Slinx opened his eyes, it was 8:00 a.m.
Saturday.
Unable to go back to sleep, Slinx got up from bed and headed towards the washroom. The ring he wore was still there, and every second he spent in Dreamland was still clearly in his memory.
Slinx wasn't someone who asked for much, but this time around there was something he desperately wanted.
"I want to go back to Dreamland." He told himself. So he attempted to sneak back into bed and sleep, but his effort proved meaningless.
Dreams have always been something that astonished Slinx, a wacky world where anything and everything was possible. Whether it was the mind-bending scenery or surprising plot twists, Slinx's dreams almost always left him flabbergasted. And for that he adored the utopia. Sometimes he wished he could just stay in his Dreams and wander into the abyss, he would no longer need to care about socializing and others' opinions. He would be free to explore a world of his own, and actually be proud of just being himself.
Slinx chews another mouthful of cereal. With one hand holding a spoon, he uses the other to scroll through Instagram. He sees the wonderful and fascinating lives his friends are living: Jason scored three goals for the school football team, Flint went camping with his friends, Charlie was nominated for the Academy for Gifted Education… Everybody he knew had seemingly grasped the secret to a successful life, and Slinx was the only one with no clue on what he really wanted. He sighed, "What did I do yesterday?" he thought to himself.
And then it hit him.
He swiped towards the search bar and typed in the words 'Cavina'. Hundreds of Cavinas popped up, but no Cavina Vixen could be found. Though disappointed, Slinx gave up and resumed to focus on his next spoon of cereal, he did not want to spill another spoonful of cereal on his pants.
After breakfast, Slinx allowed himself to submerge into the comfy couch. He grabbed his favorite book and started to read it for the fifth time, it was 10:00 a.m.
Rarely was Slinx busy during weekends, he would always finish homework on Fridays and spend the weekend either binge-watching Netflix as the hours passed by or just read a book until he passed out and then wake up to realize it was already supper time. Occasionally his mother - Hanna, would demand his labor and force him to take a walk outside, but seeing how little Slinx seemed to try Hanna knew he was not to be blamed for his behavior.
"Slinx, come here." Hanna said seriously.
It was a hot and humid summer night during summer vacation last year, Slinx had only left the house for either supper or brunch. He declined the slumber party invitations, he found excuses to avoid bowling night, and he would claim to be ill whenever Hanna suggested a road trip. All he would do was sleep.
A few seconds passed by, Slinx gave no response. Hanna repeated, this time more loudly directly at Slinx's room, still no response.
"What's going on? You're acting all weird and strange." Hanna knocked vigorously on Slinx's door, demanding an answer from her son. She couldn't bear seeing the sight of Slinx losing the spark of life at such a young age.
"Tell me what's bothering you, I'm your mother Slinx, I care." Concerned and frustrated as a caring mother should be, Hanna broke into Slinx's room and attempted to shake him out of his bed. Slinx resisted but did not say a word.
"Get up now Slinx Wilt! This is an order!" With the might of fury Hanna yanks Slinx along with his blanket down to the floor, Slinx groans softly yet doesn't seem to feel mad.
"You've been like this ever since summer vacation started, is there seriously nothing more important to you than sleeping?"
Slinx got back up on his knees and proceeded to sit on his bed, he looked defeated and drained. "You won't understand Ma," Slinx said in a mumbling tone. "Just leave me alone."
"No one at 15 needs to sleep that long, so get the heck up and go live like a fifteen year old!"
"I'm lucid dreaming ma." Suddenly and bluntly, Slinx splits out the truth.
Hanna freezes, she closes her eyes and takes a deep breath. She opens her eyes and looks at Slinx with a straight face, indicating she was in no mood for any nonsense he just said.
"English please Slinx? Lucifer dreaming? Just say you're having nightmares."
"I can control what happens in my dreams… it's almost like I can do whatever I want." Slinx said.
"Sometimes I don't even know I'm dreaming … It's like… Honestly, I feel more alive when I'm dreaming than when I'm awake." Slinx muttered in a shameful tone.
Ever since that day, Hanna would try all sorts of methods to help her son see the better side of life. In her own words, "The best way to find meaning in life is to live every day as if it's your last". She would do everything in her ability to create precious experiences for Slinx, taking him on trips and making him engage in all sorts of communities. Slinx felt grateful for all Hanna had done for him and knew he was lucky to be loved, but the feeling of incompetence continued to irk him.
"Slinx! Supper's ready! " Hanna's voice overthrows Slinx's flashback, Slinx got up from the couch and stared at the clock, it was 8:00 p.m.
"Coming!" Slinx steps towards the kitchen, he knows an adventure awaits him.
"And so thou embarks on a quest to seek meaning." Slinx thought.