PHOTO PROMPT © Dale Rogerson
Melatonin Cushion
The melatonin worked. Nothing interrupted my floating sleep last night. Absent was the recurring nightmare of headlights, fire, a blanketing black umbrella-like claw descending upon Fremont, the smell of smoke, and the cacophony of sirens and screams.
Refreshed after sleeping soundly for the first time in months, I sat on the edge of the bed, raised my arms up and out and inhaled as I stretched. I had to remember to thank Ronnie for the melatonin.
I stood, walked to the window, and threw open the curtains while humming, “Good Day Sunshine.”
It caught in my throat. The nightmare was real.
[101 words]
How many stories have plots where an adventure turns out to be a dream? This one has a nightmare turning out to be real.
Rochelle Wisoff-Fields is the host of Friday Fictioneers. Compelling photo, Dale!
Tao Talk 
Our daily refrain at present: “the nightmare was real”
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:( I know
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Just when it seemed all was well… Nice one, Lisa.
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Thanks, Keith. Hard to write happy with that image, unless maybe one where they escaped? I like your new pic. Very nice.
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The adventure was a dream or the nightmare was real – I prefer the nightmare adventure was a dream. Good one, Lisa.
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Miriam, thanks for reading and your comment.
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You’re welcome, Lisa. I used to write 99 words flash fiction. Yours is fun to read.
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Miriam, I wish you would join us at Friday Fictioneers. Pretty please??
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Thank you for the temptation, Lisa! Let me look into it! 🙂
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8) yes! ::fingers crossed:::
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A very compelling story
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Sadje, thank you.
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Most welcome Li
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Perhaps the narrator is still caught in the dream, just with a variation…(K)
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May be!
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Oh, I so wanted that feeling of having rested… sans the wake-up call! A well-crafted story for our times, my friend.
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Thanks, Dale, and thanks for that photo. It’s generating a lot of good stories.
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My pleasure. And I love when that happens!
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<3
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💞
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A nightmare come true. Great story.
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Thanks, Will!
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Quick, go back to sleep until the world heals.
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:)
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Uh oh.
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Waking up every day in the United States.
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:( I know.
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oh well, at least, she had a good night sleep. :)
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Yes :) I like the way you think.
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Yoiks! I kinda feel like that each morning. Just before I turn on the radio I wonder what fresh hell happened while I slept. Great take on the prompt.
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Alicia, I love your comment and can relate. Thank you.
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The nightmare is real, oh my God is there no end to this hideousness? Good stuff, kept me guessing
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Shrawl thanks so much.
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Talk about a rude awakening. Chilling, Lisa.
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Nancy, I just added “rude awakening” as an alternate title. It sure was for her.
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Cool, Lisa! Looks good.
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I take melatonin before bed. Is that why I have weird dreams? Or is it just my weird brain?
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Nobbin, I have started taking it again the past week or so. I have noticed a different quality to the dreams than when not taking it. Probably a little of both?
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Dear Lisa,
That’s an ending that hits between the eyes. A rude awakening indeed. And a great cover of a favorite song. ;) I thought of my husband who takes melatonin. Good job.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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Rochelle, thanks. I picked The Analogues cover of the song because it was a perceptual shift (but not a nightmare come true.)
Shalom,
Lisa
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I echo the advise: back to bed, quickly. A scary story, or metaphor of today’s world we live in.
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Gabi, thanks, and oh how I wish it wasn’t so.
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Oh no!
A terrifying reality if dreams are real. Well done!
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Thanks much, Laurie, yes it is.
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For some reason, this track was playing in my head during the read.
https://youtu.be/sRFnnVMawpY
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Don’t think I have heard that one before. Cool tune that fits, you’re right.
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:-) :-)
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Excellent twist!
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:)
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Oh my….
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A living nightmare, oh so real, too bad the melatonin can’t take it away!
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That would be so nice, Carol Anne. Thanks for reading.
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