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"Max, wake up!"
"Dream, Max."
"Close your eyes and dream..."
"Keep dreaming..."
Max was 50 percent certain that he was dreaming. All he could see was colors, passing by rainbow colors, and a tall pointy pillar. On top of it was a large dark object shaped identically resembled a huge bed. But the voices were what convinced him that it was all a dream. None of the words made sense.
The voices faded away just as a dark cloud emerged the rainbow colors and swallowed it all. The darkness released an aura that made him fearful. He began to run toward the opposite direction, where the lights were presented. The dark cloud came forth, faster. Faster. He tried to increase his speed, run as fast he could manage, but it didn't outrun the darkness. It finally caught up. The darkness on the ground rushed past the ground beneath Max and black tentacles emerged from below. Some of the tentacles blocked his path, and tripped his legs. The moment he fell to the ground, the tentacles began to wrap around his his legs and torso. He flung around his arms with much strength, trying to break free of their hold. Every time he tried to fight through the tentacles, his arm just brushed past them. Eventually, he was wrapped all over. Disabled. Helpless. He released a loud scream.
Max's eyes forced open.
It took a moment before he the heat boiling in the blankets and the sweat that came from the shiver of the nightmare caught up with his sense of touch.
What a nightmare, he thought quietly.
His eyes flickered to the side. The rocket-style alarm clock displayed 4:00 am in the morning. The day started 4 hours too early, the sun hadn't risen yet, night was still roaming the skies. Max dared not to move an inch. If he tried to leave bed, something could grab his ankles and pull him under.
Though he didn't want to remember the nightmarish bad dream, it stuck in his mind very clearly. He didn't know where it came from, but it was one of the most horrible nightmares he'd ever had. The dark void swallowed him whole, and all he could do was run and stay alive for as long as possible until it finally caught up. He shut his eyes again, trying to clear the nightmare from his head and hopefully dream of something good.
It worked after a few seconds.
Merlin gathered the kids around the table at 7:00 am. Tea and cakes were already served by the time they sat down. Sarox could tell from his worried look that something serious was about to transpire.
"I'm afraid we're running out of time," he began while sipping his tea. "This boy, Max, that you met yesterday must definitely be the child I sensed earlier. In fact, I sensed him again earlier today."
PJ looked out the open window. The sun had barely risen.
"Something has invaded his dreamworld, and I'm afraid it's only a matter of time before it corrupts them. Sarox, you must help Max find the journal as soon as possible."
"What good would that do?" he asked.
"Only the dreamer can correct his dreams once they become wrong," Merlin explained. "But to be able to do that, he needs guidance. And Sarox, he's around your age, so I think you'll be able to help him with that."
Sarox was confused now. "What do you mean I can? I'm not wise enough..."
"Oh-hoohoo, you'll know soon enough. I have faith in you, my boy. This is one thing that I can see in you as your own person."
He checked the cuckoo clock. "My, my, look at the time. School is starting soon, you best hurry. C'mon, eat up. You'll need your strength by then."