CHAPTER 1

TWENTY YEARS LATER

There was one thing he despised, and that was school. The thought of being in class all day irritated him, but he had no choice. There was a lot on the line.

Dylan Dark was born in a very rich family and never lacked anything but when something he really loves gets threatened; he was left with no choice but to what he was told.

He grew up with his mother and never met his father until one day his mother abandoned him at this large house and told him that his father would look after him now. He hasn't seen her since, and that was sixteen years ago, when he was only five.

Living with strangers you had to call parents and siblings was difficult at first, but he adjusted over time. When that old man discovered he was skipping classes, he threatened him with his mother.

The old man stated that he knew where she was and that if he continued to act in this manner, he would never be able to see her, even if she died. So, ever since then, he's made an effort not to miss any classes, not because he wasn't good in school, but because he needed to set a good example for others, he was told.

It was a good thing it was Friday and classes were over. It was now the weekend, and he had no special appointments with family, so he could spend it however he pleased.

He had just gotten out of the shower when he received a phone call from his other best friend.

“What are you up to tonight?” she inquired.

“What exactly do you have in mind?”

“There's this club, and I've heard it's pretty hot. Let's go explore.”

“All right, where should I meet you?”

“I will send you the address,” she said as she hung up the phone.

The message arrived quickly, and he was taken aback when he read it. He dressed himself, grabbed his wallet, cell phone, and car keys, and walked out of the house.

He arrived thirty minutes later to find his friends already there. He had three best friends, one of whom was the girl who had called him earlier. All of them were in the same level and shared a couple of classes together.

They had been friends since middle school and never parted since then. He greeted his companions and gazed out at the vast forest in front of him.

“Are you certain this is the correct location?”

“Yes, it is,” Laura replied.

“I was surprised to hear there was a club here,” Taylor said.

“So, what's next?”

“We take that road,” Laura said, pointing to a gravel road not far from them.

They arrived at an odd gate about two miles from the main road, someone appeared, Laura did something he couldn't see, and they passed through the yard. They drove for another ten minutes and passed another gate before seeing cars parked.

The place was completely packed, indicating that it was extremely popular despite the fact that it appeared to be haunted. He felt the chills just by being there after getting out of the cars.

“Are you sure this is a club and not a haunted house, Laura?” Dylan inquired.

“I heard from another girl online that it is a private club. “Let us go inside and check it out,” she said, motioning them to the club's entrance.

He trailed behind, taking in his surroundings. This place had an aura about it that he had never seen or felt before. The architecture of the building was unique. It had an ancient feel despite the fact that it appeared to have been built within the last decade.

They arrived at the door, two men who looked like bouncers based on their build and faces. Laura did all of the talking, and they followed her inside to find the reception. What type of club was this?

“Welcome to Lucid Dreams,” the lovely receptionist said cheerfully, “is this your first visit?”

“Yes, it is,” Laura replied.

“Please take those forms and read them; if you are satisfied with the terms and conditions, sign the forms,” she said as she handed them the forms.

Dylan took the form and began reading it.

This was completely absurd; how could such rules exist in a club? What, after all, was so special about this club? He was more curious than ever before.

THE RULES OF LUCID DREAMS

1. The color red is forbidden.
2. 2. Whatever happens inside the club stays inside the club.
3. There will be no fighting

..

..

10. 10. Exclusive to members

He went to the receptionist to confirm something before signing the forms.

“What does Rule Number One mean?”

“You are not permitted to enter the club premises while wearing any red cloth, including what you are wearing right now.”

“Does that mean I can't go?”

“Because you're new, we'll offer you something else to wear if you don't have anything else. However, because it is only a jacket, I recommend that you leave it here and collect it when you leave.”

“All right, I get it.”

“If everything is satisfactory, please leave your forms and enter.”

They filled out the paperwork and joined the club. The location was fantastic, extraordinary, and deserving of its moniker. They had to make do with what was available because they didn't reserve and weren't members, but luckily Laura found someone she knew and they joined them.

Everything was fantastic from the start, the alcohol, the music, and not a single soul was dressed in red. He was busy asking himself questions when he overheard Laura asking the same question.

“How come they forbid red?”

“It is said that the owner despises red more than anything else, so no one wears it. Some people tried to break that rule once, and they suffered as a result.”

“How exactly?”

“Their membership was revoked and they were kicked out. I believe the white witch was enraged that day.”

“Did you just say white witch?” Dylan checked.

“Yes, that is how the owner is referred to.”

“Are you talking about a real witch or something?”

“To be honest, I don't know, but what I noticed was that she only wore white clothes and had white hair.”

“Is she really that old?”

“She appears to be very young; no one knows anything about her. She's a mystery, but she's also the most beautiful woman I've ever seen.”

He couldn't believe such a thing existed, but whatever it was, it wouldn't hurt to see for himself.

"I'll be back," he said as he rose to his feet.

“Are you going somewhere?” Dylan's last best friend, Sam asked.

“I'm going to the men's room.”

“Oh, I'm sorry for bothering you,” Sam exclaimed, laughing.

“I can tell,” Dylan replied with a smile before departing from his friends.

Now that he looked at it, the club was enormous. He could tell there was a lot he wasn't seeing because the club appeared to have different levels. He was tired of being inside and decided to go outside for a few minutes to take a breather when something unexpected happened.

He noticed something for the first time since his arrival: the club yard had more than one gate. He saw cars coming in and out from the other sides, which was much cooler than any other club he'd ever been to.