The Mind Of Jean Paul Garçon

'The most merciful thing in the world... is the inability of the human mind to correlate all its contents'.—H. P. Lovecraft

Within the ambiguous things that are existential in this world of our known reality, there is a mystery so implex that defies the logic we assert with a causal asseveration, but it binds us to its intrinsicality. Amongst these things that are correlated with the corollary of time, are the compoundable elements that are linked to the human mind or its internal psyche, such as thoughts, emotions, perceptions and experiences, we all experiment with a measure of sentience that develops into our percipience, yet there is one thing about the mind that perplexes our curiosity and is beyond our instinct or intuition, and that is the deep realm of consciousness.

For that reason, I shall present to the reader a fascinating account about a man that was presumed unique in his eccentricity and intellect, whose life abated in the very same enigma that was his daunting burden. There are some people that will conclude that this dedicated man of science was a madman or a genius. His name was Jean Paul Garçon.

Jean Paul Garçon was an aspiring scientist from Paris that had lived in the early period of the 20th century, when the expansion of science was beginning to produce great inventions and evolution of discoveries. Garçon's reputation was not fully known throughout the establishment of the scientific elites of Europe, for his thorough studies on the area of the human mind, with its capacity and its gradual progression.

His experiments on the theme had not made him receive the laudable accolades that would make him very noteworthy in the essential circle of those elites, in particular with the Francophones. He was on the verge of discovering the ingrained relation between the consciousness and subconsciousness at its most pervasive manner. Amongst his fellow colleagues, there was one certain individual that he had most confided in reverentially, and that man was his illustrious mentor, Dr Claude Cloutier.

For years Cloutier had been lecturing about the human mind and his type of psychology to the world, but his concepts and theories were contested and criticised for their lack of subjectivity. He was often attacked, for being too pretentious in his audacity and assumptions, nevertheless, he would instruct and inculcate his obedient pupil Garçon, with his immense knowledge and wisdom.

The study of psychology had started to advance, as the innovative facilities and renovations of science had incremented in its accessibility and awareness of the composition and function of the mind that had replaced the antiquated practice of phrenology that existed before the branch of modern psychology, with its crude method of phenakism. Garçon himself, had been conducting his own personal experimentations on the same subject in privacy, but with lesser recognition and success.

He was considered to be a genuine man of discretion and was not much of a gregarious reveller, since he spent most of his time some would say, in the confines of his home, with the obsession of unraveling the darkest secrets of the mind. Upon one day in the month of autumn, he was visited by his beloved mentor, Dr Cloutier that had been invited by Garçon. They had gathered in the parlour seated each in their canapés, as they initiated a passionate conversation as was the case with the pupil and mentor. Cloutier was a superb orator and professor.

'Good morning, Professor Cloutier. I am glad to see that you have accepted my invitation this morning. I know that you are a very busy man and have little time afforded outside of your brilliant lectures'.

'No need for the modesty, Jean Paul. You know how much esteem I have for your creativity and dedication for the advancement of the human mind', he replied.

'And I for you, professor. There are few men in Paris or in the world that are worthy of your accomplishments and perspicacity. I am forever in debt for your solicitousness for my work'.

'Enough of the exchange of pleasantries. What exactly have you been working on that may interest me?'

'Professor, I have been working on a unique experiment that I think you will find very interesting'.

'Such as?"

'The realm of the subconsciousness and consciousness'.

'What exactly are you referring to, if I may enquire?'

'I was seated in this same canapé I am presently at, pondering about the intricacy of the subconsciousness and consciousness, when I began to doze off into a profound state of sleep. I was practically in the subconscious state of an evolving dream. Now of course that is not something odd, but what I did find rather peculiar was the fact that I woke up afterwards, remembering every single detail and more disturbing was the realisation that everything dreamt had occurred in the same manner that was in my dream'.

'What were you dreaming about that?'

'I was dreaming about walking in the garden and listening to the sounds of the birds, when I heard and descried a raven perched on a nearby branch'.

'That is nothing unusual', the professor uttered.

'Indeed, but there is more to the story professor that I have not yet related to you'.

'Go ahead and continue'.

'What I find disturbing is that the crow was feeding on a pigeon with two heads'.

'That is something strange. I have never seen a pigeon with two heads, but you and I know that there are rare cases in nature of deformities that science has observed and deciphered as credible oddities'.

