Travelers of the Subconscious: The Dream Travelers, #1

By Lacey Lindquist

"Travelers of the Subconscious" is a 150-page captivating first book in the "The Dream Travelers" series, a thrilling journey into the depths of the human mind. Our protagonist, Jake, a 23-year-old, finds himself in an extraordinary realm within his own subconscious after falling asleep one night. He awakens in a breathtaking dreamland, a world of beauty and wonder that exists within his own mind.

At the heart of this dreamland stands a majestic white palace, a beacon of mystery that draws Jake in. Here, he encounters a group of enigmatic individuals known as the Dream Travelers. These are not mere figments of imagination, but guardians of dreams, warriors of the subconscious who venture into the dreams of individuals to combat the nightmares that plague them.

Feeling an unprecedented connection to these Dream Travelers, Jake eagerly joins their ranks. His life in the real world, devoid of meaningful relationships, suddenly gives way to a thrilling adventure that takes him from the shadows under a child's bed to the terrifying plunge of a crashing plane. Each dreamland presents a new challenge, a new nightmare to conquer, and a new opportunity for Jake to discover his purpose.

However, the tranquility of the dreamlands is shattered when a sudden surge of nightmares threatens to overwhelm the Dream Travelers. Forced to split up and face the terrors alone, they grapple with the sudden inflation of dreams. The cause of this chaos? An imbalance in the Dream Energy Nexus, the intricate web that connects all dreams and maintains harmony.

Jake and his fellow Dream Travelers must navigate a labyrinth of guarded realms, each more challenging than the last, in a desperate bid to restore balance. The stakes are high, and the journey is fraught with danger and uncertainty. Will they succeed in restoring balance to the Nexus, or will the dreamlands descend into an eternal nightmare?

"Travelers of the Subconscious" is more than a book—it's a journey into the depths of the mind, a thrilling exploration of fear and courage, and a testament to the power of connection. It's a story of how even in our dreams, we can find purpose, friendship, and adventure. 

• Language: English
• Publisher: Lacey Lindquist
• Release date: Jul 7, 2023
• ISBN: 9798223501718

Lacey Lindquist

Lacey Lindquist, a 19-year-old author from Centerville, Utah, has always been captivated by the power of dreams and the mysteries they hold. This fascination is beautifully reflected in her debut novel, "Travelers of the Subconscious," the first installment in the "Dream Travelers" series. Currently pursuing her bachelor's degree in Family Studies at Brigham Young University, Lacey's academic pursuits and her passion for understanding the human mind and relationships deeply influence her writing. Her unique perspective brings depth and authenticity to her characters and their journeys. Beyond the realm of writing and academia, Lacey is an avid soccer player. Having played the sport for thirteen years, she finds joy and inspiration on the field, often weaving the teamwork and dedication she experiences in soccer into the narratives of her stories. Lacey's journey as an author is just beginning. With the successful launch of her first book, she is already working on the next two installments of the "Dream Travelers" series. Readers can look forward to more thrilling adventures into the subconscious as Lacey continues to explore the power of dreams in her upcoming works.

Book preview

Chapter 1: The Portal of Slumber

Jake tossed and turned in his bed, the weight of exhaustion clinging to his weary limbs. The day had been long and arduous, leaving him yearning to embrace deep and restful sleep. Most 23-year-olds may have stayed up late with friends, but he didn't have many. And the ones he did have were not the type who would notice if he took a day to stay home. His thoughts began to wander as he thought of what it would be like to have a close friend who knew him well. He wondered what it would be like to have a family he came home from work to. A wife and kids who he could share adventures with, someone who he could show that the world did not have to be as dark and demanding of a place as it had been for him. He had always wanted it, yet it seemed like such a distant thought. As his eyelids grew heavy, he surrendered to the encroaching darkness. 

In the depths of his slumber, Jake's consciousness drifted aimlessly, untethered from the waking world. A kaleidoscope of images flickered in his mind, blending together in a symphony of colors and shapes. It was as if his thoughts had taken on a life of their own, dancing on the precipice of his subconscious. 

And then, in the midst of this ethereal haze, something peculiar occurred. Rather than the gradual descent into a dream that he had grown accustomed to, Jake experienced a sudden shift - an unmistakable transition from his bedroom to an unfamiliar place that defied the laws of reality. 

