ZZZZ-Less

By Steve Husk

Many people who can remember their dreams often look forward to what their subconscious mind wishes to show them.

Calvin, Reggie, and Jason are not among those people. Their workload at Sentry Ridge, and their efforts to get their band ready for their upcoming battle of the bands contest, are taxing enough. But each of them have personal issues that they wish would disappear, but instead follow them into the dreamworld. Others might find their dreams amusing, maybe even hysterical. Unfortunately for these three, the meanings behind their dreams distress them even more.

Billy and Sam aren’t experiencing dreams because they’re not getting enough proper sleep to allow them to dream. Because of that, they’re both experiencing lack of REM sleep waking hallucinations. Sam’s subconscious, it seems, is playing practical jokes on him. Billy’s subconscious, however, is attempting to convey a serious message, and apparently doesn’t care how dangerous the delivery gets.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Steve Husk
• Release date: Mar 17, 2024
• ISBN: 9798224229390

Steve Husk

Some say Steve Husk is constantly going up against his demons and the many voices in his own head. Truth is, Steve has recruited most of them as his advisors. Some of them want to start a band with him.Steve is a retired software / web application developer and security control center officer. He currently works his writing (and sometimes music) craft in northern Virginia, USA.

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ZZZZ-less

Verse Six of

Metzgerhund Retreat

Steve Husk

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Smashwords Edition

Copyright 2023 Steven M. Husk

Cover art Copyright 2023 Steven M. Husk

All rights reserved.

This ebook is licensed for your personal enjoyment only. This ebook may not be re-sold or given away to other people. If you would like to share this book with another person, please purchase an additional copy for each recipient. If you're reading this book and did not purchase it, or it was not purchased for your use only, then please return to the author’s page on Smashwords.com and purchase your own copy. Thank you for respecting the hard work of this author.

This is a work of fiction. Names, characters, places, and incidents are the product of the author’s imagination. Any resemblance to actual persons, living or dead, is purely coincidental.

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There were plenty of energy drinks and water bottles available on the sidelines for all those playing soccer on this brutally hot and humid day.

Except, they were lying on the grass, baking in the sun. Nobody wanted them anymore.

Billy thought that maybe he should apologize to the players for doing that, except he needed the bucket empty so he could dunk his head in the water and ice.

Everyone thought it was because he was overheating.

He was trying to stay awake.

He would rather curl up under a tree and fall asleep.

His sleep patterns were too fragmented these last few days. Last night, in particular. He wasn’t even sure he ever fell asleep.

One of the players came up to Billy’s position along the sideline.

Hey, man…if you’re gonna make goal kick or corner kick calls, you should maybe be near the end line where the action is happening. You haven’t left this spot the entire second half.

Billy began fanning himself with his small flag. I can see everything from here.

Obviously, you can’t. You missed three clear calls already.

It was probably more than that.

Reggie blew his whistle to resume play.

The player grumbled, then ran back to his position.

Except, all the other players were standing flat-footed.

Reggie was standing by himself, looking at nobody. He reached in his pocket and held his wallet above his head. The yellow card fell out and landed on the field.

Foul, thirty-three white. Two minutes for cross-checking.

One of the players turned to Billy. Ain’t cross-checking a hockey penalty?

Billy shook his head. The head referee seems to be on another channel right now.

Not too far from the truth, Billy thought. After last night, Reggie was more a victim of sleep deprivation than he was.

Reggie turned towards the near goal and marched off five steps. He pulled out a can of white vanishing foam, then drew an extremely crooked line on the grass. Defense, stay behind the line.

Billy cracked a grin. Hey, Reggie… he called loudly, don’t forget the secondary line for players carrying a tax exempt card.

Yeah, Reggie spoke in a sleepy mumble, then bent down and sprayed a second line.

The players murmured in confusion amongst themselves.

And we also need a special line for those who haven’t slept since the Third Age of Reggie Sucks at Baseball.

Reggie sprayed a third line that intersected the first two lines.

The players’ confused murmuring was replaced with snickers and amused grins.

And don’t forget that the High Priestess from the planet Reggie Ain’t Gettin’ None is stopping by in a matter of minutes. Spray a line in your hair. That look turns her on.

Reggie raised the can and sprayed a solid line right down the middle of his hair, from front to back.

Billy fought the urge to laugh out loud. Yeah, she loves the ‘skunk’ look.

Reggie’s entire posture locked. With glazed over eyes, he ran his fingers through his hair, and saw they were covered with white foam.

The players exploded with laughter.

Reggie glared towards the woods. I can disqualify you from the game too, ya know.

Billy waved the flag over his head. Only if you can find me!

Is your friend high? one of the players asked.

I wanna call an official’s time out, Reggie called.

Billy pulled a stopwatch out of his pocket. Yeah, but the clock is still running. Billy turned to the nearby player. You okay with him stopping play? This will mean the match ends sooner.

Fine with me, the player answered. I’ve been wanting this match to be over a half hour ago.

Decreed into law. Billy blasted his whistle. Official time out. Reggie, your ice bucket awaits. Compliments of the High Priestess.

You ain’t funny, Reggie said with a grumble, then ran to the sideline and dunked his head in the ice bucket."

#

Without a word, Billy and Reggie took seats at Mr. Laypus’ desk.

Thank you for being prompt, gentlemen, Mr. Laypus said, then rolled his chair to the side so the monitor was not in the way. Billy, I asked you to join us because you once told me you wanted to take responsibility for what your team does. I respect that leadership quality. I would not normally hold you responsible for something that was clearly someone else’s fault, but, in this instance, you were involved as well. We had this conversation your first week here. If you cannot remain alert enough to perform your jobs satisfactorily, you shouldn’t be staying up late at night playing your music.

Billy just happened to glance over and saw Reggie maintaining a stiff and upright posture, making serious eye contact with Mr. Laypus, as of challenging him to say something wrong. He also noticed Reggie wasn’t