'There is one other thing I have failed to mention professor, the two headed pigeon's remains where left in the patio, just as I have dreamt it happened'.

'What are you implying?'

'Perhaps nothing professor, but could it be that this dream was the actual precursor to the emergence of the subconsciousness with the consciousness?'

'If you are asking for my humble opinion, I think this is nothing but a mere coincidence that occurs daily in this world, without much relevance or observance'.

'But, is it possible professor that we are capable of entering the realm of the subconscious mind and for it to be interacting with our conscious reality?'

'Well, there are developments that we observe and perceive all the time, and things or elements around us that we construe as real or plausible, yet we have not determined so far, to what degree can the mind be able to distinguish beyond our perception'.

'Could it be reasonable and logic that the things that are observed, are the telling factors to our reality? I wonder, where does surreality clash with reality, if the mind is active in its process of thought?'

'That is an excellent question. I was talking to another colleague about what Jean-Pierre Flourens had demonstrated through ablation that the cerebrum and cerebellum accomplished different functions and how phrenology was discarded, as worthless pseudoscience to which I agree as well. We know that, Hermann von Helmholtz had conducted parallel research on sensory perception. We also know that Ebbinghaus had pioneered the experimental study of memory and developed quantitative models of learning and forgetting, etc.'

'What of the beliefs espoused of Descarte?'

'To be honest, since I am not a philosopher, I mostly tend to steer away from philosophy, when it comes to the matter of science, specifically to Descartes' Cartesian dualism, of which I reject'.

'I too concur, but there are thoughts that linger in my mind, when addressing the issue of consciousness and subconsciousness'.

'Whatever is displayed of them and examined cannot be yet substantiated with a judicious objectivity. We can attempt to rationalise with our imposition, the threshold of our superior mind, but we cannot know with absolute certainty, to what extent the correlation with the subconsciousness and consciousness relate to each other, beyond the capacity and limitation of our known awareness'.

'And the human nature of our mind, is it not feasible that it can interact with either of them, and not be fully aware of its consecution? Would it be interpreted as an intangible thing to accept? Can the mind regress in thoughts to actions not yet finalised or taken, but perceive them as real and complete?

'That would be an onerous and haunting reality to assume of that abnormality'.

'Let us suppose professor that it was feasible'.

'For the sake of argument, then I must ask, what is more disturbing, your consciousness or subconsciousness?'

'I know it seems like a hypothesis of mine, nevertheless, we know that from an inchoate thought, there are countless theories discepted to how the mind functions consciously or subconsciously. We also know from nonpareil occurrences related to the mind, such as memory, there are redounding effects on the convoluted process of one's perception'.

'Perchance, I am exaggerating in my analysis and more needs to be examined about the connection between the conscious state and the subconscious one'.

'Indeed. Science has not fully deciphered all the insoluble mysteries of the human mind, or their involution. I wish I had more time to continue the discussion, but I must return to the university, to prepare for tomorrow's lecture on psychosis. It's a fascinating subject'.

'Pardon me professor, are you referring to the condition of the mind that results in manifested difficulties determining, what is real and what is not real in its composition? Do you believe I could be suffering from the early symptoms of delusions and hallucinations?'

The professor chuckled, 'I would not equate a mere dream to a delusion. Now, may I suggest, you be less analytical and more practical, when dealing with this subject?'

Professor Cloutier then had departed, whilst Garçon remained fixated at the surroundings of the garden. Garçon had been pensively musing in a deep cogitation, the possibilities of the convergence of the subconsciousness and the consciousness, seeking to explore the boundaries of their concurring interactions, in regard to the human mind and its activation. He began to believe that he had discovered the surreptitious realm of the subconsciousness that permitted him to enhance his cognition and memory.

Could there be an actual point of convergence equivalent in the exact period of action? As he was standing, the reflection of the sun shone upon his face. An idea then had entered into his head, could there be a parallax or a difference in the apparent position of an object viewed along two different lines of tangible sight measured, by the angle or semi-angle of an inclination between those two lines of a pattern? He wanted to test a theory of his, thus, he went back inside and had grabbed a photograph, where the sun was transparent above the top of a streetlight.

In the reflection on the water, the sun appeared in line with the streetlight because the virtual image was formed from a different viewing position that was construed, as a palpable perception? Was their a vraisemblance of the opposite spectrum that was peirastic in its nature and purview?

