Dreams Across the Street

**$date** Hey there, folks! $name here, giving this whole blogging thing a shot after a decade-long hiatus. Let's dive right in. [[Yesterday]] was a snoozefest of epic proportions! Being twenty years old and a freshman in college is already embarrassing. Luckily, I was fashionably late for my first period and missed attendance. If I had to endure my yapping professor interrupting the morning announcements one more time this week, I swear I would've gone bonkers. *insert eye roll here* Seriously, can someone just stuff a sock in his mouth already? "ToDaY wE nEeD yOuR EmErGeNcY sLips t0 bE sIgNeD" - give it a rest, Mr. Robins. What we really need is for you to zip it and let us hear what surprises the cafeteria lady has cooked up for us today. I need to know if I'm getting my second cheese steak sub of the week.-

"Thanks so much!" the girl says, appreciating the shelter under the umbrella. "Don't mention it. Sorry to see you walking with no umbrella," $name replies, his concern evident in his voice. "How are you? Besides wet," $name asks, attempting to break the ice. "I'm good, I'm good. I really should've brought an umbrella, but I don't have one," the girl confesses. "I have an extra one at home if you'd like?" $name offers, trying to be helpful. The girl looks up at $name's face, suddenly recognizing him. "You're $name, right?" $name is surprised at how she knows his name. "Uh, yeah... [[How do you know that?]]" he inquires, realizing this might be the girl from across the street he's admired from afar.

$name and $name1 sit in anticipation as the download progresses, and the installation begins. In the midst of their excitement, $name asks, "What should we look up?" $name1 suggests exploring the possibility of moving items in the real world while dreaming. As the installation finishes, $name opens the TorBrowser, and they use DuckDuckGo as their search engine. They stumble upon a post where scientists claim to communicate with people in their dreams, prompting $name1 to read, "Researchers say two-way communication is possible with people who are asleep and dreaming." Intrigued but not entirely convinced, $name suggests checking out the [[blog website]].

$name WAKE UP!! $name WAKE UP! The urgent screams of $name's Mother pierce the veil of his subconscious. $name jolts awake, his breath caught in his throat, his face still tingling from the fading remnants of an inexplicable nightmare. "Wh- What?" $name stammers, disoriented, as his mother insists he's late for picking up Ty from school. Hastily, $name scrambles to put on his shoes, his mind racing to make sense of the disjointed fragments of his dream. Glancing at his laptop, confusion deepens as he realizes it's his old laptop—a relic of the past. The screen reveals an eerie revelation: [[**$date**]]

Approaching the laptop, $name takes the lead. $name1 hands him the money, emphasizing that no one is around to witness their transaction. $name1 casually mentions needing to use the bathroom, leaving $name to jot down a note for the money. As he finishes, he turns around, expecting to find $name1, but she's gone. Growing concerned, $name calls out for her, receiving no response. Shouting her name again, he realizes something is amiss. Pondering the possibility that $name1 may have woken up, he hurriedly leaves the store, laptop in hand, and runs towards $name1's home in the rain. Fearing he might be waking up, $name reaches $name1's porch, out of breath. Just as he's about to walk in, he expresses relief, "I'm back, thank god." Before he can enter, he wakes up in reality, finding $name1 standing next to the bed, looking around the room in shock. $name, catching his breath, is taken aback. "[[What... what happened]]?" $name1 inquires.

(align:"=><=")+(box:"=XXXXXXXX=")[**The End.** ] (align:"=><=")+(box:"=XXXXXXXX=")[Ｂｙ：ＤｅａｔｈｌｙＴｉｋＴｏｋ：＠ｄｘｘｔｈｌｙＹｏｕＴｕｂｅ：＠ｄｘｘｔｈｌｙ１４３]

(align:"=><=")+(box:"=XXXXXXXX=")[**The End.** ] By: Deathly TikTok: @dxxthly YouTube: @dxxthly 143

"Your Mom... I hear your Mom yelling your name all the time. I live across the street from you," she reveals. $name, feeling a mix of embarrassment and surprise, stammers, "Oh... well, that's quite embarrassing." The girl reassures him, "No, not embarrassing. I think $name is a good name. It's cute." "Okay, so you know my name... What's yours?" $name asks. "Well, my name is $name1," she smiles. "$name1? Ah, well, if you say my name is cute, I think you got me beat there," $name jokes. They both chuckle, the shared laughter melting away the awkwardness as they [[continue to walk towards the school]]. Little do they know, this chance encounter might just be the beginning of something special, a connection sparked under the shelter of an umbrella on a rainy day.

$name groans as he contemplates the injustice of his perpetual lack of "me time." "Please pick up your brother," he mockingly imitates his mom, rolling his eyes so hard it's almost a workout. Dragging himself downstairs with the enthusiasm of a sloth on a Monday morning, $name suddenly finds himself confronted by a knock at the door. Assuming it's his mother, he flings it open with a theatrical "WHAT," only to be met with the puzzled gaze of the girl from across the street. With a quizzical expression, she says, "Um, I was just wondering if you wanted to walk with me to the school? I've seen you pick your brother up before and was wondering if maybe you wouldn't mind sharing your umbrella?" $name, caught off guard by this unexpected social interaction, stammers for a moment, eyebrows reaching for his hairline at the sheer audacity of someone else daring to disrupt his sacred routine. But then he glances at the girl, and his internal monologue shifts to an excited, "Wait, she's [[talking to me?]]"

$name then turns to his mom and asks, "Hey, Mom?" "Yes, sweetie?" $name's mom replies. "Is it okay if $name1 stays the night tonight? She kinda needs help setting up her laptop." $name's mom looks at $name, raising an eyebrow. "Do you have any condoms?" she asks. "Mom, come on!" $name exclaims, embarrassed. "Well, do you?" she persists. "Oh my god, yes, Jesus, please don't ask that again," $name pleads. $name1 leans on her elbow over the bar, covering her smile with her hand and winking at $name. Ty walks in and asks, "Mom, what are condoms?" "Oh my god," $name's mom says, "condiments... condiments," she repeats. Ty then asks, "Well, what is a condiment?" "Like sauce for their steak or ketchup or mustard," Ty says. "Ohhhh. Well, I want condiments on my steak too, Mom," Ty adds. "I know, Ty, I know," $name's mom says, rolling her eyes and [[smiling]] at $name1.

$name follows $name1 down the stairs, and as she opens the front door, there sits $name's umbrella and laptop. $name leans over to grab it, a smile playing on his lips. $name1 smiles and remarks, "I'm glad you got the laptop you wanted." $name walks into the house, putting the laptop box on the table near $name1's door. He reaches his hands out for a hug and says, "Thank you." $name1 smiles and hugs $name back, saying, "Haha, [[no problem]], $name. No problem." The mysterious blend of dreams and reality leaves them both with a sense of wonder and laughter.

$name1 spots her brother Kai walking out of the school, using a folder to shield himself from the rain. She shouts, "Over here, Kai!" Kai, $name1's brother, starts running over, noticing $name1 and Ty but not recognizing $name. Ty, ever the joker, says to Kai, "I never knew you lived across the street, dude!" "Across the street?" Kai responds, surprised. "Yeah, this is my brother $name. I think he has feelings for your sister," Ty teases, earning a nudge in the stomach from $name. "Ow!" Ty laughs, holding his stomach. He then explains to Kai that they live across the street. Kai and Ty, though familiar from playing basketball together during recess, never knew they lived so close to each other, as they don't share any classes. "Come on, boys! We're going to my house," $name1 invites. "Sweeet!" Ty says. "Do you have any games, Kai?" "Yeah, I have a Switch. We can play," Kai responds. "Awesome!" Ty replies. $name looks at $name1, smiling, as they all start to walk towards $name1's [[house]].

$name and $name1 walked side by side, the rain creating a rhythmic backdrop to their conversation. $name1, a short Asian girl from the Philippines, shared her interests - reading, writing, making music, and gaming - passions that echoed with $name's own, though he was yet to discover them. "$name & $name1," said $name1, testing the sound of their names together. "That sounds like a great duo." "You think?" $name replied, a hint of surprise in his voice. "That or we were only meant to be umbrella buddies," $name1 teased, a playful glint in her eyes. "Thank you for walking me, by the way!" "Haha, no problem. It's truly my pleasure," $name responded, trying to play it cool. "Pleasure, you say?" $name1 raised an eyebrow, her smile growing. $name hesitated, debating whether to spill his feelings. "Yeah, pleasure. Thanks for knocking on my door." $name1 chuckled, "By the way you answered, I thought maybe you believed I was a Jehovah's Witness." "Haha, no, just my mom had been bugging me all day to pick up my brother. It's like, 'We didn't hear you the first time,'" they both said simultaneously, exchanging amused glances and shared laughter. "Haha, our parents must be related or something," $name quipped. $name1 nodded in agreement. "My dad is like that with me getting ready for college, so I understand." As they [[continued their walk]], $name couldn't help but feel a connection forming, a camaraderie built on shared experiences and playful banter. Maybe, just maybe, this rainy encounter would be the beginning of a friendship he had been yearning for.

$name sighs in aggravation. "I don't have service in here." "Me either," $name1 says. $name suggests they walk outside to call their parents, and $name1 agrees. They walk down the hall and exit through the front door, attempting to make the calls again. The phones beep as if the numbers have been disconnected. "What is going on?" $name1 asks, her frustration mounting. "I don't know, but maybe we should check the classrooms and see if anyone is even in this building. Something is strange here, and why did we see the custodian, then he was gone?" $name wonders. $name1 agrees, the unsettling mystery pushing them to explore further. Together, they venture into the school doors, hoping to unravel the enigma of the empty school and the disappearing custodian. The echoes of their footsteps are the only sounds in the seemingly abandoned halls as they embark on a journey to [[uncover the truth]].

As they exit one of the classrooms, a sudden noise startles them. Something drops in the distance, the echo magnified in the eerily quiet school. "What was that?" $name1 says, tension in her voice. "It almost sounded like a broomstick hit the floor." They exchange a look of confusion, and then realization dawns. The custodian? Their curiosity piqued, they clasp hands and run down the hallway. Turning a corner, they catch a glimpse of a door closing in the distance, sparking hope that [[someone is here]].

Days stretch into endless nights. $name1, tormented by guilt and dread, is haunted by the repercussions of the prank she orchestrated on Blake. Tears are her constant companion as she blames herself for the dire consequences that unfolded. The silence from $name, who hasn't reached out, deepens $name1's anxiety. The nightmares come relentless, each one more vivid and terrifying than the last. In her dreams, Blake's spectral figure looms ominously at the edge of her bed, a malevolent presence lurking behind him. $name1 feels paralyzed, unable to move as the demon's sinister aura dares her to defy its grip. Days blur into weeks, and $name1, sinking into the abyss of depression, finds herself ensnared in a web of self-blame and remorse. Haunted by the idea that she unleashed something malevolent, $name1 contemplates the dark recesses of the mind, [[questioning her own actions]]. She can't escape the relentless cycle of guilt, replaying the events that led to this nightmare. She wonders if she should have delved into the reasons behind their shared dream experiences.

$name, feeling a sense of unease and confusion, grips his keys and slides them into his pocket. As he opens the front door and glances across the street, $name1's house appears as ordinary as any other day, with lights illuminating the rooms. However, a peculiar sight catches his eye—someone quickly peeking out of $name1's window, only to abruptly shut the blinds upon noticing $name's gaze. Perplexed, $name shuts his own front door, places his bag next to the table, and contemplates the situation. A sudden thought crosses his mind—maybe he's falling ill. Entering the living room, $name notices a candy bar on the table, the same one he consumed in his dream. Doubt creeps in as he questions the reality of that encounter—was it a dream, or did it actually happen? Ascending the stairs, $name glances out of his bedroom window, spotting someone else peeking from the neighboring house. Determined to unravel the mystery, he adjusts the blinds and toggles his bedroom light on and off three times. To his astonishment, the person across the street responds in kind—closing the window and flicking their light on and off three times. The possibility that it might be $name1 crosses $name's mind. Is she trying to signal that she remembers him? Torn between [[attending school]] and [[staying home]] to investigate, $name grapples with the decision before him.

"Well, now that we're sleeping, is there anything you wanna do? Anything you want?" $name1 asks $name. "I kinda been [[wanting this laptop]] at the shop up the street, but I'd feel terrible if I stole it," admits $name. $name1 chuckles, encouraging him to loosen up and live a little. $name hesitates, considering they have $41,000. "Yeah, but we can just go buy it," he suggests. $name1 playfully slaps $name on the chest, stating, "See, I always knew you had good intentions." However, $name questions how they can buy something while they're asleep. $name1 nods in agreement, acknowledging the puzzling nature of their situation. $name proposes a plan: take the money, go to the store, leave the money there, and bring back the laptop. $name1 finds the idea amusing, anticipating people's reactions when money seemingly appears out of nowhere. "Yeah, but it's better we pay than using this for bad...plus, we don't know if anyone else is doing this just yet," says $name. $name1 raises a valid concern, questioning what happens if their brothers need them. $name reassures her, "Well, when we wake up, we wake up where we originally fell asleep, right?" $name1 agrees, and they decide to go for it. $name grabs his umbrella, and together, they head out the door, ready to explore the surreal possibilities of their dream-induced reality.

Poking around the corner, he sees a door closing, thinking $name1 might have entered a classroom. Just as he's about to investigate, $name1 playfully pokes him on the ribs, and $name jumps, letting out a startled scream. "Wait a minute, how... how did you get here that quick?" he stammers in shock. "That quick? You ran past me, and I called your name, silly," $name1 laughs, her playful demeanor evident. "But why didn't you answer when I called your name?" $name questions. "I thought it was the perfect moment to scare you," $name1 chuckles mischievously. "Okay, but how did you close that door down there?" $name1 looks at him with genuine confusion. "Close what door? I've been in this classroom the whole time." "But someone just closed that door down there. Didn't you hear a scream?" "I didn't hear any scream, man. Are you okay?" $name1 asks, concern in her eyes. "Yeah, I'm okay... but still, that door just closed down there, which means [[someone is here]]," $name says, the mystery deepening as he grapples with the unexplained events unfolding in the seemingly empty school.

