The House of Smoke and Nightmares

Diane stared at the hallway through the glass door. It looked blur and the people walking to and fro looked like dark shadows vanishing into thin air. She could hear someone calling her from a distance and suddenly, she felt a needle prick her hand. “Ouch!” She exclaimed in pain, awakening from her trance. “I have been talking to you and you are not listening.” “Sorry…” “Here is your new pair of glasses. Please do not break them this time. In fact, do not keep them near your bed anymore.” “Thank you, Doc.” Diane chirped. “But my mother is exaggerating things. I must have been in a deep sleep, dreaming and pushed them off the table by accident.” “Do you believe in dreams?” Dr. Priscilla, the optician who had been attending to Diane for the longest period of time asked. Diane looked at the woman, giving her a quizzical look. “Yes, I do. We all dream every day.” She answered and laughed. “Your mother says you have bad dreams every night.” “I don’t and if I do, it means I don’t remember any of it.” “Diane. Are you saying your mother is lying?” “No.” “She says you scream and lash out on something in your sleep and you never wake up when she tries to wake you up.” “Look, Doc. My mother is extremely worried about my safety and it get her paranoid at times.” Diane retorted. Dr. Priscilla laughed at how convincing Diane’s voice sounded but she knew the truth. The truth was that Diane was having night terrors; a disorder different from standard nightmares and this is why she could not remember anything. Medically, Dr. Priscilla was right but what if there was something more to the night terrors than just a disorder?   *** A week later, Diane looked across the street and spotted Fred and Chloe kissing on the front porch of Fred's house. She had been neighbours with Fred since kindergarten and her soft spot for him never subsided yet he remained but a dream which could not come true. Fred preferred someone like Chloe for a girlfriend. She was a willowy blonde with perfect smooth skin and a perfect shape. She was tall and slender and anything she wore looked so good on her. Her eyes were perfectly smoky with a touch of Caty pupils; and her smile? It was dazzling and enchanting. She had it all and every good thing came her way as the leader of the cheer-leading group at school. Moreover, Chloe was also the chairperson of the press department at Novelties high school and these highlights made her so popular and fit for a guy like Fred.   Who was Fred? Fred was the king of Novelties high school. He had the pretty face, perfect build up; broad shoulders, a straight back and perfect hands. He was good looking and attractive to girls thus, becoming the envy of most guys at school. Apart from the good looks, Fred was also the school captain of the surfing team and a five times championship winner in the national surfing competitions.  Let's just say that Fred and Chloe were a power couple; a brand, perfect for each other while Diane was an introvert, only perfect in academics. She wore a single fringe hairstyle year in and year out and her spectacles were often too big for her face that she always got laughed at in her class. Although Fred never spoke to her often, he usually defended her from the bullies; and Chloe, she did not mind at all. In fact, she was friendlier than her friends, Marble and Patrice.   Diane withdrew from the window as Fred looked up, in her direction, hoping that he did not see her but he did catch a glimpse of her anyway, He bade Chloe farewell, opened the door of her car and she got in. Then he closed the door and moved aside, waving her goodbye before his eyes shifted to Diane's bedroom window again, Diane shrunk back making Fred chortle as he turned and walked back into his house. Diane sighed with relief as she finally stood by the window, watching the spectacular view of the setting sun.   Suddenly, she spotted Fred standing at his window as well. He smiled merrily and waved at her. Diane recoiled, unable to believe her luck. Fred smiled again and retreated into his room, Diane did the same and flopped on her bed and buried her head down in her pillow, screaming with joy, it was the best day of her life but it was the last day of her glasses. The lenses broke instantly and Diane had no choice but to go crying for a new pair from her mother. Diane only lived with her mother, Irene Krauss, the widow of late Jonathan Krauss, a military soldier famous for his prowess and agility in battle. He and his squad went for a mission but never returned and the State declared them dead without those their bodies were not recovered.   