Fever Dreams

Fever Dreams

Thunder rumbled distantly as lighting pulsed, piercing through the shutters of the hotel window. Rain continued to lash down. Jacob could not sleep. Usually, the sounds of a storm and rain gave him a sense of comfort, only on this evening it seemed to fuel his thoughts, each flash of blue lightning that breached his half open shutters energising his racing mind. Still he could not bring himself to close them fully, and finally he gave in, switching on his bedside light and moving up to a sitting position, sighing.

'Sleep is for the weak' he said to himself, running a hand through his thick black hair as he reached into his trouser pocket, looking for his pack of cigarettes. He found them finally, put his trousers on and a vest before making his way onto the small balcony of his hotel. As his door opened he fully realised the ferocity of the storm, its gale blowing in from his right side, sweeping leaves and mess into the air. The courtyard outside the hotel was small, with a blue and red neon sign that said 'Mojo's Hotel' casting a strange glare over it all in the night. It was cheap, and relatively homely. Jacob was on the second floor and looked out into the road lined with trees that bucked and swayed ferociously. In a way he felt ease from this, the world seeming to match his awakened and disrupted state in the darkness. Lighting tore through the sky again, igniting the city in the distance.

Mojo’s was situated on the outskirts of its suburban area, right beneath the woodlands that stretched up into the hills. Here, he was closer to his sister. She had been experiencing increasing episodes of paranoid schizophrenia recently, something he had always known her to suffer from. Today, he had been called by his brother Scott, who had told him she needed help. Scott had been there for a visit after hearing that her state had deteriorated beyond normal - Lucy, their sister was very intelligent and managed by herself whilst medicated. But not lately. Scott had called during a manic episode. Jacob had shown up to help, calmed Lucy down and they had all managed to talk about how they would help Lucy get the treatment she needed. Momentarily they had managed to return Lucy to the realms of normality - that was until she had suddenly convinced herself that Jacob ‘was leading them right to her’. She had pushed him out kicking and screaming; only Scott could calm her down.

‘Get yourself some rest and come back here tomorrow morning. I have to leave tomorrow night… I’ll call Gerald and say it's an emergency… you need to do what he tells you’ Scott had said, his stutter becoming more apparent due to the anxiety of the moment. Gerald was the doctor assigned to Lucy, a family friend also, who had visited her home several times over the past few years in instances of crisis. It had been over a year since he had needed to be called.

‘Can’t sleep?’ a soft voice said from his left. Jacob looked over to see a blonde woman, mid twenties looking back at him from the adjacent balcony. For some reason words failed him, and he just took another drag of his cigarette, frowning.

‘Cool’ she replied, nodding awkwardly. Jacob quickly put out his cigarette, realising the events of the day and his fatigue had taken more out of him than first anticipated.

‘Sorry! Yes. I mean no, I can’t sleep. The storm is beautiful though’ he said finally. The woman chuckled to herself, a blanket draped over shoulders. She was sipping on a glass of whiskey.

‘A beautiful storm… I’ve never heard anyone say that before’ she replied, smiling back at Jacob as she took another swig.

‘What keeps you up?’ Jacob asked.

‘I’ve been having strange dreams’

The woman’s face soured as she said this, and then there was a silence. Jacob felt discomfort in this, not having the energy to console her but feeling an unusual sense of pain from her all the same. He lit another cigarette, offering one to the strange woman across the gap between their rooms. He stretched as far as he could, ensuring she would have to exert no effort to receive the offer.

‘I don’t smoke’ she said, her eyebrows raised in amusement at Jacob's efforts.

‘You sure?’ Jacob replied, the storm blustering through ferociously as he continued to reach out.

‘Well I mean I quit… ah I guess one won’t hurt. I’ve earned it’ she said finally, taking the offer. Jacob smiled as he leant back over to his own balcony.

‘Lighter?’ he asked. The woman nodded and Jacob tossed his own; the wind took his throw and the lighter landed somewhere on her balcony with a crack.

‘Shit! My bad… it was the wind’

The woman rolled her eyes with a smile as she leant down to collect the lighter, spilling her drink also.

‘Ooh! Damn it! The storm’s getting to both of us’ she said, flushing with embarrassment as she stood up again. Jacob smiled to himself, finding it endearing.

‘One more refill and then I will have to sleep’ she said, removing her blanket to go fetch another drink.

‘Do you want one?’ she asked as she did so. Jacob was caught off guard, still puffing on his cigarette.

‘I’m not sure you’ll be able to throw one over in this weather’

‘You can come sit on my balcony. You’re not coming in though’ she replied through a smile.

__________________________________________

‘Wow, that’s some good stuff’ Jacob said, letting out a small cough as he took a swig of whiskey that was far too large. The woman scoffed, laughing in mild confusion.

‘It is… and usually even better when you sip it’ she replied. Jacob laughed to himself and lit yet another cigarette.

‘Well thank you anyway… What's your name?’

‘I’m Sofia’ Sofia said, a smile growing across her reddening cheeks. The night had dropped in temperature, and Jacob could tell she was becoming slightly cold.

