Free The Dreamstalker by Barbara Steiner Page B

studying them. It partly amused Karen and partly made her nervous. He was a funny little man. Maybe she didn’t want to talk to him any more. She still felt embarrassed about going to pieces in class, and embarrassed when she remembered his hugging her. But he had done that to get her to stop crying, hadn’t he? Alysia’s idea of his liking her came to mind, but he was a teacher. And married. It was absurd.
    â€œWe’re going to discuss shadow dreams today.” He started the class. “Mr. Newton, would you care to join us?”
    Everyone turned around and looked at Kerr. He loved the attention. Grinning, he said, “Not really. I’m fine. Pretend I’m not here.”
    â€œIs there a reason you’re being antisocial?” The professor wouldn’t let it go.
    â€œDoes there have to be a reason for everything?”
    â€œThere usually is.” McArthur flipped open a notebook. “Shadow dreams are often referred to as nightmares by the dreamer. They reveal the monster in the closet, under the bed. But monsters are different for each of us. The monster under my bed will be different from the monster under yours.”
    â€œProfessor McArthur, did you say ‘in your bed’ or ‘under your bed’?” Kaziah was feeling devilish. Everyone enjoyed a laugh.
    Dr. McArthur laughed too. “Well, you pays your money and takes your choice. Wherever the monster is, it belongs to you. It comes from the darkness of your mind and represents one of your fears. Interestingly enough, the monster is usually of the same sex as you.”
    Alysia spoke up. “I have a recurring dream about sharks. I never stop to ask them what sex they are, but I can testify to it being a really scary dream.”
    â€œPerhaps there is some part of you, even if you don’t acknowledge it, that is shark-like.” McArthur grinned.
    â€œI won’t admit that. No, I think it’s just because when I learned to scuba dive, we talked about sharks a lot. I’m really aware of them when I go into the water, but our instructors told us they’re usually only curious.”
    â€œIf you can name the demon, or face off against it, it will lose its power.”
    â€œYeah, remember in that movie we saw? When that guy helped the kid kill the snake monster he kept dreaming about, it went away.” Easy reminded the class of Dreamscape .
    â€œThere is a tribe in Malaysia called the Senoi. They consider their dream lives an integral part of their society. They teach their children to face up to dream fears, thinking the bravery they develop will spill over into their waking lives.”
    â€œSo if we face the monsters in our dreams, we can face fears in our waking state?” asked Karen. She wasn’t sure where this discussion fit into her life, but she was going to think about it more. Maybe do some reading.
    â€œIf Alysia faced off with the sharks in her dream,” Bill asked, “she could meet a shark diving and not be scared? Or be friendly with it?”
    â€œI’m not an authority on real sharks,” Dr. McArthur replied, “but that’s the idea. Besides, the shark in her dream is a symbol. It may not represent real sharks at all, but some fear she carries deep inside her.”
    Alysia looked at Karen and made a face. Bill laughed at them. After class, Kerr stepped in behind them when they left.
    â€œSo, shark lady,” he teased Alysia. “I might have known you’d be afraid of sharks.”
    Bill put up one hand like a fin, circled Alysia and Karen, then grabbed Alysia and hugged her. “You’re trapped, Alysia. I’ll only let you go if you agree to a movie tonight. You too, Karen,” he added as an afterthought.
    Karen knew when she wasn’t wanted. “I think I’d better go home. My mother will think I’ve resigned from the family. I’ll call you, Alysia,” she whispered. “Tell your mom