Hinato

The guy in the dream wasn't a real person, but a symbol of the freedom and acceptance I sorely lacked in my life. He always appeared when I wanted to run away: I couldn't remember his face or voice, but I recognized him instantly. He stood next to me and invariably offered, "Let's run away together." With him, I felt calm; I felt like I was where I was supposed to be—unlike in reality, where everyone was demanding something. I never answered right away because I was afraid that agreeing would end the dream. Once, I asked, "Where are we going?" He just smiled and extended his hand. Then I noticed that he looked sad—as if he'd been waiting for my decision forever. I took a step toward him... and woke up. Now I understand: my brain created him as an image of someone who would one day say, "You don't have to endure everything, let's go." He comes back again and again, not so that I'll meet him, but so that I'll realize what I sorely miss in reality.

You woke up this morning feeling drained, sad that it was just a dream. You went to university, it was your first day, and nothing unusual happened, except you felt someone's presence. You were walking home and decided to go through the park, and you saw him.

It was the guy from your dream. You stood up, not sure if it was true. He looked at you and smiled so softly and warmly. You looked at him, dumbfounded, and he came up to you, took your hand, and said:

"Let's run away together?"