every night in our sleep we create lost media

I clutch my head, exasperation putting an edge to my voice. “There’s ANOTHER guy looking for me?! What does he look like?” The shop owner takes out a photo displaying a man outfitted with a wetsuit and a strange set of snorkeling goggles, topped off by a neatly groomed sweep of black hair.

We’d barely made it out unscathed, a fortunate outcome for us as several rooms and many of the upper floors had completely collapsed, some right underneath us as we ran. I stand on the old concrete, looking back at the massive, ancient castle, two of its four looming spires now leaning precariously.

I check two rooms farther than our base of operations, just to be safe, pushing my fear down as I trudge deeper. When my light slips past a dusty doorway and lands on the face of a man I freeze. The bright beam illuminates him as he sits up from the bench he was sleeping on moments prior

I pose as a highschool substitute teacher, trying to exude a sort of laidback confidence I imagine someone meant to be leading a gang of teenagers to have. Students perform songs at the front of the class with instruments & visuals, and one begins playing an edu song. I can’t help but sing along

The gap in the floor between the main room and the elevator entranceway was small but harrowing—a drop into darkness. It seemed to imply that the room itself was detachable, a cool concept except for the sad fact that we were inconveniently positioned at the highest level of the multistory building

On the highest floor of the strangely open-concept house sat not one but TWO shower heads, with several spouts lining the stairways. I thought I found the most inconspicuous one to use, the one flush against the floor-to-ceiling window, until I looked down and saw people waving from below

I root around the premises of the living room, looking for things to stack atop the plush couch. I heft a chair up and onto the cushion, bewildered at the lack of vertical height my carefully constructed pile has so far. I swear last time I was here, it didn’t take this much effort to climb…