Dreams are sacred. They're the most invaluable resource we have on this world. It might not work like that on other worlds, but it does on this one. See, they have an energy. In-perceptible to most but, to a select few, that energy can be harnessed. And what can that energy do? Well, do dreams have limits?
That's where I come on. My name is Jonathon Morris. I am 24 years old, and I am the Nightwatchman. I know, sounds like a superhero, right? I'm not. I just do what I need to do to survive.
******
Molly Marsden was, by far, the most beautiful girl in my class in school. She was a complete and utter geek, which didn't go down well with many of the boys at school, but that worked to my advantage. Short black hair, thick rimmed glasses, the cutest smile. She was wonderful yet left alone. Largely because she always had her head in a book, spoke largely in Klingon and was obsessed with everything Japanese. She would NOT stop going on about anime! She was particularly obsessed with Ouran Host Club and Assassination Classroom. While the other boys went after the 'popular' girls, I was quite happy pursuing Molly.
We had been in the same class since Year 7 and I'd had such a thing for her even then. It wasn't until Sixth Form, however, that I decided to make my move. I'd never had a girlfriend before, she'd never had a boyfriend. I hadn't even tried to talk to someone else. So God only knows how I'd try and romance her.
One night, I was asleep in my bed. I was dreaming. I was dreaming about various things but, this particular one stood out. It was a hill not far from where I live. The view of the city was extraordinary in the dark. I remember staring out over it admiring it when I heard a voice...
"Hello?"
I looked to my right and that's when I saw Molly. She looked awfully confused but I took it in my stride.
"Hey, Molly?"
She looked over to me. My God, those eyes...
"Jonny? Is that you?"
"Yeah! What are you doing here?"
"I don't know...the view? I guess?"
I chuckled.
"Do you come here often?"
"No, actually. I've always wanted to though. But my Dad won't let me".
Her Dad?
"Your Dad? How come?"
"He thinks stuff like this is stupid. He'd probably think I'd be meeting boys up here secretly or something!"
"Would you?"
"I have no idea!"
I smiled and chuckled.
"Well, don't tell him I met you here!"
We both chuckled. I smiled at her, and she smiled at me. Oh wow, that smile.
"Well, if you were to meet a boy here, what would it be for?"
She thought for a moment or two.
"Well, my Dad would think I'd be meeting boys up here for secret sex or something. But I don't think I'd be into that. No, if I was meeting a boy here it'd be for a date!"
"You like views for dates?"
She came and stood next to me and looked out at the view with me.
"I love views. I love the stars. I love lights. This place has all 3 it seems. Yes, I think a date here would be perfect. Start off with a movie or something, a bite to eat maybe...and then we'd come here and just look out at the stars and the city. Maybe we'd kiss too. Who knows? I think it'd be really romantic to kiss someone here".
I smiled and nodded.
"I'm sure you'll get that someday. Anyone would be foolish not to ask you out on a date!"
Molly suddenly went shy.
"Including you?"
Now it was my turn to be shy.
"Ummm, well, I mean...you're very pretty and you're fun to be around but..."
I could've been mistaken, but as I was fumbling for words, she looked almost disappointed by my deflection. Noticing this, I took a chance...
"...Yes. I absolutely would ask you out on a date. If I was nearly brave enough or sure enough you would say yes!"
She looks up at me and smiles.
"I'm pretty sure I'd say yes!"
The biggest smile drew across my face. I was ecstatic for a moment before remembering what I was doing.
"Well, what a shame we're in a dream then, eh?"
Molly looked at me and made me turn to face her.
"You just said you'd ask me, so why not try? You never know until you try!"
"Because I've liked you since I was 11. I don't want the past 6 years of my life chasing you to end with a rejection".
"But at least you'd know..."
Damn, she'd good. She smiled again.
"Ask. Always ask!"
That's when I woke up. My room, covered in rock band posters, glimmered in the early dawn light. I looked at my clock. 1 minute until the alarm went off. Who knows, maybe Dream Molly had a point.
******
I was sat next to Molly for double media studies. I loved working with her on stuff. We always had a laugh and we always made jokes at each other's expense. But this day, I couldn't stop thinking about that dream. The Molly in the dream was so convincing, but I kept telling myself that she wasn't real. She probably wasn't even into that kind of date. I guess that's what I'd like to do on a date and I was just projecting. That said, the feeling to just go ahead and ask her out was intense inside of me. My chest tightened whenever the thought of doing it swept over me. Which is unfortunate because, every time she smiles, it's like an electric surge going through my body. Her smile does things to me. I probably shouldn't say it, but I am in love with her. I must be, isn't this what love feels like?
