Somnium Reawakened: Somnium, #2

By Kristy Kamin

The anticipated conclusion to the award-winning book, Somnium.

Somnium. A perfect virtual world, where the sleeping mind walks... but corruption and evil can not be silenced for long.

When Claudia's daughter is faced with the choice to reinstate Somnium, what she chooses will change the future of not only those she loves but the world as she knows it.

Warning: contains sexual references and rape references.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Kristy Kamin
• Release date: Mar 28, 2021
• ISBN: 9781393735151

Book preview

PROLOGUE

Lisa watched with bitter sadness as Claudia’s ashes scattered in the wind.

Both her parents dead. And no-one had any idea why. She glanced at Avignon. He was the only one left in her world. But then, he had always been the only person she could trust.

It was at a very young age that Lisa started to see her parents for who they really were – liars. She knew her father was her biological parent. Still, no matter how much she begged, neither of them would tell her who her biological mother was. The woman who carried her.

Lisa was still a young girl when she stopped

calling Claudia her mother. Although she saw the hurt in Claudia’s eyes – it didn’t stop her. If Claudia wasn’t going to tell her the truth, then she didn’t deserve that title.

Then there was her parent's generation. The secretive talks, and the worried looks they all gave each other. Avignon and Lisa saw it all the time. It was clear they were all hiding something. A vital secret that would affect their children’s lives forever...

PART ONE

SPRING AD 2521

1

It seemed to happen all at once; parents all over the world started to mysteriously die – just like Alec and Claudia. Within months of turning forty, each person would age at an accelerated pace. Then they just dropped dead like flies – their secrets dying with them. Leaving behind a generation of bewildered, confused, and sometimes bitter, children. Children whose lives were really only just beginning,

many not even in careers yet.

Lisa and Avignon being some of the first to lose their parents, others looked to them for guidance. But Lisa and Avignon were not ready themselves.

****

Standing across the living room, Lisa faced Avignon who was sitting on the dark brown couch in his late parent’s house. He was dressed in soft denim shorts, and the burgundy t-shirt which brought out the richness of his brown eyes.

What do we do, Avi? she asked him softly, as she twisted her long hair into a makeshift bun.

You’re asking me now? It’s been almost a year since our parents have died Lisa. We’ve done nothing but mope around and live off our inheritance. What do you suggest we do? he answered, his thumb and forefinger rubbing his top like he always did when he felt anxious or overwhelmed.

Well, anything I guess – anything but this. I don’t think I can stand living in the memories anymore. I would rather forget.

Fine for you to say. You may not have liked your parents, but I don’t want to forget mine. I loved them – I will always love them ...

Lisa turned away. She hated to see Avignon cry, his big brown eyes filling with tears, his thick lips trembling, his long blonde hair falling over his face as he bowed his head. During their childhood years together, Avignon was always the happy one. Lisa used to love spending weekdays with him in the play and learning room at Claudia and his mother’s work; ‘Claudia’s Social Media and Advertising’. They often got into mischief. At first, just playing ‘spies’ and spying on the other children, but as they grew older. they started finding ways to leave the learning room unnoticed, and spying on the adults. Lisa and Avignon’s mission was always to find out what the big secret was that the grown-ups were keeping from them. They never found out much, though – just snippets. Like how life used to be different with people starting careers younger; and being able to visit places that most people were typically unable to get to. None of it really made any sense, and it just left

Lisa and Avignon even more frustrated.

Avignon had stopped crying, both hands now resting in his lap. Lisa joined him on the couch.

I’m sorry, Avi, she mumbled, never good at dealing with other people’s emotions. Lisa didn’t bother hugging him, as she wasn’t much of a hugger, and he didn’t like to be touched anyway.

Instead, she changed the topic, I’m going to move out. Can you please help me pack?

Sure, Lisa. When?Avignon wiped his nose on his sleeve - a habit which had always made Lisa cringe.

––––––––

a frown.

Now.

Now! That was sudden, Avignon said with

"It’s been almost a year Avi – not exactly

sudden."

You know what I mean, Avignon replied, rolling his eyes.

Can you help me or not? Lisa ignored his last comment.

I guess I’ve got nothing better to do, he

mumbled before getting up and heading for the front door, Lisa following after him.

****

The flowering red and yellow bottle-brush trees lining Pitt Street always made Lisa’s nose tickle. Popping a turmeric capsule in her mouth, Lisa followed it with a swig of water. Strolling past her neighbour’s houses, Lisa couldn’t help but notice things had quietened down a little. The past year had been quite horrific with everyone’s parents dying, one after the other. The funeral parlours hadn’t been able to keep up with the massive amount of dead bodies coming in, so the Council had announced new rules. When there was a death, you were to put a red mark on the front door. The bodies were collected every morning and taken to a large facility to be burned.

