C18 Clear on ice

The dark surrounded him, sucked at him like mud when the dream shoved him out of sleep. His breath whooshed out as he broke the surface, floundered his way to the air. His skin was clammy with sweat as he fought his way clear of the blankets.

The scent in the air was unfamiliar, cedar, stale coffee, some underlying tone of lemon.

He headed downstairs, surprised at the relative quiet