$name is suddenly wide awake. He drops back into his chair with his hand on his head, instantly feeling dizzy. "They didn't catch the driver?" $name says. "How can they not find the driver? Did they not look at the cameras?" $name's Mom begins to explain. The cameras didn't catch anything, not even the vehicle coming toward the building. They think the car was speeding really fast, $name's mom says. "What?" $name says. "How does that make sense? Worst of all, they can't see how a driver could have gotten out of the car after the impact. It just seems impossible," says $name's Mom. $name, starting to realize what truly happened, runs his fingers through his hair, nearly pulling it out, and runs upstairs. Once in his room, he slams the door, and $name1 wakes up. "What's wrong, $name?" $name1 asks. "He's dead," says $name. "Who?" says $name1. $name explains everything he saw, and his mother told him. $name1 says, "You can't know for sure that he did that." $name says, "It's the only thing that makes sense, $name1". But that's not your fault, says $name1.. "But we told him how to do it. We showed him everything," says $name, throwing stuff from one side of the room to another. "I need you to leave, $name1," $name says, and before $name1 could finish saying, "$name, just relax," $name screams and says, "[[Please leave]]." $name1, understanding why $name is upset, grabs her belongings and leaves $name's room. Walking down the steps, she sees Cassie in tears in the living room and says, "Sorry for your loss, Mrs. Cassie." $name's mom then responds with, "Don't be sorry, $name1. It isn't your fault," before $name1 walks out the door to go home.

After a lively lunch filled with laughter and friendly banter, $name, Blake, and $name1 found themselves in a food fight, tossing fries and playfully dodging each other's attempts to get messy. $name1 paid for their meals, insisting that it was her treat, and they left the restaurant with smiles on their faces. As they strolled down the sidewalk, $name1 couldn't contain her excitement. "Hey, guys, what do you say we skip the last period and just head to my place? We can chill, maybe play some games, and enjoy the afternoon." $name and Blake exchanged grins and agreed almost instantly. The prospect of an unexpected adventure sounded too good to pass up. "Sounds like a plan," $name said, his eyes twinkling with excitement. They hopped on a bus and chatted animatedly during the short ride to $name1's house. The air was charged with the anticipation of a spontaneous afternoon filled with camaraderie and shared laughter. The trio stepped off the bus, and $name1 led the way to her home. As they approached $name1's front door, the day felt full of promise. Little did they know that skipping that last period would lead to unforgettable moments, strengthening their friendship and creating memories that would last a lifetime. The door swung open, inviting them into an afternoon of fun and [[the unexpected]].

$name1 says, "We'll start off slow and easy, and it will get harder, okay?" $name laughs, "That sounds like you're talking about—never mind," he chuckles. "Okay," they both smile and laugh. "Who first?" says $name. $name1 replies, "I will go first. Truth or Dare?" $name chooses Truth. "Okay," $name1 says, "what's the most embarrassing thing you've done in front of one of your ex-girlfriends?" $name puts his finger on his chin, thinking. "Hmm, that's a good question, you know. Last year I dated Kayla Sterri." $name1 interjects, "Oh, Kayla!" $name agrees, "Yes, Kayla. I think the most embarrassing thing I did in front of her was jump in the pool naked." $name1 interrupts, "But how is that embarrassing?" $name explains, "Well, hold on. It was winter time, and let's just say it was really cold when I got out." $name1 laughs and slaps $name's knee. "I see what you mean there, $name," $name1 keeps laughing. $name smiles and says, "Funny, huh?" slightly laughing himself. "Okay, my turn," says $name. "Truth or Dare, $name1?" $name1 chooses Dare. "Okay, something light," says $name. "Make up a steamy two-sentence love story about a random object in this room." $name1 and $name laugh. $name1 looks around the room. "Ummm, okay, my heels," $name1 says. "With each step in my favorite crimson heels, I felt the power of seduction beneath my feet, leaving imprints of passion on the pavement. In those towering stilettos, I walked into his world, and the click-clack of desire became the soundtrack of our clandestine affair, leaving a trail of fiery footsteps in the wake of our forbidden dance." $name claps, [[laughing out loud]] but quieting down as he realizes his laugh might be a little too loud.

$name and $name1 arrive at the school, greeted by the lively hustle and bustle of kids flooding the area, more numerous than the raindrops themselves. "Well, everything seems to be normal," $name observes. "Thank God," $name1 replies with a sigh of relief. $name scans the surroundings and asks $name1, "Do you see your brother?" "No, he usually waits until everyone leaves. My brother is a quiet kid," $name1 explains. "I wish I could say that about my brother... Ty is always talkative," $name shares. Just then, $name's brother Ty comes running out of the school with one of his friends. They exchange a handshake before [[parting ways]]. $name1 notices and comments, "That's cute."

She smiles and says, "My name is $name1!" "That's a cute name," $name remarks. "Thank you! Just one thing... Where is everybody?" $name1 wonders, looking around the eerily quiet schoolyard. $name joins her in scanning the surroundings. No kids, no buses, and no cars to pick up the children. The area is silent, and they both spin in circles, trying to make sense of the mysterious emptiness. "Did we show up late or early?" $name wonders aloud. The rain continues to fall, adding a layer of mystery to the deserted scene. $name1 suggests, "Maybe we should go inside? It is raining." Together, they head towards the school entrance, leaving the peculiar emptiness of the schoolyard behind, the raindrops echoing their shared curiosity. Little do they know, stepping through those doors will unravel a series of unexpected [[events]] and forge a connection neither of them saw coming.

"I was about to come in the house, and you woke me up," $name says, still catching his breath. "No... no... the wind... there was a wind when you woke up," $name1 explains. "I told you, that happened when I woke you up also," $name confesses, shaking his head. $name1 reflects, "That was super weird." "But... where's your laptop?" $name1 asks, puzzled. "I heard you say 'I'm back,' and I woke you up." She looks around the room, noticing the laptop is missing. "No, I said 'I'm back' when I was—" $name stops talking, a confused expression crossing his face. He looks at $name1, realization dawning. "I was on your porch." $name1 and $name exchange glances in silence, then slowly walk towards the door to $name1's room. "[[Let's go check]]," $name1 suggests.

$name's mom's voice echoes up the stairs, warning that she's leaving and urging him not to be late. "I won't!" $name responds, his bewilderment growing. Rain beats against the window, adding to the disconcerting atmosphere. Grabbing an umbrella, $name mutters to himself about the strangeness of it all. Keys become elusive, prompting a frantic search until he finds them in a desk drawer. Running down the stairs, $name opens the door to face the rain-soaked reality. A peculiar encounter awaits him—a girl about to knock introduces herself. "[[Hi, my name's]] $name1. I live across the street."

The old structure creaked with each step, its darkened corridors adding to the sense of dread. The demon, though momentarily delayed, persisted in its pursuit. $name1, $name, and Blake felt the weight of the nightmare pressing upon them. As they reached the building's upper floor, $name1 noticed an eerie glow emanating from the windows. The dream realm was [[playing tricks on them]], distorting reality in unsettling ways. Shadows danced on the walls, and distant whispers echoed through the empty halls. The trio hurriedly descended the creaking stairs, each step an unsettling reminder of the encroaching darkness. The demon, always a step behind, continued to materialize in the corners of their vision.

$name assured him to relax, but Blake couldn't shake off the unease. They proceeded to the laptop section, with $name asking, "Do you want the RGB one?" Blake agreed, and $name handed him the box. At the manager's counter, $name1 handed over $3,000, and $name signed the paperwork, finalizing the purchase. Grateful, Blake thanked them as they left the store, making their way back towards $name1's house. As they walked, Blake's anxiety heightened. $name1 attempted to calm him, but his unease continued to grow. Suddenly, [[the day turned to night]] in an instant, surprising both $name1 and $name, who had never experienced such a phenomenon. Confused, $name asked $name1, "What is happening?" Blake, scared, responded, "I don't understand what's going on." $name1 reassured him, but Blake was still freaked out.

As a few minutes passed, $name1 and $name walked back upstairs, $name1 opening the door to her bedroom. To their surprise, Blake was now sound asleep. Chuckling, $name, trying not to wake Blake, suggested, "What if we tried to move him into the living room and then woke him up? That would be funny." $name1, amused by the idea, agreed, but then they both realized the potential risk of accidentally waking him up while maneuvering down the steps. "Yeah," said $name, "that would be bad. So, what do we do while he's sleeping?" $name asked $name1. $name1 thought for a moment and replied, "I don't know... we can, um, play truth or dare?" $name looked at $name1 and smiled, a mischievous glint in his eyes. "You sure you wanna play that?" he asked. $name1 smiled back at $name and confidently said, "[[Try me]]." The prospect of a game added an unexpected twist to their impromptu gathering.

$name, grappling with the uncertainty of whether his encounter with $name1 was real or a dream, walks down the sidewalk, stealing glances across the street. Opening his phone, he decides to reach out to Blake for clarification. $name: Hey man! We gotta talk. Blake: What's up bro? $name: Did we text yesterday? Blake: Yea, you said something about the girl across the street knocking on the door. $name scratches his head, struggling to remember if he messaged Blake before or after falling asleep. $name: But how? I was asleep. Blake: What do you mean how? Your phone? $name: Meet me near the [[library at 9 am]]. Blake: Sure thing! With his conversation with Blake leaving him with more questions than answers, $name proceeds on his way to school, hoping to find some clarity amidst the mysteries that surround him.

"Well, you need to get ready for school. You missed picking up your brother yesterday. Luckily, he had a playdate at Mrs. Dooler's house with Remy, but you must be awake to pick him up today," advises his mother. "Yes, ma'am. I will," assures $name, heading upstairs with a lingering disappointment that the encounter with $name1 was just a dream. As he readies himself for the day, $name stashes his laptop in his bag, reminiscing about yesterday's blog. He wonders if he completed it, deciding to check later. Prepared to leave, $name reaches for his keys in the desk drawer but discovers they're missing. Panic sets in as he searches his room extensively, only to realize that the pajamas he discarded that morning weren't the ones he wore to sleep—those were the same PJs from the dream with $name1. [[Puzzled]], $name descends the stairs to find his keys conveniently placed by the door. As he gazes over the railing into the living room, he notices it arranged just like he had for $name1, except $name1 herself is conspicuously absent.

Gasping for air, $name manages to summon his fading strength and issue one final plea, his voice filled with anguish and desperation. His mother's heart breaks at the sound, torn between her instinct to protect and the overwhelming terror that grips her. Just as her vision blurs with tears, $name1 descends upon her, a haunting figure cloaked in darkness. The silence is shattered by a bone-chilling snap, echoing through the air as $name1's presence engulfs her. The [[world seems to freeze]] for an eternal moment, before her lifeless body crumples to the floor.

They enter the website, expecting more information, but to their amazement, the site transforms with the header declaring, "Make your dreams a reality." Confused, $name and $name1 exchange puzzled glances. The website invites them to enter, and as they do, stars burst from the screen, illuminating the room in a surreal display. The lights envelop them, shooting back into the screen, leaving behind a black screen. In shock, $name1 and $name wonder what just happened. Attempting to troubleshoot, $name1 taps the space bar and holds the power button, but the laptop remains unresponsive. $name, fearing a hack or damage, tries to charge his laptop, only to discover it won't power on. Perplexed, $name1 retrieves her laptop, hoping for a different outcome. To their dismay, her laptop also refuses to turn on. $name1 voices their shared concern about the storm potentially causing the malfunction, but $name acknowledges the unlikely possibility. As they contemplate the situation, $name1 hesitantly raises the question that lingers in both their minds—[[could they be...?]]

$name1 gazes at $name, a sense of intimacy filling the air. "Well, it's just me and you now," she says softly, her voice filled with a hint of longing. $name's memory kicks in, recalling their dinner plans for the evening. "I remember," $name replies, a smile playing on his lips. "I wouldn't miss it for the world," he assures $name1, leaning in closer to her. A surge of anticipation runs through their veins. $name1 rests her hand gently on $name's thigh, a tender gesture of connection. "So, we've been through some intense moments tonight, chased by demons and facing near-death experiences," she says, her voice filled with a mix of vulnerability and desire. "Can I have that kiss you were supposed to give me?" she asks, her tone flirtatious yet respectful. But before anything else can happen, $name's daydream abruptly ends. Reality sets back in, reminding them of the boundaries they must respect. $name1 and $name exchange a knowing glance, acknowledging the intensity of their connection. "So, [[what do we do now]]?" $name1 asks, her voice filled with curiosity and a hint of mischief. Without hesitation, $name leans in and gently kisses her. $name1 reciprocates, their lips meeting in a tender embrace, savoring the moment of shared affection.

While in class, $name1 texts $name and comes up with a brilliant idea to prank Blake... **$name1: We should prank Blake with the astral website later; it'd be funny. $name: Like what? How would we prank him? $name1: We should tell him to load up the website on the dark web and then convince him that he broke my laptop. $name: Lol, that would be a pretty epic prank. $name1: You think he would fall for it? $name: Probably lmao. $name1: Should we do it? Lol $name: Yeah, let's do it.** $name looks over to Blake in class and smiles. Blake smiles back, not knowing he's about to endure a prank war when he gets to $name1's house. The bell for lunch rings, $name and Blake [[go to meet]] $name1 for lunch.