There were weekly memorials held at Council Chambers where a Death Certificate was given out to each family, and a small service was held.

Lisa and Avignon had been among the first ones to actually receive their parent’s ashes. However, when the deaths became more frequent, there was no

time to burn the bodies separately.

The marked red doors were far and few between now; most teenagers were shuffling around in a melancholy manner, the odd kid wiping their eyes. Some had dealt with things by taking over their parent’s jobs. If it weren’t for those, the world would have been in a much bigger mess.

Arriving at her childhood home, Lisa unlocked the front door. Entering, Avignon surveyed the place in shock, his hand finding the edge of his t- shirt to rub. Lisa had spent most days at his house and hadn’t allowed him in here since Claudia’s death. The house stank like old garbage, and there was leftover food on dirty plates strewn all over the place. Clothes had just been left wherever Lisa had taken them off; embarrassed, Avignon turned away from the lingerie hanging off the couch.

Noticing the look on Avignon’s face, Lisa spoke up, I know, I know – it’s a mess.

When he didn’t answer her, she continued, Don’t just stand there Avi – come grab a rubbish bag and help me out!

Avignon followed her to the kitchen where she opened a drawer and shoved a wad of large bags into his spare hand.

Avignon returned to the lounge room and started throwing old food and anything he considered junk into a bag, while Lisa began on the kitchen.

After spending the better part of the day disposing rubbish, they were finally able to start packing boxes. Lisa made her way up to her parent’s bedroom, leaving Avignon alone downstairs.

Where are we going to take the boxes of things you want to keep? Avignon called out.

To your place, Lisa called back.

Lisa cringed as she heard Avignon bounding up the staircase.

Did you just say my place? he replied, sounding a little exasperated.

Refusing to look at him, Lisa retorted, Well, I practically live there anyway.

She carried on throwing her father’s shoes into the box she was filling.

"I don’t recall discussing this option with

you, Lisa." Avignon was using his serious tone with her now, and Lisa would have been more concerned if she hadn’t just noticed a box in the back of her parent’s closet. She pulled the box out from under the clothes that had fallen on top and started to open it.

Lisa – I’m talking to you, Avignon said impatiently as he threw a folded pair of socks at her. Feeling them hit her softly on her back, Lisa’s long red hair fell over her chest as her hazel eyes glared at him.

I’m trying to pack Avi!

I realise that Lisa. But we need to discuss your living arrangements.

I already told you that I can’t stay here another day around all these memories. I’ve spent most of my time at your house since my dad died – even before Claudia’s death. It makes sense that I move in with you, she stated with a finality in her voice, like it was already decided.

Avignon gazed at her, not really having the energy to argue. Lisa had already turned away from him. Her tall curvaceous body kneeling in the back of her parent’s closet. She really was quite beautiful to

him, but they had been friends forever and to think of being anything more felt almost incestuous.

Ignoring Avignon, Lisa continued to open the box. There was a light flickering in there, and she needed to find out what it was – her curiosity always getting the better of her. The first thing her eyes fell on was a notebook. Opening it, she gasped.

What is it? Avignon asked.

Lisa had already forgotten Avignon was standing at the closet door. He crawled into the closet and sat down beside her. The book contained sketches of places people supposedly hadn’t been to for generations, each one signed by her father. Examining the drawing of the view of a desert from atop a camel, Lisa was confused. Lisa’s copy of her father’s award- winning book of rare places was dog eared from the countless times she had read it. The photographs he had taken during his work travels had been permanently etched into Lisa’s memory. These sketches, however, were places he couldn’t have possibly ever seen. So how could he have drawn such specific pictures?

Lisa? Avignon whispered, Are these places your father went to when he travelled?

She shook her head, No – check out the dates he wrote next to each picture. He drew these before I was born.

But – how could that be? I thought he said he had rarely travelled overseas before you were born. He was working on the local mine regeneration projects until then.

I know. Lisa threw the book down, "More

lies!"

Leaving the closet, shoving Avignon out of

the way, Lisa stormed out from her parent’s room.

