SlumberLand

created with dreamlike art ai.

They say that not all dreams have happy endings. That dreams are often a figment of our imagination, fears, joy, and subconscious and I agree. Ever since I was a kid, I loved to drift away into a land I called slumber. Reality had become less exciting. The dreaming was where all the magic happened. It was my happy place. I would dream of pink furry kittens in boots and hats, flying horses, and talking trees. I would spend hours in my Slumberland only just musing. Other times, like a chased cheetah I would take flight back to the waking world. The demons that haunt my dreams had one eye on the head, claws for nails, fangs for teeth, and horns. They scared the life out of me. Those were the days I would wake up sweating profusely. Aside from those terrifying days, sleep was bliss. My happy place. “You smile and giggle a lot in your sleep Ralia.” my mother would often say.

The sun had set and darkness had swallowed the blue sky leaving the gracious moon in its wake. The stars had gathered in awe to witness its majesty. I had a quick dinner and wished my family a good night. I was ready for another night's adventure. As I changed into my pajamas, I settled on my dresser to comb my hair and wrap it in a bun. I didn't want to be caught unkempt even in slumber. Although I had never seen one, I heard pretty boys also roamed Slumberland.

It didn't take me another ten minutes to drift away into the night. “It's going to be another exciting one tonight………” I was whispering before I finally blanked out into a vast white space.

Soon, I became surrounded by hundreds of pink furry kittens. In front of me was a large oval-shaped mirror. I looked at my reflection and I marveled. I was dressed in a white sequin gown with a fold that flattered my waistline. I looked closer and my image was smiling back at me. Then she waved and gestured for me to come over. I began walking towards the mirror. She reached out, grabbed my hand, and pulled my entire body through the mirror with ease.

When I completely made it through, she was gone. I found myself standing in another vast white space. This time, there was a door in front of me, and beside It was a dancing table. It began to wriggle towards me. On top of it was a silver key. I picked it up and unlocked the door.

I was greeted by the sweet smell of vanilla cupcakes that always teased my nostrils. More pink kittens followed, rubbing their furs against my bare feet as they purred. Next was a shimmering set of little white flying horses gracing the air like they owned it. Then the talking trees followed complimenting my dress. I was totally mesmerized. I just stood there smiling and taking in the experience when my euphoria was cut short.

The next scene to hit my eyes was one I would give anything to forget. From that door, I could see them running and tripping over themselves. The claws clasped against each other. Those fangs drooled and looked ready to devour. The monstrous eyes struck me. The demons in my dreams were out to hunt.

I panicked as my blood turned cold. Shivers ran down my spine. Hastily, I took backward steps into that white space again. In that turn of events, I heard a voice say, “Hey, bring that back. You cannot take it with you.” All I could see was a woman in a white hat.

“Hey, bring that back.” The voice began to fade away and then a clear sharp voice started. “Oh, dear God. It must have been a rough night honey.” My Mother's words roused me. I opened my eyes and she was in my face. “Wake up and do something other than sleep.” She kissed my forehead and opened my blinds wide before turning to leave.

The light was blinding and it brought fresh memories of my adventures in Slumberland. I looked at my hand. Behold, I was still holding the silver key. I could not believe my large eyes. Still in shock, I felt something soft caress my feet. Quickly, I flipped the duvet to reveal two pink kittens. They looked adorable with big round eyes staring back at me. I pinched myself once, twice, and ten times to be sure I wasn't dreaming.

My shock soon turned into amusement. I was delighted to see my dreams materialize in the waking world. I quickly got dressed and decided to take a walk in the park with my new earthly possessions. My thoughts were in a spiral and disorder. I wanted to experience what I was witnessing for as long as it lasted.

In no time, I was taking a walk in the park. I got stares and raised eyebrows from strangers. It wasn't every day that you'd meet a girl in the park walking two peculiar kittens in hats and boots. I didn't care, I was living my dream in the waking hours.

I became a little exhausted so I settled on a bench in the park. I closed my eyes and exhaled. When I opened them. I was greeted by three mini pegasuses just gliding in front of me. “This has got to be the best waking experience of my life.” I laughed out loud.

“And like that, it could be the worst if you do not return the key.” I heard a finger snap beside me. I turned to find a strange woman in a bizarre white hat.

“You are that lady from my dream. You tried to stop me. Why?” I inquired casually.

“Listen, girl. I'm no lady. I'm the protector of dreaming. You took something from the dreaming into the waking. That has never happened. It is upsetting the balance of consciousness and you must return it.” she snapped at me. “What? First the kittens, then the pretty flying horses. Next, it would be the talking trees eh? Then what?”

My eyes widened as the revelation hit me. “The monsters,” I whispered. The thought of those hideous creatures anywhere around me or anyone in real life made a shiver run through me.

“You know what to do. A piece of advice. There is a lot more than you know in the waking. After all, dreams are figments of imagination and sometimes, consciousness.” With those words, she vanished.

I dived home at the speed of light. I held the key in my hand and forced myself to bed. Moments later, I was in that white vast space again. This time, everything happened in reverse. The pink kittens, the girl in the mirror, and the dancing table.

Ending number one.

I came to the door and placed the keys back on the table. I watched as the monster started to retreat followed by the tree, horses, and kittens. The door shut immediately. As I returned to that white space, I made peace. I was thrilled with this once-in-a-lifetime experience that I would never forget. I was determined to be more present in real life and create my own adventures. After all, the protector said that dreams are a figment of consciousness too.

Ending number two.

I watched as the monsters began to retreat. Just before the talking tree would return, I quickly slammed the door and jammed it with the keys. Then carefully, I placed the keys back on the table. I was left with the kittens purring all around me, the pegasuses hovering in the air, and the talking trees that wouldn't stop talking about my dress. I smiled as I danced and twirled around. I would keep my beautiful dreams with me forever.

“You are dancing in your sleep this time? What am I going to do with you?” I woke up to the sound of my mother's voice. This time, I was smiling.