‘Don’t worry Sofia I’ll drink up quickly and let you get back into the warm. Tell me about your dreams, I’m interested’ Jacob said, taking a large pull on his cigarette and easing back into his chair with an inquisitive frown. Sofia took a sip of her drink, flipping her hair to one side as she pulled her legs up closer to her chest. She then looked upwards, as if retelling the story to herself. Jacob could not deny that she was beginning to hypnotise him with her beauty.

‘I always dream of a man with glasses, wearing a neat black suit. He follows me with a monotone voice, asking questions about things I have no memory of, always watching me. The sense of unease I feel when I see him is… enough to keep me up at night, obviously’ she said, gesturing around herself as she tried to make light of the situation. Jacob laughed.

‘Very strange what the human mind does to itself sometimes’ he said through a chuckle, reaching forwards to take a swig of his drink. This one was even larger than the last, and he exhaled in satisfaction as he leant back once more.

‘Yeah thanks for the cutting analysis’ she said, regarding Jacob with mild disapproval. He smiled in response.

‘Weird thing is, I know almost exactly what you’re talking about. That’s why it's funny to me’ he replied. Sofia sipped her whiskey, engaged in the conversation again.

‘Oh yeah? What do you mean?’

Jacob finished the remainder of his drink, smoking still. He had forgotten how uneasy these memories had made him, but he owed Sofia a small explanation now, at least. Thunder rumbled as he gathered his thoughts.

‘My sister and I… I used to dream of us in this large room, like a hospital. Nothing was wrong with the room, but… I felt I needed to get out. My sister would scream, so, so loud. And I would always try to pull her out of the room, before the doctors came back in… but she wouldn’t stop screaming. I was always too late’ Jacob said, leaning forward as he put out his cigarette.

‘Wow. Now I don’t feel so bad about my little stalker with glasses’ Sofia replied. Jacob laughed, and then they both did. Thoughts of Lucy and her episodes rushed through Jacob’s mind, but were cut off by the sound of a rumbling not born of the storm. Jacob looked up to see a distant light, bobbing over the trees atop the highest hill of the woodlands, far in the distance beyond Mojo’s hotel. It looked like a helicopter, the distant rhythm of its flight mixing with the storm before dipping away into the darkness.

‘That’s strange… sounded like the military. I can’t believe they would fly in this’ Jacob said, standing with his hands now over the railings of the balcony. Sofia stood also, seeing nothing.

‘I think I’ve spooked you out with my stories’ Sofia said, giggling. Jacob laughed and re-centred himself.

‘I think it may be possible’ he said, continuing to gaze out into the darkness with a half smile.

He looked down at Sofia and her smiling face, and then thunder rumbled in the distance, bringing his attention back to the woodlands where his sister lived, and the strange appearance of what looked like a military helicopter. Something was out of place, he just didn’t know what.

‘How long are you here for Sofia?’

‘Oh. Too long. About a week, give or take. It's a work situation’ she replied, seeming drained by the thought. Jacob nodded.

‘Well.. you fancy dinner one night? If you’re not too busy, that is’ Jacob asked, glancing between her and the storm that continued to swell. She reached out and touched Jacob’s forearm.

‘That sounds great Jacob’ she said with a smile. Jacob smiled back.

‘Great. I think I’d better go and try to sleep’

Sofia simply nodded, continuing to smile.

‘Thanks for the drink Sofia’

‘Anytime’

__________________________________________

Jacob awoke, drenched in sweat. The very same dream he had talked to Sofia about had reared its ugly head, only this time there was no hospital. The men in the dreams were wearing masks, their faces obscured. Their actions were more violent, evasive. And the scream. Oh god, the sound of the scream. A number had replayed in his head over and over as he slept also - 61834. Jacob looked at his watch, sighing. 10:40am. He was late.

‘Shit’ he muttered to himself. Jacob rushed to get dressed, making it out of his hotel room and into his car in under 5 minutes before driving up through the woodlands to his sister's house. What this would bring he had no idea, and yet he felt calm falling over him as he made his way up through the still darkening woodlands. It was as if something was telling him everything was about to fall into place. Wishful thinking, perhaps. Only time would tell.

__________________________________________

‘She’s been at it for hours, hasn't paid me no mind at all, but.. She’s eating and using the toilet… and she’s quiet. That’s about as good as we’re gonna get right now’ Scott explained, his arms crossed as he gazed at his sister in her large modern woodland house. She was watching the TV in a dimly lit room, switching the stations as she tuned a radio, seemingly trying to decipher some kind of hidden message. Jacob would have laughed if it wasn’t so strange.

‘She’s medicated, Gerald has said that she will need to be put in a facility if symptoms don’t improve over the next two days.. He’s hoping it’s a one off episode’ Scott continued. Jacob said nothing, his arms crossed also as he continued nodding.

‘I’ll be back late tonight.. Just watch her until then, please’ Scott said, slapping Jacob on the back. Jacob held out his hand and the pair embraced.

‘Think she’ll let me change the channel?’ Jacob asked as his brother left.

