The only sound came from the fan, humming along quietly to itself while sitting in its proper place by the window, which stood gaping open in awe at the night sky. Ken lay on his back, staring blankly out at the empty air that hung between himself and the fan, his white hair plastered to his brow. One arm stretched out at his side, the other rested across his forehead, too tired to move. Sweat clung to every inch of skin, creating a damp blanket which was the only covering Ken could stand to hold onto, even that was only just bearable. He wasn’t sure of the time, but it must have been close to dawn, considering the noise of the city had subsided more than was usual for a Saturday night. It was several hours ago when Ken finished his workout and rinsed before laying down to welcome a sleep that so far eluded him.
His mind wandered through the familiar streets of Tokyo, down dark alleyways and through seldom used side streets. The road took a sharp turn and then dropped suddenly into a nosedive, Ken went sprawling forward, hands outstretched to meet the pavement. He landed hard in a muddy puddle, the dark liquid splashed eagerly over his face and mouth, setting him to spitting and coughing. His hands groped across the ground for something with which he could grab hold of to right himself, but all he could feel was the soft squish of mud. It was firm and wet and very warm, underneath he thought there might have been something solid, it crunched when he put his weight down and he felt his hand slip down beneath the surface. Panicked, he opened his mouth to scream, but the water filled his mouth, hot and sweet and savory, life affirming sustenance and not at all water.
Ken sat upright all at once, his chest tight with pain and the scream he couldn’t choke out clinging desperately inside his throat. His eyes darted back and forth, hazy with sleep, recalling the details of the waking world in slow quiet steps, the dream for which he’d waited so long still fresh in his mind. Shaking, he reached for the glass of water by his bed. Grasping it gingerly, he held it to his lips and took several slow mouthfuls. A knock at the door instantly shook him from his daze, startling him to full alert. “Just a moment!” he called out, jumping out of bed and pulling his pants on in his haste to reach the visitor.