2

Waking up in Avignon’s spare room, Lisa stretched and yawned. After Avignon’s baby sister died all those years ago, his parents, Sam and Bevan, left the room the way it was. Sometimes when Lisa was visiting, she would catch Sam standing in the doorway, staring sadly at her daughter’s cot. Sam had lovingly painted the cot lilac, inside it sat a lone stuffed Giraffe – the toy that was always close by to their baby girl. Next to the cot stood a change-table, also lilac, and it still held the nappies and wipes –

never to be used again. The only thing that had been removed from the bedroom was the holographic sign that Sam had designed that held her daughter’s name

– Aisling, the Gaelic word for ‘Dream’.

Smelling breakfast cooking, Lisa jumped off the mattress Avignon had brought into the room for her last night. She had always been somewhat a morning person, one thing she and Avignon had in common.

Lisa entered the kitchen and stared with interest at her friend. Avignon was preparing eggs and bacon for the both of them, whistling quite loudly as he did so. He was dressed in the same pair of navy denim shorts he always wore, with a red silk t-shirt neatly tucked into them. His long blonde hair was neatly pulled back into a thin plait, still damp from being recently washed.

Realising he was no longer alone, Avignon glanced up, and took a break from whistling as he beamed at Lisa, Hello.

What has made you so happy this morning? she questioned him, raising an eyebrow.

Nothing, he answered, embarrassed. "Admit it, Avi! You are actually happy to

have me here, aren’t you?" Lisa said, the corners of her lips turning upward.

"I guess waking up to an empty house had become a little depressing, he admitted. Bacon and eggs?" he asked, changing the subject.

Sure, Lisa smiled as she sat down and Avignon returned to whistling his little tune. Perhaps this would work out okay. She would return to her parent’s house today to finish packing and then put the house on the market. Or maybe she would just give it away to someone who needed it – Lisa didn’t really care, as long as it was gone.

Lisa fiddled with her holographic phone.

Her father had always travelled for work, and he gave her the Holophone to call him whenever she needed to talk. She rarely did though, as he left her alone with Claudia, and Lisa hated him for that.

Flipping open the Holophone, she scrolled through the news bulletins, but nothing held her interest. Lisa put the phone aside just as a plate of

bacon and eggs was placed in front of her. Hungrily digging into the warm breakfast, she thanked Avignon with a mouth full of food.

That's disgusting! he scolded.

You sound like my father, she started to reply and then thought the better of it.

Instead, she swallowed her mouthful and asked Avignon, Would you mind helping me with the last lot of packing today?

Sure thing, he replied, However, I won’t get there until later this morning as I have some errands to run.

Thanks, Avi. You’re an awesome friend. I know. His eyes sparkled as he nudged

her a little too hard. Lisa winced. He often forgot his strength.

Avignon’s house was almost identical to her parent’s, except much cleaner. Avignon was almost as particular about cleanliness as he was about good manners. His up-cycled wooden furniture and kitchen benches were spotless, not even a speck of dust. The cream walls had not a single mark, and his concrete

floors appeared almost new compared to most places Lisa had been too. Lisa wondered how Avi managed to keep his parent’s house so immaculate since his neat-freak mother died, as she never saw him cleaning. Maybe he cleaned when she was out.

Scoffing down the rest of her breakfast, Lisa left the table and headed for the front door to go on her morning run.

Hey – don’t forget your dishes! she heard Avignon call out as she closed the door behind her.

Great, Avignon huffed as he took Lisa’s dishes to the sink.

****

Stopping outside her home, Lisa wiped her tears, memories flooding her mind. The day when she returned from her run to see her father tending the vegetable garden out front, surprising her with his early return from work. Lisa may have been fourteen years old, but it didn’t stop her from jumping onto his back in glee. She had to cling on tightly as he whirled around laughing, ‘Hey Mona Lisa’. Lisa remembered Claudia watching through the window, a faint smile

on her lips, and longing in her eyes. A small stab of guilt entered Lisa’s stomach, but she promptly ignored it as she always did. It was Claudia’s fault, not hers.

Entering her parent’s house, hopefully for the last time, Lisa made her way upstairs to their bedroom. She couldn’t help but stare at the large painting of the Eiffel Tower above the Queen sized bed. It was the exact replica of the tattoo on Claudia’s arm. ‘Skin art’, Claudia would often correct her, but Lisa loved annoying her in any way possible.

After seeing her father’s notebook yesterday, Lisa had decided to leave their bedroom for last. She had been too angry to continue, with the constant reminder of her parent’s lies. Even after death, the lies kept coming.

Lisa emptied her parent’s bedside drawers and roughly threw the items into a large box. She would donate the box to the recycling co-op, as she had no need for anything reminding her of her parents.