Garçon had read also, a recent article about optical illusions, but he was more intrigued with the compossibility of thought and emotion and how thoughts in general, could be attached to our perceptible actions and reactions? Was the manner that subconsciousness and consciousness behaved that clear and simplistic to differentiate, or was there a state of mind that could be deduced indisputably, as either rational or irrational in its incontrovertibility? And what could be learnt from unconsciousness that was not known already, in the circle of its study? Perchance, the conundrum was beyond the soupçons.

Garcon had spent the rest of the day engrossed in his observations and acuity, for he was eager to examine closely his circumambience. His fascination for unraveling the unanswered secrets of subconsciousness and consciousness made him wondered, about the innovative ideas and concepts that were emerging in Europe during his present century.

He was aware of a young German physicist by the name of Albert Einstein and his contested theories on physics, and he had admired his audacity and determined persistence, but he was more concerned with the mechanism of the human mind than the dynamic of the universe. He was willing to test the limitations of the mind and its ability to function under its capacity.

Were dreams or nightmares the cause and effect in a sequential order of a mind that was processing memory and thought at the same time and speed, like some archetype designed by thought alone or by the usage of imagination? It could be easily interpreted by some, as a paradoxical statement or incomplete analogy. The notion of deciphering the innermost activities of the mind was compelling enough to continue the steady course of study for Garçon. Could the mind be capable of distinguishing reality from surreality, in either state of being acknowledged?

Was it just a hyperbole on his part or could the conclusion be reached logically that our actions were indeed aligned, with our thoughts in every aspect of our states of thinking? Were the vivid images in his dreams or nightmares nothing more than some sort of a hypotyposis or an ekphrasis in art? If so, could they be truly altered to the degree that they were of an autexousious nature consequentially? There were simply, too many questions imposed, for impending answers to be revealed.

That night, Garcon would experience another haunting nightmare that would become a disturbing recurrent theme, dark imagery. This time, he dreamt that he had been walking along the pavement of the street late at midnight, when he witnessed a macabre scene, a young mademoiselle being struck by a carriage, as she passed by innocently, unaware of the peril that had awaited her. The accident was so heinous in nature that her blood had reached his clothing, in particular, his shirt underneath his waistcoat.

What was more harrowing was the manner in which the dreadful episode had totally transpired, without any provocation given. When he woke up, he checked his clothing that he had worn in the nightmare and saw that indeed, there were blood stains on his shirt. It was a terrifying realisation, but how could that be, since it was only a horrendous dream? It was impossible to fathom, less explain with ratiocination.

He checked it several times to be certain of what he had in all actuality seen was without a doubt, blood. It was undeniable and indelible evidence. He could not reconcile the nightmare from reality, or recall him being at the exact place and exact hour, when the young mademoiselle had been precisely struck by the passing carriage and killed regrettably.

His anxiety had increased, and he had to speak to Professor Cloutier about this incident. He then immediately, headed to the university where the professor was at to tell him, what had strangely occurred. Garçon had read in the daily newspaper the reported death of the same woman he saw in his horrific dream. This was the incontrovertible confirmation that what he had dreamt was without a doubt real.

When the professor had arrived Garçon related to him the details of what happened in the recent episode of his nightmare, not omitting any minutia. At first, he was somewhat bemused by the last detail, which was the blood stains on Garçon's shirt. After examining the stains with a meticulous eye, he had enquired about the accuracy and validity of his account. He was more doubtful about the possibility of a bad dream manifesting into the exact reality of the sequence of its natural occurrence.

In other words, he could not believe that Garçon would be not truly cognisant of whether or not, he had indeed witnessed this in actuality. Thus, his skepticism had made him query its veracity and authenticity.

'I must be candid with my admission to not accept the version told to me, unless you can be completely certain that what you had described in your nightmare was the irrefutable sequential order of events in its actuality and outcome. If not, the premise of the argument is merely pointless and nullified, by any lack of transparency'.

'Why would I go to drastic measures, to invent such a dreadful thing so abhorrent in nature professor?'

'That, I cannot answer. Only you can know, what is inside your mind'.

'Professor, I tell you, there is no explanation, except that it did transpire and I was not fully aware of its horrible occurrence'.

'Perhaps, there might be another logical explanation that is credible and could be reasonable?'

'What are you implying, professor?'

'You could be somnambulating and not be conscious of this action'.