His eyes fluttered open, and he found himself surrounded by a breathtaking panorama. Vibrant meadows stretched before him, their grass swaying gently in an invisible breeze. Trees with leaves of gold and silver swirled like living sculptures, casting a mesmerizing glow upon the land. The sky above shimmered with hues he had never seen before. Blues so deep they seemed to contain the secrets of the universe and purples that sparkled with the magic of a thousand constellations.   

He looked around, trying to make sense of his surroundings. There were no signs of civilization, no trace of the familiar landmarks that had once defined his existence. He was lost, not in the physical realm but within the recesses of his own subconscious. Jake had always been a dreamer, an imaginative soul who reveled in the boundless possibilities of life. But this, this was something different. This was a vividness, an intensity that he had never experienced before. He felt a deep, instinctual connection to this place as if it were an extension of his very being. It was as if he had stumbled upon another reality that lay hidden within the confines of his mind.

Curiosity ignited his spirit as he set forth to explore this extraordinary terrain. Each step he took was as if he was walking on clouds. The ground was concrete, but his footsteps were light; it felt like the ground beneath his feet acknowledged his presence. Flowers of every imaginable color bloomed at his touch; their petals were soft as silk and emitted a fragrance that tantalized his senses. 

As Jake ventured further, the landscape shifted seamlessly, morphing from sunlit meadows to dense forests teeming with life. Creatures of unimaginable beauty emerged from the foliage, their iridescent wings carrying them through the air with ethereal grace. It was a world that defied the constraints of logic. 

That's when it hit him. Jake had somehow traversed the boundaries between wakefulness and dreams. He had become a traveler of the subconscious. 

Jake was living in his own dream. 

With this newfound understanding, he began to truly take in his surroundings. Everything he saw carried a liveliness to it. There was a river to his left; its crystalline waters flowed with mesmerizing grace. His eyes followed the river down to discover a bridge that provided a way across the river; it led into a towering forest, its ancient trees stretching tall into the sky with leaves of gold and silver. To the right was meadow after meadow. He figured his best shot at discovering this unfamiliar world was to explore beyond the bridge.   

Jake began to walk towards the river. Despite being lost in an unknown world hidden in his imagination, he found himself fighting back a smile. He wondered what was possible here. Jake had heard stories of people flying in their dreams but had never experienced the thrill for himself. Could he fly here? The idea intrigued him, and the lightness of his footsteps suggested it may be possible. 

He had nowhere to be, no idea how long he would be in this land, and nothing to do, so he decided to try and accomplish the wonder of flight. As he watched these elegant creatures soaring in the foliage of the trees, he studied the calmness of the beings. They appeared to do it with such ease and clearness of mind. 

He had always imagined the best way to fly would be to jump off something high and give his instincts a chance to kick in. But he didn't see a way that was possible. The world around him consisted only of meadows and a forest of trees. Unless he climbed the tree and jumped from there, but that could be dangerous. What if it didn't work? What if he injured himself instead, and no one was around to help? Was it possible to even injure yourself in a dream?

He had always had a scientific mind that longed for adventure and considered all possibilities. After all, it was his dream he was in. This was his world. Why wouldn't he be able to fly? He had reached the river and begun to cross the bridge. It was the only way to get to the magnificent trees ahead. As he walked across, something was different. The bridge began to shimmer beneath him. He turned back and looked at where he had already crossed; it was slowly fading away. 

Jake ran across the remainder of the bridge, terrified it would dump him into the river below. He made it across just barely in time. There would be no going back now. Not that there was anything back there but meadows. Still, something about it felt like a threat. Jake decided not to dwell on it and continued to find a tree to climb. 

He scouted them all out, searching for the best one. He needed branches that acted as a ladder, yet enough space between branches that he could fall from high up and not hit one on the way down. After a few minutes of searching, he came across one that would have to be satisfactory. He touched the first branch and found himself surprised by the texture of the tree. As his hand glided across its weathered surface, he felt a mosaic of textures interwoven with time's gentle touch. The rough and rugged bark cradled the stories of countless seasons, its crevices a testament to the tree's endurance. Yet, amidst the ruggedness, there was a surprising warmth, as if the trees' ancient wisdom seeped into every groove.

