The business card left my mailbox was unassuming. A simple white font had fixed to a black

background, but its claim was bold.

There is now an in-dream hotline you can call to escape nightmares, simply find a red

rotary phone in your dreamscape, dislocate it from the receiver and choose a number to

be connected. A good night's sleep is just around the corner, enjoy your rest.

I ended all the makings of a half-hearted prank from my friend Josh. After all, he was

the only person I had told about my recent night terrors, but, stooping that low, just

for a cheap laugh? He knew my nightmares were deeply personal, all involving my deceased

father. Would he really go that far?

Though Josh was a funny guy, he could be sentimental when the time called for it. I

wondered if this was less a prank and more an offering of relief during a tough time.

His way of telling me there would eventually be a way out, a light at the end of the

tunnel. I took comfort in this, opting not to reach out in case he decided to go back

on it and laugh at my face. However caring the man could be, he detested hard-to-heart

moments.

Thanks Josh, I guess I needed this.

This slight smile, I placed the card in my pocket and went about my day, grateful for

the gesture. Unfortunately, it would not be enough to keep my demons at bay.

Later that night, while resting, I was blindsided by memories of my father. Completely

out of my control, a horrific scene came into focus, replaying the events of his death.

I had no choice but to enjoy the torment and watch the events unfold in my mind, just

as they had so many times before. I was a child and were swimming at a favorite spot

...