I never left the campfire in the desert yesterday. Just went on with other waking matters until night came. Closed my eyes to the waking, opened them in the dreaming, and saw night had fallen in the desert as well. The fire was lit and burning low. Nothing to do but wait.
I don’t recall when I fell into a deeper sleep, but I found myself in a Mega-Corp Hospital. I don’t know why I was there. But I did know it was time to leave. No one was trying to stop me, so I surmised I had been visiting someone. At the elevator several nurses were waiting. We were joined by a few more so that six nurses were present. I noted we were on the sixth floor. I thought nothing of it at the time.
The elevator arrives and we enter. The nurses have to go to the top floor, the ninth, but I’m headed down to the first. If I hit the button for the first floor, it will override their ninth floor selection. There is a sense of hurry. I choose to ride up to the ninth with them. I’m in no rush. They thank me, the doors close, and the car rises.
At the seventh floor, the car stops and the doors open. A presence enters the car, filling the air and making it stuffy, but I see no body. The car dips a bit as if weight was added, but no one moves. The idle chatter and gossip quickly comes to a close as if an administrator had entered. The doors close and the car rises.
All six nurses suddenly turn to me, their eyes all white and glowing. The presence has possessed them. In unified voice, they speak. “Your presence is requested, [Weaver].” I’m not bothered or scared. I am amused. I ask who is calling for me. “Lord Asmodel is requesting your presence.” I sigh. So much for a calm night. I ask where, but receive no answer.
“I’m dreaming, and know I’m dreaming. There are many names close to that one. I must vet what I have heard and confirm it is Asmodel that wants my attention. If so, I will attend the summons.” Six possessed heads nods slowly in affirmation. The elevator dings. We are at the ninth floor.
They all blink and look at each other oddly. Their eyes are all back to normal. The chit chat and gossip resumes where it left off. The doors open, and I wait for the six nurses to get out of the car before leaving myself. I note the seventh presence remained in the car.
The nurses turn right to head to their meeting. I turn left to make for the stairs. “You’re not taking the elevator down?” The last nurse off was the first nurse I greeted.
“Eh, it’s a bit herky-jerky.” I lied. “The stairs will be just fine and I need the exercise.” I smiled.
“Oh, I know what you mean! Sometimes I get so muddled in there, I don’t feel like myself!” We chuckle in mutual amusement and say farewells.
The stairs were empty but well lit. I had no problem descending until I reached the fourth floor. Coming around the corner, instead of seeing steel rails and concrete steps, I saw a vine covered path leading between outside gardens. I knew this was an illusion. I also knew if I accepted the illusion, I would be stepping into a trap.
I closed my eyes to the scene and placed my foot where the steps should be. I continued descending half a floor. Another turn, another illusionary path. Angry hands suddenly waved a pistol in my face. Angry German words abused my ears. I looked at the speaker and almost died from laughter.
Hitler was blocking my path.
“Do you think this is funny! I assure you, this is not funny to me! Evil spirits assault me and I have to come to a [have no idea what he said but I’m sure it means ‘nigger’] like you for help! And you will help me or you will die!” Hitler pointed his pistol at my head. Behind him, a high ranking officer cocked his pistol a pointed it at me as well.
“Herr Hitler, you don’t exist. You are an attempt by someone or something to keep me from leaving. You are a phantasm at best, and a mockery at worst. Guten tag and go fuck yourself.” I started to walk past him but a very physical fist grabbed my shirt. He cocked his pistol and placed the muzzle by my temple.
“Tell me again, how I am only a phantasm. I wish to hear you condemn yourself to death.” His breath stank. I could see dandruff in his hair. Worry lines were grooved deeply into his face. I laughed anyway.
“Bang.” At my voice his weapon discharged. But instead of lead shot, a glitterbomb exploded over us. He and his officer looked up at the slowly descending rainbow of color. His officer fired his pistol. A stream of water emerged and quickly drizzled out. They looked at each other in horror.
Hitler still blocked my path, however. I didn’t want to physically interact with him anymore than necessary or the illusion would override the reality. A sound tore through the hallway and garden path. The approach of a large creature shook the ground with each step.
Hitler and his officer were frozen with fear. All I could do was laugh. The creature sounded off again. I cheered. As the creature approached, I could feel the work of a second illusionist. One was using the phantasm of Hitler to stop me. Let’s see what the second is going to do.
The creature came into view and Hitler cowered at the sight. “Herr Hitler! If you are in the right, you should not fear! Only those that cause evil and grief need fear…” I turned around and cheered. “GODZILLA!”
Godzilla jumped and did his salute at my cheer. I almost doubled over in laughter. Godzilla clapped and I cheered him again. “Hey. What’s a hot ‘zilla like you doing in a cramped stairwell anyway?”
Godzilla primped a little (because why the fuck not) and pointed at Hitler. He pointed at his eyes, then at Hitler, then at his eyes again. He grabbed the railing above me and tore it free from the stairwell. He put the railing between me and Hitler, separating us. He sounded off once more, because he’s Godzilla, bitch.
I thanked Godzilla for his help, and told him that I’ll make sure to finish my homework. He saluted and cheered me again. I blew phantasm kisses to phantasm Hitler and resumed my descent down the stairwell. I laughed the entire way down, only realizing I was singing the Godzilla song once I reached the door for the first floor.
Exiting the stairwell exited me from the dream. Well, from that portion of the dream. I opened my eyes to find I was in the desert. Familiar scents comforted me and reminded me where I was. The dark night scattered stars above me. The campfire was still burning but low. My satchel was under my head and my cloak was covering me.
I looked over and saw one large coyote was resting near me. Head and ears upright, he watched me silently. I felt safe. I closed my eyes and finally got some restful sleep.