'You mean sleepwalking?'

'Yes, that could be the case with you'.

'How could I not be awakened by the noise or commotion?'

'Maybe, you were, but your mind had blocked these thoughts from your memory, causing you to forget until later. I have heard of people that have experienced lapses of memory before'.

'A memory lapse. If so, then how can I prevent this from happening again? What is worse, if I am sleepwalking, I could be killed'.

'That is a possibility I am afraid'.

'What do you suggest I do, professor?

'I suggest that you allow me to do some studies on you'.

'You mean hypnotise me? Is that what you mean?'

'If necessary, but I would like to examine you during the night or when your mind is asleep. I have to know, how your state of sleep is in comparison to your active state'.

'This might sound mad professor, I think that I am co-existing in two parallel states of the human mind'.

'That is a frightening thought to ponder,' the professor had confessed with reluctance.

'I must ask you Jean Paul, are your dreams never fain or are they always bad nightmares? The professor enquired.

'I have had them, but not much lately I admit,' Garçon replied.

'You are capable of having them. Is that not so?

'Oui!'

'Then that would signify to me that your mind can enable this assuagement or state of serenity. Thus, the problem I believe, is mostly psychological'.

'Could it be that my subconsciousness rejects anything that is a good dream or are happy thoughts?'

'In my sole opinion, I think that is the case. You see Jean Paul the human mind has the capacity and ingenuity to make us believe, what it wants us to believe'.

'And of reality? How do we then, determine what is real or not?'

'That is an excellent question. Some people would say by rote of ordalium or by our intellect, but for me the answer would be, through our consciousness or cognition. Not to be confused with conscience. There are things that could be interpreted, as a form of serendipity or an unfortunate circumstance triggered, by a chain of events or actions that were powerful and disruptive'.

'I agree, yet how can we define the contrast of reality from surreality, within the degree of their intervals?'

'Well, what if the mind could duplicate a sequence of thoughts to where we believe the sequence of events is exact to what we dream or manifest consciously?

'That would initiate a cause and effect'.

'Correct!'

'If I could protract my subconscious thoughts and retain them enough to process them to my cognisance'.

'Remember Jean Paul, there are things instituted that can be excelled, but they cannot exceed the perimeters of the human mind. In another words, they cannot be accelerated at a pace that the mind cannot process the ingoing flow of that outgoing impulsion. The mind is an agency that interacts with the body in motion. The mind can be pervasive, as it can be evasive'.

'I am fully aware of that, professor. The thing that astounds me, is the potentiality of the mind and its ability to accomplish multifarious actions in that motion'.

Both men had agreed to the professor's interesting suggestion and that they would reunite, upon that same night to begin the experimentation. The mystery was cloaked in the lunatic shade of an emerging darkness that only Garçon had attempted to understand with a measure of effectiveness.

The brain was analogous to a mechanical machine of a complex network of connective nerves, such as the chords to a giant clock. His extensive thoughts opined on the manner were recorded in a protracted journal that he had been writing, since he started to elaborate his experiments and theories on the subconsciousness and its relation to the established consciousness.

What Garçon did not realise at the time was the powerful state of mind that would reproduce the terror in the parlous nature of his ultimate discovery. He had gone, where few men had ever transgressed the limits of conscious travel and was able to avoid self-destruction or insanity.

It was indeed, a challenge that Garçon was solicitous in his resolution to answer the questions that had been eluding his awareness, but he would not be prepared for what had eventuated from his daring experiment that would forever change the course of his life, with transcendence. His caution did not supersede his appetence for knowledge and aperçu that were not an obviation from the acceptance of the truth.

Unfortunately that night, Professor Cloutier was not able to go to the home of Garçon as they previously had planned, due to the inclement weather. Garçon had received a message earlier from the professor that was sent, as an errand for one of his students to inform me. The cancellation did not mean that the experiment would not effectuate.

It would only be delayed. This would not dissuade Garçon from carrying on with his own experiment and proceeding forth, with its continuation. He was mindful about the celeritous effects that his subconsciousness was having on his consciousness to the extent that they both corresponded to each other, in a succession of similar intervals of occurrence.

If he would delve deeper in his ruminative mind to comprehend the intrinsic operations of the active subconsciousness, could he ultimately discover, the delitescent realm of the complexities of that mind in correlation with man's behaviour?

