The Waking World

It was a rather stormy morning on that particular wednesday. The clouds loomed over the city of Fredericton like a dour blanket, intent on snuffing out any kind of fun or games. Bad weather was something Jeffery Downing always dreaded. He enjoyed being outdoors, his bucolic background giving him a love of nature and a vigor for exploration. As it was, he was trapped in the library of Fredericton University, researching the physics behind the second law of thermodynamics. The library was, of course, not very silent at all, with excitable young college girls discussing the latest happenings in their arguably hedonistic lives. Still, it was not in Jeffery's nature to hate such people. Everyone was important to some degree, though at times, Jeffery himself felt rather in over his head at this state college. Wanting only to become a scientist after falling in love with the way things worked in the world, Jeffery's home life on the farm had become strained. His relationship with his father was constantly fluctuating between bad and estrangement, creating a deep sense of purposelessness in the man.

His thoughts today, however, were not on his studies. They were on the dream he had had a few nights prior. A dream that was so lucid and real he felt as that if he closed his eyes, the vivid world would surge back into his mind. After this dream, he had looked up a few websites and discovered the idea of lucid dreaming, controlling the subconscious while asleep. Jeffery ultimately dismissed them as hoakey and somewhat contrived, trying to preserve a scientific outlook on the situation. The idea itself clung to him, however, and many times like now, he found himself musing over what the wild dream could have possibly meant. The world he had seem came to him even now as he closed his eyes, a world of shimmering silver and enigmatic light. Voices that weren't heard, but felt, and sights that were seemed part of Jeffery himself. He took a sharp breath, calling his academic mind back into concentration. He glanced at the clock, hoping he had not day dreamed for too long. There was work to be done...

[color=black]It was a rather stormy morning on that particular wednesday. The clouds loomed over the city of Fredericton like a dour blanket, intent on snuffing out any kind of fun or games. Bad weather was something Jeffery Downing always dreaded. He enjoyed being outdoors, his bucolic background giving him a love of nature and a vigor for exploration. As it was, he was trapped in the library of Fredericton University, researching the physics behind the second law of thermodynamics. The library was, of course, not very silent at all, with excitable young college girls discussing the latest happenings in their arguably hedonistic lives. Still, it was not in Jeffery's nature to hate such people. Everyone was important to some degree, though at times, Jeffery himself felt rather in over his head at this state college. Wanting only to become a scientist after falling in love with the way things worked in the world, Jeffery's home life on the farm had become strained. His relationship with his father was constantly fluctuating between bad and estrangement, creating a deep sense of purposelessness in the man.

His thoughts today, however, were not on his studies. They were on the dream he had had a few nights prior. A dream that was so lucid and real he felt as that if he closed his eyes, the vivid world would surge back into his mind. After this dream, he had looked up a few websites and discovered the idea of lucid dreaming, controlling the subconscious while asleep. Jeffery ultimately dismissed them as hoakey and somewhat contrived, trying to preserve a scientific outlook on the situation. The idea itself clung to him, however, and many times like now, he found himself musing over what the wild dream could have possibly meant. The world he had seem came to him even now as he closed his eyes, a world of shimmering silver and enigmatic light. Voices that weren't heard, but felt, and sights that were seemed part of Jeffery himself. He took a sharp breath, calling his aca

Today had already been miserable enough, with Brian at home sick. Further, the rain made such a day only drearier. Alex had considered skipping classes, but he was excited about today's math lesson. It was to be a problem solving competition, a competition he intended to win. But first, he had to concur lunch. He took a scared gulp as he entered this atrium of horrors. He slipped into the lunch line, trying to avoid unwanted attention. The line crawled slowly forward. For ages it seemed he stood shaking, scanning the area for threats. Finally, he reached the meal. It was hot dogs, carrots and cake. Alex's internal celebration escaped as a small smile. Happily he presented his tray to the lunch ladies. Perhaps today wasn't so awful.

“What 'cha got there, princess?” asked a ominous voice from behind.

Alex spun around to face his fear. There stood Travis, a mischievous grin on his face. This was not going to end well.

“My lunch, and I don't like it when you call me princess,” Alex quiveringly replied.

“Who's lunch?” Travis demanded. Alex looked around. Much to his dismay Travis's entourage had already arrived, thus blocking the supervisors view. “'Cause that looks a lot like my lunch.”

“But I'm really hungry, and I don't have any lunch tickets left,” Alex mumbled.

“Shut up and give me your lunch, princess,” Travis said punching Alex in the shoulder. The blow jolted Alex enough to cause him to fumble and drop his lunch on the ground. Travis feigned a pout, before he continued “Now look what you did, you spilled my lunch. I think we need to talk about this out side.” He signaled his cronies to escort Alex. He rubbed his arm as he walked along the brutes in melancholy compliance. He stole a glance back at he flipped lunch, almost highlighted in the weird lighting. No one had noticed.

After unsuccessful destroying his alarm clock, Samson got out of bed and walked over to his drawing desk and began drawing the "Shadow Man".

After drawing several versions, Samson got up and went to the kitchen to get some breakfast. he lived in a two person flat but he didn't have any flat mate. He was lucky enough to find a editor/sponsor for his graphic novel he was working on and he was being paid quite well for doing what he loved to do.

It was a good life.
At least that is what others would say.
Samson wanted a different life where horror and monsters were an everyday thing. Where he knew the secrets of the Shadow Man?

Samson finished pondering what the secrets might be and ate his scrambled eggs and toast. He wasn't tired, unfortunately, so he decided to go out for a walk.

Before leaving Samson took another look at his pictures of the Shadow Man, in front of the forest. He suddenly realized there were other figures in the background. Nothing scary or abnormal, they seemed like ordinary people, but he couldn't make out anything else. He sighed and grabbed his keys and made his way to the elevator.

"Well, maybe I'll meet those people another time. I think I'll go the park, there are usually some nice looking ladies around there."