$name, seizing the moment, asked Blake if he had ever heard of Astral. In confusion, Blake responded, "You mean that new blogging website?" $name nodded, "Yeah, that one. But have you ever been to the original website on the dark web?" Intrigued, Blake looked at $name and admitted, "I'm an avid dark web user, but I never have." Blake opened Tor on $name's computer, heading toward the mysterious Astral website. $name, seizing the opportunity, asked $name1 if she had anything to drink. $name1, understanding the prank about to unfold, said yes and led $name downstairs. The two shared a chuckle as they reached the main floor. $name1, unable to contain her excitement, whispered to $name, "Do you think he did it yet? Do you think he clicked it?" $name grinned and replied, "I don't know. Let's give him a few minutes before we go back upstairs." The anticipation of the prank added an extra layer of [[amusement]] to their unexpected afternoon.

Entering the room, $name1 opens the door to find game controllers scattered on the floor, as if two people were just playing. However, the TV is off, and the room is empty. $name1 looks back at $name, realizing, "I think we're sleeping again." Concerned about the potential consequences, $name worries, "What happens if your dad comes home and sees us lying in bed together while our brothers are in here playing?" $name1 reassures him with a giggle, "Don't worry, my dad never comes in my room." $name, relieved, responds with a shake of his head, "[[Shoo, I thought I was dead]]." The surreal nature of their situation continues to unfold, blurring the lines between dreams and reality.

Calling out $name1's name, $name's voice echoes through the empty house. With each step, the pungent stench intensifies, its source eluding him. As he enters the living room, a horrifying sight freezes him in shock—$name1's little brother, Kai, lies lifeless with his arms missing. $name's instinct urges him to escape, but $name1 emerges from the doorway, her hair mangled and her appearance grotesque. Desperation lingers in his voice as he leans forward and asks, "$name1... is that you?" Her eyelids missing, $name1 gazes up at $name and replies, "No, $name. I'm not $name1." Suddenly, $name1 defies the laws of gravity, suspended mid-air. Fear grips $name as he contemplates his escape. The backdoor seems like a possible route, but uncertainty clouds his mind. Before he can make a move, $name1 lunges at him, her long, bloodied nails tearing into his flesh. $name's screams for help go unanswered as $name1 revels in [[his agony]].

$name starts his solitary search, making his way through the empty hallways, opening each classroom door and cautiously entering. "Hello? Is anyone in here?" $name calls out, his voice echoing through the quiet rooms. "If you're hiding in here, please don't jump out at me." As he proceeds through classroom after classroom, there's no sign of his brother, other children, or any teachers. The eerie silence intensifies, and $name can't shake the feeling that he's caught in some surreal episode of Ghost Hunters. Despite his usual comfort with solitude, the possibility of an unexpected jump scare has him on edge. "This can't be real," $name thinks to himself, questioning the bizarre situation. He contemplates the notion of still being in a dream, but the heightened alertness and vivid details make it unlike any dream he's experienced before. Amidst his search, a sense of concern for $name1 lingers in $name's mind. "What if she disappears also?" he wonders, the fear of being the only person in this inexplicable scenario intensifying. The weight of solitude presses on him as he navigates the empty classrooms, desperately hoping for [[some answers]] in this peculiar, deserted school.

In a silent moment of realization, Blake grabbed the laptop, returned to $name1's room, and exclaimed, "What the heck!" $name1 burst into laughter, finding Blake's reaction amusing, while $name joined in, tilting his head in agreement. "We told you it was real," $name1 reiterated amidst her laughter. In the midst of their amusement, Blake couldn't help but add, "And when did your dad get here, $name1? Must've been when we went to the store," $name1 confirmed with a nod. "Oh, and why is your dad so God damn handsome, $name1?" Blake teased, making $name1 laugh the hardest she had in a while. "He looks like that sexy lumberjack guy from TikTok!" Blake chimed in, adding to the infectious laughter. $name1 and $name continued laughing, creating a moment of hilarity that seemed to echo through the unusual twists of [[their dream-like reality]].

They lay on the floor a little longer, feet on opposite sides, heads side by side, leaning their heads towards one another. $name breaks the silence, "You know, even if you are the last human on earth with me, I really enjoyed this day with you. Maybe we should get home and get some rest?" $name1 nervously sits up and looks up at $name. "I was wondering if maybe I could stay at your house? We don't have to share beds or anything, but if I woke up and I didn't have reassurance of you being there, I would feel worried until I see you." $name smiles. "Sure, you can take my bed, and I'll lay on the floor." The warmth of their shared day continues, and the uncertainty of the situation only strengthens the bond forming between them. "Maybe we should start [[walking back now]]," $name suggests. "Yeah, let's go," says $name1. They rise from the store aislew, leaving behind the echoes of laughter and the surreal emptiness of the grocery store. As they make their way back through the silent streets, the rain continues to fall, a rhythmic accompaniment to their steps. In the quietness of the neighborhood, they navigate the familiar paths with a new sense of companionship, uncertain of what awaits them at home but finding solace in each other's presence.

As $name1, $name, and Blake raced through the distorted streets of their neighborhood, the ominous darkness seemed to swallow them whole. The demon, a relentless entity, pursued them with a haunting determination, its whispers sending shivers down their spines. Jump scares intensified their anxiety, as the demon manifested in fleeting shadows and unsettling sounds. $name1, $name, and Blake moved quickly, the once-familiar neighborhood now a maze of twisted shadows and spectral illusions. In their attempt to escape, they found themselves at the edge of a familiar park. The demon's presence loomed, its form becoming more defined as they struggled to maintain distance. $name1, thinking on her feet, suggested they take refuge in a nearby [[abandoned building]].

The duo hits Google, searching for information on how to access the dark web. $name1 directs $name to a promising link, and as he begins reading, the revelations unfold. The dark web is portrayed as a realm where one can acquire various illicit items and services, from credit card numbers to hacking tools. $name, grappling with the ethical implications, questions the legitimacy of their endeavor. $name1 insists they need to investigate further and points out that not everything on the dark web is illegal, citing examples like chess clubs and social networks. As the tension rises, $name1 reads out loud about the potential dual nature of the dark web. The suggestion to download Tor, a gateway to this mysterious realm, lingers in the air, leaving $name hovering over the "[[Download Tor]]" button, contemplating the risks and uncertainties ahead.

As $name and $name1 delved into their research, $name1 initiated a Google search: "Can you bring something out of your dreams?" The first answer caught their attention. $name1 read aloud, "You as an individual cannot do this, for as an individual, you're limited like all of us in what we can do. However, by way of synchronicity, a dream object can present itself to you in waking life. It's important to recognize you did not make this object appear." $name1 chuckled, realizing [[the irony]] of their situation. They were aware that the impossible had become possible for them.

$name and $name1 finally make it to the front of the building after their long, wet walk to $name's brother's school. As they arrive, they exchange puzzled glances, realizing that there's an eerie emptiness surrounding them. "Where is everyone?" $name1 asks, scanning the deserted schoolyard. "There are no buses or car riders." $name, equally confused, looks around in disbelief. "Is school even open today? Why would my mom tell me to pick up my brother if it looks like the school is completely emptied?" $name1 sighs, not directing her frustration at $name, but at the perplexing situation. "Why would my dad ask me to pick up my brother if he wasn't at school?" she wonders aloud. "Maybe everyone is inside because of the storm?" $name1 suggests, trying to make sense of the unusual scene. "That could be it," $name agrees, though uncertainty lingers in his voice. Together, they continue walking under the umbrella towards the entrance of the school, their footsteps echoing in the quiet surroundings. Little do they know, stepping through those doors will lead them into a series of unexpected [[events]], unraveling a story that neither of them could have predicted. The mystery of the empty schoolyard becomes the first chapter in an unforeseen adventure that $name and $name1 are about to embark on.

"Well, we're here. All this time being rushed by your mom, and it seems like we're a bit early," $name1 observed. "I know," $name replied. "My mom was rushing me too... Where is everybody?" $name1 glanced around, taking in the deserted scene. "Well, it's raining, so maybe we go inside?" she suggested. "True," $name agreed. They both started to walk towards the school, their footsteps echoing in the quiet surroundings. $name couldn't help but wonder why there were no buses or cars in sight. The usually bustling entrance appeared strangely empty, creating an air of mystery. "Did we miss a memo or something?" $name pondered out loud, his confusion mirrored in $name1's quizzical expression. As they approached the entrance, the anticipation of an unexpected turn of [[events]] hung in the air, making the rain-soaked journey to the school even more intriguing. Little did they know, this rainy day would unfold into an adventure neither of them had anticipated.

"Could we be sleeping?" $name1 ponders, looking at $name with uncertainty. $name, equally baffled, responds, "But how? We didn't even make a blog, plus I'm not even tired." $name1 suggests the dark web might have the instant power to activate their sleeping state. "I understand that," $name says, frustrated, "BUT HOW?" The mystery deepens, leaving them unsure if they are in a dream state or if the strange occurrences result from the bad weather. $name1 proposes checking on their brothers, Kai and Ty, who have been unusually quiet. $name agrees, and as $name1 and $name head to [[check on the boys]], they notice an eerie quietness in the house.

$name and $name1 sat in $name1's room, surrounded by the stacks of money, counting and laughing as they dreamt up ideas on how to spend their unexpected windfall. However, their merriment was interrupted when $name's phone rang, and he saw it was his mom calling. $name answered the call and stepped aside, putting it on speaker so $name1 could listen in. $name: "Hey, Mom." Mom: "Hey, $name, did you get to school today?" $name: "No, I kind of felt sick from that dream I told you about this morning." Mom: "That's okay, honey. Just please don't forget your brother today." $name: "I won't! I am up and not laying down at all..." Mom: "That's good! Thank you." $name: "No problem!" Mom: "Oh, before I hang up, did you hear about the supermarket?" $name: "The supermarket?" Mom: "They think there was some supernatural occurrence that happened in the store. I swear, I think it's the druggie kids who run the store, so you never really know what is going on these days..." $name: "Yeah, that's weird... Well." Mom: "Yeah, well, don't forget Ty, honey!" $name: "I won't. Love ya!" Mom: "Love you too, sweetheart." $name hung up the phone and looked at $name1 with a puzzled expression. "Supernatural occurrence?" he said. $name1 shrugged, and $name continued, "So everything we did happened in the real world once we woke up? That means..." They both glanced at each other and simultaneously said, "the money." "He knows the money is gone now. What if he comes looking for us? What if he tries to harm us?" $name fretted. $name1 reassured him, "Relax, $name. He doesn't know we exist, and he surely doesn't know that I knew where his money stash was..." The unforeseen consequences of their actions left $name and $name1 [[contemplating the risks]] that came with their newfound wealth.

$name and $name1 decide to search together, their hands intertwined as they navigate the deserted school. "Where do you think they could be?" $name1 wonders. "I'm guessing on a field trip," $name replies, uncertainty in his voice. "But the whole school?" "I don't know, $name1. I really don't know. I've never experienced anything like this before," $name admits. They enter classrooms one by one, desperately searching for any sign of their siblings, other children, or teachers. The emptiness becomes more pronounced, and $name1 remarks, "[[Nothing is here]]."

"Okay, what was that?" $name1 says, her voice filled with a mix of fear and curiosity. "I'm not sure I even want to know at this point," $name admits, a sense of unease settling over him. "I feel like I am in an episode of Scooby-Doo." "So our phones don't work, there is nobody here... no buses, no cars, no people. What do we do?" $name1 asks, the perplexing situation sinking in. "Should we [[go to the sheriff's office]]?" $name suggests. "Good idea," $name1 agrees.

$name and $name1, still perplexed by the mysterious connection they shared, decide to experiment with the unusual circumstances that brought them together. $name suggests they try to replicate the conditions that preceded their shared dream-like experience. $name1, initially unsure, wonders aloud about what they should do. $name proposes the idea of revisiting the website where they were both writing blogs before falling asleep. $name1 questions the practicality of this plan, expressing her uncertainty about having anything noteworthy to share. In response, $name suggests, "Why not write about what happened yesterday? It could make for an interesting blog." $name1 contemplates the idea, considering the possibility of extracting meaningful content from their peculiar encounter. The two decide to give it a try, hoping that [[this experiment]] might shed light on the strange connection they experienced.

Some time had passed. $name found himself immersed in his Spotify playlist, the rhythmic beats of LoFi filling the quiet room. An hour and a half had elapsed, and $name wrestled with the decision to wake $name1. Hunger gnawed at him, and the uncertainty of their situation lingered like an unspoken question. Glancing at the clock, $name noted it was now 12:41. With a burst of determination, he sprang out of the chair, LoFi still echoing in the background. As he approached $name1, he discovered she was talking quietly in her sleep. Leaning in to catch her words, $name was taken aback when $name1 uttered, "Wake me up if you're still here." Intrigued and slightly bewildered, $name began to rouse $name1 gently. "Wake up, $name1," he repeated, and she jolted awake, gasping for air. As $name inquired about her well-being, a mysterious bag materialized on the bed before their eyes, accompanied by an inexplicable gust of wind that seemed to emerge out of nowhere. $name, perplexed and questioning the reality around him, asked about the strange occurrence. $name1, seemingly unfazed, responded, "What wind?" This left $name in a state of confusion as he persisted, "The wind. The wind that just happened, and that bag... Where did that bag come from?" $name1, hesitating for a moment, claimed, "I had it in my dreams. I brought it back with me." As $name processed this revelation, $name1 urged him to [[open the bag]], their reality spiraling into a realm of uncharted possibilities.