If that was even manageable, the question that was pending to be answered was, was this aforementioned realm transient or a definite state of mind that manifested in our tralatitious awareness solely? His curiosity to uncover that secret was urging him to explore more and that meant exerting more pressure on to his mind and body.

Some would interpret that as nescience or impetuosity, but Garçon was no ordinary man, he was a genius of his own creation. He was not a man of God, for he was instead, a genuine man of science. Approximately at around 8 o'clock that night, Garçon's heard a knock on his front door and there was a young lady. It was raining outside. She had introduced herself as Marie Lavigne, the sister of the deceased woman that was killed the night before.

At first, Garçon was utterly surprised by the sister's visit. His thoughts were centred on what could she want from him, since they were strangers and not acquainted with each other. It was true that the sister was no one in particular of status, but she knew who Garçon was, from reading articles on his field of science.

Apparently, she had been told by another witness that Garçon was present, when the sister was accidentally killed. It was something that Garçon was not cognisant about that detail. He was anxious to hear what she had to ask, yet a bit hesitant to divulge information so hastily, without knowing what the sister had been told. He had then invited the woman to enter into his house, where they could converse about the subject in a private setting more in depth.

'First let me offer my condolences to you and your family. It must be a difficult time'.

'Oui monsieur, Chloé was a big part of our life and she will be sorely missed', the sister uttered with an expressive sigh.

'Pardon the question, but was she married?'

'No monsieur, she was a widower. Her late husband had recently died to the crippling disease of phthisis'.

'Does she have any children?'

'Oui. Regrettably, she leaves behind two small boys'.

'I was not aware of that. It is a sad and excruciating thing to hear, especially for the children'.

'Oui monsieur. I came here hoping for answers, and if you could be kind enough to help me catch the killer. For the sake of the family'.

'I would be happy to assist you, but I was only able to see the face of the carriage driver briefly. I am afraid it is not enough to identify him completely'.

'I understand that, monsieur. Anything at this point that you recall is extremely vital in the pursuit of justice. I cannot rest nor give my sister a proper burial, until the person that has killed my sister is apprehended. From what I heard from another witness, the carriage driver was intoxicated'.

'That, I cannot confirm, madame. I can only verify to what I saw in my attestation'.

'Please monsieur, if there is more that you remember, then tell me'.

'If I can remember more madame, I'll certainly notify you or the gendarmes'.

She grabbed his hand and had pressed it tautly, 'Thank you monsieur'.

She then departed. Her visit had visibly affected Garçon, yet there was little he could do at the moment. He knew he had to continue with his task at hand, the discovery of the truth. Garçon was a proponent and exponent of the concept of Cloutier's approach on the interactions of the human mind.

He himself had written a thesis on the subject matter and accredited the advancement of psychology. He was aware of the pioneering work of Emil Kraepelin and Sigmund Freud, but he did not believe his quest for the answers to the subconsciousness and consciousness were connected to mental disorders.

Instead, he was convinced that one could traverse the boundaries of the subconsciousness with memory and consciousness. Garçon had concluded that although the human mind had the tendency to be fragile with manipulation and dubiety, it could be nourished properly, with the adequate amount of knowledge and wisdom ascertained.

To him the important thing was not what the mind was incapable of doing, but to what extent could the mind be capable of being compatible with what was established, as known reality in equipollence? In layman's terms, could the mind recognise something that could exceed its ability to distinguish its functions? That recognition would require in the end, more efficacious examination of that poignant juxtaposition. It could not be said that the mind was merely, an illusion for the platitudes of society or the aesthetic attraction of the artists.

That night once more would be another recurrent episode of an intense nightmare that would vividly shake Garçon to the core of his body. He was no longer having any good dreams, and every dream was becoming a terrible sign of a troubled mind or anxious apprehension.

For a brief moment, Garçon had begun to question whether or not his mind was spiralling into an uninhibited escape or flight from the real world conjured. It was a daunting and compelling thing, to even contemplate its plausibility. A dreadful phantasmagoria that seemed incessant.

In this particular nightmare, Garçon had experience a riveting sequence of actions that were unthinkable. He had dreamt that he was being chased by a wild wolf from the nearby woods unto his garden, where he eventually fell and woke up from his subconsciousness to find himself, lying in the garden with the fluttering wings of the morning pigeons in a stir.

