.
And
fuck!! I'm about to collapse and that damn thing will jump on me and I'll never see the sunset again... That bloodshot sunset like my own blood congealing in the jaws of my tormentor. Is it even chasing me anymore? I don't particularly feel like running from a nonexistent danger. On the other hand... if I turn around, I'll waste a few precious seconds needlessly turning, slow down... and never open my eyes again because that damn monster will use that very moment to leap rapaciously straight at its prey. No thanks, I can do without that scenario. Or maybe I'm overreacting? Who knows, maybe it's just a common mutt hungry for a moment of fun? Do mutts have red, glowing eyes, an elongated mouth with large, sharp fangs, and three pairs of legs? No... but I think I'd rather waste all my strength running than foolishly check if it wasn't just a small, harmless dog...
"Hey!"
Tired and terrified, I didn't even notice who made that oh-so-human sound. After all, there's also the possibility that a predator was trying to outsmart me. So I kept running as fast as I could...
"Hey! It's not nice to ignore a lady like that!"
I didn't look at the person calling me again, completely ignoring her. Although this time I clearly heard it was a girl's voice. With my head down and my eyes closed, I flew forward like a herd of buffalo. If nothing was chasing me, and this was really just an ordinary teenage girl, she must have been having a good laugh.
"If you think I'm going to let you ignore me, you're sorely mistaken, buddy!" I heard, then suddenly I bumped into something soft, bounced off it, and fell to the ground.
I opened my eyes and looked ahead in surprise. Before me stood, or rather sat, a huge teddy bear with a red bow around its neck... I must have bumped into it. Fortunately, it didn't look like a dangerous beast... A smiling girl was leaning against it. She was very pretty. She had a slim figure, dark brown hair that reached almost to her waist, and amber eyes with a strange fire. Looking at her, I felt like smiling back. She was dressed in denim shorts and a yellow cotton tank top. She wasn't wearing any shoes. Her bare feet moved nimbly on the grass as she approached me. Once she was beside me, she bent down and held out her hand. At that moment, I remembered the beast chasing me. Terrified, I quickly turned my face away and jumped to my feet. But there was no monster behind me. I must have lost it somewhere along the way. What a relief...
"No manners at all!" the girl said indignantly. "Here I am, trying to help, and he's not only ignoring me, but also pretending he didn't notice me and looking somewhere else!
" "What?" "Well, I don't have great reflexes, as you can see, it took me a moment to realize what she was talking about..." "Aaaaaaa Sorry... I mean, well, that... A monster was chasing me..." "Damn, that must have sounded so stupid! What will she think of me?" As if to confirm my thoughts, the girl narrowed her eyes, looking at me suspiciously.
"I hope I'm not the monster..."
"What are you talking about! Who would run away from such a pretty girl? Probably just some idiot..." I defended myself, and she giggled.
"Good to hear!" I won't lie, but I did get the strange feeling you weren't particularly keen on talking to me...
"I'm not surprised... No, I was just convinced something terrible was chasing me and I was afraid to stop..." Honestly, I wouldn't have been surprised if she'd thought I was a first-class idiot. That's definitely not how you pick up girls! She laughed again, and that cheerful, genuine smile I'd seen earlier returned to her face.
"Well, that was a nightmare, buddy!" she joked. "Then you should be grateful I didn't keep you running for the next few kilometers...
" "You know you're right? Come to think of it, I almost can't feel my legs anymore...
" "Oh, you must have been running for a long time...
" "Yeah, I won't deny it..." I confirmed these words with a nod, "and what kind of teddy bear is that? I mean, where did it come from?
" "What do you mean, where? I had to stop you somehow, and I guess it's better for you that I used a teddy bear instead of a concrete wall?"
"Oh, you're absolutely right... although I still don't understand...
" "Hee hee... you'll understand in time," she said sweetly, then winked and... disappeared. I blinked. It didn't help. The girl was still gone. What the fuck was going on here?!
I would have considered this further, but at that very moment I heard a menacing growl... and I decided to run.
II
I woke up drenched in sweat – the damn monster had finally caught up with me. It was already getting light outside, so it couldn't have been very early. I glanced at the clock. Five in the morning. Great. But I felt like sleeping in, no way. I went back to bed, except I didn't close my eyes. Staring at the white ceiling, I started thinking about what I'd just dreamed about. A terrifying scoundrel and a beautiful girl. Well, I'd forget about Big Brother, er, I mean, teddy bear. A big teddy bear. But that sounds absurd. It's a good thing it was just a dream... Dreams, indeed, are often rubbish. And terrifying. I don't like nightmares... But now that I'm awake, my legs don't even hurt... I wonder if running in your sleep burns calories?