Cars pass $name on his way to the school as he walks alone, his favorite tune ♫ "Six Feet From The Edge and I'm Thinking" ♫ playing in his ears. He silently sings along in his head, each step quickening as he realizes he's running late to pick up his little brother. The familiar sound of jets flying overhead prompts him to remove his earbuds and gaze up at the passing aircraft. "Weird," $name thinks, but then dismisses it. After all, there's a nearby military base, so such sights and sounds are not uncommon. As $name starts to cross the street, a humming noise catches his attention. Perplexed, he looks around, trying to locate the source of the sound. It's then that he notices a girl walking behind him, her hoodie lifted above her head to protect her makeup from the rain. $name recognizes her as the girl from across the street. He chuckles to himself, "Maybe she wants under my umbrella ella?" Taking the initiative, he decides to find out. "HEY!" $name shouts. The girl looks up, her expression a mix of surprise and curiosity. "Yes?" she replies. "You wanna get under the umbrella by chance?" $name asks with a playful grin. "May I?" she responds. "[[Come on!]]" $namesays, extending the umbrella to welcome her into the dry haven beneath. The rain becomes a backdrop to their impromptu encounter, setting the stage for a moment that neither of them anticipated when the day began.

$name opens the door to the school, holding it for $name1 as they step inside. The lights are on, and everything appears to be working fine. $name1, taking the lead, guides them towards the office, her familiarity with the school evident from picking up her brother early. "Shouldn't these hallways be full of kids wanting to leave?" $name questions, his confusion growing. They catch a glimpse of a custodian mopping the floor down the hall before entering the office. In shock, they both realize the office is completely empty. No one is working, no phones are ringing. The static from the radio lingers, and the news on the TV displays an empty newsstand, devoid of people. Complete silence follows as they click off the radio. "Where is everyone?" $name1 asks, her voice tinged with bewilderment. "$name, was there a field trip today? Some kind of special event that we didn't know about? Is this a dream?" $name1 turns to him, searching for an [[explanation]].

$name1 begins to caress $name's stomach, slowly moving her hand downwards. Unaware of her actions due to his focus on the show, $name's attention is suddenly drawn when her finger slips beneath his belt line. Trying to hide his interest, $name discreetly glances down as $name1 continues her gentle exploration. Feeling a surge of arousal, $name struggles to control his response. As $name1's fingers slip beneath his boxers, he can't resist the growing sensation. A mix of desire and anticipation fills the air. Before long, $name's body reacts involuntarily, causing the blanket to shift slightly. $name1 catches a fleeting glimpse of his growing excitement. Sensing her gaze, $name's heartbeat quickens once again. With a slight movement of her head, $name1 acknowledges the escalating tension. However, recognizing the need to maintain boundaries, the scene takes a different turn. They exchange a knowing look, smile and silently agree to slow down and [[focus on the connection]] beyond physical desires.

$name looks back at $name1, a sense of unease settling in. "Don't say that because I was tired before I walked here, and if this is a dream, that means we didn't meet, and you're just a stranger across the street still." $name1 raises an eyebrow. "Let me pinch you," she suggests with a chuckle. "What is that going to prove?" $name retorts. "That you're not sleeping... and what about you? Pinch me back," $name1 challenges. "Okay, okay..." $name extends his forearm, and $name1 pinches him. "OW, that kinda hurt," $name exclaims. "So, we're not in a dream," $name1 concludes, stating the obvious, yet the surreal emptiness of the school adds an eerie layer to their realization. The mystery deepens as $name and $name1 grapple with the inexplicable events unfolding around them. What about the [[guy in the hallway]]?

Determined to seek the truth, $name ignores the skeptical laughter of his friend Blake and decides to confront the situation head-on. Leaving the school grounds, he strides purposefully toward $name1's house, fueled by the need for answers. As he walks, $name checks his phone, realizing he's skipping his next periods. He contemplates the consequences of missing class but decides that uncovering the mystery takes precedence. "I should have just told my mom I was [[staying home]]," he mutters to himself. $name's mind races with questions, and the anticipation of what he might discover at $name1's house propels him forward. The need for clarity outweighs the concerns about school obligations as he approaches $name1's door, ready to unravel the enigma that has entwined their dreams and reality.

As $name and $name1 continued to unravel the bizarre threads of their shared dream, the atmosphere in $name1's living room became charged with a sense of wonder and perplexity. "So, you remember everything?" $name sought confirmation from $name1 about the uncanny details they had experienced together. $name1 nodded in agreement. "The missing people, the empty streets, the peculiar occurrences—everything." $name, still grappling with the surreal nature of the situation, voiced the pressing question on both their minds. "How did we share the dream? And more importantly, how did we bring something out of our dreams?" $name1 pondered the mysteries of their shared experience. "I can't count the times I've dreamt of something and hoped it would carry into waking life, but this... [[it feels different]]."

Before they know it, the day has come to an end. $name1 and $name have fallen asleep, cuddling, rolling around, and then sleeping together. The night passes, and the day begins with birds chirping in the morning. The TV is off, but someone downstairs is blaring the morning news, the first thing $name1 and $name hear upon waking up. A slight knock on the door awakens $name more, and he gets up, slowly walking to the door. It's $name's mother, Cassie. "Hey, can I bother you for a second?" she asks. "Sure, let me grab my shirt." $name gets his shirt and slowly follows his mother down the steps. She grabs the remote and clicks play on the paused news report. The news shares a story of a car running into a fast-food shop, killing a young man and the manager. The issue is, the driver hasn't been found, and the car was mangled when the emergency response team arrived at the scene. $name, still half awake, looks at his mom and says, "[[That's crazy]]." She then tells $name she got a call from Blake's mother this morning. Blake was the one who was killed in the report.

$name1 then asks for $name's phone. Confused, he asks, "Why?" "So you can text me, goof," $name1 replies. $name smiles, realizing her intention. "Well, I got my laptop and umbrella," $name says. "And my number," $name1 winks. $name chuckles. "Can I get a hug?" $name1 asks. "Of course," $name agrees. $name and $name1 share a hug, and then $name starts to walk across the street to [[his house]], their friendship strengthened by their shared dreams and adventures.

$name grumbles as he reluctantly gets up from the bed. "Alright, alright, I'm getting up," he replies, his voice filled with a mix of irritation and resignation. As his mother emphasizes the importance of being a role model for his six-year-old brother, $name can't help but question why the responsibility falls on him. "But why me? Why not Dad? I'm just a kid myself," he protests, his frustration evident in his tone. His mother reminds him that he's almost twenty, nearing adulthood. $name lets out a sigh, realizing that his teenage years are drawing to a close. "Yeah, I'm almost 20. Can't I just enjoy my last bit of time being a teen? Is that too much to ask for?" he mutters under his breath. With a grudging acceptance, $name begins to put on his shoes, his thoughts still lingering on the unfairness of the situation. "Why do I have to look after this kid? I get that he's my brother, but I was walking home by myself at his age. I didn't have an older brother to hold my hand after school. Why is everyone acting like he's going to be kidnapped or something?" As he ties his shoes, his mother's voice echoes up the stairs. "I have to go start my second shift, $name. I'm extremely late. Please don't forget your brother!" "[[I won't!]]" $name yells back downstairs, a mixture of reluctance and responsibility in his voice.

After $name1 and $name tire out from roaming the neighborhood, rummaging the store for its goods, and filling their stomachs with snacks of their delight, they stop and lay in the middle of the aisle. $name opens up, "You know... I always saw you around the neighborhood." $name1 replies, "Yeah, and?" $name continues, "I never thought when the chance came for us to [[come together]], we would be the last two people on earth." $name1 laughs, but her thoughts drift to her family. "Yeah, I do miss my family though... even if they were a pain to deal with." "I know," says $name. "Usually when my brother gets home, we have a huge Nerf war in the house... not to sound like a nerd or anything." "No, no," $name1 says, laughing. "Nerf wars are fun! Haha. Yea, they are," $name agrees, still in disbelief that his family is missing.

"Hey, $name1! This is my friend, Blake," says $name. "Hey, Blake," says $name1. Blake reaches his hand out to introduce himself to $name1. "Hey, $name1, how are you?" Blake asks. $name1 laughs, "I'm good, I'm good." "What's funny?" Blake says. "Do I have something in my teeth?" Blake uses his finger to scrub his teeth. "No, no, I'm just a giggly person," $name1 says. $name slaps Blake's finger out of his mouth. "Relax, dude," $name says. "So, what do you guys want to get for lunch?" $name asks. "Anything works for me, but I could really go for a brownie right now," $name1 says. "Anything, but let's go the cheap route because I am broke right now," Blake says. $name and $name1 look at each other with a grin on their faces. $name1 says, "Don't worry, I got you." Embarrassed that a girl would pay for him, Blake politely declines, but $name1 has already agreed to pay, so he just accepts. [[The trio]] heads off for lunch..

$name pops open his umbrella, holding it over both of their heads as they walk towards the sheriff's office, uncertain of what they are even going to say to the officers. $name1 asks, "What are we going to say? 'Nobody is in the school?'" "Do you know how crazy this is going to make us look in the eyes of other people? They're going to think we're on drugs or something," $name remarks. "Well, they might think that, but once they go, they will realize we aren't," $name1 reassures him. As they walk, $name1 starts to notice something odd. "$name, you realize there are no cars anywhere?" $name looks around. "Uh yeah, that's weird. Where did everyone go? You don't think this has something to do with the school, do you?" $name1 asks. $name replies, "We'll see when we get there," the uncertainty of the situation hanging in the air as they approach the sheriff's office, [[hoping to find some answers]] to the inexplicable events that have unfolded.

$name1 and $name start walking to the grocery store, taking note of everything they see missing along the way—cars, bikes, some doors left open. It's as if people were in a rush to get out of there, but they can't figure out why. Besides the missing things and the lack of phone service, nothing seems wrong. The rain continues to pour down on their umbrella as they slowly make their way toward the grocery store. Worry sets in as they ponder what might have happened to their loved ones. A sense of unease lingers, and $name1, in her concern, begins contemplating the possibility of staying with $name if the night comes to an end. However, asking to stay the night with someone she just met feels a bit odd, and she hesitates, uncertain of what $name might think. Instead, she continues worrying and walking towards [[the store]], hoping to find some answers or at least a semblance of normalcy amid the mysterious circumstances.

Panic grips $name and $name1 as they exchange alarmed glances. The memory of the custodian they saw mopping the floor down the hall becomes a focal point of concern. Without saying a word, they rush back out of the office door, their footsteps echoing through the empty hallways. As they approach the spot where they saw the custodian, they find it vacant. The mop bucket stands alone, and there is no sign of the custodian. The echoes of their own hurried steps are the only sounds in the eerily quiet school. "Did you see that, $name? There was someone here just a moment ago," $name1 whispers, her eyes wide with disbelief. "Yeah, I saw it too. This is getting weirder by the minute," $name responds, scanning the deserted hallway. The custodian's sudden disappearance adds a layer of unease to the already surreal atmosphere. $name and $name1 are now caught in a perplexing situation, uncertain of [[what lies ahead]]. They share a glance that speaks volumes – a mixture of fear, curiosity, and the undeniable realization that something extraordinary is happening within the walls of the seemingly empty school.

$name's body lay on the floor, his body ripped to shreds. As his mother pulls up in front of their home, a blood-curdling scream pierces the air, sending shivers down her spine. Intrigued and terrified, she quickly parks the car and approaches $name1's house with cautious steps. The echoes of $name's desperate pleas for his mother to stay away resonate in her ears, intensifying her growing sense of dread. With each passing moment, her heart races faster, her breath becoming shallower. The porch of $name1's house looms ahead, an ominous threshold into the unknown. As she reaches the entrance, a chilling breeze whispers through the air, carrying a scent of decay that makes her stomach turn. The scene that unfolds before her eyes is a nightmarish tableau of blood dripping down the walls and her sons skin ripped the shreds. The sight is so horrifying that her mind struggles to comprehend the gruesome reality laid bare [[before her]].

$name walks into his house and is greeted by his mother. "Hey, honey," says $name's mom. "Hey, Mom!" $name replies. "What you got there?" asks $name's mom. $name then explains how he set up $name1's new laptop, and she gave him her old one in exchange for helping her out. "She seems nice," remarks $name's mom. $name, in agreement, says, "She is," smiling at his mom. $name's mom winks at $name, and he smiles. "You got that look in your eye," $name's mom teases. "What look?" he laughs. "The same look your father had when he told me he loved me," she says. "Stop, you're embarrassing me," $name protests. "How? She isn't here. You can [[tell me about her]]," $name's mom insists.

Intrigued and fueled by a mix of curiosity and confusion, $name opened his laptop, logging in with a sense of urgency. He wondered, was the moment $name1 clicked "post" the same moment she fell asleep? Did it happen instantly, or was she gradually succumbing to sleep as she typed the blog? These questions haunted $name as he delved into the mysteries of $name1's experience. Frantically searching for $name1 on the website, $name faced a dead end until the realization struck him like a bolt of lightning – he was sitting in her room. It was a moment of revelation that sent shivers down his spine. Examining $name1's laptop, he discovered the blog – a cryptic narrative that left much unsaid about the peculiar situation they found themselves in. $name1's mention of wearing his PJs when she woke up added another layer of mystery. As $name immersed himself in $name1's words, he noticed a peculiar detail. The blog was signed @sleepyx3, not $name1. A surge of bewilderment gripped him. This explained why his searches for "$name1" yielded nothing. The unexpected revelation unfolded further when he typed in @sleepyx3 To his disbelief, $name1, too, was a new user, both of them having signed up only yesterday. The air was thick with suspense, leaving $name on the [[edge of a mysterious abyss]], questioning the very fabric of reality they had experienced together.

$name and $name1 arrive at the sheriff's office, their surroundings eerily devoid of cars and people. "This is strange," $name1 observes. $name looks at $name1, nodding in agreement. "Do we walk in?" "Yes," says $name. They enter the office, and again, it's silent. No one is in sight. "It isn't just the school. Our phones don't work. There was nobody on the TV in the school office. The radio was dead. No cars passed us on the way here," $name1 points out. "Everyone is gone," $name says, a sense of disbelief in his voice. "But why?" $name1 asks. "Also, why would it be just us two? We only just met." "I mean, I've seen you a lot of times before," $name admits. "And you never said hello to me?" $name1 teases. $name stops, trying to think of something to say. $name1 chuckles, "I'm kidding, I'm kidding!" "Oh, sheesh, you had me there for a minute," $name laughs, the strange circumstances momentarily pushed to the background as they share a lighthearted moment in the midst of the [[mysterious disappearance]] of everyone around them.

