"It's about surviving," he answered. "It doesn't matter how hard we work to stay alive. In nature, we're nothing. We live and we die. End of story."
The storm outside the office was picking up. The rain became more incessant against the side of the building, rushing the brick wall in waves. A rumble of thunder could be heard in the far distance.
Dr. White frowned. "But you survived. You didn't die and it's not the end of your story."
"I didn't s-" Tim stopped himself before his voice started to rise in anger. He took a breath and tried again. "I was just answering your question."
"Yes, you did."
This time, the doctor wrote something down. Tim leaned slightly but could only see the word 'death' before she moved the pad and placed it facedown on the table.
"So, do you think this quote is related in any way to your nightmare?"
So much for something new.
Tim slightly groaned and went back to gradually rubbing the palms of his hands together. "Which one?" he blurted out.
White's posture became stiff and her eyebrow rose even higher.
"I was under the impression that there was only one dream."
He really hadn't meant to reveal that much. Now she wasn't going to stop until he answered her. "It's… the same dream, but there are two endings."
"Okay, there's the ending you told me about. The dream with the rain."
"Yes, it starts to rain and that's when I always wake up," Tim clarified.
"Then what's the second dream?"
He hesitated in both the movement in his hands and his answer.
"The one when it doesn't rain at all."