Thinking like that, I finally fell asleep again. However, don't even ask me. There's no force that could force me to remember what the hell I was dreaming about.
When I opened my eyes, it was almost ten. I started to wonder if I had anything to do today. Finally, I decided I could spend the whole day sitting in front of my computer. I stood up, then tripped over my own pillow.
"Damn it!" I cursed under my breath.
I bent down to pick up the pillow, but suddenly I heard a whimper coming from nowhere, startled, and lost my balance. I landed, of course, on the floor. My hand struck something small and hard. I glanced at it and immediately despaired at my stupidity. I got up and, on my way to the door, threw Piggy's feces into the trash.
"Piggy, you monkey, you scared me..."
Just to be clear – Piggy isn't a monkey, but a guinea pig. His name isn't monkey either. I was simply furious with him, and the word "monkey" was used as an insult...
On the way to the bathroom, I turned on the computer with my foot. I didn't stop there, however, but went straight to the shower. I reeked of sweat.
The day, as I suspected, had been spent mostly surfing the internet. It was strange that my parents hadn't thrown the computer in the trash yet...
III
Drip. Drip, drip. The sound of water drops bouncing. I didn't know where I had suddenly come from, in some house, but I didn't think twice. I followed the sound as if it were the most wonderful music in the world. I passed the kitchen and reached the hallway. A door loomed before me. Most likely the bathroom door, as the dripping was coming from behind it. I put my hand on the doorknob. I listened. Someone was taking a shower. Or at least that's what it sounded like. I slowly pushed the door open. Fortunately, it didn't creak like in a horror movie.
I found myself in a rather small bathroom. The walls were half-tiled. Only the top was painted white. The tiles were a delicate pink, with white waves. In front of me was a sink and a bathtub. To my left was a cabinet. The spray was coming from that side. I took two steps forward and looked to my left. There was an alcove in the wall containing a shower stall. Behind the glass pane, I could see the faint silhouette of a woman. Water bounced off her body and sprayed to the sides. She was washing her hair. Suddenly, she turned her head towards me. I felt as if her gaze were piercing me, though I couldn't even see her eyes through the glass. Her hands, however, stopped moving. My entire figure froze for a moment. I inadvertently held my breath. Only the water continued to play its music.
When I realized I wasn't breathing, she suddenly turned off the water and grabbed the edge of the shower door. I don't know why, but I took a step back. But I couldn't tear my eyes away from the woman. With a jerk, she opened the door, and I saw her face, dripping with water. It was the same girl I'd dreamed of the day before. This time, however, she was naked, completely covered in water droplets. Her wet hair stuck to her neck and chest. Through the open door, I could only see half of her body. Yet, that was enough... I couldn't utter a word. I swallowed hard.
"Finally!" the girl exclaimed, a broad smile spreading across her face. "I'm tired of waiting for you to finally fall asleep!
" "Uh, what?" "What's she talking about? And couldn't she at least put something on? How am I supposed to concentrate when she looks like THAT?
" "I decided I'd like to see you again... so I arranged it." "Oh, my, but she's smiling sweetly." Girl, don't you realize what you look like...? I'd like to piece my mind back together...
"What have you arranged?" I finally managed to choke out. Although she was already starting to look at me strangely...
"Well, this meeting, why else would you?" she scowled, as if annoyed, then, as if remembering something, added, smiling, "Oh, you're right! You don't even know you're dreaming...
" "I'm dreaming...?" "Don't ask me why I couldn't come up with something more intelligent, because I don't know the answer..."
"Yes, exactly. You are dreaming. Meanwhile, yesterday I visited your dream. And today... I made you enter mine," she giggled. Was she laughing at my expression...? I hope I didn't make such a terrible... "Yes, this is my dream. What you see is the house I used to live in. In the dream... I still live there."
"Mhmm – wow, what an exceptionally intelligent answer... but wait... didn't she say earlier that she wanted to see me again?! So I didn't make such a bad impression...?
" "Why are you so glum? Oh, right! Could you turn around? I'd like to put something on...
" "Oh, right," I muttered, and actually turned around. I heard the girl close the stall behind her. Then I heard nothing more... until cold hands grabbed me by the neck. I jumped. And another giggle...