The four of them reach $name1's house, closing their umbrellas and shaking off the raindrops just before walking inside. "Well, that was fun," $name1 said. "What was?" $name replied. "I learned a little about you from your brother," $name1 smiles. "Hey, don't take anything in a weird way," $name replies. "Weird how?" $name1 asks. "Ty only says you talked about me," $name1 says.. "I mentioned you before," $name confessed. "Like how? To who?" $name1 asks. "Agh," $name sighs. "I also just... I kinda... well... I have always found you to be cute when I've seen you outside," $name confesses. "I knew," $name1 says back. "You knew?" $name says surprisingly. "I've checked you out myself," $name1 says. "I've seen you looking at me in the corner of my eyes. I guess that's what it took—[[the dreaming me]]—to finally walk over and ask if you would walk with me to the school." $name blushes and smiles, slowly reaching for a hug.

"You never bothered taking your shoes off," $name says, attempting to conceal the fact that he had indeed removed his own. Blake casts a quizzical look at $name, his gaze then shifting to the laptop. "Is there some magical power with your laptop?" he asks. $name exchanges a glance with $name1 and bursts into laughter. "Yeah," he says, nodding, "there's a bit of magic in this laptop." $name1, adding a touch of sarcasm, chimes in, "It's the magical conch," and they share a moment of laughter. Blake, wearing a dead serious expression, interjects, "Really, guys, what's going on here?" $name1 looks at $name, who nods, signaling it's time to spill the beans. Choosing to sit on the bed, $name1 situates herself between $name and Blake. She refreshes the page, eyeing Blake before turning her gaze to $name. "You boys ready?" she asks. Blake, puzzled, responds, "Ready for what?" $name1 clicks enter on the website, and just as before, stars burst out from the screen, encircling the trio. Blake, recognizing the sequence, remarks, "This happened before—the lights flickering and then boom." Suddenly, the laptop [[screen goes black]], breaking the celestial display.

As the trio walked towards the store, the atmosphere was eerily calm, with an absence of people on the streets. Blake, growing increasingly uneasy, questioned the peculiar emptiness, asking, "Where is everyone?" $name1 casually responded, "Probably awake." Confusion etched across Blake's face as he looked at $name, wondering if the girl he had been hanging out with was a little eccentric. $name reassured Blake with a pat on the back, saying, "Don't worry; everything will soon make sense." Still puzzled, Blake inquired about the laptop, realizing that $name didn't even have a job. They continued walking, making it to the store, where Blake immediately noticed the absence of people. "Usually, the store is jam-packed; where is everyone?" Blake asked, visibly concerned. $name and $name1 exchanged glances and repeated in unison, "Awake." The situation began to unsettle Blake, who questioned what was happening. $name turned around, proclaiming, "We're buying you the laptop." Perplexed, Blake asked, "How are you buying me the laptop? You don't even have a job." $name1 unzipped her bag, revealing it was filled with money. Blake, wide-eyed, pointed at the money and asked, "Where did [[all that money]] come from?"

$name1, visibly surprised, confirmed her name. $name, relieved by the acknowledgment, felt the atmosphere shift. $name1, gathering her thoughts, began to express the same peculiar revelation that had been haunting $name. "I had a..." $name1 hesitated, and before she could finish, they both simultaneously uttered, "Dream." A synchronicity that left them both wide-eyed and perplexed. Realization struck them simultaneously – they had shared the same dream. $name1 then produced a pair of pajama pants, the very ones $name had given her in the dream, creating a surreal moment that defied logical explanation. The boundaries between dream and reality blurred, leaving $name and $name1 grappling with the [[extraordinary connection]] they couldn't quite comprehend.

As they exchanged details of their day leading up to the shared dream, they discovered the common thread: both had been writing on the Astral website. $name1's blog had been the catalyst, and $name, who was using the same platform, realized the potential connection. "It felt so real," $name1 expressed, recalling the vivid sensations of their dream, even the pinch that $name confirmed. Their minds oscillated between disbelief and acceptance of the inexplicable. $name admitted to trying to signal $name1 by flicking the lights in his house, a gesture that she had reciprocated, heightening the sense of connection. $name1, reflecting on her own waking confusion, remarked, "I feel like we're in an episode of the Twilight Zone." Both $name and $name1 chuckled, embracing the peculiarity of their shared experience. The enigma of the dream lingered, inviting them to explore the boundaries between [[dreams and reality]].

"No, it was real," $name insists. "For instance, we went to the store, and nobody was in the store. She came home with me because she didn't want to sleep alone, and—" Blake cuts $name off, saying, "Yeah, this is really sounding like a dream, $name." "But we brought a candy bar back home, and when I woke up this morning, I thought, 'Okay, so it was all a dream.' But once I went downstairs, the living room was exactly how we made it before we went to sleep, and the chocolate bar was on the table," $name explains. Blake looks at $name like he's going crazy. "Are you sure your brother or mother didn't bring home the chocolate bar? I am telling you this was a dream, but some things we brought out of the dream." "Yeah, right... when you're able to bring something out of a dream, let me know the tutorial," Blake laughs off, dismissing $name's [[extraordinary claims]]. The mysterious and confusing events continue to blur the line between dream and reality.

The trio's discussion shifted to the missing laptop. "If it was real, how come I don't have my laptop?" Blake inquired, and $name1 explained that it was left downstairs near the door when he woke up. "So you're telling me... If I open the door and walk downstairs right now, that laptop, in the box, will be right there near the front door?" $name and $name1 nodded in affirmation. Blake, still skeptical, opened the door, looking back at them with a doubtful expression. Meanwhile, $name and $name1 could hear Blake's footsteps as he walked toward the steps. As he reached the top and glanced down, his steps abruptly stopped. "What the hell?" Blake exclaimed, catching the attention of both $name and $name1, who exchanged a look, realizing he had just seen the laptop from the top of the steps. As Blake descended the steps, $name1's dad unexpectedly appeared, questioning, "Who the hell are you, kid?" $name1 quickly intervened, introducing Blake and $name. $name1's dad, now named Rick, requested them to keep it down as he was trying to take a nap. Apologies ensued, and Rick [[closed the door]].

"Well, here we are," $name1 says. "I have lunch at 1, wanna meet up around then?" $name agrees, "Yeah, sounds good." They hug each other and part ways. Just as $name begins to walk away, he hears someone shouting his name. "$name!!!!" It's Blake. Blake runs up to $name, and they give each other a handshake. Blake says to $name, "I saw that." "Saw what?" $name asks in confusion. "That hug... The girl..." Blake says, and $name laughs it off. "So, you weren't bluffing?" Blake asks in response. "Why would I bluff?" says $name. "I mean, have you looked at her?" Blake laughs and smiles, looking at $name. "Yeah, she is... she is gorgeous." $name laughs in agreement, appreciating the shared understanding of $name1's [[charm]]. The two friends continue their walk to class, sharing a lighthearted moment about the newfound connection $name has made.

In the midst of the playful Truth or Dare session, $name1 eagerly takes her turn. When $name chooses Dare, $name1, holding the note of destiny, scans the room with a mischievous glint in her eye, ready to challenge him to something daring. She boldly declares, "I dare you to kiss me." $name's initial smile fades as the audacity of the dare registers. "Kiss you? Right now? With Blake sleeping in the room?" $name1, undeterred, begins to stand up, playfully waving her hands. "If you're not up for the dare, just admit you're chicken," she teases. Quick to dispel any notion of backing down, $name promptly stands up. "No, it's not that I'm not up for the dare... just-" $name1 cuts him off, encouragingly saying, "Then what are you waiting for?" Blushing, $name stops talking and leans in for a kiss. Just as their lips are on the verge of meeting, a mysterious gust of wind sweeps through the room, sending shivers down $name1 and $name's spines. Startled by this ethereal breeze, they abruptly pull away from each other, eyes wide with surprise. Unbeknownst to Blake, who just woke up with a gasp for air, he remains unaware of the almost-kiss and the peculiar wind that only $name and $name1 felt. $name, however, can't help but notice that Blake is wearing his shoes. Blinking in confusion, Blake looks at $name and $name1 and questions, "Did I just fall asleep?" $name1 and $name exchange uncertain glances, realizing that Blake has just entered the dream realm. "Wait a minute," Blake says, puzzled. "I thought I was awake. I went downstairs... You guys weren't there. I put my shoes on and walked across the street to $name's... You weren't there... but I was dreaming... so...?" $name1 interjects, "So?" Blake queries, "So [[how am I wearing my shoes]]?" The enigma deepens, leaving all three friends in a state of dream-induced perplexity.

As $name and $name1 strolled toward the school, the echoes of the extraordinary events from the previous day lingered in their minds. The sense of familiarity was hard to ignore. "I hope when we get there, the school is full of annoying children," $name1 remarked, expressing a desire for the ordinary chaos of a typical school day. $name chuckled, hiccupping a laugh. "I hope so too. As much as my brother gets on my nerves from time to time, I sure don't want him to be gone." $name1 nodded in agreement, "I second that." Reflecting on the uncanny similarities between yesterday and today, $name mused, "Everything is oddly familiar from yesterday, but I guess I just [[never really paid much attention]] until I realized something was off."

It's 9 am, and $name stands in front of the library doors, anxiously awaiting Blake's arrival. Suddenly, Blake appears from the distance, shouting, "$name!" and waving his hand in the air. $name walks up to Blake, questioning him instantly, "Did you really get a text from me yesterday?" Confused, Blake opens his phone and reveals the text sent from $name. "But how?" $name asks. "How?" Blake repeats in confusion, "You were asleep when you sent the text?" $name begins to explain, "I had a dream, but the dream was super realistic. Everyone was gone, and it was just me and $name1 with nobody else." "$name1?" Blake asks. "Who is $name1?" "The girl across the street," $name replies. "So you're telling me the girl didn't even knock on your door; [[it was all a dream]]?" Blake questions.

"I don't understand anything because I saw cars on the way to the school," $name says, expressing his confusion. $name1 agrees, "I did also. So we both saw cars on the way to the school, but as soon as we got to the school... nothing. Also, that door to the cellar... the scream... I can't forget that scream." "It's something to do with the school. It has to be. My brother is a pain in the butt, but I don't want him to be gone," $name1 says. "Me either," $name agrees. "We're going to figure this out. But I'm hungry... should we go get something to eat?" $name suggests. "Yes, let's go. I hope we can at least get food somewhere. The [[grocery store]]... I could go for a Snickers right about now," $name1 adds with a smile, finding solace in the idea of a familiar snack amid the inexplicable events unfolding around them.

Just as they spoke, a school bus zoomed past, splashing a large puddle and mildly dampening their left sides. "Well, that's one thing that didn't happen to us yesterday, I can confirm," $name1 remarked, humorously acknowledging the newfound wetness. $name agreed, "True, at least we know there are buses now." $name1 pondered, "Something makes me think... I saw cars on the way to school yesterday. We also saw that custodian. Do you think we aren't the only ones who can dream like we do?" $name contemplated the idea, "I think it has something to do with that website, one hundred percent." "It sure does!" $name1 replied. "But I just wish we could make sense of it all..." "[[We will]]," $name1 assured, their steps echoing a shared determination to unravel the mysteries that seemed to entwine their dreams with reality.

"Did you check on Kai and Ty?" $name asks $name1. "Yeah, while you were asleep, I walked Ty over to your house and told your mom you were helping me set up my new computer and that I was giving you my old one," $name1 explains. She continues, "She thanked me and said she was happy to see you finally said something to me." $name1 giggles, and $name grins, rolling his eyes. "Is that all you two said?" he asks. $name1 hesitates before confessing, "Well... She invited me over for dinner tomorrow, and I agreed, but I guess that's really if you want me to come." She looks up at $name, awaiting his response. $name smiles, saying, "I would love for you to come have dinner with us." $name1 returns the smile and adds, "Well, I know you gotta get home and eat and all. Do you wanna open this now and just walk over with the laptop and charger?" "Sure. Thanks for covering for me also," $name says. $name1 replies, "I wouldn't have done it if I didn't think you would do it for me also." $name opens the laptop, smiling, happy that he finally got the laptop he wanted and grateful for $name1's[[friendship]].

$name shuts the door and leans back against it, a swirl of teenage emotions engulfing him. "She talked to me? Why me? I have to text Blake and tell him she finally noticed me..." With a sense of urgency, $name whips out his phone and dives into a rapid-fire text exchange. **$name:** Hey Blake **Blake:** What's up? **$name:** That girl I talked to you about... across the street... **Blake:** What about her? **$name:** She just knocked on the door. **Blake:** Awesome! What did she say? **$name:** She wanted to walk to the school to pick up Ty with me. **Blake:** And you're going? **$name:** No, I folded... I was too shy to barely even say anything. **Blake:** Come on bro! She still out there? Go get her! **$name:** You're right... Let me walk out there. With newfound determination, $name swings the door open, only to be met with an empty sidewalk. He dashes down towards the end, searching left and right, but she's nowhere to be found. "Oh man," $name mutters, his hopes deflating like a balloon. "Why am I so shy?" He opens his umbrella, as if shielding himself from his own awkwardness, and starts [[walking]] towards the elementary school, contemplating the mysteries of teenage angst and missed opportunities.

