"This is your first lesson in shared dreaming."

-Teaser-

The late afternoon sunlight highlighted the world around her. Placed on a busy corner of an intersection, a pleasant café thrived with customers. The rich, inviting smell of coffee and sweets had much allure. The café was a new experience she simply couldn't refuse. Cars parked alongside streets next to architectural and historic beauties. Merchants lined up on the sidewalk with their produce, ready to sell to people from all walks of life. So peaceful, so brilliant—the café and the world around it could only be a dream.

Zoey glanced down at the glossy, caramel colored table she sat at. Her coffee had a bitter, strong taste. Yet, it was delightful enough for her to take another sip.

"You create the world of the dream," The man beside her explained. "You bring the subject into that dream …"

Zoey studied his expression, a look of excitement and curiosity burned in his majestic, lime green eyes. She could see that behind those green jewels, something was buried deep within. A past she couldn't comprehend. His eyes were taunting enough to instill fear and confusion into her very soul. Zoey frowned slightly, feeling her new acquaintance stare back at her with an equal amount of intensity as she did.

The man she has come to know as Nick continued staring at her. He did more than study her frustrated and curious expression—he saw into her mind, into her very being. Zoey was a simple girl with not much of a significant past. If anything, she would be perfect for the task that lay ahead of her.

Nick smiled peacefully at Zoey who was patiently listening to every word he said.

"… And they fill it with their subconscious." Nick continued, his smile now fading, becoming quite serious.

Zoey, taken aback, closed her eyes, trying to imagine Nick's explanation in reasonable terms.

"How could I ever—" She paused quickly while trying to sort her thoughts. "…acquire enough detail to make them think that it's reality?"

"Well, dreams … they feel real while we're in them, right? It's only when we wake up that we realize something was actually strange."

Nick studied every ounce of emotion Zoey's face produced. Her curiosity and confusion brought a quick smile to his face. She, however, bit her lip softly while thinking.

"Let me ask you a question. You never really remember the beginning of a dream, do you?" Nick asked, more curious than before. "You always wind up right in the middle of what's going on."

"I guess, yeah," Zoey blurted out.

"So how did we end up here?"

Zoey answered casually, "Well we just came from the … ah—"

She paused, searching her memory for an answer. Her mind was a dark abyss. The only memory she had in her mind was of the current conversation. Zoey searched deeper into her memories but to no avail.

"Think about it, Zoey," Nick moved closer to her face, suddenly whispering. "How did you get here?"

Zoey stared into his eyes intensely. Anxiety began to build inside her stomach. She looked around swiftly, yet as calmly as she could. Zoey blinked quickly as if trying to erase the world around her.

"Where are you right now?"

She looked back at Nick, her mouth agape. " … We're dreaming?"

"You're actually in the middle of a workshop right now sleeping," Nick's lips curled slightly upwards into a thin smile.

Zoey looked around frantically. The people, the coffee, the cars, the street, the café, the merchants—it was all a dream?

"This is your first lesson in shared dreaming."

Suddenly, the cups of coffee began to shake uncontrollably. Zoey immediately scooted her chair backwards, completely distraught by her current realization.

Nick sensed her panic immediately as the world around him changed. "Stay calm …"

The once peaceful world erupted into something that Zoey could no longer comprehend. Everything shook violently. The merchant's stalls exploded one by one as they neared the once peaceful and lively café. The glorious, historic buildings exploded alongside the stalls, sending debris flying into the air. The citizens once filled with emotion and passion had come to a pause, standing lifelessly among the debris. Cement, vegetables, bricks, and cars eventually exploded, only causing more chaos and destruction. The café was the biggest explosion yet. Furniture, rocks, glass, tables, and chairs soared past the only two people who actually existed.

Nick, somewhat amused, watched the debris as if it were normal. Zoey sat completely still, feeling every vibration and watching every speck of dirt fly by her.

For her first lesson in shared dreaming, Zoey certainly had no idea what to make of it.

Author: I never ask for reviews, but this time around, I hope you share your comments about this teaser chapter with me. This story follows the movie Inception, by Christopher Nolan, exactly. I honestly do not know if I should continue this story from the very beginning, as this chapter was created simply because I had a spark of creativity. Please, leave a quick comment on what you think.