The Dream Walker - Chapter 1

*GASP*

*HEAVY BREATHING*

It happened again... My trembling hands, and cold sweat tell me. I had that dream last night. The first time was something like a month and a half ago, then again two weeks later, and again about two weeks ago, and again just now. Every two weeks... Huh... Interestingly enough, I woke up at around the same time; 3:00 AM; on a Saturday... *GASP* Wait! I have to write this down- It's a good thing Dr. Wiesmann recommended I start writing down my dreams. Although, I wish I started doing this sooner. Who knows how many times this dream has actually occurred.

Sterling sprung up and rushed from his bed to the desk on the other side of his room. He turned on his desk lamp, opened his journal and began to write:

January 6, 2018; Saturday

I had that dream again. I was on my way to work on an early Monday morning, it was partly cloudy, with a light breeze. I was standing on the corner of Conch St. and Coral Ave., waiting to cross the street. I remember traffic was heavy because there was a car accident just a few blocks down to my right. I was reading a few work emails on my phone and when I looked up, I saw a familiar looking lady in a black trench coat holding a black umbrella. At that moment a bus drove through the intersection, and within the split second my view was blocked, the lady was gone. Rain begins to fall and I hear the sound of a frog's croak. Then I wake up. There's certainly nothing scary about the dream. Maybe it's how many times it's occurred, or how it happens about every two weeks, waking me up at the same; 3:00 AM; on a Saturday morning. I'll be honest, that part is a little scary. The frog's croak, however, I think is irrelevant, but may not be. I'll schedule another session with Dr. Wiesmann later.

Sterling turned off his desk lamp, laid back in bed, and quickly fell asleep, he left his journal open. He woke again later that morning around nine o' clock.

*YAWN*

It didn't continue, that dream. I wonder, if I could somehow trigger the dream. The last thing I can remember before going to sleep yesterday, I was browsing other jobs in the area. Nothing out there really peaked my interest. Oh well, I don't want to linger on this any longer. I'll go for a drive, that always helps.

Sterling skipped breakfast that morning, this was a bad habit of his. He tried to stop many times before, but to no avail. He went out on a drive, out of the valley and up and around Mont. Pal. This was Sterling's favorite way to relax. He'd drive up to Mountain View Rd. and pull off to the side. He'd get out and sit next to his car. Staring down into the valley. Hours could go by, this was one of the very few things that he never got tired of.

I could sit here forever. Maybe I should buy a house up here. The view of the valley would certainly be worth it, and I'm up here often enough anyways. But... it normally takes around twenty minutes just to get down the mountain, and another ten to get into the city. Running errands and getting groceries would become quite a chore, a drag even. I guess I could do things like that on my way home from work. Regardless, the drive up and down the mountain everyday would be nice. Whatever-

Three hours went by... Sterling sat there until his stomach growled loud enough to get him to move. He'd finally gotten up and drove back home. He enjoyed listening to audiobooks and podcasts, anything that would make him think. Sterling couldn't stand being bored, and he knew that. He often thought of different career opportunities and hobbies he could get into.

Now, Sterling was the Networking & Communications Regional Manager at Eisenhower Investing & Retirement Associates (EIRA). He worked directly under his boss, Semaj Hill; the chairman for the region, and spent most of his workday in communication with the area managers of the other locations in the Mont. Pal Valley region, or in Zoom meetings with the other regional managers in the state. Sterling was phenomenal in his work, but he was never quite satisfied. Fridays always went the same; a weekly review meeting in the office, a video call with other area and regional managers, gathering customer reviews from the service center in the office, and drawing out the next week's agenda.

What a boring week, I mean really. Sitting at a desk all day long, writing emails and making phone calls all day doesn't really suit me. Suits don't even suit me... Even the times I get to go out to the other offices or meet potential clients aren't at all interesting. Unless I got to go a bit further outside the valley, that would be something. But I can't be the only person unsatisfied in this life, and yet I can't help but feel that I am. What am I even looking for? Maybe I should take Dr. Wiesmann's advice and look for a new field of work. EIRA has been great for me, but a six-figure income can only satisfy so much, even though I bet most people would dream to have my life. Money has never been a real motivator for me, but I need it to live, and I do what I need to do. If I could live somewhere where money wasn't such a big thing, that'd be great. But no such place exists...