$name cautiously grabbed the bag and slowly unzipped it. To his surprise, the bag was filled to the brim with money. As $name peered inside, he couldn't help but notice the undeniable stacks of cash. Looking up at $name1 with a mix of a smile and concern, he blurted out, "Did you rob a bank?" $name1 burst into laughter, dispelling $name's concerns. "No, $name, I didn't rob a bank." Intrigued, $name pressed on, "Then where did all this money come from?" $name1 hesitated for a moment, as if debating whether to reveal her secret. "It came from... a drug dealer." $name's eyes widened in shock. "A drug dealer? Who do you know that's a drug dealer?" $name1 explained, "About a month ago, this guy hit my dad's car. Everyone in my friend group knows him as the guy who sells weed at the college." $name, still processing the information, asked incredulously, "So you just up and robbed him?" $name1 chuckled, clarifying, "Well, I just walked into his dorm, grabbed a bag, and filled it, honestly. Nobody was in the dream except for me." $name, absorbing the revelation, inquired about the amount, "How much money is this?" $name1 replied casually, "About 41,000." "Forty-one thousand? What are we going to do with all this?" $name questioned. $name1, with a mischievous grin, chuckled again, "I don't know, $name, but it's ours now. There's no way for anyone to know it was us." Their unexpected windfall presented a new set of questions and challenges, leaving $name and $name1 standing at the [[crossroads of uncertainty]].

$name dashes out of the door, desperately attempting to use his umbrella like a shield against the sudden onslaught of raindrops. Thunder rumbles ominously, as if the heavens themselves are staging a dramatic performance just for him. "Seriously? Rain? In the middle of my epic adventure?" $name mutters, glancing up at the now stormy sky. He raises an accusing finger to the heavens, challenging the weather gods to a duel. As if on cue, a bolt of lightning illuminates the dark clouds, and $name jumps like a startled cat. "Okay, okay, I get it! You've got drama in store for me today." Undeterred, he whips out his phone, as if consulting with a mystical oracle. The weather app, with its gloomy prognosis, seems like a harbinger of doom. $name squints at the screen, as if expecting it to change its mind. "90% thunderstorms for the next 3 days? Might as well build an ark," $name mutters, resigned to his fate. He imagines himself as the reluctant hero in an epic saga, destined to face the trials of soggy socks and frizzy hair. Deciding to embrace the absurdity of his situation, $name cranks up his playlist to drown out the sound of raindrops tap-dancing on his umbrella. With each step, he transforms the dreary sidewalk into his personal runway, strutting to the beat as if he's the star of a quirky musical. Little does he know, the stormy skies are just the beginning of a series of absurd challenges that await him on his journey to the [[elementary school]].

As Ty approaches $name, he teases, "What's up, dweeb?" $name1 raises an eyebrow, and Ty continues, "Who's this, $name? Your girlfriend?" $name1 looks at $name, waiting for his response. $name grins and responds, "No, no. This is my friend $name1. She lives across the street." "Oh, the girl you always talk abou—" Ty starts, but before he can finish, $name playfully grabs him, hugging him and covering his mouth. "[[My brother]] can be a little annoying at times. Sorry," $name apologizes, and $name1 laughs, blushing. "I was kinda interested in what he was going to say, though..." $name1 admits. "Don't worry about it," $name reassures her with a smile, brushing off the playful banter.

$name and $name1 bid goodnight to Ty and his mom before heading upstairs to $name's room. "I have some PJs in my drawer if you need some," $name offers. $name1 grabs some PJs and takes off her jeans right in front of $name. Trying not to make it obvious he's looking, $name puts his phone on the charger. $name1 asks, "You wanna watch a movie and cuddle?" "Why would I say no to that?" $name replies, smiling at $name1. They both jump into bed and start cuddling, turning on Netflix to find a random show to watch. "Have you ever seen Lucifer?" $name1 asks. "No, I've never seen it," $name replies. "What?" says $name1. "We're watching that. Trust me, you'll love it." $name1 turns the show on and cuddles up on $name's chest. His mind is racing, unable to believe that the girl of his dreams is in his room cuddling with him right now. $name1 looks up at him and asks if her being there is fine. $name agrees and says it's perfect. As time passes, $name1 asks $name about the show. "So, do you like it so far?" she inquires. Surprisingly, $name says, "Honestly, I thought you were going to put on something dumb, but this is actually kind of good. Plus, the soundtrack is fire." $name1 looks back at the TV, rubbing her hand against $name's stomach [[ever so slightly]], tickling him, and she can feel his legs twitching.

The next morning, $name wakes up to the soft chime of his phone. Blinking away the remnants of sleep, he sees a message from $name1. **$name1: Good morning! Ready for the day?** $name can't help but smile. He quickly types back. **$name: Morning! Yeah, ready to roll. You?** As they exchange messages, $name gets ready for the day. To his surprise, he hears a knock on his bedroom door, and it's his mom. "Morning, champ! You're up and ready already?" she says with a surprised smile. $name grins, "Yeah, thought I'd beat the morning rush today." His mom chuckles, "Well, aren't you a pleasant surprise! Come on, breakfast is ready. Ty's already at the table." After a hearty breakfast prepared by his mom, $name grabs his backpack and walks across the street to $name1's house. The two friends start their [[journey to school together]], chatting and laughing along the way. The sun begins to peek through the clouds, casting a warm glow on their friendship and the adventures that await them.

In a daring move, $name1 suggested they face the demon head-on. They stepped out into the park, the dream world now a surreal blend of horror and familiarity. The demon, a dark silhouette against the distorted landscape, approached with an otherworldly determination. With a surge of courage, $name1, $name, and Blake made a final sprint back to $name1's house. The dream world resisted their every step, but they pressed on. As they reached $name1's front door, the demon's presence reached a peak, its whispers surrounding them like a [[suffocating mist]].

In her desperation to reach out to $name and find some form of redemption, $name1 conceives a risky plan. Loaded with a profound sense of sorrow and determination, she decides to enter the dream state through the dark web. Bringing a note with her, she hopes to convey her apologies and the depth of her longing for both Blake and $name. With a heavy heart, $name1 opens her laptop and navigates through the murky corridors of the dark web, entering the realm of dreams. As she materializes within the dream, Blake stands before her, a spectral figure accusing her of his demise. $name1, overwhelmed with remorse, utters an apology, but the nightmare takes an even darker turn. The demon, once tethered to Blake, now detaches itself and seizes $name1 with an unfathomable terror. In the dream's twisted reality, $name1 experiences a nightmarish encounter that sends her screaming and tumbling in bed, jolting awake but unable to shake off [[the lingering horror]] of her actions.

$name runs into his room, closes the door, and jumps onto his bed. He opens his phone and realizes Blake has texted him. **Blake: Hey, where you at? Blake: Bro, you good? Blake: BROOO** $name squints his eyes and texts back. **$name: Hey bro Blake: What's up, man? Didn't see you after school, what happened? $name: You wouldn't believe me if I told you Blake: What? What happened?** $name questions himself on whether he should tell Blake about the dreams, the money, and the laptop, but he also thinks that his friend will probably think he's on drugs. **$name: Nothing, man. I talked to the girl across the street, though. Blake: And? Does she like you? $name: Ummm ** $name doesn't know if the answer is yes, but he's pretty sure it is. **$name: I think so, bro. She's so funny and friendly. Blake: That's awesome, bro! $name: Yeah, you should come hang out sometime with us. Blake: For sure! How about tomorrow... $name: Let me text her and see if she is down. Blake: Awesome sauce!** $name opens $name1's number and proceeds to [[send her a text message]].

$name reaches the school and notices the girl standing there, the empty surroundings amplifying the awkwardness of his earlier rejection. He approaches her, feeling the weight of his missed chance. "Hey," $name says, lifting the umbrella above her head. "Sorry I said no... I panicked and I was a bit shy. I shouldn't have said no." She looks back at him, a mixture of amusement and understanding in her eyes. "Well, you're a little late, $name, but late is better than never." $name, confused by her words, questions, "How do you know my name?" "I heard your mom yell it a few times," she admits. $name smirks. "Well, that drops any suspicion of you being a mind reader." She chuckles. "I accept your apology." "Thanks! But just one thing... [[What's your name?]]" $name asks.

Breaking the silence, Blake questions, "So what now? We're here." $name1 calmly states, "We made it." Blake bursts into laughter, thinking they're joking. "You guys are crazy... we didn't even go anywhere," he exclaims. Undeterred, $name insists they head to the store to look at laptops. $name1, already anticipating the next steps, encourages the idea. Confused but bored, Blake agrees to join them on their quest for laptops. Leaving their belongings behind, they descend the stairs one by one, with $name1 making sure to grab her bag as they embark on the next chapter of their [[inexplicable journey]].

In the midst of their fascinating discoveries, $name1 brought up the practicalities of the day, noting that she had to pick up her brother from school. $name, realizing he had a similar responsibility, suggested that their brothers could spend time together. $name, leaving his bag at $name1's place, joined her as they descended the stairs. $name1 opened the front door to a gentle rain and, noticing $name's lack of an umbrella, asked if he had brought one. $name, admitting he hadn't, swiftly dashed across the street to retrieve both his and his brother's umbrellas. Upon his return, $name1 couldn't help but tease $name with a playful "dork." Giggling to herself, she muttered the endearing term. $name, with a good-natured smile, handed $name1 his umbrella, playfully suggesting, "After you, my lady." $name1, amused by the unexpected title, giggled and questioned the term. $name, blushing, tried to explain, but $name1, finding it cute, reassured him. With a playful insistence, she accepted the umbrella, and together, they ventured into the rainy day, [[leaving the mysteries behind]] for the moment, with the promise of returning to explore them further.

**$name: Hey $name1, it's $name. $name1: Heyyy. $name: When we hang out tomorrow, is it possible if my friend Blake can come with us? $name1: Sure, he can come. :) $name: Okay, I just wanted to ask you first. $name1: Does he know? $name: Uhhh, kinda sorta, no, but yeah... He wouldn't believe me anyway. $name1: Hahaha, okay.** $name opens his message with Blake. **$name: You can come hang with us. Blake: Alright, man! I'll see y'all tomorrow! $name: Alright, man, take it easy.** $name goes back to his message with $name1. **$name: Okay, he's coming. $name1: Otayy. $name: I just want to say I'm glad we met. $name1: Me too, $name. $name: Good. I have to go eat dinner. $name1: Alright, talk to you later.** $name puts his phone on the charger and goes downstairs to eat his dinner, excited about the [[plans for tomorrow]] and grateful for the newfound connections in his life.

As they stroll, the girl breaks the silence, "So your name's $name, right?" $name, caught off guard that she knows his name, blushes slightly. "Uh, yeah. How did you know?" he asks. "I heard your mom yelling it a few times," she admits with a playful smile. $name's embarrassment is palpable. "Oh," he mumbles. The girl reassures him, "No need to be embarrassed. I think it's cute." "What, being yelled at by my mom?" $name jokes. She chuckles. "No, silly. Your name." "Oh, haha," $name laughs nervously. Wanting to divert the attention away from his mom's vocal habits, he tries to reciprocate the question, "What's your name? Sorry, I've never heard your mom yelling it." The girl's expression changes, and she confides, "I don't have a mom." $name, sensing the weight of the statement, stumbles in his response. "Oh, sorry—" But she cuts him off, "Don't be. She left on her own. [[My name is]] $name1."

Time passes, and dinner is ready. All four of them gather around the dinner table. $name's mom can't help but notice that it's been a while since they all sat at the table together. She smiles, thanking $name1 for this special moment. "So, did you learn anything new in school today?" $name's Mom asks the kids. Ty is the first to answer. "Did you know red plus green plus purple makes a purplish-brown color?" $name replies, "Beats me, I have trouble with colors." $name1 looks at $name in confusion, and his mom chimes in, saying, $name is color deficient, like me. We can only see certain colors. I don't mind it, though. I guess it'd be cool to see colors, but it's really not that important." "Well, Ty, [[that's nice]] to know you taught us something today," says $name's Mom.

$name's eyes slowly drift downward as drowsiness takes over, tempting him to succumb to sleep. He desperately wants to take a nap, but he knows he can't. He has a responsibility to pick up his little brother from school. However, his struggle against sleep becomes evident as his mouth opens slightly, and a soft snore escapes. Just then, his mother's voice cuts through his sleepiness like a sharp knife. "I'm leaving now! I'm in a rush! Please don't forget your brother!" Her urgent words jolt $name awake, causing him to snap to attention. He realizes that he had dozed off and that his mother is about to leave. As his mother opens the front door, $name's eyes widen in panic, and he quickly jumps out of bed. "I have to get up and go get my brother," he mutters to himself, a sense of urgency in his voice. Springing up from the bed, $name rushes to the window but doesn't see his mother's car driving away. She left 10 minutes ago. Realizing the gravity of the situation, $name frantically searches for his umbrella as rain pours down outside. "I need to get Ty," he mutters, determined to fulfill his duty as an older brother. With his umbrella in hand, $name dashes [[out the door]], ready to face the rain and make sure his brother is safe.

$name, walking down the hallway, is jolted by a scream echoing through the quiet school. Panic sets in, and his immediate thought is that $name1 is in trouble. He sprints toward the source of the scream, but as he goes, he hears $name1 calling him from the opposite direction. Confused, $name stops in his tracks. "$name1?" he calls out, trying to make sense of the disorienting situation. How could he hear her from the opposite direction of the scream? Turning back, $name slowly walks in the direction of $name1's voice. "$name1, is that you?" he shouts, hoping for a response. [[Silence]].

$name, overcome with urgency, almost drags $name1 as they reach the door. They stop, breathless, $name1 looking at $name with determination. "Well, what are you waiting for? Open it." $name hesitates, a mix of fear and curiosity in his eyes. "What if there is something we don't want to see behind here?" "Like what?" $name1 challenges. "A GHOST? AN ALIEN? DEAD PEOPLE? I don't know where this door leads." "Just open it," $name1 insists. $name nods and takes a deep breath. "Okay. I'll do it. Hold these umbrellas." $name reaches for [[the doorknob]], anticipation and uncertainty hanging in the air. The door, a portal to the unknown, awaits their discovery.