"You're so cheerful, aren't you?" I stammered, embarrassed. Letting an ordinary girl scare you, what kind of guy am I?!
"Laughter is good for you, you idiot," she said with a smile.
"You should have slipped instead of scaring me, then maybe I could have gained some of that health," I replied. However, the towel did the trick. I could think straight... Okay – moderately straight.
"Did I say I cared about your health?" she asked, giving me a flirtatious look. I felt hot. She winked at me. Burning... Water was still dripping from her hair. Cold droplets glistened on her skin...
"I understand that, as a selfish person, you only care about your own," I joked. Was there a hint of panic in my voice?
"Bingo!" We laughed. Phew, I guess I couldn't.
"Oh, exactly. What's your name?" I asked, "I should be writing manuals on 'How to Have an Interesting Conversation with a Stranger'...
" "Kasia," she replied, still smiling, "and you?
" "Mirek. Are you always this cheerful?
" "And you're so gloomy?
" "Mhmm, usually.
" "Po – nu – cancer!" she spelled out clearly with a smile.
"If you say so... but still, I think I'd prefer you call me by my name...
" "You can dream, gloomy one," she said, sticking her tongue out at me while bending down. I didn't really look at her cleavage. I swallowed. Probably very, very loudly.
"Great—I think I'll buy a book called 'How to Keep Your Tongue Out of Your Mouth?' Do you think there's even one?"
"It's obvious you're missing something in your life," Kasia said after a moment.
"Yes?
" "Yes. And I even know what it is," she smiled, then gently put her finger to her lips.
"What?
" "Za—stan—stay!"
She disappeared. Again. For the second day in a row. Illness. What am I missing? Who cares? I looked around. No, there's nothing interesting here. I left the bathroom. The hallway was empty. There were a few pieces of furniture in the kitchen. But it seemed to me there had been more before. Uncomprehending, I found the exit door. I opened it. And I found myself in another dream.
IV
A scream. Where was it coming from? Somewhere in the forest... A child's voice. We had to hurry. I took to the air. I felt a cool breeze on my face. I headed in the direction of the scream. After a moment, I spotted a beast running somewhere below. It looked like a huge saber-toothed tiger. Why do kids always invent monsters that don't exist in the real world? I looked a little further. A few meters ahead of the beast ran a small, terrified boy. Like Peter Pan, I flew up to the boy, grabbed him under the arms, and lifted him into the air. The tiger stopped, looked at us, and, unable to reach us, growled menacingly. After a moment, he gave up and ran on. The boy opened his eyes and fixed them on my face. I smiled at him.
"The monster's gone. You're safe," I announced. "Gosh, I'm such a woman—
" "Really?" he asked, then looked around. The sight clearly made a good impression on him, because he was happier now, and he added, "Thank you!
" "You're welcome, sweetie," I replied cheerfully, then landed on the ground. I let go of the kid. His face brightened completely when he felt solid ground beneath his feet. And I always thought children loved adventures. I guess not all of them... Then again, after a nightmare like that... Why can't I enter a pleasant dream? I always have to save someone from trouble...
"Thank you!" the boy said again, and ran in the opposite direction from the animal. I hope he won't meet another one there...
Hmm, what now? I should get out of this dream... Snap.
V
What am I missing? Money, probably. But can one enjoy life without it? No, that's probably not what she meant... Okay, I took out the trash, what else was I supposed to do? Oh, right. Wash the dishes, vacuum, and wash the windows. After my father died, I always have to do something. My mother had a nervous breakdown, and now she just tells me what to do. He doesn't laugh, he doesn't talk to me. It's just "do this, do that." But I have no right to judge her... It's only been six months. I need to give her time to recover from this tragedy... And me? Have I recovered?
What am I missing? A father? Actually, he wasn't home very often before, and even when he was, he didn't seek my company. I don't think he ever wanted children. But he talked to his mother. Sometimes I even caught them in "that" situation... So she was definitely more attached to him than I was. That's probably why she can't seem to get over it. Yeah...
What am I missing? My mother? Yes, I used to be in good contact with her. We often laughed together. I always told her everything. Well, almost everything. Yes, I miss my old mother. But is that it? I don't think so. How would she know? So where should I begin? Washing the windows is the hardest part, so I'll leave that for last... I'll start with vacuuming, then I can have some fun washing the dishes...
What am I missing? Time. That's for sure. But what does that have to do with joy? Well, I can't complain about a lack of activities. Both physical and mental, anyway...
