"I'm I .. dreaming?"

A creature cloaked in an effervescent body of green flame laid still on a wooden plank surface. Its gaze laid fixated upon a white void. Questions flooded its mind, coming in like waves upon waves of confusion.

"Where.. i'm i" Pondered the creature.

Stirring from it's motionless state. it began to explore its surrounding, feeling the rough texture of wood upon its fingers.

Gradually rising up into a sitting position, it surveyed the area like a search light in a distant sea; resulting in finding a barren white void mirroring the sky above it. Scanning it's immediate surrounding, it discovered that it was placed in small decrepit boat.

"I'm i.. dead?"

Confusion enveloped the green creature with curiosity slowly replacing it . looking to side of the boat, it dipped its hand into the white milky void; disturbing the surface as it rippled outwards. it was warm to the touch giving a slightly familiar feeling as the liquid caressed its senses.

"it feels.. warm"

Puzzled ,it stood up slightly rocking the boat, hoping to gain a better view of it's surroundings.

"Nothing"

Looking up to the white abyss above once more. A Golden streak of light pierced through the void; cutting through it like butter. Causing a wide gap within the canvas of the void.

Mere moments of creation, a golden orb emerged from it. it shone spectacularly as the sun; completely washing over the creatures' visual senses. A loud ringing sound, akin to a bell toll, rang across the vast void. The creature stumble backwards on to the boat, it began to cower in fear as the noise and brilliant light began to overburden its sense.

the sound progressively grew louder and the light shone fiercer with each ring. The creatures' entire body being rocked by its presence. the helpless being could do naught but slink itself into a foetal position seemingly waiting for the nightmare to pass.

- - - - - - -

"deet deet deet" Awoken by an alarm. A young man laid in bed in a cold sweat; panting. His body stiffened in fear as adrenaline surged through his entire body. His ears overloaded with the disorienting sound of ringing.

"Augggh"

His senses began to slowly regain itself. His panting returned to normal breathing and his once stiffened body simmered down into relaxation.

"Again with this nightmare?"

stirring in his bed, he glanced at the alarm clock next to him. '5:50 pm'

"5:50 pm!"

jetting out of his bed with panic fuelling his body. he scrounged in the room, which resembled a jungle than a room, for clean clothes.

"Shit shit.. why do i always do this!"

Searching the room he eventually discovered a dark pair of jeans and a black long sleeved top adorned with red stripes claw like stripes wrapping around it strewn across the floor. Picking it up and sniffing it; he deemed it worthy enough to be worn. Satisfied with his attire he paced himself from the bedroom into the living room.

you have 13 missed calls, 7 unread messages and 1 missed video call

A disembodied voice spoke within the small apartment.

"Don't have time to eat" muttering to himself.

you have 13 missed calls, 7 unread messages and 1 missed video call

Support the author by searching for the original publication of this novel.

pacing himself towards the door to the exit, he clamoured around for his trainers. donning himself with a sleek azure jacket.

"I'm going to get another ear full today; great"

Placing his hand upon the door handle. He locked his thumb unto a rectangular slot. A low pitched beep emitted from it, accompanied by a mechanical sound of chambers unlocking; allowing him to open the door into the corridor.

He raced down from the 2nd floor to the ground floor. Shooting for the exit, he pressed his hand upon the scanner, which would need to take a few a seconds the authorize him to leave. restlessness began to settle as his trainers jogged on the spot. Few seconds felt like an eternity.. But alas, the relieving sound of authorization emitted from the scanner as the doors slid open; granting him permission to leave.

Finally released out onto the world, the young man darted to the right, rocketing down the street. His worn out trainers slammed upon the concrete floor. His jacket trailing behind him as he whizzed past numerous billboards plastered on tall skyscrapers, its contents advertising the latest technological marvel, A plethora of stores ranging from fashion shops, of which housed the finest sleek designed clothing and accessories to convenience stores that seemingly contained anything you desired.

