An Abandonned Pool and Tennis Courts

[Mashek]

- Date of dream unknown, sometime early July 2007.

I awoke in what was an abandoned public pool, walled on all sides by high chain-link fences – some ten metres tall. I noticed balls, rubber toys, floating in the water of the pool, left by whoever it was who may have been here. The pool and the surrounds, the kiosk, where usually I would expect to see many people enjoying themselves, were completely abandoned. There was no soul in sight. No sign of a soul anywhere. I knew I was alone. Yet it was strange, because it felt so very familiar, these surrounds, like I had been here before. I believe this so, that I have been in this place in a few dreams in the past. Yet I have no precise memories. Just a familiar memory to rely on.

I began to walk forward, for the fence, so very uncertain, confused, and feeling very nervous, the still atmosphere on the tip of breaking. I do not like being surrounded by fences in dreams; it makes me feel claustrophobic, boxed-in, and very much isolated. I knew these were the kinds of nightmares I would get many years ago as a child.
I suddenly felt the foreboding presence of heavy eyes on me, and I broke out into a run, not able to look behind me, but knowing though the pool grounds were all empty, that someone far off was coming for me. Something.

Before me loomed a massive chain-link fence, at least ten metres high, and I jumped on it, clawing my way up. Below me, on the other side of the fence, I could see a tennis court, which was extremely weird. I clawed my way down a little bit, and then jumped to the green tarmac the rest of the way. The tennis court was also abandoned. There was merely a green chunk of land, a net and perhaps some tennis balls and rackets lying idly by. Ten metre high fences, linked with the pool’s fences also surrounded the tennis court.

Still afraid I kept running, and I grabbed hold of the next fence, again climbing my way up. As I reached the top however, I was able to consciously look over the lands before me, hoping to see some distant horizon that would be my escape. Yet there was none, and I feared at the sight of tennis courts, an endless stretch of them, for as far as my eyes could see, in every direction! I knew I was boxed in, unable to get out, and I did not want to run all those many miles through this claustrophobic labyrinth, chased by something I could not see.

I was suddenly aware of that pursuing presence once more, like it was getting closer, and which was as strong as anything before now that I was acutely aware of it. Yet I could not look behind me to see where it was! I could only look forward, and I knew I could only run. I am not a religious person, but what I said I have never said in any dream before, but it was like a miracle, a ticket out of this nightmare. I said the name, ‘Jesus’, and immediately I awakened.

This dream I know I have had before, but I have no exact memories. What I was feeling in this dream is what I have always felt in a dream when surrounded by fences, and alone. I felt very claustrophobic, weighed down, and with eyes watching me. A heavy feeling. I would be confined to run, to forever climb fences and run through abandoned, small, boxed in tennis courts and / or pools.