The following short(er) story was conceived almost twenty years ago and is loosely based on a real dream It had several different iterations before the one you are about to read. Once again, the story will appear on this site in portions over roughly eight weeks very simlar to how 50 Hours was presented. Once again, if you like this story or any other story/article on this site please leave a comment or like it so that i can know and create more content.
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This story deals with some material which may trigger anxiety for some reader due to the subject matter of the paranormal and child abduction. And now, here is part 1 of DADDY!
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1987 Winnipeg, Manitoba
Eddie Forrester: Thursday Morning
Eddie bolted awake, his body bathed in sweat, shaken from a deep slumber. The same recurring dream had been tormenting him twice a week for the past month. Each time, it revealed a bit more, and this night was no exception. He swung his legs over the edge of the bed, planted his feet on the floor, and rested his elbows on his knees, burying his face deep in his hands. The latest addition to the dream had shaken him to the core, leaving him perplexed about its meaning.
Edwin, known as Eddie, had a history of recurring dreams dating back to his childhood. Those dreams had always been bizarre, far removed from reality, like the one where he navigated white-water rapids down a mountain into a desert. However, none had haunted him like this one. It wasn't the absurdity of the dream that troubled him, but the people, the places, and the subject matter involved. This time, it was different.
The initial scenes of the recurring dream mirrored his weekend reality: Eddie picking up his son for a trip to the park. In the dream, they all wore the same clothes - Eddie, his son Colin, and his ex-wife Tamarah. He'd remind Colin to grab a sweater at the door, and Tamarah would chime in about his bike. The dream continued as they strolled to Central Park, just a block from his mother's apartment.
For weeks, each iteration of the dream followed the same pattern, ending with Eddie on a park bench, watching Colin. But the latest dream, the one that had awakened him in a cold sweat, held a sinister twist. As he sat on the bench, he noticed a panel van cruising down Cumberland Avenue, then turning south onto Beatty Street. It stopped at the park's far entrance, near where Colin was playing. Panic seized him as he saw a figure jump from the and rush towards Colin. The figure snatched Colin and shoved him into the van. Eddie's last memory before waking up was hearing Colin's desperate cry, "Daddy!"
Sitting on the edge of the bed, Eddie struggled to convince himself it was just a dream, devoid of meaning. However, deep inside, a nagging feeling persisted. He knew that sharing this dream with friends would invite rationalizations about divorce and upcoming weddings. Some might even claim it was mere anxiety. But Eddie sensed something different, something he couldn't brush off.
Anxiety left him too restless to return to sleep. Glancing at his alarm clock - 5:38 am - he opted for a shower, hoping it would wash away his unease. His next visit with Colin wasn't until Saturday, still two days away. The thought of seeing his son provided some solace; it was the highlight of his week. Despite the tumultuous divorce, he was thankful that Tamarah hadn't kept Colin from him. It would have broken his heart. It would have broken him.
Eddie couldn't afford to take a day off work, despite his current state. He reluctantly prepared for work. He was employed at "Behind the 8 Ball," a 24-hour pool hall, serving a clientele that was comprised of those he once called his friends. His days of excessive partying, drugs, and drinking were behind him. Post-divorce, Eddie sought a fresh start, aiming to make his son proud. Work was still a few hours away, so Eddie decided to find a nearby support group meeting where he could admit his powerlessness over addiction. He flipped open the Yellow Pages, finding an abundance of meetings in his neighborhood, making him think there were too few. Glancing at the clock again, he realized it was too early for a meeting and although his sponsor instructed him to call anytime, Eddie felt this anytime was still too early.
Opting for a visit to the YMCA gym, he took a different route to avoid Central Park. Anxiety from the dream was unwanted baggage. Eddie poured his energy into his workout, pushing himself to the limit. A post-workout shower rejuvenated him, and he checked his watch, noting that he still had time for a visit to Tim Hortons. He savored a double-double coffee and an apple fritter, setting off to work with a newfound perspective on the day. He hadn't forgotten the dream entirely, but it was no longer the dominating thought in his mind.
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