VI
I was running through my dreams like a madman. I had to find the one I was looking for. HIS dream. But to my chagrin, I couldn't find it. Maybe he hadn't gone to sleep yet?
The beach. Nearby, a couple swimming in the sea.
The jungle. Some children playing in the trees. Or maybe monkeys?
The roadway. Some accident. Surely he wasn't dreaming about something so normal? There are plenty of gawkers here, but I don't sense him here... The victim... no, it's not him. Some woman. This is her dream. I can feel it.
A house. Pink. Pink everywhere. No, this can't be a boy's dream.
A bathroom. Mine? A door. Someone's footsteps... Is he dreaming about my bathroom?
"Ouch!" Did he have to open the door so suddenly?!
"Oh! It's you—wow, pure eureka!
" "No, come on, Saint Teresa, I'm...
" "Bad joke.
" "I thought it was perfect for you.
" "Where's your cheerful smile, huh?
" "Where's the skin on my nose, huh?" I said from under my eyebrows. Boooli...
"Sorry, I didn't mean to," he apologized, so much good...
"Fine, I won't even get mad... although you could help me up—oh, my sarcasm, I wonder when I'll get punched for it?"
"Sorry, I'm helping... My upbringing, as you can see, has gone on vacation, along with my brains... but you shouldn't be mad because the sight of you caused it," Mirek joked. I think I need to pester him more often; it immediately increases his intelligence...
"Okay, I guess I can live without those parts of you. But are you sure you had something like brains before this trip?
" "You couldn't have jumped on my upbringing, could you? Then I could blame my parents for not taking good care of me... and so what's left for me? Well, I could blame my genes, but I don't think that'll help much...
" "And you're right about that, man," I said with a smile. Oh, I think I'm back in a good mood!
"Me?! Man?! Come on! You hit me right in the heart there... Oh, I'm about to die..." and then he performed a beautiful pantomime. It was almost as if you believed he was dying...
"Your sense of humor seems to have slipped away too... After all, looking at you, it's obvious I couldn't mistake you for an old man... At most, maybe twelve, well, maybe fifteen years..." "Well, now I should probably piss him off. But I'm terrible, no need...
" "It looks like we're a good match, because I'd give you about ten... And girls seem to prefer older guys, right?" And that's where I get it. Mmmm, I'm so pissed off... Is that good or bad?
" "I guess. Although not. It varies. I used to date a younger guy. He was great. It probably depends on personality...
" "If you say so... I'll just take your word for it...
" "Oh, believe me!" We laughed. It's been so long since I've laughed so hard... And I said he was missing something. I think it's more like we both..." "Do you know what you're missing, handsome?
" "I have no idea. But I'll tell you, I even thought about it a little...
" "A little? I'll give you a little!" "I said, then conjured a pillow, which I then threw straight at Mirek. But he looked surprised; it's a shame you didn't see it...
"How did you do that?" he asked. "Hmm, should I act stupid? I actually really like acting stupid...
" "What?
" "Well then!" And he can explain what he means! We'll never reach an agreement that way..." I was about to say it, but then he added, "How did you conjure this pillow?"
"By force of will. Just like I can move between dreams. I can do anything here. It's just a dream, after all." He smiled, his mouth dropping open, making his mouth water. Should I point that out to him?
"Maybe it's just a dream, but still... I can't do that—but it's new, isn't it! But look, he actually closed his mouth... Okay, let's not exaggerate, let's act normal... after all, aren't I just an ordinary, intelligent, beautiful, and funny girl?!
"You're out of practice. " If you slept as much as I do... – oops, I think I said too much – I mean, if you were as sleepy as I am... you'd probably figure it out eventually. You probably know the line – sleep, man's best friend... – but I'm talking nonsense! What's wrong with me?
- I don't know, but never mind... So you're saying you can do anything here? How long do you sleep? – It's getting hot... we need a commercial break.
- You know what you're missing? Love. – Snap. Street. People, lots of people. Someone runs between them, fleeing from another person. Let's say I help them...
VII.
Love? Maybe there's some truth to that? I thought about my father, who, no matter how you look at it, never loved me. I thought about my mother, whose love I suddenly lost. And I miss her... I don't have a girlfriend, only a few friends. Could that be why I wasn't smiling? Maybe.
