It wasn't a dream.

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As I woke this morning, I remained there a while longer.  Usually, when I wake, I pop out of bed as quickly as mechanically possible.  That can vary, not by much but it feels like a large difference.  Some rare days I have to decide if it is time, if I can.  Today it took five minutes to decide, mostly eyes closed.  As the decision was made, I opened my eyes, in the dark, to facilitate readiness.

As I rested there, eyes open, I noticed something coalescing in the dark.  Sam!  Odd how she moved. As dark as it was... I do have exceptional eyes, for some things.  But... no.  Right as I was reaching out to pet her, I realized something.  The door was shut.  She couldn't be up here.  It wasn't her.

Such dark coincidences.

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Sleeping way too much.  Little choice.

Dreaming.  This time very simple... dreams?

She was massaging my shoulder.  As she did when she wanted to wake me in a pleasant mood.  I'm easy, if you work with me.  Each time, I did actually wake.  Promptly obtaining a bloody nose.  Twice.  I was about to be happy to see her.  I found myself, alone, in the dark, with a bloody nose.

The scent of... a stranger?

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The, uhrm, intent? theme?  The design was clear. clean.

She has been whispering in my ears for days.  I called those echos.