A Perfect Dream

12/06: Broken

He startled awake to the shrill cry of the alarm clock. He looked around at his surroundings, trying to get his bearings. As the familiarity of the room sank in, he let go of his breath is a weak sigh. The images of him playing his lute, with the Dryad moving her lithe body to the rhythm of his music were still dancing vividly in his mind. He was hit by a sudden pang of loss as it dawned onto him that it was just a dream.. a beautiful dream.. a figment of his imagination.. a result of his mind trying to come to terms with what has happened recently. He brushed away the tendrils of the dream caressing his back of his head, as he got up to start the day in the real world.

He looked into the mirror as he was brushing his teeth. A pair of listless eyes stared back at him, framed by dark eye circles that spoke of dried tears and heartache. He clenched his teeth unconsciously at he realised that the strange man with the sunken cheeks and a week-old stubble was his own face. He turned on the tap and splashed water on his face vigorously, trying in vain to rinse off the memories and pain.

When he stepped into the kitchen, the cats meowed at him, demanding breakfast.

"A sec." He answered as he took a can of Heineken from the fridge and took a long swig from it. The girl rubbed herself against his ankle, stared at the empty food tray, and turned her attention back at him, meowing impatiently. The boy sat there silently, looking at him expectantly.

"Ok. Ok." He replied. He took the plastic jug and poured the dried cat food into the tray. The girl jumped in excitement and swiped the jug from his hands. The jug slipped from his trembling hands in slow motion and landed on the floor with a soft thud, scattering the cat food over the floor. He stared at the strewn food, losing his grip on his resolve.

He sank slowly on to the floor, burying his face in his knees. His composure broke, as he hid his face in his hands and wept, his body wracked with waves upon waves of heavy, silent sobs.