Diane skipped school the following day as she and her mother went back to the optical center to purchase a new pair of glasses for her. Her sight had been poor from birth thus she had to wear spectacles at a young age of three and just like her normal eyes, she was now used to the glasses. Diane’s mother pulled up her car at the same time with Fred. Diane and Fred go out of their cars at the same time and their eyes met. Fred waved at Diane and her mother before he headed to his house. “Diane, won’t you ask Fred for his notes? You skipped school remember?” Irene asked her daughter. “Mum, Fred and I don’t talk.” Diane replied with an awkward expression and started walking towards the house but her mother stopped her, mid-way. She pouted, still upset about how Dr. Priscilla gave her an earful for breaking another pair of glasses. “Hey young lady.” She snapped. “I do not care if you talk or not. You have to go and get the notes on everything they learnt today.” “Fine.” Diane pouted and turned around, slowly walking to Fed’s house. Irene shook her head in amusement and went into her house. Diane rang the doorbell and waited patiently. Fred’s young sister, Marina opened the door for her. “Hi!” Marina chirped warmly. Marina was two years younger than Diane but she acted older. “Hi, Marina.” Diane responded, trying to smile. “You know my name?” Marina’s cute eyes flashed with surprise. “Yes. We are neighbours.” “I know. It is just that you rarely come out of your house.” Marina’s gaze shifted to Diane’s house across the street. “May I talk to Fred?” Marina’s eyes shifted back to Diane, eyeing her with interest before she turned back, directing her eyes up the stairway in the house. “Hey Freddie. There is a girl looking for you out here.” Marina shouted and turned to Diane. “We will be with you shortly. Please come in.” “I can wait here.” “Stop being a coward. Our parents are not at home.” Marina said as she pulled Diane into the house and closed the door. “Take a seat. I will be in my room if you need anything” “Okay. Thank you.” Diane replied. Marina smiled and dashed up the stairs, heading to her room. She met her brother on the hallway and Fred pleadingly took his sister’s hands in his. “Who is here to visit? If it is Marble or Patrice, tell I am not feeling well. It’s not right for them to come here without Chloe.” “It is neither Patrice nor Marble.” Marina told him. “Then who is it?”  Fred’s light blue eyes lit up with curiosity. “It’s the girl across the street.” Marina gave him a mischievous smile. “Diane?” Fred was astounded, his eyes dilating with euphoria. “Right. I was also surprised to see her at our doorstep. Go on. She asked for you. do not keep her waiting.” Marina said and walked past her brother. Fred smiled, looked at himself self-consciously before he headed downstairs to see his guest. Diane was busy, looking at the family photos when Fred came up behind her, startling her. “I am sorry.” Fred said, taking a step back. “It’s alright. I should have been alert.” Diane replied and shifted her gaze to the red velvet carpet beneath their feet. There was silence between them prompting Fred to initiate the conversation. “So, what’s up?” Fred asked. “Oh. I didn’t attend school today.” Diane said and kept quiet again. “I presume you need the notes.” “Yes, that is right.” “Actually, we also have a group project in Architecture class.” Fred said, scratching the back of his head. “Oh okay.” Diane replied confidently. Projects were a walk over for her. “I kind of chose you as my partner. I figured you would need one.” Fred confessed. “That was considerate of you.” Diane retorted smilingly, hiding her sadness from him. Although she  was smart, most of her classmates shunned away from being groupmates with her. Fred chortled, feeling a sensation with pride. Diane rarely smiled and it was a big achievement to make her smile. “Is it okay if you can come to my room? We can work on the project from there.” Fred asked, feeling a little awkward. “I can’t take you to the study. It is restricted to strangers. Not that you are a stranger.” “It’s okay. I understand what you mean.” Diane said, chortling. Fred was eloquent, talkative and outgoing but he seemed to be having a hard time speaking to Diane and this made her feel god about herself. “Shall we?” “Yes.”   *** In his room, Fred pulled up another chair and placed it near his working table for Diane to sit on. Diane thanked him and sat down comfortably. “So the project is about creating a farm house and all its requirements. Everything has to be in place. For instance, the windmill, barn and other things; you get it, right” “Yes. A farm house also needs a farm, a kraal and maybe a poultry house. We can add them to the list.” “Good girl. I bet working with you is going to easy and fun.” Fred commented and chuckled. Diane blushed making Fred chuckle again. “Here are the materials needed for the project.” Fred said as he placed a box on the table. “Is there anything I should bring?” “I only need your brain and man power.” Fred said. “Let us start with the paperwork and measurements.” “Absolutely.” Diane said and the two of them begun to work immediately. After working for a long two hours, Diane dozed off on the table. Fred went to his wardrobe, took out a fleece blanket and covered her with it before he continued working on the project. By the time she had woken up, he was done with the measurements and drawings himself. “You should have woken up me.” She said. “You looked so beautiful that I couldn’t wake you