He began to climb. He went as high as he could dare and looked down. He had to be 30 feet from the ground. That could be a catastrophic drop if flying failed him. He should have started with something smaller. But no, then he wouldn't have enough falling time to learn to fly. As he hung in turmoil about whether or not to jump, something shimmering in the distance caught his eye. He could see so much more of this dreamland with this vantage point. The shimmering appeared to be coming from the tallest, most majestic building he had ever seen. He couldn't identify the details; he was so far away, but the building had a unique pull. He was intrigued by it and curious to discover this building in all its beauty. One thing at a time. He was still 30 feet above the ground, planning to jump and fly. Uncertainty gnawed at his resolve as he was teetering on the edge of taking a leap of faith or retreating to safer ground. 

An unexpected voice pulled him from his thoughts. 

Hey there! the voice called out, its tone calm yet confident. Surprise hit Jake, and he nearly fell out of the tree. The voice had a youthful manner. Jake's gaze scanned the surroundings until his eyes landed upon a remarkable creature perched among the tree's branches. It resembled a majestic butterfly, its wings resplendent with vibrant hues that shimmered in the sunlight. The creature fluttered gently toward him. Its wings, adorned with intricate patterns, glistened with a captivating radiance. Its eyes, filled with energy and a touch of mischief, met Jakes with understanding. 

If you plan to jump, let me tell you now that mastering flight takes practice and dedication; not everyone can soar as you have seen many of us do. It took me years to learn! The path to flight is not easily mastered, the butterfly-like creature said. 

Still startled he was speaking to a creature, he tried to wrap his mind around what it had just told him. How badly that could have ended had he jumped. Well then, if what it said was true, the only thing left to do was climb back down.

Thank you for your warning; I think I should start on my way down, he said, feeling the pressure to be formal.  

Let me offer you an alternative. Climb on my back, and I can fly you toward the grand mansion that I see has caught your eye. You must be new here! Everyone knows about Serenity Palace.

Jake weighed the options in his mind. Here he was, talking with what appeared to be a butterfly, and it had just offered to take him to his destination. Serenity Palace, was it? He could either do a treacherous climb down the tree and hope not to fall or climb on this creature's back and trust it to take him to the mansion. None of this felt real. What a turn his life had taken in the matter of an hour. 

I know you don't trust me yet. And you have no reason to. But I can tell you what you should know before entering Serenity. I can answer any questions you have about this land! My mom says I am practically an expert in this world. But Dad says, 'Farfala, you are still learning. Do not get ahead of yourself. Every gatekeeper must learn of other dreamlands before becoming a true expert.' But I don't think so; I can be a great gatekeeper already. I don't know why I have to wait until I'm so old. Sorry, am I talking too much? Sometimes I do that. Want a ride? 

Farfala knew much more about this foreign place than Jake did. He had already learned a lot from the talkative creature. It did seem like this young butterfly had his best interest at heart. 

That would be great; how do I get on your back? he asked hesitantly.

Oh, yay! I've been waiting to do this for so long, but we hardly have any wanderers in these forests anymore. Just jump on. My wings are stronger and thicker than you would expect. 

Jake reached out and felt Farfalas wings. There was no denying they were thick enough to hold nearly a ton. Jake climbed on her back, and she set off toward Serenity Palace. 

Using this opportunity to become familiar with his surroundings, he began asking Farfala questions. 

Can all creatures in this land talk? He began by asking some basic questions before delving into the ones he was truly curious about. 

Every creature has its own language; most of us speak English, just as you do. But occasionally, you will stumble upon someone who does not share your language. The creatures here in Hollow Grove are intelligent beyond your comprehension. Even the youngest of creatures are wiser than humans ever will be. 

Hollow Grove? Is that where I am? Jake probably sounded like an idiot, but he honestly knew nothing of where he was other than the fact it was in his imagination. 

Luckily, Farfala went on without hesitation, Yes, Hollow Grove is the name of this specific dreamland. Every dreamer has a different dimension to which they travel in the dream state. Jake Price is the name of Hollow Grove's dreamer. Though he nearly never comes to visit. Most dreamers enter their dreamland every night. Though when they leave, they don't remember most of what happened while they visited. Sometimes we allow them to take with them a portion of what they have experienced, but we gatekeepers try to keep dreams as mysterious as possible. Dad won't tell me why. Supposedly I still need to become an 'official gatekeeper.' But I hope to be within the next couple of years! 

