The Syrup Dream

Sinking into sleep should be like sinking into a balm. Soothing, repairing. It should feel good. Not like it's sucking at you, like quicksand.

I've heard that, with quicksand, the trick is not to struggle, because you'll sink faster. You need to relax.

This is different. Relaxing doesn't help.

I sink into sleep, then I sink into the dream. You know how old pictures from the 1970's have that sepia look, like looking at everything through brown glass? That's what it's like. That's how I know it's this dream, and it's coming for me, and I need to run.

I can never run fast enough. It seeps along the ground after me, like a wave on the beach. Except it's golden, like sand, and much thicker and gloopier than water has any right to be. Never stopping and retreating, either, like waves should.

I feel the stickiness of it before it touches me. Then it does touch me (the back of my heel) and it doesn't feel sticky at all.

It doesn't hurt, not even a little, and that's worse somehow. If it hurt, I'd wake. But it doesn't and I don't. I can't. I'm stuck here. No matter how much I fight, try to run... it swallows me up, turning me into itself. That's why it doesn't feel sticky. It's me. I'm it.

My feet are gone, my ankles. I'm trying to run, but I can't feel my legs. Bit by bit, it eats away at me, like saltwater nibbling at a sandcastle.

I'm almost all gone, just a head floating in a sea of syrup. Soon I don't have a mouth to scream with. I panic when it laps at my nostrils. It's absurd, because my lungs are already gone, but still some part of me is convinced that I have to keep my nostrils clear... until they're gone too. Then it's long moments of seeing the sticky nothing that's left of me before I go blind.

Eyes (yes I still have eyes) snap open. A desperate gasp, as if I really was drowning. Torso lifting off the sheets, as if I've woken mid-writhe. It's only 3am, but I daren't go back to sleep.

+ + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + Word count: 366 (I compared it to Google docs, and they now seem to be the same! Maybe this changed with the recent update?) Submitted on Thursday 20th June at 9.50

*Quick Author's Note* First, and most importantly: thank you so much for reading my story! The ha'penny that Vocal will toss in my hat for your eyeballs landing on this humble piece will be well-spent.

If you enjoyed this one, the very best compliment you can give me is to share it, or read another!

A Year of Stories: I'm writing a story every day this year. This one continues my 172 day streak since 1st January.

Please do consider lending your support to the other creators who are also on this madcap "a story every day" adventure. They are putting out excellent content every day!

Rachel Deeming

Gerard DiLeo

The story behind the story: This was one that never made it to the 3am challenge!

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Thank you! Thank you again, most sincerely. Especially if you are one of the wonderful people who has been staunchly reading these daily scribbles since the start of the year. I see you, and appreciate you very much indeed! 😁 + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + +