Invaded Dreams

Invaded dreams

PREFACE
Have you ever looked up the meaning of fear in the dictionary? I have; fear means distress or alarm caused by impending danger or pain. Doesn’t sound so bad doe’s it?
Their explanation hardly covers the true feeling of fear, when you think any chance of an escape is lost and the black vale of panic descends clouding any sense of hope, when your lungs refuse to allow air to pass through them and you open your mouth to scream and not even a whisper escapes your dry lips. That’s the true horror of fear.

CHAPTER 1
Schools out for summer

Freedom for eight whole weeks; no teachers, no school work and defiantly no home work, ok maybe a little home work but still summer in Torquay means sun, sea and…..no not what you think I was going to say sand. ‘Cassie’ and I all but bolted for the exit when the final bell rang. We weren’t the only two, the whole school turned into a herd of stampeding students.
“Oh my god I’m like totally syked for the summer to begin”
That’s ‘Cassie’ my best friend, she talks like she’s from California not Devon!
She’s a total girly girl, breaking a nail is headline news in her world. She’s also the coolest, funniest person I know and hasn’t got a bad bone in her entire designer label covered body.
“Me too ‘Cass’” I replied.
Being seniors, we have both signed up for life guard volunteering, which means spending the summer on the beach, yeh!
‘Cassie’s’ motive for joining was a little different to mine. She was looking forward to the possibility of eyeing every sun kissed male that crossed her path. That for me came a close second to the job itself.
We walked home slowly, despite charging for the door, once out of school grounds we were quite content making the journey home last.
“You know ‘Cass’ this life guard thing isn’t just about fun, we are also there to help’
“Oh my, would you look at my nails, their totally in need of some attention!”
“Did you even hear what I just said or did your manicure related emergency totally get in the way?”
“Very funny ‘Summer’, you can take the micky all you wont but if either of us are ever going to meet a guy then we need to look our best, and yes I did hear you but all work and no play……right?”
“Oh totally” I teased, ‘Cassie’s’ favourite new word at the moment is ‘totally’ and she totally never stops saying it!
“Shut up” she groaned
We both burst into hysterics as we made our way home.

CHAPTER 2
Fun in the sun

I got up extra early for my first day of life guarding. ‘Cassie’ and I had been trained on what to do in an emergency, which was basically get help, hardly rocket science.
I put my yellow and red polo shirt and shorts on, very sexy! and walked the short distance to ‘Cassie’s’ house. To my surprise she was ready, if that’s what you could call it. She had made a few alterations to her uniform; shed pulled her polo shirt behind her back and tied it in a ball so you could see her entire bare mid rift complete with belly button ring.
“Cass”
“What”
“You’re not auditioning for an episode on Baywatch you know”
“Oh really that’s a shame I’ve been practising my slow motion running!”
“Hah hah”
‘Cassie’s’ eyes looked like those googly ones you get on toys, bulging out of their sockets as we arrived at the life guard head quarters. I could see her scanning for potential victims. We were split into groups so that each station had both qualified and volunteer life guards.
‘Cassie’ and I were put together along with two guys and we all made our way to our designated part of the beach.
I love the sea, the way the waves caress the shore line and the sound they make when they crash against the rocks spraying you with salt infused water. I even like the feel of sand stuck between my toes, weird I know!
“Would you get a load of them” ‘Cassie’ giggled
“What”
“Mr Fine and Mr Mine” she whispered, pointing to the taller of the two life guards.
“Oh right”
“Ok we’re here” the taller one said as we arrived at a little hut on stilts.
“I’m ‘Cassie’, what’s your name?”
“I’m ‘Kyle’ and this is ‘Austen’
“Wanna show me exactly where our boundaries lie?”, ‘Cassie’ spoke looking only at ‘Kyle’.
“Ok”
With that they were gone and I was left with ‘Austen’ who had started setting up.
I was so embarrassed at the silence; I flushed red and began dancing nervously on the spot.
“Your friend seems um ………confident”
“She is defiantly that” I smiled “I’m ‘Summer’”
“Nice to meet you” he replied. He had the most animated brown eyes I had ever seen, they sparkled as he spoke.
He was very handsome with typical surfer boy looks; toned body and messed up blond hair.
“Have you been doing this long?” I questioned
“Ever since I left school a year ago”
Ok so he must be 17, a year older than me.
I suddenly felt really self conscious and wished I’d paid closer attention to my uniform like ‘Cass’ had, oh well too late now I guess.
It was nice to feel normal for a change, my life is more complicated than most people’s, so spending the day worrying about stuff like how I look was almost refreshing somehow.
‘Cassie’ returned as giddy as a school girl, which I guess is exactly what we are.
“I think he totally likes me” she whispered
“That’s good” I whispered back, “Did you show him your slow motion ‘Pamela’ impression running?”
“You’re so totally not funny”
“Come on ‘Cass’ I’m a little teeny weeny bit funny!”

