Interrupted Dream (Short Story)

Hi everyone. My name is Leo Smith and I am a dreamer.

In the morning I am awakened by the shrill shout or the punch of a stranger. A crowd races before me like the wind and I am left moaning everyday. Young children avoid me like squiggly-walking insects. I live on scraps and if I’m lucky, some leftovers from the putrid bins to satisfy my growling, demurring stomach – it’s all I have and I’m ashamed of myself.

That is my rhythmic routine. Well, that and lying on the dirt-roofed ground with lucid piteous eyes, hushing my hunger, feeling astray, wondering about the use of such a worthless creature (as I am) in this ever so shoddily and inadequately nurtured ball of walking machines...and most importantly, dreaming with my only friends – the stars staring at me and consoling me with their stunning, vibrant visage from up high, in the crystallised sky – while streams of ignominy and fury spill erratically on my drab face.

As the drowsiness around me hits the sheets and the night grows old, the radiant light full of blinding beauty hypnotizes my mind and with the thought of a benign world spiraling down straight to my subconscious, I rapidly travel among sprays of twinkling powder. Then, the clouds of boundlessly yearning screens come to me hastily, fly to me like fervent fairies and for a few moments, it all seems like a dream come true…

'I feel the velvety touch of a mellow hand and sense the immaculate smell of freshly prepared breakfast that makes my nostrils twitch and itch with eagerness. And then a loving voice like a beautiful piece of music,

"Wake up, you sleepy dog!" utters my master with a wide passionate smile. I jump out of lethargy and lick my master with happy jolly eyes as I feel the smooth arms embracing me.

With echoing hops, I go to my haven where my treat awaits while yapping and woofing. The young girl follows me and stands near me, patting me and wishing me a great day (in her own human way) while wet patches form onto my fur as her mouth touches it. Soon, I see her leaving the house after waving me goodbye.

I scurry around the house in search for adventure. But before I know it, a taller human approaches me and gently grabs me in her hand like a baby. I realize it’s time for my first exciting activity of the day; bath time!!

I bound and skip in the bathtub while the very kind lady tries to control me with a huge smile on her face. The air becomes a universe of bubbles and my fur smells like perfect perfume. She dries my fur and brushes my hair and then, it’s time for my second adventure! A journey to the magnificent park!!

I run without a break. I sense the liberate air and feel free, without cares. All the happiness in the world seems to be attracted to me like a beehive. I speed towards the river where the waterfall is and feel the breeze while I think about my family – It is all I need. Love spirals its way towards my heart and right there, I feel special, my life is a magical dream.

Subsequently, I catch a glimpse of that taller human that takes care of me and loves me and in her hand, I see a treasure. She approaches me and moves one of the ice creams towards my mouth. Its taste is glorious!

With an eye expression, I realize it is time to go back to my haven. And there, I find my young master anxiously awaiting my arrival. With my tongue hanging excitedly, I sprint towards her and love joins hands once again, like a miracle.

The evening is my favourite part! It is the ultimate adventure because I never know what it is! I love surprises! Sometimes I get a humongous meal, others I accompany my family to a wonderful place and others, I lay next to my young master, where my enchanting world grows without boundaries.

And I cosily sleep, under a thick blanket and feel safely protected.'

Yes, stars, that is my ‘simple’ dream ’cause deep down, I know you’re not real.

… ‘Hey, get off my yard, you menace to humanity!’ a stranger sadistically screams. I feel a slap on my right hand and a long solid stick, with sharp tines sticking out, smashing me on the head as I feel shivery lines of wet red paint fall along my brow and then, sprawled out on the floor, I feel dizziness take over…Goodbye dream.