s we have seen over the years, infections are a main theme in my dreams. Seldom do I have infection dreams back to back. However, these past two nights have been the exception. We can partially blame The Last of Us. Marie visited me last weekend and we binged it (no regrets!). It definitely has its moments though with infected. Sure enough, the show definitely is the inspiration behind these two dreams.
Dream #1: Mall Madness
I am at a cheer leading competition that is taking place at a mall. The mall is massive and it kind of reminds me of an outlet mall where you have the outdoor quad with paths that lead to a variety of stores. The competition is being held in what looks like a shop that is recently closed. There are shelving units pushed against the wall but the rest of the space is filled with mats and bleachers. There is a main entrance that leads to the outdoor area that is blocked slightly by dry wall. It's not completely blocked so I think the idea is that our teams are supposed to run out from some makeshift dressing room that it leads to. There is also an entrance towards the parking lot that is clearly visible (this is important!). Michelle and I are patiently waiting for our team's turn on the mats. We aren't dressed in cheerleading uniforms so I think our turn is just a practice or something. The team ahead of us finishes and little cannons shoot out confetti. It is quite the show!
The announcer tells us that there will be a short break and that we can head into the shopping plaza through the blocked entrance. I get a really bad feeling. I tell Michelle that we need to go back to the parking lot and call Marie or Otis to pick us up. We need to leave ASAP! Still, so many cheerleading teams are excited. I try to tell a few that they need to avoid the shopping area and get out while they still can. Most want to at least see the shops but a few follow my lead to the parking lot.
Michelle and I walk over to some benches that are at the edge of the parking as far away from the shopping area as possible. Michelle tries Otis and I try Marie on our phones. They both say that one of them will try to get there soon but they're trying to finish up some stuff since they want to see us compete tomorrow (honestly, fair and I appreciate the support for our cheerleading activity). In the distance I hear screams. We dart towards these red leather couches that are near the sidewalk to the parking lot entrance. They're really large and lots of people are taking cover there. I see an infected person scuttle around the parking lot screaming. Then I hear the clicks....
I tell Michelle we have to be silent. People around me are making lots of noise so I tell her we can run, if they get attacked (I'm glad my priority was Michelle because I always worry about the safety of EVERYONE in my dreams usually). The clicker approaches the commotion and jumps on the couch. Michelle and I try to remain silent. I close my eyes to calm myself. The clicker jumps at the person next to me and Michelle and I try to scoot off slowly during the attack. Then I woke up!
Dream #2: Trouble in Paradise
I am back on the cruise Robert and I vacationed with last summer. We stop at a port that resembles some kind of medieval times. The dock from the ship leads to theses makeshift castles and old time shops. It all seems artificial. But who doesn't love a Renaissance Fair! Robert gets us tickets for a show at an amphitheater so I decide to get us some snacks in the meantime. I walk along the shops and something doesn't feel right. I hear lots of people coughing. I go back to the amphitheater to persuade Robert to get back to the ship.
I get to the amphitheater and Robert is no where to be found. I check my phone and he has texted me that the show seemed lame so he wanted to just go swimming on the ship (seems about right to be honest). I am annoyed he didn't wait for me but relieved that he is safe on the ship. I see an emergency exit near some performers. I try to sneak that way just in case any of these people are infected. A blond woman about my age follows me. She is wearing a matching green jumpsuit and has her hair in a ponytail. She asks why I'm leaving. Obviously I don't want to start a panic so I just tell her I came here on a cruise and am done exploring for the day. She asks if I can help her with something at her apartment and I agree???? [Excuse me, dream me?!?!].
Her apartment is a tall brick building. Inside is pretty intricate with several hallways leading to many individual apartment rooms. It reminds me of an old hotel or office building. There is a small crowd of people consisting of a little girl in a frilly dress, a younger man probably in his 40s that I assume to be her father, another blond woman that is his wife, and a brunette maid (I like that this apartment complex has maids). The young blond woman leads me to the group and I understand this to be her family. The little girl has a distinct bite mark on her leg. Immediately, I'm thinking "oh absolutely not." I ask the young blond if I can use her bathroom and she points to one of the rooms. The door makes no sense. There is a black curtain that covers some red plastic fence that pulls open to reveal a sliding wooden door. She takes me into her apartment and I try to close and lock this contraption.
She asks what I'm doing and I tell her that we can't save her sister. I hear screams in the distance and I say we need to find a way out of the building. Her sister is infected and it's only a matter of time before she turns. I don't feel safe in her apartment with that sketchy door! The woman refuses to leave and I try to check my surroundings. A window near the back of the apartment leads to a fire escape. I use this and make a run for the ship. People are panicking and I see infected attacking others. I do make it to the ship and find Robert (huge relief!). He takes me back to the room seeing as this is where we'll be the safest. The captain comes over to the loudspeaker and tells us that we're departing immediately. He needs everyone to come to the top deck and bring all of our belongings. We're running low on fuel but it's not safe to leave. He has enough to take us 30 miles (not super far but I'll take it). He informs us that they're doing full body inspections and temperature checks. In addition we can keep one light bag but we need to throw the rest of our stuff out to lessen the weight of the ship (in reality, I don't understand the point of this).
Robert and I head to the deck. People are still swimming and drinking and not really following direction (honestly, I get it. Vacation is expensive and you need to get your money's worth of the all-inclusive benefits). Guards are dragging people out and checking them. Several people get thrown overboard. The madness is terrifying. I hold on tightly to Robert. We pass the health check and head to the edge of the deck to toss our stuff out the railing. Robert keeps one of my bags and says we can just put our valuables in it since it's an expensive bag. He feels bad that I have to throw my stuff out (also, sounds like him <3). We race back to our room, careful not to talk to anyone. We hang out there, hoping to keep safe.
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