The darkness closed in around him, suffocating him as he slept. He was back in the past, reliving the same stormy night that changed everything. The sound of thunder boomed, and flashes of lightning illuminated the dark sky. He was running, trying to escape the chaos, but his feet felt heavy, as if rooted to the spot.
The same feeling of dread that washed over him as he heard that news ran through his veins, nailing him onto the bed lying ramrod straight.
It was like running down the stairs in a dark corridor, no sense of balance or direction, just falling without any control of his limbs.
Suddenly, he jolted awake, running his eyes frantically over the room, his hands copping for a feel of the duvet, whilst also reaching out to put on his bedside lamp, his eyes gradually adjusting to the soft light.
He let out a soft sigh, his heart still reeling from the chaotic dream he just had. His eyes caught the time displayed on his bedside alarm, seems even the nightmare couldn't beat his biological clock, something he'd forever be thankful of.
As he made to stand up, a furry feline elegantly launched his way into his arms.
"Mm, morning to you too, Mr. Meow, let's get ready."
With soft music now playing, he went about his morning routine. Ticked a few boxes that were meant to be ticked, packed his daily necessities, and just as he was saying his goodbye to Mr. Meow, an unplanned event happened, there was someone at the door.
After staring for five minutes at the door and discovering the intruder would likely not go away, he decided to check out who it was.
It turned out to be the pretty lady that likes to wave, she had pretty eyes, he'd noticed.
He continued staring at her blankly in hopes she'd go away soon, he ought to be getting out of the elevator by now and walking to his car.
"Uhn, good morning Mr. Neighbor, I checked today's weather forecast and discovered it would rain for the most part, so I wanted to give you an umbrella." He heard her say as she beamed up at him, she had a pretty smile to he noted, her eyes seemed to catch the light, but he didn't observe any light around. He wanted to tell her he had also seen the forecast and had even packed an umbrella, but she dashed into her flat the moment she stuffed the umbrella into his hands.
He went back in dazed, he had spent an extra five minutes at home due to the interaction. He wanted to drop the umbrella on the rack but found himself unable to do so, she'd beamed so happily when she gave it to him, what if she found out he didn't use it and was unhappy, for some reason he didn't want the pretty little lady with the pretty eyes not smiling.
With brisk steps he fell back into routine, leaving for work after one last look at Mr. Meow.