The foundling

Something is different with my dreams. For a long time I have dreamt of forests and streams and cold rocks and I do not know why. I can not recall ever dreaming of them before. New images crowd my brain, dismissing all else. No more are there buildings, touching the sky, the bright white sun glinting on their black glass, no more are there people crowding me, walking where I walk, touching me without 'touching' me.

'It's a dream, Lucien. Just another dream.'

Her voice is soft, reassuring but still there are dreams that she can not soothe away.

I force myself to second level, begin my day. Another meaningless day.

"Looking good, Lucien, looking very promising."

I look down at the building I have drawn. It is tall, elegant, glass and steel, shining.

"What's this?"

Serena is pointing to the feather light green foliage my beautiful building emerges from.

"Trees."

She stifles a laugh. "Trees?"

I nod.

"Mr. Truber should see this."

"Why?"

"Trees?"

"There were ... Trees."

"When?"

I lower my head. "A long time ago."

"Too many history tapes I think."

"Don't you ever wonder?"

"No. No, I never do."

I delete the trees from the screen.

"You see," Serena's voice is encouraging. "You have a real talent Lucien. That is a wonderful building."

"Can't fault her there."

I stand as Truber approaches my station.

"Thank you Mr. Truber."

"I think we should copy this to the board."

"To the board?" Serena sounds more excited than I feel.

"To the board," Truber says. "Your section is doing very well, Serena. You're to be congratulated."

"Do you think they will build it?"

"Why I should certainly hope so. I'll go further and say I would be very surprised if they didn't start construction very soon."

Serena puts her hand on my shoulder. "Well done, Lucien."

My building is complete. It even bears my name, the Lucien Ferro building and I dream of it but when I dream of it, it has trees and vines and climbing plants.

I turn my head. My eyes open for the first time and I see what I should not see and not what is behind my eye lids.

Something is very wrong with my dreams.

I do not hear her. My mother, she does not comfort me.