce pointed to the illuminated sign at the entrance to the ride.
I laughed. “Sure! Maybe an adventure is just what I need.” I had always loved roller coasters. And adventures. We walked up the ramp to the ride and through the empty waiting area that snaked back and forth.
“We’re lucky there’s no line-up this evening,” said Bryce.
“Yeah, this is awesome!” We reached the platform where the coaster was waiting for us.
“Let’s go in the front car!” said Bryce.
“That’s the scariest one but…Okay. If we’re going to do this, we might as well sit at the front.”
“Totally!” He led the way and sat on the narrow bench. I sat down beside him. Usually, I felt awkward around Bryce but, this time, I felt happy. This was going to be an adventure all right! The restraint bar came down over our legs and the cart jerked into motion. The coaster went up and up and up, at a nearly vertical angle. My anticipation was building. We were almost at the top. The coaster crested and hesitated there, for just a moment. I could see down. We had to be over twelve stories high! The coaster tipped over the bend and rushed downwards. I closed my eyes; the feeling was so intense I couldn’t even open my mouth to scream.