CHAPTER 3
The definition of fear

Have you ever looked up the meaning of fear in the dictionary? I have; fear means distress or alarm caused by impending danger or pain. Doesn’t sound so bad doe’s it?
Their explanation hardly covers the true feeling of fear, when you think any chance of an escape is lost and the blank vale of panic descends clouding any sense of hope, when your lungs refuse to allow air to pass through them and you open your mouth to scream and not even a whisper escapes your dry lips. That’s the true horror of fear.
That’s how I felt watching helplessly as my best friend drowned. I stood at the waters edge as the waves engulfed her, pulling her down to the dark depths below.
“Cassie” I screamed tears welling in my panicked eyes.
“Somebody help” I begged but no one moved; they didn’t even look up as I shouted. The usually calm and serene waters splashed and swirled with fury, attacking the rocks with the full force of their temper. ‘Cassie’s’ terrified eyes met mine one more time before she was lost from view forever.
“No…no…no”

CHAPTER 4
Just a nightmare

I awoke shaking and sobbing uncontrollably. It was just a dream, just a dream I cried. I grabbed my phone and blindly dialled.
“Hello” a tired, yawning voice spoke.
“Cass” I sniffed
“Sum, are you ok, what’s wrong?”
“It happened again” I sobbed
“I’ll be right over, it’s totally ok”
I know what you’re thinking; why am I getting so het up about a nightmare?
Its just my dreams tend to come true, in other words I see the future. I told you my life was more complicated than most.
This was the first time I’d seen something bad, usually I’d just know when Mr Benson was setting another test or who was going to ask who out at school.
I told ‘Cass’ about my seeing the future theory but she just laughed it off, until the things I said all started to come true. I was so grateful for her reaction, she didn’t think I was crazy or weird, in fact I believe her response was; “this is totally awesome, can you tell me if I will end up with a gorgeous millionaire?”
‘Cassie’s’ face appeared around my bedroom door. I burst into tears at the sight of her concerned look.
“What is it ‘Sum’? you don’t normally get this upset, what did you see?”
“You”
“Me?”
“I saw you……drowning”
“Oh my, that’s totally not good”. ‘Cassie’ paused then continued; “This is fine ‘Sum’ at least I have some warning, I mean we have managed to change what you’ve seen before, so why not this?”
‘Cassie’ was referring to the many times we’d messed with fate before like when I dreamt ‘Emily’ the resident school bitch pouring cordial over ‘Cassie’s’ dress at the end of term dance, supposedly by accident. She was able to move out of the way in time and instead of soaking ‘Cassie’; ‘Emily’ drenched Mrs Williams, earning herself detention. Mrs Williams didn’t believe her pleas of “it was an accident Miss”
“I guess” I eventually replied
“You’ve seen this for a reason, probably to save me, all I have to do is stay out of water…..right?”
“Right but considering our plans for the summer that might be tricky”
“We’ve been told not to do anything heroic, like diving in to save someone. We’re only supposed to raise the alarm in an emergency, so there’s totally no reason for me to be in the water”
“I guess you’re right”
“Of course I’m right, I’m totally always right” she giggled.
“Oh totally” I replied