And this girl is strange in general. Does she travel between dreams? Or maybe she's just somewhere inside me, maybe all of this was just dreams? Yes, probably. There's no such thing as traveling through dreams. Besides, that wouldn't explain how I ended up in her house today. Her house... She spoke of it in the past tense, so what? Did she move? Probably... And she probably didn't like this new place, since she's returning to the past in her dreams. Wait, didn't I just conclude that this girl was created by my sick imagination?! What a schizophrenic I am...
VIII
Door. This house again. I'm here again... Will I see her again? Do I want it so badly that I keep coming back here over and over again? I've been here every day for several weeks now. I keep coming back, and she always smiles when she sees me. We talk. About everything. Although there are topics I'd rather not discuss. I don't want her to disappear. Especially not to be lost forever... Is this love? Is that why I've been laughing so much lately? Is love really what people need most for happiness?
The door. Open, as always. Does she always feel so damn safe? After all, if I can find myself here, surely someone else can too, right? Although, on the other hand... she can conjure a giant teddy bear out of thin air. No, there's probably no force that could defeat her. No need to be afraid. Besides, it's just a dream... Although I recently fell asleep on the train to Krakow. I had to submit my documents to university. Anyway... when I fell asleep, I ended up here, as usual. And she was here. Is she really such a sleepyhead, or is she exaggerating a bit?
I haven't ruled out the possibility that Kasia was created by my imagination. However, I never would have thought I was that creative. My Polish is terrible, and the psorka always writes on my essays that I lack originality. And ideas. And anyway, who cares? I won't waste any sleep on stupid thoughts...
I wonder what she's doing now. Is she taking a shower? Making dinner? Sleeping? No, come on, come on. Although... if she can do everything here, maybe she can also fall asleep in her sleep? That would be the height of normal... but what? Stupidity? Genius? Creativity? I have no idea. Have I been philosophizing too much lately? I think I need to blow my brains out, or I'll think of something interesting...
The kitchen, empty. There are unwashed dishes in the sink. Maybe I could help her? Wait. Music? Quiet, but still... coming from her room.
I took a few more steps. The music grew louder. I checked on Kasia. I saw her lying on her bed, on her stomach, with a book. A stereo system stood on the desk. Speakers were placed in two corners of the room.
What band is this? It sounds like an orchestra. A slow melody... Piano and violin mostly. Or rather, it seems that way. Suddenly everything speeds up. Boom, boom, boom, boom. As if someone was pounding the keys in anger. My heart. It also started beating like crazy. And then slowed down again. I thought of the ocean. Vast and peaceful. Of freedom. I looked at Kasia. In dreams, she was completely free. But in reality? Maybe that's why she loved sleeping so much? Something's missing here... Maybe someday I'll be able to put this puzzle together. Maybe. Hopefully. I'd like to know more about her. Everything?
I stepped closer. She looked so natural. So real. Is this really just a dream?
I knelt down beside her. She still hadn't noticed me. I wonder what she's reading?
"What are you reading?" I asked with a smile. I knew I'd scare her, but not this much. Her eyes grew wide, like two dinner plates. Luckily, only for a moment.
"Hi," she said carelessly in greeting. As you can see, all the fear has already vanished from her – a book, can't you see?
- But what kind of book, what kind...
- Interesting...
- There's no life with you, I pity your future husband...
- You'll probably be happy when I tell you there won't be one...
- Why? - What did she come up with again?
- This is my own book. I don't know entire novels by heart that I could read in my dreams, so I create my own. I read, and the pages fill themselves whenever I figure out what happens next. Clever, right?
- And so practical...
- Hee hee - I like that giggle of hers. Although sometimes it sounds ominous... But not this time.
- Show me the cover, I wonder how your imagination worked in this case. - Surprisingly, Kaśka complied with my request. I saw her name at the top, the title "Have You Ever Seen Yourself Die?" below, and of course, a picture. In this case, it was a girl in a coffin, staring at the reader in horror. I had the distinct impression that she reminded me of someone...
"Is this good enough for you? I'd like to keep reading...
" "So interesting, huh?"
"Of course. It's addictive.
" "No modesty." And again the familiar giggle. That's a woman's reaction to an unpleasant truth. Remember that for the future. Maybe it'll be useful to you..." "Does that mean I have to leave you here, right?"
"If you could... no, I'm joking. Stay, we'll listen to music together... I love that band...
" "Mhmm, learn to describe her in your books and I'll be proud of you.
" "When is it not easy at all," she said in a childish, pouty voice. "Is this a child or a woman to be honest...? Someone tell me..."