A couple of minutes of weaving through the people of the city. He could see his destination in sight. Much to his relief as his breathe began to weaver. steadily slowing down he stopped in front of a small store. A luminous neon sign perched in front of the building as it read:

Amminus's Wonderous Wares

The store wasn't necessarily remarkable. Amongst the trees in the forest of the city, it did naught to stand out. However, it was one of the few stores that opted to do late shifts and thus it managed to stay afloat in the concrete jungle of the city.

"Made it"

Catching his breath; he approached the store. its glass paned sleek door slid apart revealing a treasure trove of electronical equipment sat upon shelves separating themselves into different aisle ranging from entertainment to household technologies and a scarce number of customers were spotted within the shop.

Welcome to Amminus Wonderous Wares, we appreciate your time here

Like an arrow, he shot himself towards the counter. Before him was a young man donning work attire.

"Well well well.. look who finally decided to show up?"

Putting out a weary smile, he slinked himself behind the counter.

"you get enough beauty sleep?"

"yup.. although I wouldn't call the sleep itself beautiful"

"Ahh, having that weird dream again huh?"

"mhmm third time this week"

"Didn't I tell you to lay off the late night gaming"

"Listen the raid needed me. I can't let my fellow players down now could i"

A chuckle of disbelief emitted from his lips. His brown eyes gazed at the sight before him causing a second chuckle of disbelief to escape his lips once more.

"Did you really just pick up anything off the floor from your room?"

"Oh by the way Zyia said she wanted to see you in her office I think you really hit the fan with this one bud"

"This will probably be my last shift"

Dreading the confrontation of the beast. He mustered the courage to walk towards the door leading into the manager's room.

Upon entering the room, the entire atmosphere shifted from dread to despair. The walls of the room were painted pure white with not a speck of dirt nor decoration to hinder its colour. A pattern of square pristine tiles mirrored the walls in the confinement. A singular light shone upon the ceiling, with its Brillance reflecting of the white; it was almost blinding.

The room represented a cold feeling altogether. However, nothing could compare to the coldness than the being sat behind her desk; separating the prey from the predator. She donned a stylish suit accompanied by a black turtleneck jumper. tuft of white fur sprang out from its collar, giving emphasis on her elongated neck.

Her silver eyes loomed over to the anxious young man; firmly locking eye contact with his own . Her hands clasped together in an attentive position; waiting.

Silence permeated the air. desperate to break through the ice, he clamoured what courage he could and attempted to speak

"H-hey Z-" His speech was interrupted by the sight of her cow like ears fluttering in annoyance. This was one of the tale tell signs, a sign of which the man was all too familiar with.

"Not one word" spoke Zyia. Her voice vibrated from within her throat, causing each word to have a reverberating effect.

"Mr. Jake Manx" A full name drop. Another tale tell sign, that he had disturb the beast within.

"so tell me Jake. why do you always come late to work hmm?" Questioned Zyia

"Well.. I mean it is a late shift, lates in the name right?" chuckled Jake.

Attempting to simmer down her temper, he used comedy as way to cool down her ire.

Unamused, her ears fluttered once more, a stern look burned unto Jakes eyes with ferocity. Immediately regretting his decision, his postured slinked into frightened position.

"You think this is a joke?" unclasping her hands, she rose up from her chair; revealing her 6foot figure in all its glory. Her head was almost touching the ceiling of the room. Her fur prickling upwards as her hooves clapped upon the tiles; approaching her prey.

"of course not" his tone drifted to silence as the 6foot being towered over him. Her face cemented in annoyance.

"This is the last time you allowed to be late. Otherwise don't bother coming in the next time you miss your appointed time to get into work." Her tone tittered on edge of angry shouting.

"Are we clear!"

"C-crystal" muttered Jake.

"Good" peeling away from him. She sat back down and waved away Jake. Signalling him to leave.

"Sorry i'm late"