up.” Fred answered; his tone cheesy and his eyes stuck on her like glue. Aware of his admiring gaze at her, Diane blushed and shyly shunned away. “Stop making fun of me…” she said “I am serious.” Fred’s bulged eyes lingered on her. Diane turned and they locked eyes. She stared hard and longingly into Fred’s eyes. He lingered and leaned closer, aiming for her rosy red lips. Diane’s heart pounded fast and hard. She nervously swallowed some saliva; she was in a boy’s room and closer to him than ever. This was not any other boy; it was Fred, her childhood crush and protector. Anything could happen if she gave in, but this would make her look easy especially since this was the first time they were interacting for the longest time. “It’s late now. I need to go home.” Diane said and moved some inches away. Fred’s smiled with disappointment. He had wanted her for a long time but fear of rejection pulled back and now he was confirming his fears. “Maybe, she is not into me.” “Since today is Friday, we can continue working on the project on Monday.” “What is the due date?” Diane asked. “Next month. The grades will be added to our grades for the final exam.” “This means that we need to do the right thing. I promise I won’t slack off next time. I am just exhausted after visiting the Optical Center.” “You don’t need to explain yourself, Diane. We are teammates.” Fred said and. “Alright.” “I will walk you out.” Fred said. *** Outside, Fred walked Diane to her house. It was a starry night and the moon shined brightly making the view of the night spectacular. “It is so beautiful out here.” Diane said, her eyes gleaming as the moon’s reflection danced in her pupils. Fred did not look up the sky. He was lost in reverie of Diane as he eyed her neckline with impeccable desire. “Do you want to take a walk with me?” Fred suddenly asked as his lip spread into a smile of mischief. “Well, I did not tell my mother I would take long...” Diane said. “You can tell her about the project later. I am sure she will understand.” Fred said. He was aware that he was asking her to lie to her mother later but he did not care. His desire was to be with her at this moment. Diane was reluctant but Fred was determined so he took her hand, tagging her along with him. The two of them walked down the street and headed to the community playpark. Fred took her hand and helped her take a seat on a nearby bench before he sat down as well. “This is the longest time we have spoken to each other despite knowing each other since kindergarten.” Fred remarked smilingly. “And I always wonder why.” “Maybe it’s because I am way out of your league.” Diane said. “How does that even matter?” Fred laughed heartily. “To be honest you are too sweet and way out of my league.” “You know I don’t care about such things.” “I thought you do since Chloe is your girlfriend.” Diane remarked with a spark of jealousy. “My choice of a girlfriend is not determined by status, Diane. Truth is, I like Chloe.” Fred said. “And I love you just the way you are.” “If you like Chloe, why are you here with me?” “I want to get to know you, Diane.” Fred answered merrily. “I want to confess my love for you and kiss you under the moonlight.” “This could be a start of a very good friendship. What do you think?” “I suppose it could work out.” Diane retorted with a faint smile. She expected something else from Fred. “You do know we are not doing Math Probability, right?” Fred said and laughed. Diane laughed too. “We should be going back home.” Diane said. “My mother hates it when I don’t have dinner on time.” “My mother is like that too.” Fred said and stood up, extending his hand to her. “We should leave then.” Diane said as she stood up as well. The two of them walked back home in silence. They merrily grinned from time to time, stealing glances until Fred realized that he had left his phone behind. “Shoot, my phone. I think I left it on the bench.” He exclaimed. “No, I will go back quickly and find it. You stay here.” Fred said and rushed back. He returned to the exact bench he and Diane had sat on but there was nothing there. Fred searched the turf around the bench but there was no trace of the phone and this made him worry. This was his sixth phone. He broke four and lost one already. Suddenly, a handed extended down to his face while he was still searching the turf. “Are you looking for this?” A feminine voice asked him. It was familiar and sweet to his eye. “I told you to stay back, but you never listen, do you?” Fred said as he took the phone into his hands and straightened up. “I had to help.” “Thank you, Diane.” Fred said and took her hand. It was cold as ice.“Let’s go.” “Where to?” “Home, Diane.” Fred answered with a chortling intonation. “Do you want to stay out all night?” “No.” “Then let’s go home.” “I don’t have a home.” “What do you mean, Diane? We are practically neighbours.” Fred laughed. Suddenly, he heard Diane’s voice, hollering his name from the opposite direction. He turned quickly and saw Diane dashing towards him. “Fred” she said, her voice curt. “Diane, you…”Fred was astounded.