Stuffed in a Box

Contrary to what the title says, I am not stuffed inside a box. I just wanted to find a way to somehow separate myself from my dreams because dreams are a fickle thing. Sometimes these dreams are a way of escape for me, to be another person and experience feelings my lucid state isn't able to comprehend. This idea sparked before me the moment I woke up. 

At first, I wasn't able to recall what my dream was about, but I knew that invoked fear and anxiety within me. I'm sensing a pattern or occurrences wherein I'm always running away from something. Sometimes, there were people following my trail, other times, it was an unworldly creature or even a raw emotion. I don't know what these dreams entail nor do I want to know whether my mental state is going haywire. Anyways, in this dream, I had three brothers. They were a bright and varying bunch. As I recall the dream, there were feelings of comfort and understanding from these people created by my imagination. I don't remember two of my other brothers' names, as they were not as involved in the dream. But the eldest one was a significant part of everything. Caleb. The aloof and lean brother. He always kept to himself. But back to my dream. 

I vaguely remember that it started off that our house or particularly the people living in it were haunted. It caused discord in our family. So, the only answer to it was to call for a shaman. We were able to get a hold of the shaman through the telephone book, but he was situated in the countryside and it was gonna take an entire day just to reach him. We were willing to commute that far as long as the hauntings were put to a stop. By nightfall, my brothers and I set foot towards the forest because obviously, when you're encountering a horror plot, there's gotta be a forest. This forest is kinda like to forest seen in 'It's Okay Not To Be Okay.' Trunks of the trees were thin, however, their population was dense. You can see easily seen something on the other side of the tree, but you need to squint and do a double-take to make sure whether it's really a person or just another shrub. The forest was a bit warm and moist. After surveying my surroundings, I remember what the shaman said to me, "Don't let go of Caleb's hand. Never. Under any circumstance, do not stray from the path, and continue holding onto him." At first, my thought was to be confused as hell because how did he know my brother's name, and because Caleb didn't allow other people to get close to him. Let alone hold his hand willingly, for a certain period. I said false promises to the shaman and reassured him that I would do as he instructed. I didn't take the chance to be careful because there was no way in hell that Caleb would hold his sister's hand. The four of us ventured to the forest - without holding hands. I didn't tell my other brothers what the shaman told me because it was absolute bollocks, and they might start to question the shaman's credibility if I ever mutter Caleb's name to them. I kept mum about the entire debacle as we entered the forest. Owls were hooting in the distance. Birds flap their wings as they travel from one branch to another. There were heaps of leaves that covered the path we were following. Or it was only me. But by then, I already lost my way, and I was separated from my brothers. 

I was left alone. I left them. It was not in my best intentions. Yet, here I am. Now, without them, how can I stop the hauntings from happening by myself. There was a small and chubby monk or a shaman wearing white robes as if on cue. He was also gleaming, I don't know if it was because I have grown accustomed to the dark or my eyes were having a hard time focusing on one object. But yeah. He said he was the shaman we called, he went as fast as possible since he knew that our situation was urgent and in dire need of action. The woods continue to shroud us with their mystery through the continuous howling of the wind. I had a feeling that something was amiss, it was like there was a gnawing struggle in my gut that said to get away, far from the forest and back home. But the shaman's eyes, amber eyes filled with confidence and assurance. He stared at me for almost a century, neither of us backing down. It was until a crow came up in front of us and cawed which broke our contest. He smiled softly at me and told me that there was nothing to worry about, especially since I was there to guide him all throughout my journey. I waited for a few minutes to hear any signs of humans in the forest, or just my brothers screaming my name. But it was a disappointment. There were no calls whatsoever, no. The wind became ever so still, and the only noise from the forest was the slight crunches of the leaves. I had no choice. I turned to the shaman and told him, "I trust you. No what do I do to get out of this place?" 