His shirt and trousers had ripped in the fall, and his clothing had been slightly drenched. The rain was reduced to a light sprinkle. There was no visible wolf to be seen within the vicinity, but there was one significant clue that would be a shocking revelation.

As he rose to his feet, Garçon had noticed the torn shirt and trousers and another thing, the impressed tracks of the paws of a wolf. This would indicate that he had indeed come in contact with the same wolf he had experienced in his nightmare.

The more that the dreams appeared to coincide with his reality, the more that the suspense was increasing and his desire to comprehend this inexplicable abnormality. In order to be analytical and concise, he would have to appeal to his incisive mind, for the answers he had sought since the beginning of his ordeal. Again, he had resorted to the assistance of his mentor, Professor Cloutier.

He went directly to the home of the professor to relate his new experience, knowing that the professor was most likely the only person that could help him explain what was transpiring with him so blatantly. He was received at the front door, by the professor that was about to go to the university to begin his day.

Professor Cloutier had seen plainly, the worrisome consternation in the eyes of Garçon that had a patent expression. It almost had seemed like a brooding vexation that was consuming him from within.

'Pardon Jean Paul, you look extremely haggard and pale. You don't look well. What has happened that has caused you to bear this awful semblance?'

'You would not believe me, if I had told you professor'.

He had told Garçon immediately to enter. Once he did, they continued the conversation inside in privacy. 'Now, start from the beginning'.

'Professor Cloutier, yesterday I had another horrific dream'.

'Again? What did you dream this time?'

'I had dreamt that I was being chase by a wild wolf'.

'And?'

'I then had awakened in the midst of my garden near the woods, with my shirt and trousers torn.

'I am afraid I fail to understand the importance of this. I do not see anything unusual about this encounter with a wolf. It was only a bad dream Jean Paul'.

'There is more professor'.

'What do you mean?'

Garçon's eyes glared even more with intensity and urgency. He had brought a newspaper with an article about an escaped wolf that was in the area and had killed a man and showed it to the professor, 'That is the same wolf that I saw in my horrendous dream'.

Professor Cloutier was perplexed by what he was hearing and reading. The narrative that Garçon had described was jarring and compelling, but it was not substantial enough to be corroborated with objectivity. He was concerned about Garçon's mental faculties.

'In all these years I have known your acquaintance Jean Paul, I have never seen you so perturbed by anything so grievous. What you have dreamt is certainly startling, yet you cannot surmise anything concrete in the way of incontrovertible evidence. Look at yourself. If you don't take control of the situation, then you will succumb to your miserable incontinence'.

'You think I am losing my mind?'

'It is you that have uttered that, not I'.

'Can you not believe professor that it could be a significant phenomenon that has eluded our brilliant minds of science? I tell you that what I did experienced was a part of this strange phenomenon. You and I both know that phenomena have existed throughout the centuries. We both know about the vast wonders of the mind and its ability to reproduce precise memory. For example, the mechanism to our sentience, rumination, sapience, intellectuality and the useful application of thought, etc. What if my inexorable subconsciousness was capable of recognising the actions of my consciousness and its vraisemblance?'

'We would have to firmly know how the human mind was processing memory and at the same time creating it, to answer that question'.

'There is a possibility professor, we could solve that enigma. Do you not think so?

'What I think does not matter, for that would only be supposition. What does, is what can be proven, Jean Paul '.

'I don't know how long these nightmares will continue, but I am determined to proceed, until I have discovered the origin to them and what they truly mean in the end. I can't give up now, when I am close to deciphering the truth'.

'Its desperation that I see in you, Jean Paul. What you need is to get away from Paris and the stress that is destroying you. Do you not see in the mirror the image of your extenuation?'

'Indeed, but I can't afford to stop now. You see, I have no choice, for I can't seem to control the dreams'.

'I'm going to Perpignan for a couple of days, and you can come with me. It would serve you good to distract your mind from all this negativity'.

Garçon was reluctant in the beginning, until the professor had convinced him. He was willing to try anything, even leaving the city of Paris, 'If you think this will help me, then I shall go with you professor'.

'Good. There is a possibility that your nightmares are related psychologically to your environment'.

'I have not thought about that likelihood. Perchance, you are right, professor'.

In the following morning, they left for Perpignan. They stopped off for a day at the beach, because Garçon wanted to see the beauty of the beach. It was his favourite place to be as a child. He was anxious to see if being outside of the hectic pace of Paris would alter his recent state of mind.

