The Dreamer: Chapter 5

The next class was science. Usually science was boring, but today was different. The teacher was talking about genetics and how all of your traits come from your genes. This interested Marc very much because of his ability. I wonder if anyone else in my family can see the future, he thought. Do they know they are going to die?

This thought consumed him for the entire class. He didn't even notice his friend Jeff trying to get his attention when he was making fun of the teacher's drawing of a molecule.

“What does that look like to you?” Jeff snickered.

Marcus just stared ahead deep in thought while his friend continued to giggle. He also was pseudo-listening to his Science teacher, but only in hopes to catch something relevant to his problem. All of a sudden it hit him! Marcus looked over at his Science teacher and realized that maybe she knew something about dreams. Maybe Mrs. Undertown with her brilliant mind and long curly hair was the key to solving the problem. Looking past her he can see on the wall behind her long mahogany desk several degrees displayed proudly for the world to see. Despite all of the jokes about the scientist being a witch in her spare time, perhaps she could help him unlock the mysteries of dream control.

Looking at the clock it occurred to him that he had to wait another long, grueling ten minutes before pursuing his questions. Usually Jeff ran out of the class right away and Marcus followed, but today would be different. Marcus had to stay after all of his classmates left to find his solution.

Tick, tock, tick, tock… Marcus stared at the clock, trying to will the time to go faster. Bang! Marcus jumped! As he turned around he could see the glare of Mrs. Undertown right level with him, her hand on his desk.

“In a rush to go somewhere?” Mrs. Undertown questioned.

“N-n-o,” stuttered Marcus.

“See me after class.” Mrs. Undertown replied as she stood back up and continued on with her lesson.

Marcus sat there smiling, he got what he was hoping for. A minute alone to ask Mrs. Undertown if she could help him with his problem. She just saved him from coming up with a good excuse to tell Jeff why he didn’t tag along after class. Afraid to turn around and see how much more time was left, Marcus followed the teacher with his gaze until the bell finally rang.

“See you next class,” Jeff said with worry in his voice. “Good luck!”

Marcus just sat there smiling and nodded to his friend. Jeff looked puzzled at his friend as he walked slowly out of the room, looking back over his shoulder as he left.

“What are you smiling about?” asked Mrs. Underwood with authority in her voice.

“Honestly,” Marcus started.

“I don’t appreciate being taken for granted and having my students in a rush to leave,” interrupted the teacher.

“Actually, I wanted…” Marcus began again.

“I am not finished!” said Mrs. Underwood, cutting him off again from finishing his words.

Marcus sat there frustrated and his face began to get hot. He opened his mouth to start again, but snapped it shut again just as quickly waiting impatiently for her to continue.

“I need to talk to you about something. Something very important,” Mrs. Underwood said.

Marcus took a breath and thought about what to say for a moment and then realized, her voice was calmer and even pleasant. Confused by this Marcus just looked at her with his forehead wrinkled with puzzlement.

“You have been having dreams… haven’t you?” asked Mrs. Underwood.

“How did you know?” Marcus blurted out. Snapping his mouth back shut, regretting his outburst.

“I thought so,” she stated. “I know more about you than you know, Mr. Lawrence. I have been keeping a close eye on you.”

Marcus did know what to say. He sat there in complete awe and confusion. ‘Why would Mrs. Underwood know about me and how?’ he thought to himself.

“You are part of something much bigger than yourself Mr. Lawrence.” Mrs. Underwood continued.

“What am I a part of? Who are you really? Why do you know about my dreams?” asked Marcus.

“Mr. Lawrence, I can not disclose all of what you seek. All I can tell you now is that you are gifted. One of the chosen,” the teacher stated.

“One of the chosen? What does that even mean? Can you help me control my dreams?” asked Marcus in a rush.

“In due time, in due time,” Mrs. Underwood said as she handed Marcus a late pass. “Now go, I will be in touch.”

Marcus grabbed the pass out of the teachers hand with his forefinger and thumb, all the while simply staring at her with a blank look on his face. Slowly standing up and gathering his blue Jansport he started for the door. As he was about to exit, he stopped and looked over his shoulder at the teacher one last time. She was busy at her desk gathering papers and didn’t notice his glance. A new problem has come to light and Marcus now had yet another mystery to solve. Walking out of the room and turning left towards his next class, he thought to himself ‘I did not learn anything in Science today, not one thing.’