This was a lot for Jake to take in. Farfala clearly did not know she was talking to the Jake Price she just referenced. Did this mean that everyone in this land knew his name, but no one knew who he actually was? That sounded like a familiar story. Jake didn't know if he should tell Farfala that he was Jake; while it could potentially help him find out how to get back to reality, he was not sure he wanted to leave yet. Farfala had mentioned something about Jake nearly never visiting Hollow Grove; it is not like he tried to avoid it. He didn't know this place existed before tonight. So why did his subconscious not come here as often as other dreamers visited their dreamland? 

The mansion was growing closer; they would arrive in only a few minutes. Farfala flew faster than Jake anticipated. He still had so many questions to ask. 

This here is called Serenity Palace. This is where the Dream Travelers live. It is their responsibility to save all people from their nightmares. If too many nightmares go unsolved, it will result in a gradual imbalance and corruption within the dream realm. They travel into humans' dreamlands to not only save them from the nightmares but also save dreamlands from the chaos that would break out amongst the dimensions were nightmares left unsolved. 

Jake appreciated that Farfala was so open in describing to him the wonders of the dreamlands; he already knew so much more sense arriving. From what he understood, the dream travelers were like superheroes in the dream realms. 

Farfala came to a stop nearly a block away from the Palace. I am not allowed to go past this point because I am not yet a gatekeeper. I must leave you here, but you will most likely see me around; I try to always stay as close to Serenity as possible. 

Will I be able to get closer...? I am not a gatekeeper either, Jake asked out loud. 

Farfala laughed like it was the strangest question Jake had asked all day. Of course. You are human. We rarely see other humans in Hollow Grove, though it is common in most other dreamlands. The Dream Travelers have made it clear that any human is welcome, if not expected, to make an appearance at Serenity Palace. Anyway, good luck with everything! I'll see you around! And with that, Farfala flew away, leaving Jake alone beside this Palace. 

Chapter 2: Guardians of the Serenity

Now that he was close , Jake allowed himself to take in the majestic Palace. It was even more magnificent than he could have imagined. The grand white structure stood tall, adorned with intricate architectural details that exuded an air of elegance and grace. Its sturdy walls were crafted from a combination of weathered stone and polished wood, giving the mansion a sense of timeless beauty. 

Large arched windows adorned the façade, inviting soft rays of sunlight to dance upon the interior. Lush green vines cascaded down the walls, adding a touch of natural splendor to the man-made masterpiece. With its sloping angles and charming dormer windows, the roof seemed to reach toward the sky.

The Palace's surroundings were equally enchanting. A sprawling garden embraced the structure, bursting with vibrant blooms and aromatic blossoms. Colorful butterflies fluttered playfully amidst the fragrant air. The sound of a babbling brook nearby added a soothing melody, as if nature itself harmonized with the Palace's beauty. 

Jake could make out glimpses of the interior through the open windows. The warm glow of soft lighting revealed spacious rooms filled with exquisite furniture and captivating artwork. It seemed like a place where dreams seamlessly melded with reality, creating an atmosphere of enchantment and Serenity.

There was an expansive staircase that wound up to large golden doors. But what caught Jake's eye was what appeared to be movement at the top of the stairs. Farfala had mentioned that Dream Travelers welcomed humans to visit. He took that as an invitation to climb the staircase and hopefully enter this incredible Palace. As Jake ascended the expansive staircase, his anticipation grew with each step. At the top, he was met by a pair of magnificent guardians standing proudly at the large golden doors. These mythical creatures exuded an aura of mystique and wisdom, their presence both awe-inspiring and comforting. This must have been the motion he saw from standing at the bottom. 

The first creature was a regal Griffin, its majestic form combining the powerful physique of a lion with the magnificent wings of an eagle. Its golden feathers shimmered in the sunlight, and its piercing gaze held a depth of ancient knowledge. The Griffin stood tall, emanating a sense of protection and strength. 

Near the Griffin, a serene Unicorn stood gracefully, its pearlescent coat glowing softly. Its long, flowing mane and tail cascaded like strands of spun silver, giving it an air of enchantment. With gentle eyes, the Unicorn radiated a calming presence, as if it held the secrets of tranquility within its very being. 

As Jake approached the golden doors,