Two weeks of this went by. Although Sterling was very talented in his work, he never felt fully satisfied. For years he'd been looking into other fields of work and hobbies he could pick up.

Hmm. Being a tour guide doesn't sound so bad, as long it's not the same tour over and over again. I've been told that I'd be a great realtor, but spending the entirety of my day talking to strangers doesn't sound so great, even though I already do a lot of that. If I were to stay at my current job and retire early, what would I do then? I definitely wouldn't be at home all day, any day. I'd have to find a hobby to pick up or something. I want to keep writing as my personal thing for me and nothing else. Hmm... A photographer maybe? Maybe I'd make it as an event coordinator for local events or something like that. At least then there'd be something new once in a while. I know I'd find a lot success as a writer, but I don't want to sit in front of a screen all day; and giving time limits, deadlines, and minimum expectations to something I enjoy might take away that very enjoyment. Success isn't exactly what I'm looking for anyway... Maybe this weekend I'll actually look into some other careers. Who knows? Maybe I'll actually submit an application or two. Although, I doubt it. I don't want to downgrade to a job that isn't as good as this one. *sigh* Whatever, I'll just see what happens.

After what felt like forever walking home, Sterling finally arrived home. He quickly fell asleep, anticipating another boring weekend. Very soon, Monday came around, or so he thought...

Wow, the weekend's gone already huh? Although, Monday's aren't even so bad. I don't know why everyone dreads Monday so much. I don't like how predictable they are, but everyday is. Or maybe it's just me that feels that way... Whatever, I think I'll skip breakfast and get into work a little early, I'll just see what happens today.

Sterling left his house early that morning. He normally walks to work, since he lives well within a walking distance from the office.

I hope this week throws something new at me. I have a meeting with the head administrator at the university this afternoon. I can bet on him asking me to speak in front of the student body, but I bet retirement is the last thing on those kid's minds. They want to make money so they can spend it, not save it. However, it would be good to talk about some healthy money habits. It'll depend on how much time I'm given, if I'm given any. I'll just see what happens. Next, a Zoom call with the Jackson Heights district financial manager. That's our newest location. It'd be better for me to go up there in person to better address the needs of the clients in that area. They're either retired or just plain rich for one reason or another. It's such a mixed bag, that there's not any one approach that will actually draw in new clients. Hmm... I actually like the things I can't predict, new clients are always something like that...

Actually, community outreach is something EIRA needs. Maybe I can take that upon myself. Start a new project, or an entirely new branch or something. I'd get to go to new areas, far different from where I've already been, and host events to bring in new clients. Although, I couldn't do that by myself. I'd have to hire a writer and photographer too. I wonder what Mr. Hill would think of that, I should write him an email. Which reminds me, I need to check mine.

Oh my... another car accident huh? It's a good thing I don't drive to work every morning. It'd be an easy commute, but people are just in such a rush that they completely forget how to drive. Almost every morning something happens. Especially on Conch St. It's a traffic jam by day and a drag strip by night, and the intersection at Coral Ave. is too well known for people running the lights. Whatever- That lady over there looks familiar, very familiar... She dresses just like Salvicka. Wait a second... That's not actually- *HORN BLARES* Huh... I almost stepped out in front of that bus. Wait.. She's gone. Rain? *frog croaks* WAIT!-

*GASP*

*HEAVY BREATHING*

IT HAPPENED AGAIN! THAT DREAM! I need to call Dr. Wiesmann! This is actually beginning to scare me.

Sterling woke up in complete panic, his hands were trembling, as if he were shivering on a cold winter night. His face and palms sweaty, as if he were standing in front of the world expected to give a speech. Dr. Wiesmann picked up the phone and managed to calm him down. They later set up an appointment time for Sterling to come into his office and talk about the dream more. Sterling stayed up. He got out of bed and went to his desk, picked up his journal and walked to the kitchen to have a glass of water. He sat at a table in the kitchen, drank the entire glass of water and began to write:

January 20, 2018; Saturday

It happened again... That dream. I remember so much more this time, from the moment I woke up, to when I left my house, and everything after. All the same things happened, and the lady with the umbrella, I remember her face... It's Salvicka... I haven't seen or so much as spoken to her in years. Why is she all of sudden showing up in my dreams? What does all the black mean? The bus? The rain? And what's with the random frog croak?!

Ugh... My mind is moving too fast to go back to sleep. I'm still so tired though, and hungry. This is going to be a VERY long morning.

Sterling did eventually fall asleep, right at the kitchen table. He woke again a few minutes after seven o' clock the same morning. He re-filled his glass of water and patiently waited for his session with Dr. Wiesmann. He couldn't bring himself to eat anything that morning, as he almost felt sick. He thought to himself.

I've never had a dream occur so many times, and the detail is so clear. I'm not a very superstitious person, but I have to say, that this is quite concerning. And it's not very often that I can't figure something out, but I don't know at all what this dream could mean. Unless it's siting right in front of me and I just can't see it.

At noon, Sterling found himself sitting in the waiting room of Dr. Wiesmann's office. He sat there perfectly still, feet together and hands in his lap, holding his journal. Like a stone statue, staring at the floor, not even blinking. As he waited for Dr. Wiesmann to come out, he thought to himself...

What could this dream possibly mean? Is it something with work? Her? Or both? Vicky and I ended our relationship on good terms... Right? I at least remember it as such, but what if that's not how it actually happened? What if she was actually hurt, and never said anything? What kind of person would that make me? What does her black trench coat and umbrella mean? And everything else... The bus? The car accident? The rain? The frog? Why is she disappearing? Why does it happen on the same day, at the same time, and on a regular pattern of two weeks? Should I call her? Just to ask how she's doing. No, just a text will do-

"Sterling, you're hear early." Dr. Wiesmann noticed Sterling sitting there, in a weird position. "Come on in. Just give me a few minutes to finish my notes."

In Dr. Wiesmann's office, Sterling sat in the same posture as in the waiting room. Perfectly straight, staring at the floor, without any movement. Dr. Wiesmann took note of this, as he went to grab his file, filled with notes, for all of his sessions with Sterling.

"I can see this is bothering you quite a bit. Have you ever had recurring dreams before?" Dr. Wiesmann asked while opening Sterling's file. "Once before." Sterling replied. "When I was very young, for about four or five nights in a row, I had the same dream that my dog could talk." "Interesting." Dr. Wiesmann said while taking notes. "This dream in particular has been occurring for about two months now, correct? Has the dream had any affects on your daily life?" Sterling replied; "Yeah, two months... No, a little bit longer actually. When I mentioned it to you, it was the second time I had the dream." "I see." Dr. Wiesmann working his pen. Sterling continued, "Nothing's really changed though. Work is fine and my life outside of it hasn't changed." Dr. Wiesmann continued taking notes. "Has anything new happened in the dream?" He asked. "Actually, yes!" Sterling responded. "This time it happened, I remember more from earlier in the dream. It was my normal morning routine before work. In the dream I remember I had two meetings that day. Which I actually do have those two meetings this coming Monday! And that lady, I recognized her..." Sterling again stared at the floor. "Is she someone you've met before?" Dr. Wiesmann asked in concern. Sterling nodded. "Yeah, we were dating a few years ago." "Is this the same relationship you've mentioned before?" Sterling nodded again, still staring at the floor. Dr. Wiesmann continuing to take notes, "I remember you saying that the relationship ended on good terms and was a mutual decision between the two of you. Do you believe that is still the case?" Sterling sighed. "I'm not so sure anymore... I was so certain before, now I'm questioning everything. We decided that we should go back to being friends. But that's not so easy when you've been dating for years." Dr. Wiesmann set his pen down. "I see." "Dreams are often a reflection of the subconscious mind. What do you think that this dream could be telling you? In our session two months ago, I remember you mentioned dissatisfaction in your work. Do you think this could be related to your dream?" Dr. Wiesmann asked. "I don't know." Sterling finally looking up from the floor, "She disappears the moment I realize I'm dreaming. Or rather, I don't realize I'm dreaming until very late in the dream, then she disappears. The dream ends before I make it to work." "I see." Dr. Wiesmann said, picking up his pen. "Take me back to the last conversation you had with Ms. Loreign." "Hmm... Salvicka..." Sterling thought, now staring at the ceiling. "Well, we were in her car, driving down from Mountain View Rd. She asked if I ever thought about getting another job. Since I was often complaining about my current one, and I was, a lot. But this job I was so good at, and it payed well, I thought I'd just stick it out until retirement. I eventually did begin to enjoy it, although only a little bit, maybe I was just distracted or something. All that is gone now though." Sterling, now making eye contact with Dr. Wiesmann. "Maybe this is all related." Sterling said. "What do you think this means?" Dr. Wiesmann asked. Sterling sighed; "Well, I get the sense that I'm too late for something, like a missed signal... and if I'm being honest, I feel like Vicky was really asking if I would prioritize my job over her, and our home if we ever started living together." "Vicky?" Dr. Wiesmann asked in confusion. "That's what I called her, Salvicka." Sterling clarified. "Maybe her asking of that is getting to me." Sterling sighed again. "What am I supposed to do now?" He asked. Dr. Wiesmann replied, "Embrace the present. Which means the past needs to be let go of." Sterling sat there, giving Dr. Wiesmann his undivided attention. He continued, "Sterling, What do YOU want to do? What do YOU want your life and YOUR future to look like? Your decisions do matter, and they should matter, to you. Tell me, what does the rest of this day, and everyday, look like for YOU?" Sterling looked stunned. "Hmm... For me huh?" "I've never thought of that..." Sterling replied. Dr. Wiesmann added, "It's okay not to know everything right now. Just the next step. Take some time to think about that before our next session." Sterling began to stare at the floor again. "You don't like predictable, right?" Dr. Wiesmann asked, hoping to motivate Sterling. Sterling sighed, "I also don't like when I can't figure something out." Dr. Wiesmann continued, "You will figure it out, just take things one day at a time." Sterling seemed to be confused. Dr. Wiesmann added, "Take YOUR time, Sterling." Sterling stood up, "My time?" he asked, thinking to himself.

