the murky darkness of my dreams

I’ve had some vivid dreams the past couple days. The stories have been long and muddled, and sadly many specifics faded upon waking. However, a few key scenes have clung to me. Here are three of them.

***

The stairway was narrow and made of glass. It was translucent and seemed to glow with inner light, but that was just a trick of the light from the massive chandelier above. Spiraling downward, the light grew dimmer as the glass stair ended at a murky pond. There was a delicate mist snaking across the pond’s surface. Intricately carved stepping-stones dotted the surface of the water. I knew the only safe way to cross was to use the stones.

***

I was running a little late, as was my friend. When he arrived, I asked if he’d help me choose a perfume. He was agitated that I wasn’t ready, but he took a moment to sniff at the two bottles I had given him. He chose a scent but instead of handing the bottle back to me, he poured a stream of scented oil over my neck and arm. I could see in his eyes that his action was a punishment. I tried wiping off what oil I could but I was stuck reeking of perfume.

***

I couldn’t get the memory of her eyes out of my head. They were staring, frightened and bright. They were pleading eyes, begging for rescue. But I was helpless. She was stuck somehow; trapped with her back against the soil and stone wall of the well where we were hiding. She didn’t struggle as her body folded unnaturally and she was pulled into the earth. She disappeared from me, her hands and feet the last things I saw.