2. Dawn

When dawn creped into his bedroom it found him already dressed for the new day. He was wearing his blue and white striped shirt with a pair of black pants and black shoes, as is the dress code for Sports stores where he worked as a sales clerk.

Sitting so still on the bed, staring off into some distant unknown, he resembled a statue with half an empty mug of coffee in his left hand and a smoke in his right. The half forgotten smoke almost burned out.

As the clock radio turned on at 06:30 and started playing an upbeat rock 'n roll tune Jason just blinked his eyes, looked down at his almost burned out cigarette and took another drag. He felt numb as if in a dream. The smoke filled his lungs, and as he exhaled. He took another swig of the coffee that has long since gone cold. He mechanically swallowed a mouth full of coffee. Then he just sat motionless again deep in thought.

"It is now 7:00 and time for the news." the voice told him from the radio which told him it was time to get up and go outside and rejoin the rat race.

When he came outside Robert was already waiting for him in his black pickup. Robert had short light brown hair with golden brown eyes, and seemed to be blessed with a natural golden tan. They were the same ages and similarly dressed for work. Robert worked at the same sports shop. He thought of Robert as more than a best friend to him, he was his brother.

"Morning." Robert greeted with a smile and Jason just nodded. Robert stared at him for a moment as he fell down on the passenger seat and frowned.

"You look like crap."

"Thanks" he replied sarcastically.

"You're still not sleeping."

Robert was stating the obvious and shook his head

"I told you; get something to help you sleep. Or just tell her she has to go home at least once a week so you can have some sleep."

Jason jerked his head up and gave his friend a disgusted look. He saw Robert smiling at the reaction.

"If only that was the case, I would not mind that at all."

With that he started the old beetle and they drove to work.

Robert looked at his friend with concern.

"Why do you let these dreams upset you so? It's just some silly dreams, it's not like it's real or anything. "You know that and I know that?" Jason was sitting with his head tilted back and eyes closed.

"It's just one dream. And every time I dream it, it's as if it's real, my life, and yet it's not me."

He opened his eyes and sat up.

"I don't get it. I know these people in my dream. I think about them and feel about them as if it is real."

Jason sighed and turned to Robert.

"I know them as well as I know you."

He turned his head away and looked out the window.

"The fear is real, or at least it feels so real that something is coming for me. I don't know what. It feels so real that every time I wake up, I am so scared that I puke my guts out. Ever fucking time."

Robert hated seeing his friend so sleep deprived and upset. He felt helpless. Robert could feel the mood in the car was getting very intense.

"I didn't think there was any thing that could scare you, bud"

Jason could hear that Robert was tying to lighten the mood as always. He smiled as he turned back to face Robert and thought that this was a good time to changes the subject to something lighter.

"Only you and your lack of a social life and dangerous high morals."

Robert rolled his eyes

O no not this again."

"What do you mean, O NO NOT THIS AGAIN? I haven't said anything for over two weeks."

"And here I was wondering how to keep you from falling asleep and getting fired today.

"I really do think that you are too fucking young to be a hermit."

"I am not a hermit." Robert protested feebly knowing that his friend was right.

"When was the last time you when out and enjoyed life a little? You hide away from the world drawing your pictures that no one gets to see."

"I'm not a hermit, I'm just busy." He protested again.

They had stopped at the parking area and Robert was out in a flash. Jason's laughter filled the parking area, relieved that the conversation had turned to Robert's lack of social life. He got out the car and ran to join Robert.

"Prove it!" Jason was daring him and Robert knew he would not get off lightly.

"Don't need to prove anything."

"Prove what?" a familiar voice joined the conversation.

It was Brian Cane, the accountant. Brain was similar dressed, his blond hair was in desperate need of a cut and his black framed gasses made him look like a real nerd. He was very tall and skinny with a black laptop bag hanging from his right shoulder and in his right hand. He had a big takeaway glass of milkshake and in the other a half eaten candy bar. His body posture resembled a question mark.

He was not far behind them. They stopped to let him catch them up.

"Who's proving what?" he asked again looking at Robert.

"Nothing. No one is proving anything to anyone." he said with the hope that the conversation would changes in another direction.

"I said he is a hermit" Jason answered laughingly "and dared him to prove me wrong."

"Ohhhh!" Brian said clearly disappointed.

"Everyone knows he's a social hermit, even Alice has a more active social life than him, and she is a fifty something old widow, who lives with four cats."

He said pointing a thumb in Robert's direction. An explosion of laughter erupted from Jason. Robert closed his eyes, shook his head and quickened his pace to work with a defeated smile on his face.

The other two followed. As he reached the door he looked over his shoulder "

"Alice is already inside, so you two better move it before she has you for breakfast. Grrrr" He growled "And she looks hungry." They all laughed as they entered the store.