As for Professor Cloutier, he was more preoccupied with saving his once brilliant pupil. He saw a man cracking at the seams, and it had disturbed him sufficiently to react with efficiency and consideration. During the trip to Perpignan, he had pondered on what Garçon had related in his experiences with the nightmares that were racking his brain.

He would require the confluence of pensive thoughts and patience that could allow him to help Garçon, but it would not be facile. Little would either of them imagine the frightening realisation that had occurred upon this trip in Perpignan.

After their arrival upon that same night to the coast, Garçon would not be able to eschew his horripilating nightmares any longer. Sadly, it would be the last one that he would not awaken from alive. He had been dreaming about drowning in the waters off the Mediterranean coast previously, when he was found by a lone fisherman that saw his body floating aimlessly in the tidal waves.

It was not known, whether or not he had accidentally drowned or committed suicide. Had he already lapsed into a profound state of madness that led to his rendezvous with death, where there was no point of return? When Professor Cloutier was informed hours then after searching for him, he was not that shocked by Garçon's death. What he was more obfuscated was, what was Garçon doing at the beach so late in the night, if he did not even mention anything to the professor before? What was he doing in the cold waters?

Everything just appeared to be unbelievable and made no sense at all. The details of Garçon's death were incomplete and incoherent. The professor knew that there was more to the story. Something definitively odd had happened that he could not comprehend, the missing pieces to the complex puzzle.

The answers would be found in a letter that Garçon had written before his untimely death that was left behind, for Professor Cloutier to read. It was addressed to him in Garçon's distinct legible handwriting.

Dear Professor Cloutier:

I Jean Paul Garçon, attest what I had dreamt upon this night has brought a fear down my spine. I do not know, if what I am about to relate can be considered believable by some, nevertheless, my account or version can be accredited by this letter.

When you have read this letter of mine Professor Cloutier, I shall no longer be alive I dread; for the nightmares persecute me wherever I may be or go. I believe there is a counterpoise within our thought process, but there are supraliminal effects that transpire in recrudescent episodes, beyond the apperception of human thinking and the nimiety of unproven concepts.

The brash hypocrites will demand irrefragable evidence of my claim, to which I shall assert that I was the existential sign of not its aberration, but its manifestation. Ipso facto, it has resulted thus, in a quod erat demonstrandum. I was dreaming about the one place that I have always enjoyed, the beach and its wonderful coast I missed. I had been swimming in the shallow waters, when I felt a sudden billowing tide take me into the sea that was calling me.

I heard the voice of my beloved mother, and I had followed the voice, until I was swallowed by the tide that took me into the mouth of the sea forever to be together, with my mother. I then awoke in a sudorific chill to find myself compelled to go to the beach.

Perhaps, you will deem me mad or the victim of my own insatiable insanity and suicide, but I that had experienced this voyage into the deep realm of the subconsciousness and consciousness asseverate that I am not insane or shall I kill myself.

Verily, I have discovered the answers to my abundant questions and unlocked the mystery of the human mind. I know now that only through death, I shall travel where no man has reached before.

Sincerely yours,

Jean Paul Garçon

Two weeks after Garçon's tragic death, Professor Cloutier who had returned to Paris visited the sombre home of Garçon. He was inside the house observing and perusing thousand and thousand notes that had belonged to the journal of Garçon. As he was reading, he felt the strange presence of an unseen being or spirit close. He had dismissed the presence as the gust of a wind blowing from outside, since the door was open. He left the house with Garçon's journal, where he began to read it in the comfort of his residence. He would be intrigued and at the same time horrified, by what Garçon had been experimenting.

He never imagined what would occur upon that eerie night, as a raging storm was roaring abruptly. Professor Cloutier was having a dream about a wild wolf that was chasing him through the woods. Desperation had entered his mind, whilst he ran, yet he could not escape the menacing wolf. That was the last thing he had remembered of the scary nightmare.

He woke up in a heavy perspiration and to the loud lightning. When he rose to his feet to close the window, he saw the haunting image of the fierce beady eyes of the wolf. The exact wolf that he dreamt and Garçon had as well. The journal had fallen to the floor afterwards. A page from the journal would turn and remain on that page.

When the professor had picked up the journal and read it, it said the following, 'The mind is a terrible thing to waste, for it can be an ally or your worse foe. Control it, before it controls you Professor Cloutier!'

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