The lesson ended and the day had come to an end. I walked out of school with her, laughing and joking. We got to the school gates as she started to walk away. That feeling swept over me again. So I decided not to ignore it this time.
"Ummm, Molly?"
She stopped and turned to face me, smiling as she did.
"Yeah?"
Suddenly all the butterflies in the world hatched in my stomach. Oh God, am I really doing this!?
"Ummm, I was wondering, are you doing anything Saturday night?"
Molly looked taken aback. Oh no, the dream lied to me didn't it...
"I was going to watch the new Doctor Who but, I'm open to suggestions?"
My heart was virtually non-existent at this point. Or it was in my mouth, one of the two.
"Well, ummm, I was thinking maybe you and I could...I don't know..."
I thought back to the dream. What the hell, I'll give it a go...
"Maybe we could go down town? Catch a movie, catch a bite to eat? Oooh, have you been up Sedgwick Hill? It has some wonderful views of the city from up there. And the stars are really good up there if you're into that kind of thing?"
Molly thought for a moment before a small smile started to emerge.
"Are you...are you asking me out...on a date?"
Time to overcome the anxiety.
"Errrrrrr...yes. Yes I am. I am asking you out on a date. Oh God. Molly Marsden, yes I'm asking you out on a date".
Molly's smile gets bigger.
"Jonny Morris, I would love to. Pick me up at...3?"
Wait...she said yes!?
"Yes! I mean...yes. Absolutely. 3pm. I'll get you then!"
Molly smiled and said goodbye before walking away. Oh my God...I got a date!
******
To cut a very long story short, the date went super well. We went for a bite to eat before going up to the hill. That's when things started to get a little strange...
We were standing on the hill, looking at the view, just like the dream. It was like going through deja vu. While we were standing, just chatting about stars, Molly looked at me.
"I've had a really lovely time, Jonny, thank you!"
I smiled back.
"As have I!"
We smiled at each other. After a couple of moments, Molly looked at me again before kissing me. It was a short kiss, but it was my first. And it felt AMAZING. She pulled away and looked at me.
"Ummmm, I'm sorry. I don't know what came over me. I'm not usually like that with..."
I kissed her again to interrupt her. It as a little longer this time.
"Molly Marsden, I have been into you since Year 7. If you want to kiss me, you do it anytime you like..."
I kissed her again. It was the best feeling in the world. As we pulled away again, she started to laugh a little strangely.
"What's the matter?"
"Nothing, kiss me again..."
"No, no, come on...what is it?"
Molly sighed. She smiled at me and then looked embarrassed.
"It's super weird, don't worry about it!"
"Hey, I love weird. Tell me, I'm interested!"
She sighs again as she puts her arms around my neck in an embrace.
"This whole thing is like a dream. Like, the dinner, the view, it's like my perfect date. Minus a movie. And my first kiss. Then you said you've liked me since Year 7..."
"I'm sorry, was that a bit much?"
"No, not at all. Truth be told, I've been interested in you since Year 8...but I feel like I already knew you liked me in Year 7?"
Huh?
"How so?"
Molly sighs again.
"So, I had this dream the other night that I was up here. By myself, just randomly. But then...you were there. And we had a conversation about dates and stuff. You were worried about asking me out on a date and I was trying to encourage you. I know it sounds weird but it felt so real. During that, dream you told me that you'd liked me since Year 7..."
Ok...what the fuck? I chuckled while also feeling really weirded out.
"That's really weird..."
"Why?"
"I had a very similar dream...that's why I asked you out..."
Molly looked confused for a moment before chuckling.
"Weird!"
You're telling me, sweetheart.
"Well, perhaps we were meant to go on this date?"
I smiled.
"I'm definitely agreeing with you there..."
We kissed again. It was laughed off at the time, but it still felt a little weird that we had that same dream. Oh, how little did I know then...
******
"I think I've found someone..."
"Really? Now? So soon after Orbidon's death?"
"We need to fill the ranks. Someone else accessed the Dreamworld without warning. The disturbance was more powerful than the others. I think this could be a Guardian..."
"We need to concentrate on barricading our position. The Fall will come soon and we are vastly under-prepared! The next Guardian can wait!"
"And what if we need the Guardian to help us against The Fall?"
"...It's a waste of time. We have little time to train them. Our time would be better spent on defence!"
"Please, trust me, I have a strong feeling about this one..."
"...ok, fine. What's their name?"
"Jonathan Morris"
"...Is he related to...him?"
"Yes. And the sooner we get him on our side, the better off we will be..."
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