Dreamwalkers - Episode 1
by Molly Weinfurter
I have a special power.
My whole family has it.
We’re called dreamwalkers—
We can walk into people’s dreams.
My parents always told me that I should only dreamwalk for a good purpose.
Is what I’m doing now for a good purpose?
To me, it is.
You see, I’m in my boyfriend’s dream right now…
Because I think he’s cheating.
I take a few steps forward in Ansel’s dream.
There he is.
I see him.
My “perfect” boyfriend.
He’s just sitting there playing video games.
Nothing unusual or suspicious. Yet.
Lina? Is that you?
He hasn’t even turned to look at me.
How does he know I’m here?
Please, come sit with me, Lina.
I’m surprised by his reaction…
But I decide to go with the flow.
I sit down next to him.
I’m sorry to bother you, Ansel.
Sweetie, you’re never a bother.
He doesn’t look up from his game as he speaks.
Thanks, you’re the best.
So, any crazy plans for tonight?
Or is this it?
Just this. I need to beat this level!
I stare at the screen.
It’s just some boring fighting game that he always plays.
Just the same as the other times I’ve been inside his dreams.
How could his dreams be so boring?
Are you sure you haven’t spent time with anyone else tonight?
He raises his eyebrows.
Like who?
Oh, I don’t know.
Some friends from school?
He shakes his head.
Nope.
You’re the only person I’ve seen tonight.
I blush and stare at the floor.
Below me, I see darkness.
I thought I could come inside Ansel’s dreams to find some answers—
Some reason for why he’s been acting so strange.
But so far, I haven’t seen anything.
I’ll let you play your game then.
See you later!
I lean over and give him a kiss on the cheek.
That’s when I wake up.
I turn to see Ansel beside me.
He’s in a deep sleep.
Spying on him in his dreams has proved nothing so far.
But I know he’s cheating on me!
I lean over him carefully and grab his phone off the nightstand.
When the screen lights up, I see a ton of notifications.
Many of them are from girls.
As usual…
Lina, what’s going on?
Why are you awake?
He slowly sits up and rubs his eyes.
I drop his phone onto the floor and act innocent.
Sorry, I couldn’t sleep!
He glances down at the floor.
Did you just drop my phone?
No, I think it fell.
He frowns.
He picks up his phone and looks at his messages.
When he sees the names of the girls, he doesn’t react.
What are you looking at?
He looks up at me.
Lina, I know you were looking at my phone.
Are you still jealous?
I roll my eyes.
No!
I’m just wondering why so many girls keep talking to you, that’s all!
I’ve told you a thousand times before…
Any girl who messages me is just a friend or classmate.
I’m not interested in anyone but you!
I still don’t buy it.
Something tells me he’s cheating on me.
I want to confront him, but I need proof.
I know, I’m sorry.
I just had a bad dream, that’s all.
He narrows his eyes at me skeptically.
You did?
Do you want to talk about it?
I shake my head.
I slide back under the covers.
No, I think I just need some more beauty sleep.
Goodnight, Ansel. I’ll see you in the morning!
I close my eyes.
But instead of drifting into my own dream…
I walk back inside Ansel’s dream.
If he’s cheating on me…
Then he would probably dream about other girls, right?
But once I make my way through the darkness…
I just see him sitting there playing video games again!
You’re STILL playing video games?!
For once, he puts down the controller and looks at me.
He looks angry.
What’s wrong with playing video games, Lina?
At least I’m not dreaming about girls, right?
My eyes widen.
Yeah, I suppose…
I sit down beside him.
I just thought your dreams would be more exciting.
But it’s basically just the same as when you’re awake!
Exactly! So, why don’t you trust me?
Huh?
I trust you!
He shakes his head.
No, you don’t.
You’ve been looking through my phone…
And now you’re spying on me!
Spying? What are you talking about?
He looks down at the ground.
I think we should break up.
I know this is just a dream, but my whole body aches at his words.
What?! Why would you say that?
Lina, I can’t be with someone who doesn’t trust me.
You mean the world to me, but this is the last straw.
You’re a horrible dreamwalker.
Dreamwalker?!
How does he know that word?
No one else is supposed to know about dreamwalking.
I don’t know what a dreamwalker is.
He rolls his eyes.
Come on, Lina. You don’t have to play dumb.
I know you’ve been walking into my dreams and spying on me.
You think I’m cheating on you for some reason.
But I’ve been nothing but loyal to you!
I clench my fists.
I think I should go.
Your dream self is acting crazy.
This isn’t just a dream, Lina.
He looks up at me.
I’m a dreamwalker too.
That’s why I can control my own dreams and make them so normal.
That’s how I know you’re spying.
What?!
That’s impossible!
Honestly, you’re horrible at what you do.
You made it so obvious that you were spying!
Plus, dreamwalkers aren’t supposed to spy.
We’re supposed to use our powers to help people.
That’s the same thing my parents always told me…
But I just assumed they said it to keep me out of trouble.
If he knows all this, then he really is a dreamwalker too.
I take a deep breath.
I AM using my powers to help people.
He shakes his head.
He knows by “people,” I mean me. Selfish me.
You’re not who I thought you were.
So please find someone else to abuse your powers on.
Ansel, wait!
I reach over to grab his arm, but he steps away.
Goodbye, Lina.
We’re through.
I can feel him starting to wake up…
So I dart back into my own dream.
But by the time I wake…
He’s already packed his things and left.
As tears stream down my face…
I vow to get Ansel back…
By proving to him that I’m a good person.
Because from now on I will always use my dreamwalking powers to help others…
And not to help myself.
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