To realise the difference between being awake and sleeping, you must pass the through one into the other. However, there is also a facet that makes the division possible from within a trance. If you subjectivity realise that you are communicating only with yourself, surely you would discern the disparity. The dream is one of the worlds where you can only hear your own voice, and if that rule would be broken, people would no longer posses individual subconsciousness. Renko awoken abruptly to her senses, with a gasp of air that was little bit perturbed. Realising that she is still alive, she decided to open her eyes to observe her current situation. But it was too hard with all the nightmares swarming in her mind. First, she had to answer whichever she was still asleep or not, since it was not clear whenever this was a situation where she was simply dreaming about awakening. The part which was believing that this is indeed reality was in a danger of taking over the girl's mind. If that happened it would be over for her, as the therapy would yield its forbidden fruit successful. However, Renko knew about that if she loses that barrier as well, she would never reach her goal. In response to that tiny thread of thought, she opened her disquieting eyeballs in order to find a way to fulfil her wish. As visions reached her, the girl appeared to be still fasten to a hospital bed, in a modestly furnished room. In order to escape she would have to undo the bindings and open the door to the exit. But what came first was to actually being able to move her limbs at all. Her body appeared to be stiff, as she tried reaching them with her nerves. Perhaps it was the strange straitjacket, that was design to prevent patient's mobility, which forbade her muscles in order to strengthen the mind. However, for Renko the explanation was that she was simply paralysed on a bed, in a similar way she had experienced it during previous times within a dream. There was little for her to do, other than cloud her mind with deadly, poisonous and razor sharp shards of thoughts that would surely mutilate her brain from the inside. Believing only in what she was now, and not taking in consideration the past events, the girl laid almost lifeless until something would happen.

Suddenly the shutter of the door was opened and piqued the interest of the brown pupils. There was a strange deformed face seen through the haze in the air. However, as something else appeared in the atmosphere that mist changed into something which could be perceived as a human being. Because it was something Renko recalled seeing in reality, it also became a symbol that was recognized as soon as it appeared. Still, there was something strange about it, as the sense was too genuine. The mind of the girl became awake and absorbed into the new environment with a little worried expression on her face. She soon called for the figure to identify herself, although that was just a formality, as she already knew her name. The other girl looked curiously at the one on the bed, as she eyes where examining her carefully. There was something inhuman about them, as they reflected light in a emerald shade. With an unsettling smile and silent cradling voice, the patient's plead was answered as she heard her own name in return. This has to be my dearest friend, Renko realised, as a beam on her face appeared. This temporary state of joy from the reunion was soon to change into something more depressing. She kept repeating the same word, the name of her partner, over and over until the girl behind the shutter said to stop. The girl complied, and suggested that what they should do first was to release her from those binding, and then they both could escape this place. This prospect of finally awakening was cut short by what did the patient heard next. It is in her own power to undo the constrains, but first she must face the truth in order to gain freedom. What could that meant, the girl asked herself, but the logical explanation was to awake from the dream and return to reality. Therefore, Renko apologized that it is unlikely for her to stay here for a long time, and the two to have fun inside of this space. But this was not the only case the other girl had to assert, as her lips were being bitten in a sign of malicious intent. The person that looked like a friend of the ill girl started to explain her idea, as it was quite complicated to understand. Her friend asked first if Renko remembered the time when they first meet inside of a reality like this one, in a similar room. Not waiting for a reply she continued. The time when we were with a third person, that moment was perceived by us all in equality, from the same perspective. Therefore, because there was more than one point of view, it is safe to say objectively that their correlation proven that it was reality. In the end, the figure continued, I was the one that brought you again into this strange place, as it became impossible with the channel we used the first time. Perhaps if you would had followed my wish, we could have enjoyed this reality more than now. For now, I shall change you from within, that you will understand how I feel. With that proclamation, there was no longer a face on the screen. However, the broadcast was understood and acknowledged by the girl who remained in the room. Renko was left alone, dumbfounded, without speaking a word. There was not enough space for any ideas to escape her shocked with thunder clouds mind. Only crimsons tears in her dampened eyes were collapsing from her spiritless face down to the deep blue expanse on the soil.