I'll head up to Mont. Pal, I need space to think about all of this. Maybe a new job isn't the answer to all of this.

Sterling thanked Dr. Wiesmann, and immediately drove up to Mountain View Rd. He sat there for hours, thinking.

What do I want to do? Hmm... I want to be satisfied, to feel like accomplished something, beat a challenge or something. Routine helps me stay organized, but I want something unexpected every now and then. I guess I'm so goal-oriented that I find anything void of some kind of progress or growth to be boring. I mean, I can only do the same thing over and over again so many times. Once I've mastered it, it's time to move on. Vicky always said I need to be in the present more... "Just be here!" is what she'd say...

What do I want to do? I've never really thought of that... It's always been what do I need to do. And for me he said... For me? I've done everything for me, but not because I wanted to, but because I had to, or at least I felt like I did. For me... Hmm... For me...

Sterling had his journal with him.

January 20th, 2018; Saturday

What do I want to do for ME? How has a thirty year-old never thought of this question. Everything was always about business and work, getting things done. Hardly any time to relax... I guess that's had quite an affect on me, and I'm only just now seeing it.

Why is Vicky showing up in my dreams?... Is that was she was trying to tell me all that time? Slow down? Relax? I did complain a lot... maybe I should have read my own writing.

Sterling stood up and looked down into the valley.

Ugh... I'm starving. I know I need to stop skipping meals, but I just never want to interrupt my day to eat... That's probably at least one place, where I definitely need to slow down. Eat... and relax.

Sterling went home and ate, it was almost evening at the time.

Okay, I'm definitely going to present that idea to Mr. Hill on Monday, but until then... what? For me... and not work related?

Sterling spent the remainder of the weekend thinking about that. On Sunday, he walked all around the Mont. Pal Valley, thinking about what he wanted to do, and for him.

On Monday he presented his idea for community outreach and customer base expansion to his boss, Mr. Hill. Which was immediately approved. Sterling was overjoyed and they began to put together a plan the next day. Mr. Hill was surprised at Sterling's reaction. The position was finalized, Sterling received a bonus for his idea and even got a raise! Only a week later, he bought a house up high on Mountain View Rd. and quickly managed to sell his old house. He found much more satisfaction both in and outside of work, now thinking about his own desires in life. Later that weekend he walked about half of a mile down Mountain View Rd. to his favorite spot and stood there, looking over the valley, thinking to himself...

Now what?... For me huh? She never responded to my text...

He noticed a very familiar woman standing far off to his left. He looked over and was shocked. "Salvicka?!"