CHAPTER 5
Some nightmares come true

A couple of weeks passed without drama, well almost, ‘Cass’ did have a few wardrobe related emergencies but those kind’s I could cope with.
I continued to have the nightmare over and over again, but I tried to convince myself it was just that this time; a nightmare.
‘Cassie’ and I walked slowly to the beach, it was a beautiful day; the sky looked crystal clear reflecting light off the water.
“Do you think I should ask ‘Kyle’ out ‘Summer’? I mean why should you wait for the guy to ask? It would be totally modern of me don’t you think?”
“Why not, if anyone is brave enough to, its you”
“You should ask ‘Austen’ out too ‘Sum’, it’s obvious you’re totally into him”
Heat rushed to my embarrassed cheeks, I was completely unaware I was so obvious.
“I don’t think he is interested ‘Cass” I quietly replied
“You won’t know unless you ask; besides you’re a total hotty, why wouldn’t he be?”
I blushed even redder. “If you say so”
She could see my discomfort at the subject so didn’t press any more.
When we arrived ‘Cass’ quickly isolated ‘Kyle’, insisting they should do a check of the beach. She winked at me as they left, obviously planning to go through with her plan.
“You look nice” ‘Austen’ commented as we began setting up the flags. Oh my god was that a compliment? Yep defo.
“Thanks so do you” I replied. Crap was that the right thing to say? He really does though; his shirtless body glistening in the sunlight emphasizing his muscles.
“Thanks” he grinned obviously amused.
I looked around; ‘Kyle’ and ‘Cassie’ still hadn’t returned. There was a group of excited children splashing merrily in the sea, two little boys making a sand castle with their just as enthusiastic father. I had a sense of day-ja-vu, it all seemed very familiar. Of course most days you would see happy families enjoying the sun but this was different. My eyes danced around the beach; there was a group of teenagers playing cricket exactly where I thought they would be and an orange kite floating playfully in the sky.
“Oh my goodness” I squealed out loud.
“What’s wrong?” ‘Austen’ asked concerned
“Cassie’s’ in danger, we have to find her”
“What?”
“Look I know you’ll probably think I’m crazy, but please trust me. I see things, things that are going to happen and I saw ‘Cassie’ drowning……today”
‘Austen’s’ face was filled with confusion.
“Are you winding me up?”
“No, I haven’t got time to explain, I guess you’d call me psychic or something, please help me” I begged.
‘Austen’ sighed, I could see he wasn’t convinced but my panic was enough to make him come with me.
I looked around desperately trying to locate the stretch of water id seen but it all looked the same. The water under the end of the pier swirled around angrily and the penny finally dropped.
“It’s the pier” I shouted
“What”
“Send a boat to the end of the pier; that’s where it happens” I ordered.
“Look lets just go and look first” ‘Austen suggested
“No do it please” I pleaded
“Summer’ I can’t just……..”
I starred desperately into his eyes, willing him to believe me.
“Please” I sobbed “please”
He lifted his walkie talkie to his mouth and spoke to words I wanted to hear.
“Thank you” I shouted before grabbing both a life ring and ‘Austen’s’ hand. We ran towards the pier. Please don’t be too late.
As we stepped onto the pier I could see ‘Cassie’ and ‘Kyle’ mucking around at the far end completely unaware of any danger, after all she was on dry land.
“We’re not too late”
I ran harder, ploughing through the tourists as I went.
“Cassie’ come away from the edge” I yelled.
She couldn’t hear me and almost as soon as I spoke I watched in horror as she slipped and tumbled over the side into the fierce water below.
“NO” I squealed.

CHAPTER 6
The sea’s fury

We frantically starred at the water; searching for ‘Cassie’ to emerge. It seemed like hours had passed when I finally spotted her surface.
I throw the life ring in. “Cassie hold on” I pleaded
‘Kyle’ and ‘Austen’ made their way down the steps leading to the waters edge in a desperate attempt to reach her.
The usually calm and serene waves splashed and swirled with fury, attacking ‘Cassie’ with the full force of their temper.
‘Cassie’s terrified eyes met mine one more time before she was lost from view.
I didn’t even notice the boat arrive my eyes were fixed on the water. “There” I screamed as ‘Cassie’ reappeared briefly. Three life guards leaned over the edge of the boat and pulled a terrified but breathing ‘Cassie’ to safety. I collapsed to the floor, tears of relief engulfing me.
“How did you know?” ‘Austen’ whispered, putting his arm around me.
“I just did”
We all ran to meet the life boat at the shore.
‘Cassie’s shocked face met mine. “You did it ‘Sum” she chattered thought her teeth.
“I’m so glad you’re ok, you frightened the life out of me”
“Sooorrrry I’m toootally fine”

CHAPTER 7
All’s well that ends well

I tried to explain as best I could to ‘Austen’. It’s not easy when you don’t understand yourself. I was afraid he would think I was weird but his reaction was quite different, the opposite in fact.
“Do you know what I’m about to say?” ‘Austen’ smirked teasingly
“No it doesn’t work like that” I replied
“So me asking you out will be a surprise then?”
I was so flustered I could hardly speak “yep” I whispered.
“So?”
“I’d love to” I smiled once I’d picked my jaw up off the floor!!
“Thank goodness for that!” he grinned
“I totally new it” ‘Cassie’s excited voice spoke as she appeared hand in hand with ‘Kyle’.
“Hey, you weren’t supposed to be listening” ‘Austen informed them.
“Soz” ‘Cassie’ unconvincingly replied.
“Don’t you think this is just totally awesome you guys; you and ‘summer’ and me and ‘Kyle’? It’s totally great!”
“TOTALLY” we all replied in unison before bursting into laughter

The end
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