"It won't hurt to try, maybe someday you'll learn..." I emphasized the word someday. After all, how old can she be? Fifteen?" "You have time."
"I do? Do you take me for a child?" she asked, feigning offense.
"No, not at all... And how do you think I should treat you?
" "With due respect, sir," she said, and we both began to snicker.
IX
What is love, the one I preached to him about? Beauty? Perfection? A feeling...? I can't remember... It's been so long since I loved anyone. It's been so long since I "really" felt anything! What is life? In my previous "life," I would have said it was love. Emotions. Experiences. Laughter. Crying. And what is life to me now? Wandering through someone else's dreams, creating my own world. This is a life dependent solely on my imagination. If I create nothing, I'll get bored.
Mirek brought a breath of newness to my present. Feelings...? However, the word "love" wouldn't even cross my lips. I don't know if I can love anymore. Sometimes I feel like Marcin simply stabbed me in the heart with that knife. Or maybe that's what he did? Actually... I don't remember. Then I simply saw the blade of the sword, and suddenly a terrible, piercing pain shot through me. I only felt it for a second, though. Immediately afterward, the world was enveloped in fog. I fell asleep. Forever? Is this what death feels like? How much time has passed since then? Unfortunately, a watch isn't something I can imagine.
X
As always, after breakfast, I sat down at the computer again. I was supposed to meet friends in the evening, but now I planned to visit a few websites, chat on GG, and maybe play something. After all, I hadn't played Ragnarok in ages.
Suddenly, a thought occurred to me. I opened Google and entered two words in the search box.
It found several links. I clicked on the first one. After a moment of reading, I couldn't believe my eyes. How stupid I was!
For your information, I entered Kasia's name into the search bar. What I now read was a newspaper article. From six months ago. She was found in some building with its owner. But he was dead. There was a stake in his heart. She had a bloody neck. They thought she was dead too, but after checking her pulse, it turned out there was still a chance of revival. She survived. But she had fallen into a coma.
Hadn't she come out of it yet? I pulled out the phone book and found the address of the hospital where she had been taken. I drove there without a second thought. Excited, I didn't think about food or telling my mother where I was going. I even forgot to put on my jacket. Interestingly, I didn't feel the cold.
At the hospital, I asked the information desk about Kasia. I learned that she was indeed in that building. I felt no relief. Kasia was in a coma. This news didn't register well in my mind. Absolutely.
I was allowed to visit her. I saw fresh flowers in the room, but no one was sitting by the bed. This didn't surprise me, though. After all, she'd been there for six months. I sat in the chair next to her and stared at her beautiful face. I don't know how long I sat there. I was in a trance.
I looked at her thick, long eyelashes. At her freckles covering her entire pale face. At her dry, chapped lips. At her fragile neck. Her delicate fingers. Her arm, pierced and connected to an IV.
I felt myself leaning closer to her. Then suddenly I noticed I was standing, and she was sitting on the bed, looking into my eyes. Only after a moment did I realize I wasn't in a hospital room.
XI
I was reading a book when I noticed a long shadow on the floor. I lifted my head and looked directly into Mirek's eyes. He looked as if he'd seen a ghost. His eyes were wide open, his lips slightly parted.
"Do I have something on my nose?" "I asked. My voice was shaking. My hands were shaking too. I didn't know what was happening, but I had a feeling it wasn't good. Mirek didn't answer. After a moment, he looked around and seemed to realize where he was. Could he have been trying to get to my house this time?
"Isn't this where you wanted to be?" I expressed my concerns. This time, he finally answered. It was a shame it was a question.
"Am I asleep?"
"Mhmm," I confirmed, "otherwise you probably wouldn't have seen me, don't you think? Well, unless you've met an equally beautiful, kind, and intelligent friend recently... But I hope not, or I'll be jealous..." I laughed, instantly feeling better. I needn't have been afraid; he must have simply fallen asleep on the tram or somewhere else—unintentionally—and that's why he was so surprised when he noticed he was there.
"No, you're one of a kind," he joked. He seemed to be relaxing. But he didn't sit up. Instead, he started asking me, "Why are you still sleeping? It's not nighttime now, is it?
" "Maybe I can't wait to see you..."
"Don't joke, I'm serious.
" "And I'm serious, haven't you noticed?" The truth was, I was joking. I wasn't going to tell him I'd died and somehow I was still alive, only in the world of dreams.
"Liar. Do you even know what's happening to you?" This time he surprised me even more. Did he know something?
