I found myself in a large house with a big garden that extended towards the near forest. It was a dark and cold day, and it seemed like it had been raining not too long ago.

There was no one else in the house. After strolling around the rooms, also darkened due to the dim light that came in through the windows, I decided to access the garden through the backdoor in the kitchen.

I slowly approached a wide wooden table located under some trees several meters away from the house. As I had suspected, it had rained recently and the mud that had formed in some areas hindered my advance. Once I reached my destination, I observed the table, completely soaked and, for some reason, covered in dirt and mud. After some seconds, I exclaimed out loud:

“Damn it, I can’t take my notebooks out here to work.”

At that moment I remembered there was another table, although somewhat smaller, underneath a canopy somewhere else in the garden. Surely that one would be dry.

Again, I walked towards the house in hopes of finally achieving my objective. However, when I reached the second table, I exclaimed again:

“Why didn’t I think to extend the canopy yesterday night?!”

Once more, the table was covered in dirt and mud.

Resigned, I turned around and gazed towards the small forest connected with the rear of the garden. My breath stopped when I noticed the majestic creature that appeared from between those trees.

After an instant, my mind could finally comprehend what I was seeing. Again, I exclaimed:

“WHY IS THERE A BOAR IN THE GARDEN!?

The creature, without a warning, abruptly charged in my direction. After acknowledging that I was its target, I decided it would be best to take cover inside the house, and quickly turned around to be on my way, while I calmly murmured:

“IT’S COMING FOR ME!!”

Just as I passed through the kitchen door, I turned around and quickly closed it with a slam, trying to desperatly lock the door in the meantime for greater security.

Once I had finished making the last turn with my hand, I sighed with my eyes closed as I rested my head against the door. The adrenaline I had just generated slowly started to leave my body.

At that moment I felt a shiver through my body.

Slowly, I raised my head while turning around. And when I opened my eyes I found…

Nothing.

Where there used to be a kitchen, messy due to the baking I had been doing earlier that day, only the deepest darkness could be found.

I tried to walk forward, feeling with my hands, but I couldnt touch any of the things that should have been there.

One step. Two. Three. There was no obstacle in my way, I couldn’t find anything. My head was spinning and I could feel my strength failing. I tried to resist, in vain, and felt myself starting to fall as I was losing consciousness.

I opened my eyes, startled and with accelerated breathing. I was no longer surrounded in shadows, nor in that unknown house.

Instead, I was seated on my sofa, with my feet up, covered with a blanket. The familiar sight of the living room, although scarcely decorated when compared to the one I just visited in my dream, relieved me.

As I tried to sit up, I noticed a slight pressure over the right side of my body. That’s when I remembered.

I was not alone.

Turning my gaze to the right I recognized her head over my shoulder. She was holding on to me and I to her, both of us snuggled under the same blanket.

When she noticed my sudden movements, she moved her head in place and asked me, in a low voice:

“Did you have a nightmare?”

“It doesn’t matter,” I answered after calming down. “How long have I been asleep?”

“I don’t think it was enough. You were exhausted. Why don’t you try to sleep again?” she said.

“I’m fine… But what about you? You haven’t slept at all and probably are very tired. Close your eyes and rest, I’ll stay with you,” I said as I placed a kiss on her head.

“Yes… I think I will…,” she whispered, as she hugged me tighter. “Good night.”

“Good night,” I answered, pulling her closer to me.