The Dream That Never Was
A bizarre dream, a forgotten day, and a chilling sense of displacement. Alex, a young man shouldering the burden of his father's care and their financial stability, finds his reality fracturing after a peculiar nap. Was it just a vivid figment of his imagination, or has something fundamentally shifted in the world around him? And why can't he shake the feeling that he's no longer entirely himself?
Harsh November wind whipped around you as you crunched dry leaves underfoot, a heavy grocery bag straining your arms. Home was just ahead, a place that no longer felt entirely welcoming. Inside, you knew, your father would be sprawled on the futon, lost in his own world of smoke and cheap beer, oblivious to your return or the effort it took to keep your small family afloat.
Another day, another chore he couldn’t handle. Your life felt like a constant cycle of work and care, a stark contrast to the carefree existence you imagined others your age enjoyed. You pushed open the front door, the familiar scent of stale air and neglect greeting you.