"What are you talking about..." My voice was trembling, and it sounded alien. As if I hadn't asked the question. I was afraid of the answer. Couldn't he wake up right now?
"I saw you. You're in a coma. Why didn't you tell me?" "What?! What is he talking about? I'm dead!
" "That's not true! I..." I was about to tell him the truth, but my voice broke.
"You? Please finish.
"I... died. My brother killed me.
" "What?! What nonsense have you made up...? Are you trying to trick me?" He didn't look like a joker. "Could this whole coma thing be true? I... was alive?
" "Where did you see me?" I blurted out. For the first time in a long time, I actually felt something. Excitement and... terror. Maybe the latter isn't the most pleasant feeling in the world, but it's better than nothing.
" "In the hospital. I watched your delicate body hooked up to various machines until I finally fell asleep next to you. You've been in a coma for over six months.
" "Really...? So... I'm alive? I'm not dead?!!" I almost shouted. Only one question remained. Does that mean I can wake up...?
"You're alive. But as you've probably already noticed"—and of course, Mirek had to smile ironically—"you're still asleep. The doctors can't wake you up. You have to do it yourself.
" "If only I knew how..." I sighed. But all in all... at least I'm alive. Maybe someday I'll be able to wake up?
XII
"You have to try. Maybe if you concentrate, you'll wake up?" I said my thoughts aloud. Suddenly, a strange voice reached me, as if from beyond the world, muffled:
"Sir..."
"I'll try!" Kasia said quickly, delighted. I think I brought her good news...
" "Sir..." the voice was louder this time. I felt my vision was getting worse.
"Someone's waking me up," I said as soon as I realized it.
"No! Don't go now!" I heard her pleading voice. I looked into her eyes. They expressed a sincere plea. She was afraid to be alone now. She needed me.
"I'll be back soon. Some nurse will...
" "Sir, to have such a deep dream is..."
Suddenly, everything began to spin around me. I didn't want to wake up, but I was already halfway back in reality. Kasia reached out her hand.
"Don't leave me alone!" she screamed. I grabbed it tightly, but it was no use.
I woke up.
I rubbed my eyes. The nurse, of course, noticed I'd opened them.
"Finally! I was afraid you'd fallen into a coma here too!" she said cheerfully. "It's late, don't you have to go home? Do your parents know where you are?"
I nodded. I didn't feel like talking. I missed you already, and besides, the nurse was right. I had to get home.
"Well, I'll be going on my rounds. Say goodbye to Sleeping Beauty and go home, young man!" she laughed, then left the room. I was alone. I turned my head back to Kasia. She was sleeping so soundly. A wink. Was she asleep? I must have imagined it... a wink.
"Kassia?!!" I exclaimed, astonished.
Silence. Maybe I was still a bit asleep? A blink. A slight movement of the blanket. I looked at her hands. Were they clenched into fists, or was it my imagination? They had been lying there peacefully earlier... shouldn't I call the nurse? I was about to turn around and run from the room when I suddenly felt someone grab my pant leg. I glanced at her. A small fist held it tightly. I looked at Kasia's face. Her eyes were open. Beautiful, golden-brown eyes staring straight at me.
"You're awake..." I finally managed to choke out.
XIII
Mirek was disappearing. I'd witnessed this more than once, but now I was truly terrified. I reached out to him. He grabbed it tightly. My heart warmed. But I was still afraid. I saw him less and less clearly. After a moment, I realized something was wrong. He was waking up, so he should be the one seeing things blurrily. For me, at some point, he should simply disappear. I got even more scared. I clenched my fist tighter. Everything began to spin around me. My vision grew fainter, as if through a fog. Then I started hearing strange voices all around me. Like a conversation between a woman and a boy. But I couldn't hear the words clearly. I saw nothing but blackness.
Only after a few minutes did I realize the male voice was Mirek's. I tried to open my eyes, but the light blinded me. I quickly closed them again. But after a moment, I tried again. And again, nothing. Mirek shouted my name. Had I… woken up? I tried to move. It was weak, but better than nothing. Out of the corner of my eye, I noticed Mirek trying to get up. Instinctively, I grabbed his pant leg. He looked at me, and I looked at him. He had such beautiful, gray eyes, like two lakes. Deep.
And then I felt it.
