InsaneJournal

Lan Zhan? Are you there? Of course you are- you picked up the phone.

Yes, Wei Ying, I am here. I just have to be quiet, Lan Huan is sleeping.

Like any sensible, responsible man would be at this time. Shame you and I are heretics who stay up late and have secret phone conversations, eh?

I think heretic is a strong description. It’s lucky I do not have work in the morning. Not that I think I will be able to sleep.

Because of the bad dream?



[...]



Wh- what did you dream about?

I am not sure how to explain it.



[...]



It was nèizàng. Too real, too… I don’t know.

Sometimes dreams are very real, even if they’re only dreams, they can be frightening. Sometimes I dream about being chased by dogs, I feel unsettled for the whole day after that.

That sounds like it would be unsettling. I do not think I would enjoy dreaming about being chased by dogs either. My dream did not involve dogs.



[...]



I was me, but I was not. I don’t know if that makes sense? Longer hair for one thing.

No one wants to dream about dogs. I am glad you didn’t dream about them.



...Longer hair? You would suit long hair, I think.

Have you ever been chased by dogs in real life?



Much longer. Long, dark straight, with hair pieces and this… forehead ribbon.

Wǒ yǐjīng.



Aiyo, and the accessories were bad enough that you can now not sleep?

When?



No, that is silly. What kept me from sleeping was this- Nevermind, it was just a dream, right?

It happens more often than you might think.



Even if it was just a dream, A-Jie would say that talking about it makes things better. It helps.

When?



[...]



I think my brother might agree with her. If he were awake I am sure he would be encouraging me to talk about it as well. It just feels- I don’t know, I haven’t spoken about my dreams to anyone since I was a child.

Most recently? Maybe... three days ago on the beach.



Aiyo, I’m not just anyone, Lan Zhan. So it’s okay.

Why did they chase you?



So this dream, it… wait, II just noticed something. I’m bleeding- Gǎo shénme guǐ?

Because all dogs are evil.



You’re bleeding?! How badly? Aiyo, do you need to go to the hospital?

I don’t know how this is possible. I wasn’t bleeding before bed but in the dream-



[...]



Lā shǐ, I am bleeding on the couch. I should find a towel.

Nǐ xūyào yīshēng ma? If you swear it must be bad.

No- I, I have no explanation for this injury. It was in the dream that this happened. It should not be real.

Does it need stitches?



[...]



Lan Zhan. Nín de shǒubì xūyào féng zhēn ma?

...I think it might. This is insane, Wei Ying.

How did you hurt your arm? How did you not notice? If you will not go to a doctor, please come to me. I can stitch you up.

I was hurt in the dream, but an injury in a dream should not carry over into the waking world.



[...]



I think I was distracted by how I felt when I woke up that I just did not feel it. I can’t, I’ve disturbed you enough, Wei Ying.

Fuck.



[...]



Lái wǒ de jiā, Lan Zhan. Qǐng. If you will not wake your brother, please, come to mine.

[...]



I- That is not- Hěn hǎo, dànshì wǒ réngrán juédé zìjǐ shījiāle tài duō.

Nǐ bùshì yīgè rén.

You were there, in the dream. You.. died.



I will see you soon, Wei Ying.



Xièxiè.

Bùyòng shuō xièxiè. The door will be unlocked.