Dream

The room gradually blurred. It was even amusing. I was falling asleep. Usually people aren't aware they're falling asleep, but I felt it so clearly. A moment later, I felt just as clearly that I was already in my own dream. Fully aware of the unreality.

The tram. That familiar blue caterpillar where I spend so much of my life. And people so close together that their shoulders often touch, yet so distant at the same time. So alien. Gray faces frightened of each other...

It was all so familiar... too familiar. That's why it took me a moment to realize I was dreaming of the day that had just passed. Was I about to relive it?

My stop. I like it. Just like I like Śródmieście. Especially in the May sun. I felt so full of energy that I wanted to live. And that colorful crowd of rather happy people. I fit in with it. I like him too. I know it's a nearly uniform mass of consumers, only rarely breaking free from the rat race. A crowd of selfish people, adapted to the world. I know I'm like that too... and I'm fine with that. I don't condemn it.

That blind musician is always there. He couldn't be missing in my dreams, which are so similar to everyday life. It hurts me. It bothers me. It's a persistent dissonance disturbing my contentment. I'm happy, and he's not. Maybe I should give him something... then I'll be okay. But... I'm ashamed. Always. How embarrassing. It's best to put something in a cup so no one sees... But it couldn't be done. They were watching. A blink and it was too late. You can't go back. That would really draw attention... Besides, he probably doesn't need the money at all. Don't you hear enough about beggars driving Mercedes? You never know who you're giving to. And if you wanted to help everyone, you'd go bankrupt.

And then he appeared. A nice guy. Handsome. My type. I'd always liked long-haired brunettes... But something about him was off... It took me a moment to realize he wasn't actually passing by. He made me all the more curious, especially since he seemed to be paying attention to me. Yes, there was no doubt about it...

Then I looked into his eyes... A feeling I'd never experienced before washed over me. An icy wave of paralyzing fear. In an instant, everything vanished. The green trees of the plantations, the crowds of passersby, the sun... Just me and his eyes. Eyes so evil, they seemed to reflect the depths of hell.

Fortunately, through a tremendous effort of will, I woke up. My shirt was sticking to my sweaty body. I sat up and began a frantic search for the bedside lamp switch. I found a large, cold button, and the room filled with soothing light. I slowly calmed down. I told myself I was being irrational. It was just a dream, after all, there was nothing to fear. What could be safer than in my own bed? I rubbed my eyes, finally abandoning the subconscious images.

He was standing in the corner of the room. Completely real. He was fixing his hair, trying to cover two small growths above his forehead. I wasn't particularly surprised. From then on, those eyes were always with me. Now, he was watching too.