The girl was securely positioned on a hospital bed, soon to be pardoned onto the ground. There was silence in the room she was in, at least no one was able to hear anything. It is quite strange that tranquillity begins with a word, as it start lies in the opposite state, chaos. This was how one could describe the current status of Renko, being left alone for herself to become eaten by her own thoughts. Her body already left living state, without a signal of response. It was shovelled down without any etiquette, as it spew itself down the drain like a liquid. At this time someone entered through the door, the so called psychologist girl everyone knew. She asserted a verbal desire to know whatever the patient was feeling, but received no response, both physically and psychically. However, this was just another case of the same problem she was encountering, so she reacted accordingly to the experience. Simply not talking was her choice, as it was no longer needed for a patient in this severe state. The doctor simply taken out her instruments and prepared for the operation. It was clear sign for the lying on the floor Renko that if she would take no action, she would have to suffer another session of the nightmare therapy. Therefore, in a similar matter as a Pavlov's dog, the girl beckoned the other person to stop, as she promised that she will talk instead. The surprised medical practician appeared to temporally accepted the terms, and perched herself onto the mushy arch-chair. Perhaps she was looking for a little entertainment, as listening to patients was not the standard procedure. The girl started rationalizing how she was in a dream after all, because she already experienced many situations where she did in fact died. Ergo, there was no reason to believe that this is reality. Even though the statement sounded serious, it was easily countered with the logic piercing through the already full of holes mind. It was a gentle voice, similar to one that would cradle a child to sleep, that announced something the girl did not want to hear or to believe in. In a attempt of a backlash against that action, Renko shouted that she wants to leave this place and never come back. And even though tears were following in sorrow, washing the old dried up ones, the doctor had a reason to voice her own thoughts. Since the patient before her, she explained, was not a usual case, there was a requirement of a more rigorous treatment. But it seemed that it is progressing well, she added after a brief silence. The girl started to think what would she have to do in order to release herself from this torment of words, but her soul did not find rest yet. During that second, the other person came close and spoke in a menacing whisper directly through the soaking up ears of the girl. What could be heard appeared to be a ultimatum saying that if Renko wills to leave this place, she shall be free to do so. However, just like other patients who lost their minds, she can only attain freedom when she passed successfully through the therapy. Of course, the girl knew the significance of this notion, as she closed her senses from any more crushing invasions. Only a bright red light was seen in the darkness.

This was the only place I could still call a sanctuary. Not my seemingly realistic and yet strange dream, not the side of my friend. Everything was against me, trying to swallow me a whole. They all wanted me to admit something, to break me apart and to chew the pieces. If this is how hell felt like, I wanted to get out, despite of not knowing why and for what cause I was here for. However, in a case if I would accept, forget about my whole life and live on as a deceased soul, perhaps that was the right choice to pick. I ironically asked myself, while laughing into a paranoia. All those punishments, the crushing words my friend spoke, the hopelessness without power, the torment amongst the dead and while being burned alive. But then again, it was true that I did not end up as a fuel, would this be a clue for something, I wondered aimlessly. As longest I'm not inside a nightmare, my threads should soften up, as they were about to rip. The least I could do was to enjoy this pathetic imitation of a healing dream, the only string that was left which connected my body to my soul.