Finally having her parent’s belongings

packed into boxes, Lisa returned to the closet. She had left the box that held her father’s notebook to last, and now she could no longer put it off. Crouching down low, too tall to enter the closet while standing, she knelt next to the box, left open from yesterday. Inside it was two strange things that resembled the headphones people wore when listening to music on their Holophones. She pushed them out of the way to see what was underneath but then stopped. One of the headphone things had flashed! She picked it up and saw it had speakers to place on your ears, but there were also funny looking pad things attached to the front. Lisa started to place the contraption on her head and then she jumped as she heard someone speak,

Lisa? It was Avignon.

Lisa dropped the headphone thing into the box and spun around angrily, You scared the crap out of me! she cried.

He laughed a little too hysterically – as he often did, and replied, Why – weren’t you expecting me?

Obviously I was, Lisa retorted, "I just

wasn’t expecting you to come up behind me unannounced."

Looks like you’re finished at last. Sorry, I got here a little late, Avignon said, his laughter dying down to a small chuckle. He often found it hard to turn off his laughter as quickly as most people did.

Better late than never as they say, she said, smiling back at Avignon, his laughter may have been irritating, but she preferred it to the tears.

What have you got there? Avignon had noticed the strange looking headphones in the box.

Lisa picked one up again, and as she did so, it flashed once again. Jumping, she almost dropped it back into the box.

Did you see that? she gasped.

The light? Maybe you turned it on. Can you see a button on it?

Lisa inspected the headphone thing closer. No – I can’t find anything to turn it on with.

Avignon reached into the box, There’s another one. He picked it up and was still inspecting when Lisa placed hers over her head. As she did so,

she went limp.

Feeling her slump against him, Avignon dropped his headphone thing and started shaking Lisa.

Lisa, wake up! Lisa! He placed two fingers on her neck and felt for a pulse. It was there – very slow and steady, like someone who is sleeping. He took the headphone thing off her head.

Lisa woke up and stared at him wide-eyed, and whispered, I think it was my mum.

3

Lisa sat beside Avignon on his couch, exhausted. They had just spent the day going back and forth to the local recycling co-op, dropping off boxes containing the items Lisa no longer wanted. The two boxes of what Lisa wanted to keep, now sat on Avignon’s living room floor, one holding the strange headphones and her father’s notebook.

Too tired to unpack tonight, Lisa absent- mindedly munched on a carrot from Avignon’s small vegetable garden. As a self-sustainable city, Council

regulations were for every household to have a shared community vegetable garden. This way, everyone had free access to a variety of vegetables. Meat and other produce was sourced from local farmers and came at a small monetary cost.

Are you okay, Lisa? Avignon asked her. It was unlike her to be spaced out like this.

Just tired I guess, she answered. Yeah – I totally get that.

Snapping out of it, Lisa stared at Avignon strangely.

Noticing the look, Avignon spoke, What? "You haven’t asked me about what I saw on

the headset."

Headset? Is that what they’re called?

A little annoyed that her friend seemed more interested in what the headphones where called rather than what she experienced on them, Lisa huffed.

Yes, the lady I saw told me it's called it a headset. Again though – why haven't you asked me what I saw?

"I figured you would tell me when you are

ready," Avignon answered, shrugging his shoulders.

Lisa had forgotten just how different Avignon was to her. She spent much of her life with him, it was almost as if he were her brother. However, the way his brain worked was totally opposite to her. A few generations ago they called it Aspergers or ASD. But these days most people didn't go on about diagnosis and disabilities or 'Special Needs' whatever the latest term used to be. Everyone was now accepted as unique – people were no longer placed in the so- called 'normal' box society used to be so insistent on.

Lisa loved this side of her friend, though – he didn't prod when it wasn't his business. He didn't like people prying into his business, so he didn't do it to others. Although he had no problems with the spying that they used to do when they were growing up.

Lisa’s eyes sparkled, memories from their spying days flooding her mind.

Lisa?

Lisa brought her thoughts back to the present. "When I put on the headset, it was like I was in another world – or more like a dream. I can’t really

explain it."

Avignon was watching her expectantly, he always loved learning something new.

There was a lady there. She was tall and had red hair – she looked a lot like me, but a little older. She called herself Melanie...and she called me her daughter, Lisa’s eyes examined Avignon’s, Do you think it could be my mother? My real mother?

I don’t know Lisa. Anything is possible, I guess. What else did she say?

Just that she was waiting for me to put on a headset. Then you took it off. Lisa stared at him, pointedly.

That thing – headset- put you to sleep! I was worried, Lisa.

I need to go back in there Avi, I need to find out more.