A Dream - 15 Feb 2021

I’m cycling down a rocky, dusty country road in a land that is foreign to me. My bike is a small, rattly, and old, sort of like a 1960’s version of a BMX. The road was bumpy and hilly, with considerable steep undulations.

I’m rolling down a hill, feeling like I’m going too fast when I hit a bump and the bike and I fly into the air. Suddenly the road falls away. Little did I know that on the other side of the bump is an incredibly steep decline. I’m now dangerously high, still on the bike and falling fast.

My immediate thought is; “I need to land this thing or I’ll get hurt”. In a desperate attempt to control my landing I pull the front wheel up and force the back wheel down.

As I hit the ground the road twists away from me and I bump along in the grass by the side of the road. I hit another bump and fly uncontrollably into a set of rapids in a fast flowing river.

“Go with the flow, Craig, just go with the flow!” I desperately say to myself. “Ride these rapids until the river opens up and the current slows.

The river did open up, but the current didn’t slow. At incredible speed I’m swept out to sea. Huge waves break over me. I have a sinking feeling in my stomach, a sense of turmoil and loss of control, but strangely I’m not panicking. I repeatedly said to myself, “Just stay afloat, don’t struggle, as long as you can float you can survive”.

Darkness falls and I’m way out to sea, no moon, no lights, just pitch blackness. The current does not slow and I continue to be swept along by a rapid ocean current. I’m lost and out of control. I know the only thing I can do is to simply stay afloat, and not to panic.

Out of the blackness 2 huge vessels come into view. They are an American aircraft carrier and a destroyer. I think I’m safe, and I will be rescued. A huge sense of relief comes over me. I realise no one knows I’m out here in the dark. I wave my arm, and scream for help, but it is all in vain. I float helplessly by. My spirits sink.

Now a more substantial navy comes into view. These ships display the large eagle symbol of Germany’s Third Reich. Some of the vessels appear to be moving quite fast, but I’m being pulled along in a current that is moving faster. These ships are all lit up with bright yellow lights and I’m afraid I’m going to be seen and captured.

I have a horrid sense of foreboding. If I’m seen and captured, will I survive?

There is nowhere to hide. I tread water and hope that the cover of darkness will save me. The current drags me on.

Night slowly fades into day as I’m wash up on a beach near a set of rocks. Children are playing and laughing in ankle deep gentle surf. It is a warm, beautiful sunny beach day.

I’m exhausted lying on a sandbank next to a large rock as the waves lap at my waist. Near the rock, standing waist deep in the water are two women, probably in their late 20’s or early 30’s. They are talking about their relationships with their boy friends. I don’t want them to see me, or think I’m listening in on their conversation. I also don’t want them to think that I’m getting inappropriately close to them. I feel extremely uneasy about this whole situation.

If asked, how can I explain how I got here, and what I’m doing here. The two women do not see me. As they finished their conversation they walk away from the rock up onto the beach. I remain lying on the sandbank, the water gently lapping at my back.

Copyright; Craig Buller 2021. All rights reserved.