As they head towards $name's house for the dinner, the world around them takes on a surreal quality. $name1's laughter resonates in the night, carrying with it the echoes of demons and dreams. The anticipation of the unknown hangs in the air, leaving them both curious about where this unusual journey might lead. The echoes of their shared adventures linger, creating an undeniable bond that transcends the ordinary. The dream-like reality they've experienced [[together]] seems to have blurred the lines between the mundane and the extraordinary, leaving them both intrigued by the possibilities that lie ahead.

$name looks at $name1, uncertainty in his eyes. "What do you think?" he asks. $name1 ponders for a moment before responding, "I think we should split up. It might be faster, and we can cover more area. Just be careful and call me if you find anything." $name nods hesitantly. "Alright, but promise me you'll call if anything seems off." "I promise," $name1 assures him. They exchange a quick glance, a mixture of determination and unease in their eyes, before heading in opposite directions. The quiet hallways amplify the echoes of their footsteps as they embark on their separate journeys through the seemingly empty school. Little do they know, the [[choice to split up]] may lead them down paths that hold unforeseen challenges and mysteries.

(set:$name to (prompt:"Enter a guy name: ", "Default Name")) (set:$name1 to (prompt:"Enter a girl name: ", "Default Name")) (set:$date to (prompt:"Enter Today's Date: ", "Example: Jan 1st, 2024")) *Opens Blog* $date Hey there, folks! $name here, giving this whole blogging thing a shot after a decade-long hiatus. Let's dive right in. Yesterday was a snoozefest of epic proportions! Being twenty years old and a freshman in college is already embarrassing. Luckily, I was fashionably late for my first period and missed attendance. If I had to endure my yapping professor interrupting the morning announcements one more time this week, I swear I would've gone bonkers. *insert eye roll here* Seriously, can someone just stuff a sock in his mouth already? "ToDaY wE nEeD yOuR EmErGeNcY sLips t0 bE sIgNeD" - give it a rest, Mr. Robins. What we really need is for you to zip it and let us hear what surprises the cafeteria lady has cooked up for us today. I need to know if I'm getting my second cheese steak sub of the week. "$name!" screams $name's Mother.. Ugh, here we go. $name rolls his eyes shutting his laptop and shouts back, "What, Mother?" "Did you pick up your little brother from school yet?" "Nope, not yet. I'm on it, I promise." $name kicks his feet down the bed, letting out a heavy sigh, and lazily puts his hands behind his head. He contemplates the idea of [[getting up]] but decides that a few more minutes of keeping his eyes closed wouldn't hurt. After all, what harm could a little extra [[snooze time]] do? <script> var audio = document.createElement('audio'); audio.src = 'https://ia601408.us.archive.org/35/items/RainSounds10HoursTheSoundOfRainMeditationAutogencTrainingDeepSleepRelaxingSounds/Rain%20Sounds%2010%20HoursThe%20Sound%20of%20Rain%20MeditationAutogenc%20Training%20Deep%20SleepRelaxing%20Sounds.mp3'; audio.loop = true; audio.volume = 0.08; // Set volume to 50% (you can adjust this value) audio.play(); </script>

$name looks at $name1, uncertainty in his eyes. "What do you think?" he asks. $name1 ponders for a moment before responding, "I think we should stick together. It's just too strange in here, and I don't want to be alone." $name nods in agreement. "Yeah, you're right. Let's stay together. We'll figure this out." Hand in hand, they begin their exploration of the school, each step echoing in the quiet hallways. Little do they know, the [[decision to stay together]] may prove crucial in unraveling the mystery that awaits them within the walls of the eerily empty school.

The air felt thick with anticipation as $name nervously approached $name1's door. He contemplated how to broach the topic without sounding absurd, but curiosity and a need for answers propelled him forward. As $name prepared to knock, the door slowly creaked open, revealing $name1 on the other side. Their eyes met, and $name1 spoke his name, adding another layer of mystery to their unusual connection. "Hi," $name stammered, uncertain of how to navigate the conversation. He took a breath and decided to dive into the peculiar question. "This might sound strange, but [[is your name]] $name1?"

In a breathless moment, they burst into $name1's house, slamming the door shut behind them. The dream world outside the window persisted in its nightmarish appearance, but the immediate threat of the demon was held at bay. $name1, $name, and Blake stood in $name1's room, panting and wide-eyed. The nightmare had tested their courage, and the dream world outside remained a haunting enigma. As they caught their breath, $name1 zipped her bag, $name glanced at the box containing the laptop, and Blake clutched it tightly. The mysteries of the dream realm lingered, and [[the trio]] realized that their journey through this shared nightmare was far from over.

"Uh, [[yeah, sure,]]" $name replies, suddenly feeling like a character in a cheesy teen romance movie. "Let me grab my little brother's umbrella." or "Uh, sorry, [[not right now]]," $name replies, suddenly feeling like a character in a cheesy teen romance movie. "I've got some urgent business to attend to. Rain check, maybe?"

$name sits at the bar in the kitchen as his mother cuts vegetables and listens. "Well, she's cute, funny, smart, and caring... but a bonus is she lives right across the street," $name shares. $name's mom can't help but smile. "Any shared hobbies?" she asks. "Well, we both blog, or... started to blog... but we haven't hung out that much to find out," $name says. "Maybe you two should do something she likes tomorrow," suggests $name's mom. "That's a good idea! Thanks, Mom," $name says as he starts running up the steps towards his room. "Dinner will be ready in 15 minutes!" shouts $name's mom. "Okayyyyyy!" $name yells as he [[runs upstairs]], the excitement of newfound friendship and the promise of tomorrow's adventures filling the air.

"How about you, Cassie? How was your day?" asks $name1. "Well, thank you for asking, $name1," says $name's Mom. "It was a pain; work's a struggle. I have a hole in my shoes and can't afford a new pair until the next paycheck." $name1 looks at $name. $name1 asks Cassie, "What size shoe do you wear?" Cassie replies, "I wear size 7." $name1 says, "I wear size 7 too! Maybe I have an extra pair you can wear until you get paid." "Thank you, $name1; I appreciate it, but I don't want to take anyone's shoes. I need to just get myself a collection of shoes, but I can't bring myself to spend money that doesn't need to be spent. We kind of live paycheck to paycheck, but we make it work," says $name's mom. $name1 responds, "I completely understand; it's like that for my brother and dad. It's only the three of us over there." "Yeah, can't say I haven't seen your dad before, Cassie. Handsome man!" $name1 smiles and looks at Cassie, saying, "Thank you, and thank you for dinner, Cassie; it was really good." "You're welcome. If you two are finished, you can leave your plates there. I will clean up the dinner mess," says $name's Mom. $name1 offers to help, but $name's mom insists, "No help, $name1; cleaning is my [[peace time]]."

The day turned to night instantly, leaving all three stunned. $name, looking over Blake's shoulder, noticed a dark figure down the street. "What is that?" he wondered. $name1 turned to look, and Blake, turning around, also noticed the figure. "Holy shit," Blake exclaimed. $name1 and $name were alarmed. "What is it?" $name1 asked. Blake nervously replied, "It's a demon. He haunts my dreams." $name and $name1 exchanged concerned glances. "You couldn't tell us this?" $name asked. Blake, defensive, responded, "I didn't know we were just dream jumping today." $name1 tried to calm the situation, but Blake continued nervously, "Every time he catches me, I wake up." $name and $name1, realizing the gravity of the situation, shared a worried glance. "No, Blake, that's not okay," $name1 said. "Because anything in this dream state you have in your hand or on your person... [[comes with you]] when you wake up." Blake's expression shifted to disbelief. "Oh man, don't tell me that," he exclaimed.

$name slowly twists open the doorknob, his hands trembling with fear, $name1 feeling his palms getting sweaty the longer it takes to open the door. The air is thick with tension as the door creeps open, and $name is the first to look into the room. His initial reaction is one of confusion, and he looks back at $name1 with a raised eyebrow. "What is it?" she asks. "What's in there?" As the door opens all the way, both of them stare in shock. It's a cellar—a school cellar. "I am not going down there," $name1 says decisively. "Hey, I second that," $name agrees. "I say we call the cops or something because something is really sketchy about all of this," $name1 suggests. "But how? Our phones don't work," $name points out. $name1 pulls her phone out, checking it and confirming that it still says "no service." "Yeah, that's true," $name1 replies. Out of nowhere, a gust of wind is blown out of the door, and a loud, eerie scream reverberates from the depths of the cellar, smacking and ringing in the ears of both $name and $name1. In shock, they stare at each other before screaming in unison and sprinting through the front doors of the school, the unsettling events inside propelling them to escape the mysterious and haunting depths of the cellar. The school, now more than ever, feels like an enigma they are [[desperate to unravel]].

$name1 and $name share a hug, a moment of camaraderie, as the boys dash upstairs, Kai playfully challenging them with a "catch me if you can." Once alone, $name raises a valid concern, "So, what do we do now? We can't just go sleeping with our brothers here." $name1 agrees, suggesting they delve deeper into research. However, $name expresses frustration at the lack of substantial information, with most sources dismissing their experiences as mere madness. $name1 then proposes exploring the "dark side," prompting $name's confusion. $name1 clarifies, referring not to Star Wars but the dark web. The idea of using a virtual machine and a VPN for this venture is tossed around, leading to a decision to use $name's [[computer]].

$name and $name1 continued their quest for understanding by exploring Reddit threads where users questioned the ability to bring dream items into reality. They found comments dismissing the initial posters as unproductive or slow, attributing the experiences to "hypnopompic hallucination." However, $name and $name1 were perplexed, as this phenomenon had occurred to both of them simultaneously. It wasn't merely an individual experience. They pondered the implications and limitations of their newfound ability. The dream world knew no rules, but the real world operated differently. They questioned how they could bring things into existence and if it was because those items already existed in reality. $name vividly recalled observing $name1 while she slept; she didn't move from her bed. With a growing sense of curiosity and uncertainty, they continued their online search, hoping to [[uncover the secrets]] behind this extraordinary connection between their dreams and reality.

$name lies in bed, finally coming to his senses after weeks of turmoil. The guilt of his actions towards $name1 weighs heavily on him, and he yearns to apologize in person, knowing that a call or text won't suffice. With a mix of fear and determination, he plans his approach within the confines of his room. Anxiety gnaws at $name's mind, causing him to hesitate at the door before leaving. He wonders if $name1 has moved on, if she even cares about him anymore. But as he gathers his courage, he decides to take the first step towards $name1's house. Standing on her porch, $name senses an eerie stillness. The air carries a strange, unsettling odor. Peering through the window, he notices the living room in disarray. His gaze shifts to the kitchen, where something crawls into the backroom. Uncertain if it's a pet or something more sinister, $name's unease grows. Preparing to knock, the door slowly creaks open on its own, causing $name to question if $name1 is behind it. He pushes the door open, only for it to hit the wall. The possibility that the door was already open sends a [[chill down his spine]].

Amidst their contemplation, a faint chime interrupted the atmosphere, prompting everyone to listen intently. "Do you guys hear that?" Blake questioned, trying to recall where he'd heard the sound before. Suddenly realizing the source, Blake's eyes widened, "Wait, that's my phone upstairs. My phone is ringing—" His sentence was abruptly cut short as he disappeared before $name and $name1's eyes. Panic set in, and both started screaming, "WAKE US UP! WAKE US UP, BLAKE! WAKE US—" They jolted awake simultaneously, scaring the living daylights out of Blake. He felt the gust of wind, but $name1 and $name were oblivious. "Dude, I fell asleep, and you two were in my dreams. Isn't that crazy?" Blake remarked, looking at them with genuine surprise. $name1 and $name exchanged knowing glances and confirmed, "We know, Blake. We were there." The revelation that $name1 and $name were part of his dream left Blake in stunned silence for about ten seconds. Finally, he managed to utter, "So that was all real?" $name, with a deadpan expression, nodded, "Yes, [[it was real]]."

$name and $name1 make it to the store, expecting to find some sense of normalcy, but to their surprise, it's empty—no people or workers in sight. $name looks at $name1 and smiles. $name1 questions the reason for his smile, and $name chuckles, saying, "Nobody is here." "Yeah," $name1 responds. "Who do we pay?" $name1 looks up at $name with a smile. $name jokes, "Your treat is on me, my darling." $name1 playfully slaps $name against the chest, saying, "Oh, how nice of you, my good sir," as laughter echoes through the empty store. "Well, let's go get some food," $name suggests. They grab a cart, and $name1 jumps in, running through the aisles, laughing and giggling, grabbing random food and snacks off the shelves, opening boxes and sampling anything they lay their hands on. They laugh and enjoy their time, roaming through the store, grabbing whatever they like. $name1 looks at $name and smiles. Despite missing her family, she can't help but feel warm and fuzzy inside. Unbeknownst to her, $name is experiencing a similar warmth, spending time with the [[girl of his dreams]]—though $name1 remains unaware of his feelings.

In the midst of the unfolding chaos, Blake began with a casual "That was," but $name1 swiftly interjected, injecting a sense of nonchalance, "Scary..." right before Blake could finish his sentence. Unfazed, Blake responded with a triumphant, "EPIC!" $name and $name1, still catching their breath, exchanged incredulous glances at Blake's choice of words. "Epic? Dude, we almost died!" exclaimed $name, a mix of seriousness and amusement in his tone. $name1, however, cut straight to the point, emphasizing the gravity of the situation, "That was a DEMON." Blake, always one to downplay the supernatural, shrugged it off, "Yeah, but usually, when I wake up, nothing happens." $name1, with an air of 'we told you so,' retorted, "We told you. This is different. Whatever you have on you in the dream comes out when you wake up." Blake, ever [[the skeptic]], brought up a curious point, "Yea, like this laptop? A million times I've dreamed, and never once did I wake up with that hot girl's number in my pocket. Come to think of it, I don't know why I just put it in my pocket instead of looking at it." Confusion lingered as both $name1 and $name raised their eyebrows in response.

