Lucid

By James Donaldson

Nash (Code Name: Corsair) is involuntarily drawn into the supernatural realm of the Dreamlands where, to protect a young college student, he faces off against "The Great". As Nash rushes to understand who and what "The Great" actually is, he discovers his adversary has almost unlimited powers to control dreams!

• Language: English
• Publisher: James Donaldson
• Release date: Sep 8, 2022
• ISBN: 9781005259730

James Donaldson

James Donaldson, independent author and disabled veteran, is realizing his lifelong dream of writing speculative fiction. James’ writing philosophy revolves around “...eldritch styled adventure stories I’d enjoy reading.”James Donaldson is a former police officer and decorated combat veteran. He currently lives in Utah with his family and works in the national security field.

Book preview

LUCID

A CORSAIR Adventure

Written by James Donaldson

Smashwords Edition

Copyright 2022 Donald Lawson

All that we see or seem is but a dream within a dream.

-Edgar Allan Poe

ONE

It was a dark and gloomy night in the city. As the rain beat against my office window, the squeaky ceiling fan overhead did little to ease the oppressive summertime heat. Loosening my tie, I kicked my feet up on the desk and wiped the sweat from my brow.

Now, what can I do for you, sugar? I asked.

The mysterious dame, dressed to the nines, sitting across from me did little to lower the temperature in the room.

I'm in trouble. The attractive woman explained, her eyes narrowing and her voice trembling. Serious trouble and I desperately need your help. You see... After finishing my usual singing gig at Mister Big's tonight... Well... Anyways, a friend told me you're a man who is used to danger. Tonight, I need such a man. I need you.

I casually touched the .45 caliber pistol resting under my arm in my worn, sweat-stained, leather shoulder holster. Outside, a clap of thunder startled my newest client.

Doll face, you came to the right gumshoe. Yup, I can handle myself all right. Best private eye in the city. Now what kinda trouble could a pretty bird like you possibly be involved in?

Well, detective...

Like I already told you. No need for formalities here. I interrupted, reaching across my desk to pour myself the third drink of the night.

Shaking her head violently from side to side as if to clear it, the woman's tone and demeanor instantly changed. Nash? Is that you? Are you really here? The woman asked, examining the room as if she had only just arrived. You're really here with me! Snap out of it! You're dreaming! It's me! It's Mason! Kenzie Mason! Remember who you really are!

Look, dumpling... I countered casually. You strolled into my office...

The woman stood, aggressively knocking my feet to the floor before placing her hands on the desk to glare at me. Nash! Come on! You're not some dumb, noir, 1930s detective trope! You're the Corsair! Now get your head together! I need you! The real you!

I'm the Corsair? I asked, momentarily confused, before my true identity flooded back to me in an instant. Yes. Yes, I am! What the hell is going on? Where am I? When am I? Who are you?

Kenzie Mason. You're in my dream! Remember I asked you to help me? We met in the library? You came to my place to spend the night and watch over me?

I leaped up out of my chair. How the hell did I get here? I exclaimed, darting my head around to examine my strange surroundings, my mind clear but the exact situation I found myself in cloudy.

I brought you here. Kenzie ineffectually explained. Into my dream.

What?

Look, sorry about that, but what's important now is that you're here.

Why's everything in black and white? I asked.

I don't know. Kenzie replied. This's your dream. This's what you wanted to dream about. You tell me.

Dream? I asked skeptically, still confused. This's a dream? Everything is so real. This isn't like any dream I've ever had before. I don't believe you. Where are we?

Look, we don't have much time before he finds us. You're lucid dreaming. This is a lucid dream. I brought you here. Into this dream world with me.

Lucid dreaming?

Yeah, it's like regular dreams but you can control everything. It's very realistic, I know. Again, we don't have much time. I need you to...

Kenzie Mason! I raised my voice to cut the younger woman off mid-sentence. I remember agreeing to help you with a stalker, not this dream crap. I agreed to watch over you as you slept until the police arrested your stalker, not get pulled into whatever this is. Now explain to me how the hell I got here in your lucid dream thing or whatever. I mean... How do I know you're not a dream? Maybe I'm dreaming all this right now. After all, you don't look like Kenzie.

I didn't lie about that. There's a stalker, but my stalker is in my dreams. In my nightmares, actually. And he's a little bit worse than a stalker, I'm afraid. As to the way I look, we both look different in our dreams. I won't even tell you who or what you look like.

Where's my body? My real body? I demanded.

Still sleeping on the easy chair in my living room. Kenzie explained. Nash, we don't have time for this. I'm sorry for the subterfuge, but I need you to help me in this place. In my dream.

Your dream? You want me to help you in a dream?

Yes and no.

Excuse me?

Yes, this is a real dream, my dream, and we are both lucid dreaming together. Kenzie poorly explained. But this world is real. It's called the Dreamlands. And it's a very dangerous place.

The Dreamlands! I shouted, remembering an obscure legend I once heard about a mystical place with the same name. We need to wake up.

No, Nash! Kenzie shouted back. We need to stop the Great.

Excuse me? I asked as I walked around my desk. Did you say, 'the great'?

"That's