XIV
We stared at each other for a while. Then suddenly, Kasia stood up. First her head, then she rested her hand on the bed and slowly rose. She sat up. I wanted to tell her not to move until I called the doctor, but the words wouldn't come out. Meanwhile, she moved closer to me. Our knees touched. Instinctively, I raised my hand and touched her cheek. She was so delicate. So fragile. I leaned forward a little, and so did she. I hugged her with all the love I felt. Her hair brushed my neck and face. It was so soft. Fluffy. Her skin was so warm as I held her close. We sat there, snuggled together, for a long moment. Then I heard something.
"I want..." I whispered involuntarily. Something inside me was pushing me to do it. I couldn't help it. I couldn't...
"I want..." I heard her whisper more clearly this time. I hugged her tighter.
"Everything will be alright, my love..." I whispered with affection.
I felt her lips against my neck. Her hot breath on my skin. And a sudden sting. And the life draining from my body... Before I lost consciousness, I heard her ominous whisper:
"I crave blood..."
EPILOGUE
One blow to the artery. He went down. I pulled out the stake and drove it into his heart before the wound in his neck healed. I rose from the ground and looked at my victim again. He looked about twelve, thirteen years old. He would never taste blood again. He lay dead, his heart pierced. A vampire.
As I looked at him, I felt a sense of unease. As a vampire hunter, I believed in my instincts. This time, too, I let him lead me. After a dozen or so meters of brisk walking, I understood where he was leading me. "
A hospital.
Goddamn it!" I whispered, astonished and terrified. I suspected the blood drained from my face. "That's what happens when you love someone." You have to choose between love and goodness...
I jumped on the bus just as it was about to depart. I was breathing heavily.
I ran the last hundred meters to the hospital in a single breath. Terrified to the core, I pushed open the door to the room where I'd been sitting next to her just two days ago.
The bed was empty. A young boy sat in a chair next to it. I didn't need to get any closer to see what had happened. From this distance, I couldn't see the puncture wounds on his neck, but the color of his skin indicated a complete lack of blood in his body. At least it hadn't left behind zombie-like remnants.
The window was ajar, the curtain moving silently. I cursed. I tried to concentrate, but I couldn't feel it. She had clearly had her fill for now. But when she feeds again... I'll find her.
"I won't choose love again, little sister," I whispered angrily, clenching my fists.
THE END
Disclaimer
If anything in this story doesn't align with society's accepted norms regarding vampires, then I stipulate that this work is my own creation. I wasn't guided by what we see in movies or read in books. I may have done it subconsciously, but if not, and something doesn't add up for you when you read this story, then simply accept that in my world, things are as I imagine them, and that's it.
I wish you happy reading... (oh, my reflexes xD)
Author's Note
<Author> I know you've been eagerly awaiting this very moment! After all, author's notes are a masterpiece of the twentieth century... xD
<Kasia> When are we already in the twenty-first century, ma'am... ^^''
<Author> Really? I think I got lost, somewhere along the way, in my own world... xD
<Kasia> You mean in mine? And couldn't you have told me when you finished "Pursuit of Death" that I survived...? ^^''
<Author> No, then there wouldn't have been the element of surprise... But seriously, I simply had no idea you'd survive... You know, my ideas probably surprise me the most
<Kasia> If you say so... And anyway, did I really have to kill Mirek? In fact, I even managed to like him...
<Author> Unfortunately (for you, of course), I got bored of writing boring romantic comedies. There have to be corpses xD
<Mirek> But did it necessarily have to be me...? ><
<Kasia> What are you saying, corpse? ;P
<Mirek> Snicker.
<Author> If you haven't noticed, I didn't have much choice...
<Mirek> No, not at all >< And that little boy running away from the monster? And all the rest of the people in their dreams? And that damn brother of hers?! And she...
<Kasia> Hey, honey, you wish your darling dead?!
<Mirek> And who the hell killed me? -.-''
<Kasia> You'll get over this somehow, I didn't come up with it...
<Author> No, no. I came up with it xD And I forbid you to complain. Such a beautiful ending and they still have some loose ends...
<Kasia> No, no, not at all, I'm completely satisfied... For once, for a change, I wasn't the one who died xD
<Mirek> But you appear in so many stories that it wouldn't hurt to die once or twice, and me? T_T
<Kasia> No, get a grip, men don't cry!!
<Mirek> Yeah...? No pleasure, only duties... I'm going to slit my wrists as usual ><
<Kasia> Go, there will be peace at last.
<Mirek> You could at least worry, instead of ><
<Kasia> You're already dead -.-''
And on this optimistic note I would like to end this discussion. I wish you all a nice day!!!
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