I awaken in the strange place again, the same as the last one. I was still in this childish body of mine, and even if it invigorated me with euphoria, all that I wanted to do was to cry in the corner. I did not desire to go to school, neither to do anything today. Just alone, sobbing on the ground with my hands over my knees, cradling slightly. There was this emotion of rejection that I had to surface, but did not know how, therefore I choose the most selfish one. It was clear that the girl over there, who was me, wanted at least two things which were in conflict with each other. To gain both she would had to split herself into two, however in a dream that was possible. There was a mirror that I used to look at, as in my parents thought that, even though I did not use it often. In this distorted space however, it felt a little ominous, just this one time. I decided that it would not hurt to look, although it was quite mortifying to see your own face in tears. Still, because I was alone, clearly in a private room of mine, maybe it is not as embarrassing as I thought. Reluctantly, I took a peak to see what was that interesting about it, and saw a reflection of a girl. However, the unusual thing was that it was not me, as in the girl I saw was not crying. Instead, she wore a face full of smile and joy beaming at me as strongly that I immediately stopped whimpering. She reached her hands towards me, like a mother embracing her own crying baby, and I was the one in need of a soother. I had no other choice but to accept this kind caress, and returned it with my own cuddle. I wept in silence for a minute like that, on her shoulder, not waiting to for the feeling to cease. But somehow that made me stop crying altogether, as I whipped the tears off my face. Now I could see again, and spotted that the other girl was no longer here, as in not on the other side. It was strange that I could touch her through the mirror, even more than the instance that she vanished behind the silver fog. Though I was still glad she did visit me, which was kind of her and strange, I thought. What I would do next then, I pondered realising something in my hands. The cosy feeling of my recent action left me with something fluffy that was in my possession now. It was a plush of someone I knew, and because of that reason it felt close to my heart, as I somehow was still hugging it. I suddenly awoke from the confusion I was experiencing, because it was time for school. Somehow I forgot that I was still a student at an institution, and had classes that I needed to attend. In haste I prepared everything I required and washed my face. Of course I made myself sure that will not forget to bring the doll with me. Somehow, I could not force myself to abandon it, I was simply too attached to her. Before leaving I checked everything again, even my shoes, and bolted out of the door in hope that I would not be late again.

Outside there was a familiar space, the one that made no sense whatsoever. It supposed to resemble a pathway to my destination, but this time it was a black and white crossing between one side of the street and the other. The lights were all monotone, so no clues there. To pass I had to take my chances and simply jump over, before a car would come to splat me all over the road. I took a running start, and flew over the dangerous zone without touching it. That filled me with rejoicing emotion that made me jump in joy for a while, before returning my journey. In any case, a little embarrassed and depleted of air, I once again arrived before the gate was closed. But this time there was something different about the school. It was a nice breeze outside, that reached my student uniform briefly, but also a little lonely. There was no one in vicinity, as leaves were gently caressing my face, but instead there was someone in the far distance that I could hear with the edge of my ears. It sounded as if someone was weeping, which was something that I was doing just this morning. I felt like, for the sake of empathy and to calm my own feeling, I needed to resolve that student's issue myself. With the bag fasten and my hands on the straps, I took for the source of the strange cry. Suddenly, I found myself looking at a crowd of people gathering around someone. I rose my head in order to see better, but of course in this childish body of mine I was not able to do anything, I angrily assessed. Perhaps if I crouched I could at least catch a glimpse of something between the legs of the people, but that did not work either. So in the end I was behind someone and listening to what was going on. It appeared that the girl in the center, at least she sounded like one, was talking about how a ghost pulled her into a whirlpool and almost drowned her. Just what exactly was she saying, I wondered, since the things she said were quite funny. I decided that I would stay there for a while to listen, but soon the rest of the people left unexpectedly. Perhaps now, that I was left alone with her, I could ask what did actually happened, but the girl in question was rather occupied with her own sobs. If I was to converse with success I had to first do something to cure this gloomy ailment. I recalled the morning today, and realised that I was in possession of an item. I quickly dropped my knapsack onto the ground and opened it, reaching for the object I wanted to pull out. It was this strange, yet familiar plushie that I received as a present from a certain person. Now that I think, I forgot about who was that fellow altogether, but it was someone close, I think. I shook my head to avoid further confusion from deliberating on that topic and simply shoved the doll into the crying girl's hands, with saying that it was a present for her. At that time, she looked back at me with a confused expression and silently thanked me for the gift. Even though she did not stop crying right away, I could see a smile between her tears. I smirked at her back, saying everything is going to be okay, that she could stop now. And I think the cheer took effect. In moments she stood up, thanking me again with her bowing body. Although it was a little clumsy looking, I prevented myself from guffawing. I decided that this was a good time to ask and let her explain everything, but just at that moment I noticed something about her clothes. They here wet, like someone on purpose had her shower under a tap. Was this a case of bulling or something, I asked the girl curiously, because I felt like that kind of jokes are wrong. But she did declared that it was something completely different. It was a ghost that was waiting for her at the pool that dyed her clothes this way. They were certainty dipping water and perhaps she felt uncomfortable in them, I observed. However, I could not really offer a change, because all I had was my own uniform. The least I could do was to wipe her tears using my sleeve. I told her not to worry about them now and asked if she would want to show me the place where that happened. She nodded, with her tiny head, and pointed at the direction. There was nothing stopping us, I went along with her to that place, after not forgetting about my bag of course.