As $name1 and $name ran upstairs to $name1's room, Blake followed closely behind. Before ascending the stairs, Blake hesitated and asked, "Should I take off my shoes?" $name1 turned around, laughing, and playfully said, "Dude, take off your shoes now." Blake, slightly embarrassed, quickly removed his shoes while $name1 burst into laughter and assured him, "You don't have to take off your shoes if you don't want to—I'm only kidding." $name joined in the laughter, and Blake chuckled at the playful banter. As Blake ascended the stairs, $name took out his new laptop, the coveted one from the shop they had talked about earlier. In surprise, Blake noticed and exclaimed, "Dude, that's the laptop!" $name, forgetting that he hadn't mentioned it to Blake, casually said, "Yeah, man. Want to [[check it out]]?" Excitedly, Blake took the laptop, marveling at its sleek design and features.

"Well, I guess I can thank you for buying me the laptop," $name1 said to Blake. $name1 then looked at Blake and turned to $name, saying, "You can thank us both; it's both of our money." Blake quickly assumed, "So did you get that money from the dream also? Did you rob a store or a bank?" "No, no... no store or bank," $name1 replied. "Let's just say we did good with where the money came from," she added, looking at Blake. "Well, that had to be one of the coolest days of my life," Blake admitted to $name and $name1. "Well, you're welcome," said $name1. "So does my laptop now have the special power to do the magic conch thing?" Blake asked. "Well, it isn't the laptop," $name replied. "It isn't?" Blake looked at them with confusion. "It's the website. It works when you write a blog or the original website, or you go to the dark web and click enter." "Awesome! Well, I have to be home soon to get a shower and get ready for work. Catch you two tomorrow?" Blake inquired. "Sure thing, just please... keep this between us. We don't want this getting around," $name and $name1 said to Blake. "Alright, guys, I'll [[catch you tomorrow]]!" Blake said as he headed home.

April 5th, 2023 Hey bloggers! You won't believe what happened to me yesterday—oh, $name, by the way, I'm not even tired. Can you see if we have any NyQuil? $name, intrigued by the idea, agrees to fetch the NyQuil. $name1, less certain about its location, instructs him on where to find the medicine but refrains from showing him.$name, navigating $name1's house with minimal guidance, stumbles upon various rooms before finally discovering the bathroom. To his surprise, he notices peculiar arrangements of stones in $name1's dad's room but decides to ignore the enigma. Opening the bathroom cabinet, $name finds an untouched bottle of NyQuil, quietly expressing his triumph. With the NyQuil secured, he returns to $name1's room, only to find her already fast asleep. Contemplating his next move, $name ponders whether to wake her, wait patiently, or return another day. Choosing the path of patience, $name occupies himself with [[his laptop]], engaging in games while the mysterious events of the previous day linger in his mind.

The next morning, $name stirs in bed, pulling the blanket over his head to shield himself from the awakening day. Amidst the routine chaos of his mother's voice urging him to get up for school, he half-heartedly requests another minute of reprieve. It's only when he realizes that his mom is specifically calling him that he jolts awake. Surprisingly, $name finds himself in his room, not the living room where he recalls falling asleep with $name1. Confusion lingers as he rushes downstairs to encounter his mother at the door, questioning his unusual morning energy. $name, acting as though he's reunited with a long-lost relative, hugs his mom tightly. Concern etches across his mother's face as she probes, "What's wrong, $name?" "I... I guess I had a [[bad dream]]," $name mumbles.

$name walks in the door, greeted by his mother and brother, who notice $name1 following him. "Hello, $name1! Nice to have you over for dinner tonight," says $name's mom. "Thank you, Mrs. Cassie!" $name1 responds. $name, surprised, asks, "How did you know my mom's name?" "I told you she invited me for dinner, silly. You think I'm just going to meet your mom and not find out her name?" $name1 playfully retorts. $name laughs, conceding, "True, that makes sense." "We're having ribeye steak tonight, if that's okay with you, $name1," says $name's mom. "Of course, Mrs. Cassie," $name1 replies. Cassie, smiling, says, "Please, call me Cassie. You're making me feel old, haha." "I'm sorry, Cassie; you're not old—you look young and beautiful!" $name1 compliments. "Well, thank you," Cassie responds. "Can I have my steak medium rare, please?" $name1 asks Cassie. $name's mom agrees, adding, "$name can be little vampires together." $name1 jokingly looks at $name and says, "[[I'm going to suck your blood]]," with an evil smirk. $name replies, "That's all?" $name1 laughs and playfully smacks $name on the arm.

$name delved deeper into the mysterious world of dream-related phenomena, stumbling upon an intriguing account from a deleted user. The user described a recurrent dream where they could conjure futuristic gadgets and weapons, a fantastical ability that allowed them to bring dream-created items into the real world upon waking. The most fascinating twist was the user's experience of repeatedly manifesting money in their dreams, only to wake up and find it physically present. This revelation struck a chord with $name and $name1, sparking a renewed curiosity about the connection between dreams and reality. The user's story hinted at the possibility that dream objects might not only exist within the dream realm but could somehow bridge the gap into waking life. However, the challenge remained—how to comprehend and replicate this extraordinary phenomenon. In their quest for understanding, $name and $name1 explored the concepts of hypnagogia and hypnopompia, the states of hallucination experienced before falling asleep and after waking up, respectively. These states offered potential explanations, but the tangible presence of dream-derived items in their reality continued to baffle them. The elusive nature of their shared experience heightened the intrigue, urging them to [[seek answers]] beyond conventional explanations.

$name and $name1 stand at a crossroads, contemplating their next move. $name1 suggests, "Should we [[split up]]? You check that side of the school, and I'll check the other? Or should we [[stay together]]?" The weight of the decision hangs in the air as they run each choice through their minds. Splitting up could cover more ground, but it comes with the risk of being alone in this mysterious and seemingly deserted place. On the other hand, staying together provides a sense of safety but might limit their ability to explore the entire school efficiently.

$name1 walks upstairs and changes into the PJs that $name provided. As she looks at herself in the mirror, she reflects on the surreal day she's had. The events have been strange and unsettling, yet finding comfort in $name's home feels reassuring. Meanwhile, $name waits downstairs, wondering how $name1 is doing. He takes a moment to think about the peculiar situation they find themselves in and how it brought them together. The sound of footsteps on the stairs interrupts his thoughts as $name1 descends in the borrowed PJs. $name smiles and says, "You look great in them. Ready for a good night's sleep?" $name1 returns the smile, grateful for the hospitality. "Yeah, thanks for everything, $name." They both head to the living room, where $name sets up a makeshift bed for $name1 on the couch. $name1 hesitates for a moment before asking, "Mind if you sleep on the floor next to me? It's just... it feels safer." $name nods understandingly, "Of course, $name1. Whatever makes you comfortable. We'll get [[through this together]]." As they settle in for the night, the rain outside continues its rhythmic pattern, providing a soothing backdrop to their shared uncertainty. The bond between $name and $name1 deepens, forged in the strangeness of the day, and they find solace in the presence of a newfound companion amidst the mystery that surrounds them.

$name trudges along with his thoughts echoing like a broken record. "Why do I have to be so shy?" he laments inwardly. The regret of not seizing the chance to walk with the girl gnaws at him like an insistent itch. "I've been trying to find a way to talk to this girl for a couple of weeks now, and once I get the moment, I blow my chance," $name reflects, frustration building with each step. As the rain continues its relentless assault, $name daydreams about encountering the girl on the way to the elementary school. The mental image of her being soaked, her hair clinging to her face, tugs at his conscience. "She might be soaked, and I'll have nobody but myself to blame for that." "Ugh, I need to gain confidence," $name resolves, a newfound determination bubbling up within him. "I should listen to Blake and just go up and talk to her." The rhythmic patter of rain becomes the soundtrack to $name's internal pep talk. With each drop, he mentally rehearses how he might strike up a conversation with her. Will he find the courage to break through his own barriers and make a connection, or will he let another opportunity slip away like raindrops through his fingers? The journey to the elementary [[school]] becomes a battleground for $name's inner struggle, a challenge he knows he must overcome to rewrite the script of his own story.

They make it back to $name's front door. $name looks at $name1 and smiles, saying, "Home sweet home." $name1 turns around, noticing how dark and quiet her house looks from across the street. Her father always leaves the living room light on when he's home, so seeing the light off reassures her that nobody is in the house. $name1 turns around and hugs $name, expressing her gratitude for letting her stay. $name moves the dried-up wet hair out of her face and smiles, hugging her back. They open the door to his house, flicking on the light and leaving his key at the table near the door—a departure from his usual routine, driven by the sense that nobody else is there but the two of them. "I have some PJ's upstairs if you want, or I'm sure my mom has something you can wear," $name says. "No, no, your PJs are fine. After all, my house is only across the street," $name1 says. $name chuckles and agrees, "PJ's it is! I'll be right back." He runs up the steps to get something for $name1 to [[wear to bed]].

$name and $name1 make their way to the shop, its deserted aisles creating an eerie atmosphere. $name remarks, "It's weird being in a store all alone." $name1, always the optimist, replies, "You're not alone; you got me, silly," and shares a laugh. Walking towards the laptop section, $name reflects on the bizarre reality of being in an empty store during a dream. $name1, unfazed, navigates with confidence, asking $name if he knows where the laptop is. "Of course, I've wanted this laptop forever," he replies with a grin. $name can't help but marvel at the unexpected turn of events. "It's crazy to think this is all possible," he says. $name1 agrees, adding, "Who would've thought when we finally met each other, we would come together to have some sort of superpower." They share a chuckle, contemplating the potential for using their newfound abilities for good. $name suggests checking "X," which is formally known as Twitter, for live news in their area. However, they realize their phones don't work in the dream realm. They exchange a glance, daydreaming about their next superhero adventure, and burst into laughter at the absurdity of their situation. [[Friendly Neighborhood-]]

As $name1 walks around the house, she observes the pictures of $name's family, noticing a picture of a husband, wife, and three kids. Two of them are $name and his brother, with the wife being his mom, but she doesn't recognize the two other individuals. $name comes running down the steps with the PJs, noticing $name1 holding the picture. "Ah," says $name, "that's my dad and my other brother." "I never knew you had another brother," says $name1. "They passed away in a car accident... some drunk driver ran a red light and t-boned our car a few years ago. Sadly, they were on the left side of the vehicle. We all went through a lot after that accident, but they didn't make it," $name explains. "I'm so sorry," $name1 says. "I didn't know." "Thank you, $name1," says $name, "but it's been alright since they've been gone. We miss them a lot, but I guess God needed them early." $name1 hugs $name and expresses her sympathy. $name laughs in awkwardness but thanks $name1 for being caring. "Here... here are your PJ's. The bathroom is just [[up the steps to the right]]." "Thank you, $name. Thank you for letting me stay." The weight of the mysterious events outside seems to lift momentarily in the warmth of $name's home.

$name pauses the kiss with $name1 as they hear a familiar voice. "Your dad's here," $name says, a playful smile on his face. $name1 returns the smile, realizing the need to maintain boundaries. $name1 brushes off the interruption, her eyes filled with mischief. "You think you can hurt me that bad?" she teases, her tone light-hearted. $name, with a mischievous grin, playfully pushes her onto the bed. They share a moment of laughter and shared connection. But then, $name stops himself, realizing the importance of respecting each other's boundaries. "Maybe you could [[spend the night]] at my house?" he suggests, his voice filled with genuine interest and care. As $name1 responds with a teasing "We'll see," the atmosphere between them becomes charged with anticipation. The night holds the promise of mysteries, dreams, and perhaps a hint of something more. $name1 and $name share a knowing look, acknowledging the unspoken connection that has woven itself through the events of the day.

"Stop for a moment, let's think," $name1 suggests, her voice a mix of concern and confusion. "About what? My mother is going to kill me if my brother isn't home tonight," $name responds. "Your mother?! So is my Dad!" $name1 exclaims. "Let me call my dad," $name1 says. "Sure, I'll call my mom." They both pull out their phones and dial their parents, walking in circles in the hallway, desperately searching for some explanation of why nobody is in the school. Suddenly, both their calls end, and a message appears on the screen: "[[No service]]."

(align:"=><=")+(box:"X=")[“We trust that time is linear. That it proceeds eternally, uniformly. Into infinity. But the distinction between past, present and future is nothing but an illusion. Yesterday, today and tomorrow are not consecutive, they are connected in a never-ending circle. [[Everything is connected]].”] — The Stranger, Dark, Season 1: Secrets

The girl raises an eyebrow, clearly unimpressed with the prospect of wielding a superhero-themed umbrella. "Would you mind if I could use yours while you do?" she asks, her tone suggesting that the exchange is purely strategic. $name, unable to believe his luck that someone is interested in his umbrella choices, blushes and hands it over like he's surrendering the crown jewels. "Yes! Of course," he exclaims, suddenly imagining himself as the gallant hero saving the day with a gesture as simple as sharing an umbrella. "I'll be right back!" he promises, rushing off to fetch the backup umbrella, hoping that his little brother's taste in superhero gear won't ruin his newfound suave image. $name returns to the door, armed with his little brother's umbrella, only to find the girl still waiting. He nervously offers, "Would you like to [[share the umbrella]]? That one is bigger and can fit both of us." The girl grins, "Of course. Let's go!" $name takes the lead, holding the umbrella over both of their heads as raindrops tap dance on its surface.