‘Ha! Better find yourself a book’ Scott quipped as he slammed the door behind him. Scott sighed, finding more whiskey instead and sitting in the armchair beside his sister. She looked over at him, smiling as if she were a child again, happy to see him. Jacob found it both sweet and slightly unsettling, but smiled back all the same. Sighing, he leant back, looking upwards. His sister had large glass windows above the living space, and the darkness of the storm continued to swirl as rain fell once more. The sound began to lull him into drink induced sleep, happy that his sister had found a strange and yet effective coping mechanism. For now, at least. Soon, he was dreaming once again.

‘Ah damn it!’ Lucy cried. Jacob awoke from sleep with a start, spilling his drink.

‘The frequency, I lost it’ she continued. Jacob sat forwards, rubbing his eyes and then picking his glass back up.

‘Oh yeah? Maybe it's time for a rest’ Jacob replied, looking around and realising it was dark now. Scott would be back soon, he figured. Lucy sighed, finally seeming to snap back into a sense of reality.

‘Maybe you’re right’

Jacob smiled, she seemed to be coming back to earth and was no longer manic in her response.

‘One thing first… you try’ she said, offering the radio to Jacob. Jacob smiled, but found himself becoming mildly frustrated.

‘Lucy.. I think maybe we just-’

‘Try, please. And then I’ll go right to bed. You’re right, I’m tired’ she responded, offering the radio to Jacob once more. He sighed, giving in.

‘Sure. What’s the plan?’ he said taking the radio and looking into the TV which now played the nightly news’

‘Do you hear the rhythm, the crackle?’ Lucy asked. Jacob turned up the sound level, hearing a distinct crackling sound on it every few seconds.

‘Sure’

‘When it feels right, press the buttons on the remote to that rhythm. The messages it gives… They always protect me. It's your turn’ Lucy explained. Jacob laughed, finding himself amused by the situation, and then looked at Lucy who was expectant, waiting. The sound of the radio became slightly hypnotic as he focused, picking up the remote. To his own surprise, a wave of seriousness came over him. Part of him was intrigued. He looked down at the remote.

6. ‘You’ 1. ‘Have’ 8. ‘Ten’ 3. ’Minutes’ 4. ‘Now’

Jacob felt his heart rate quicken. The voices on the TV had come from different channels, falling into rhythm to create a sentence. Lucy watched on, smiling.

‘Go on’ she said, ushering Jacob to press the buttons again.

6. ‘She’ 1. ‘Will’ 8. ‘Hide’ 3. ‘You’ 4. ‘Talk’

Jacob dropped the remote, frozen. Lucy stood up, sighing.

‘I knew they would come again. Looks like it’s your turn to deal with them’ she said with a shrug, walking off upstairs as if there was nothing more to say.

‘Wait… what do you..?’ Jacob began to ask, feeling himself taking her words seriously. He caught himself however, and then laughed. She seemed happy, and was no longer manic.

‘Goodnight Lucy’ he shouted up the stairs after her. Jacob found himself shaking off the feeling of unease, pouring himself a drink and sitting back in front of the TV, switching on some lights. After a few minutes he found himself looking forward to his brother's presence again, telling him of the weird experience.

Knock. Knock. Knock.

Jacob stood, smiling. He needed some company, and Scott was late. Once over to the door, he swung it open quickly, the storm's wind breaching the house immediately. Instead of his brother however, a man in a neat black suit with wide glasses stared back at him. He had neatly combed grey hair, looking like some kind of government agent.

‘Is this Lucy Hawthorn’s residence?’ he asked in a monotone voice. Something about him was eerie, an inhuman stillness to his manner. Jacob was taken aback, still holding his drink and finding himself lost for words.

‘Yes, but… she’s absent. She’s away actually, I’m using her house for the night’ Jacob replied. The man looked him up and down, silent.

‘Who are you, If you don’t mind me asking? It’s a bit late for visitors’ Jacob continued.

‘Your sister is a person of interest. Denying information of her whereabouts would be seen as obstruction of intel, from a government perspective’ the man replied. Jacob felt an energy rising within him, fury beyond anger that he took a second to let wash over him.

‘I can tell you this, the government will need to come back here with a warrant or an army before you get any information from me, you strange little man. Get off this property - now’ Jacob said, stepping in front of the man who he was at least a head taller than. The storm kicked up ferociously as he said this, seeming to punctuate his words.

‘Very well’ the man said. Jacob watched as he turned and walked back to his sleek black car, its windows tinted heavily black also. The passenger seat rolled down its window. A man who looked almost identical to the one returning from the porch of his sister's house sat waiting, watching. After a few moments, they drove off into the darkness of the woodlands. Jacob slammed the door behind him.

‘Thanks Jay’ Lucy said from the top of the stairs. Jacob looked up to her silhouette and found himself on the edge of laughter, jovial for some reason.

‘Anytime Luce’ he shouted back up at her. He was happy to have connected with his little sister in such a strange and profound way. There was one thing that he knew, however. Something that kept him on his toes. Whoever those strange men were, they would be back.