He grinned wickedly at me, and it felt like a thousand steel bars have fallen on top of me. I tried to brush off that feeling as he explained the only way out of the forest. "You see the barn owl perched at the far end of the forest? Continue following that path. It may seem like you're walking without a destination because of its distance. But do not stray. You are right where you're supposed to be." His smile never fell off his lips as he continued on. "You will reach then reach a point towards the wolf's den. They are harmless. It is for the sake of your loved one's lives are at stake. You must venture with a brave heart. Only then, you will receive the divine blessing of the Gods and put everything back in order."

"But how will I meet with my brothers? You said that I shouldn't let go of Caleb's hand. Why did you tell me that?" 

His smile turned into a frown, but only a fraction of a second. The tips of his lips turned ever so slightly downward and he shook his head. "Did I say that? It must be one of my wrong assumptions as you are not in any way close to him at this moment." His expression returned to what it was before. He pushed me in the direction of the barn owl. "Hurry, the cure must be done before the first light hits the Earth, and then you are unable to do anything to help yourselves."

I started walking towards the path, but his voice called me back. "Don't be afraid. If you feel that your heart is wavering, grab the nearest object and mutter a small wish or a prayer to the forest. It will earnestly favor your wishes." 

I can't remember the next parts of the dream. But I know that I've been in distress more than once, all the while, I've been continuously touching the forest and asking it to guide me. I also fell into a muddy puddle. That's why my clothes were stained black. It was nearing daybreak, I can tell because I remember when to spot the position of the stars and tell what time is it. By the time I was out of the forest, I had met with the shaman again. He was beaming at me, and to be able to finish my task, I must cleanse my hands at a nearby dispenser or something like the ones you see in churches. I did what I was told, and suddenly, I was at EDSA. My brothers were yelling for my name and that I should go down because the jeepney for the trip was going to leave soon. We were the last passengers on the trip, and the driver gave us a weird or worrying glance from his mirrors as we told him the place we were heading to. As we got off the last stop, he told us that we should be careful of whatever might happen. "Especially the young miss." He gave us one last look before he nodded to us. 

My brothers first left the jeepney, and I followed in suit, then we reached a small apartment where our initial destination is supposed to be. They first went to the apartment or the compound. It's becoming unclear to me. But whatever. The shaman greeted us at the door, and the instant he saw me, his expression turned ghastly. "Girl, what have you done to yourself? You are imbued with the power of the spirits." My brothers asked him what was wrong, instead, the shaman chose to tell them to make themselves at home and that he should have to talk to me first. They followed his orders, albeit, unwillingly. I can see one of my unnamed brothers looking back at me with worry, and I gave him a reassuring smile. Once they were out of earshot, the shaman told me, "I'm afraid I can no longer help you, child. Whatever you did to yourself, it only made the spirits stronger. Thus, it's only a matter of time before you are truly engulfed by them." At this, I became lifeless of everything. If only I followed his orders in the first place, then I wouldn't have gotten lost in the forest. It feels like I'm at the end of my wits. I had accepted my fate. I wouldn't want to tell my other brothers what the shaman told me. So, I went to the person from who I least expected to gain comfort. I went to Caleb's room. As usual, he kept his doors closed. I messaged him and told him that he should open the door because I wanted to see him. I was already coming to terms with my death when he messaged me that I should wait for a few minutes and he'll be out. That sparked a small fire of hope in me. When I saw Caleb at the end of the hallway, all my fears were extinguished. But the promise of death and the spirits possibly taking over my body prevailed in my mind. He instantly saw my expression and asked me what was wrong. I only told me that it was only a matter of time. He should contact the shaman as soon as I leave the apartment because there was also one thing the shaman told me. The apartment or the compound was on top of an abandoned mine. There were innocent souls who had died over the years but it was the safest place to conduct the ritual if ever the spirits had taken over and should I be stopped to protect what was left of my family. I gave him one last long look and gave him a hug. Then I headed to the glass windows. 

I don't know what followed after. All I know was the feeling that I was looking for my brothers and I wanted to murder them. I don't know if I accomplished the goal of the spirits or if I was stopped.

Then I woke up. Crazy dream. I only remembered bits of my dream because I was scrolling for body pillows at Shopee.