Between the Dream and Reality by Valeria Lob

The line between dream and reality is not really big.

While your body physically is on the bed, your mind may be somewhere as far as your imagination allows. It`s just 7 am, but a boy has already woken up. He knows for sure that he is lying on the bed in his room, he hears birds chirping outside and he sees the morning rays of the sun, but in his thoughts, he is far from his room. He closes his eyes and sees his dream come true: the rocky coast of the sea and a woman with long red hair whispering: “Elijah, come with me.” Her soft voice penetrates his consciousness. Her gaze is mesmerizing. Her white skin is contrasting with bright red hair and dark brown eyes. Even if he saw her only in a dream, Elijah is sure that she is real. He even feels salty splashes of water on his face. If only he could touch her and kiss her lips. Her skin might be tender as silk and her lips, which are red as blood, probably have a taste of salt water. Unfortunately, he can only assume it. He sees her every night in his dream. During the day he can`t wait for night to meet her again. His daily routine becomes unbearable. He can`t stand talking to his family members and meeting with his friends. All these things become omissible in comparison to the woman from his dream. All he wants is to meet her in real life. But now he has to exist without her.

Elijah is sitting in the cafe. It is crowded, but he doesn`t notice anybody. He is leaning over his notebook and drawing something. A sudden exclamation interrupts him from drawing:

 - Dude! Since what time you`ve become a painter?

The boy raises his head and looks at his friend:

 - Matthew! How`s it going?

Matthew ignores him and looks at his notebook:

 - Oh, Elijah. Are you falling in love? By the way, the girl looks nice.

 - Come on, it`s just a picture. You better tell me why you called me here.

 - Well, we are going to the seaside, are you with us? 

- I don`t think it`s a good idea and I will be busy.

 Matthew won`t give up easily, so he shows the pictures of the seashore on his phone:

 - Look! Add to such beautiful place alcohol and girls and you get the most exciting party!

Glancing at the picture, Elijah rounds his eyes and turns pale. He recognizes the place from his dream.

 - You know, you`re right. It would be nice to spend time in such a wonderful place.

That night differs from other ones. Falling asleep, he thinks that it is the last time he will see the woman in his dream, not in the real life. He is sure she is waiting for him there and he will definitely see her. These thoughts make his heart beat faster and provoke a smile on his face.

On the way to the seashore, Elijah is daydreaming about the woman and isn`t focused on anything else. He even doesn`t notice how he gets there. At one point, he looks around and feels as if he was sleeping: the same rocks and the same coast. The salty smell of the sea hovers in the air. His palms sweat and his breathing catches. “She must be here!”, he thinks only about it. While his friends are preparing for the party, Elijah is looking for the woman. After an hour of futile searching, he has realized she isn`t here. He feels great fatigue after all his searching. He doesn't want anything, just to drink enough to forget this woman.

It is getting dark, but Elijah is already drunk. He is lying on the beach and staring at the night sky. Music and laughter are heard far away from him, but it isn't interesting for him. He is listening to the sounds of waves. He can't focus on the stars as his eyes are filled with tears. He thinks he is crazy and that woman is just a work of his imagination. Suddenly, the sound of waves turns into a whisper. He clearly hears “Elijah”. Staggering, he rises and peers into the depths of the sea. He sees the red hair and forgets how to breathe. He rubs his eyes to understand that this is not his dream. She looks straight into his eyes and calls to him:

 - Elijah, come here!

His lips are dry, and his voice is hoarse, but he squeezes the words out of himself:

 - Who are you? What`s your name?

 - My name is Lorelei and I'm the siren if it matters to you. I have been waiting for you for so long. So, come here.

Elijah is trying to understand this information and walking to her. All his body is covered with water, but he ignores it. Lorelei reaches out and he takes her hand. Her hand is very cold. He has goosebumps, having touched her. He closes his eyes and kisses her. Her lips taste like salty blood. He feels her pull him to the bottom. He is trying to resist, but it's too late. His lungs filled with water and before closing his eyes, he sees that woman staring at him with her dark brown eyes. Now he has realized that this woman wasn't the love of his life, but the creature that is taking his life.