We were both at the pool, which some people were checking for malfunctions. For a school it supposed to be quite secure, but apparently it was not, since an evidence of that was right beside me. We decided to wait until they will finish and check it out for ourselves. That really took some time, but at least I was skipping class, so it was worth it in the end. To this day, I have no idea how much I did forget past all those years, and if was it really necessary to spend that much time in an institution, I was deliberating half-serious. Finally, the adults left the scene and it was our time to fiddle with the equipment. I wanted first to recreate what happened so I asked my friend about the full story. What I learned was that first, she heard something splashing and then screaming that came from the pool, like if someone was drowning. Next, as she arrived and climbed over the fence, there was a bubbling sound coming from the pool so she jumped down there. After a second, something emerged from the sink and grabbed through the grate, forcing her leg into the water all the way to the pelvis. Luckily, she managed to escape on her own, even that her leg hurt, but was not detached luckily. This was a pretty interesting story, I thought, but it would not matter if the ghost existed or not. However, since I felt a strange obligation towards the girl I told her that I believed her and she should not have worried that much. But she was a little dubious that someone like a stranger was that quickly to see her part of the story as true. Therefore we both decided that it would the best if we could catch the ghost together. Before we jumped both down, it was her smart that she took off her socks and shoes before going in, probably because they were still wet, so I decided to replicate the idea and became barefooted. Although as we carefully examined every inch of the pool, there was nothing there. Perhaps it was just a malformation then, I suggested, since surely if the spirit was still there we would have been able to find it. But the girl angrily protested that it is still here as she can sense it. Of course I could not argue with her hunches, but it was a little underwhelming that only she would be able to see it. I must say that I was a little envy, as if it was some sort of mysterious ability, exclusive only for her. I always wanted a power like that, even though it is not possible in reality, it is a nice thing to dream every once in a while. In any case, after checking everything three times, I wanted to express that it is useless and we are both wasting our time. But she did not give up just yet, and that made me a little agitated that she still wanted to prove her point here. Because this already became futile a long time ago, I decided to make a childish-like bet with my friend. If she would find it and show me, I would believe her, and maybe do any one thing for her. Although I couldn't finish what would be my prize, she agreed. That left me out of the pool to observe her from afar, while dressing my knee-high socks back on. I admit that I was a little sad for her working her petite body alone like that, but I was more absorbed into the challenge she was in now. Suddenly, she said she found that what she was looking for, which presumably was the ghost, I thought. I took a closer gaze at the exact place she was pointing at, and it was a simple drain that was secured from objects getting stuck into it. That was what I told the girl I was seeing, but she spoke that it did not look in the same way for her. Instead, there were gentle bubbles disgorging out of the hole. I took my head over it and focused really deeply at the spot, both with my eyes and ears. Nothing happened at first, but as I was to look away, something did.