kay, Author at probskay's stuff

1:20

1417 words. Watch someone’s daily routine unfold

I woke up blinking tears out of my eyes. That was odd. It had never happened before. I must have slept funny or something.

I sat up and rubbed the tears out of my eyes. Maybe it was just some light allergies from my new air freshener. I looked at the clock. It was about eight o’clock. I sighed. I always wake up early.

I got out of bed and shuffled into the kitchen. I grabbed a bowl and poured a couple oatmeal packets into it. I filled it with water, then put it into my microwave for a couple minutes. I stared at the rotating plate blankly, and yawned. The timer went off and I took my bowl out. I sat at my table and ate, still in my pajamas. I finished the bowl and then washed it out in my sink.

I walked into my bathroom- much more awake now- to brush my teeth. I put on a two minute timer and put the brush into my mouth. Two minutes passed, and so I flossed between my teeth for a bit as well.

I moved into my kitchen again. I wanted to decide what I should make myself for dinner. It would be easier to cook if I let whatever I wanted to thaw. I decided I would just make something simpler tonight, like some sort of pasta, so that I wouldn’t have to put out any meat.

I slowly turned about my kitchen. My eyes scanned it until I eventually saw my knives. I stared at them intently. I stared at them for at least ten minutes, just debating in my own head. I eventually shook my head and forcibly walked to my den.

I tossed open the door, and looked at the bookshelves I had lining the wall. They contained many interesting stories. All of which I’ve read at least twice over. I sighed again. Maybe I should go buy some new books. A couple individual shelves still had extra space. I could fit a bit into them. I shrugged it off for now. I could do something else. The clock only said 8:46.

I decided to take a shower. That could easily blow off twenty minutes. Besides, it’s nice to be clean. It reminds me that I can keep things in order in one way or another. Showers are nice for things besides cleanliness, though. I like the warmth the water gives me. There’s something more tolerable about warm water than warm air.

I finished my shower. I dried up and combed my hair. I looked at my bathroom clock. It said 9:14. That was pretty good amount of time to shower. I opened my medicine cabinet to put my comb away. It was filled to the brim with various pills I had stopped taking months ago. I didn’t even remember what half of them were for. I just remember I had stopped taking them. I probably stopped taking them after being prescribed over a dozen a day. Taking that many pills seemed wrong.

I thought about taking them again. They were prescribed for a reason, right? Maybe using them again would help, even if it has been a couple months.

I shook myself out of my stupor. My clock said 9:21 before immediately switching to 9:22. I shook my head some more as I left the bathroom. That was preposterous. Taking that many pills so suddenly would cause some definite damage. I didn’t want to be a part of it.

I went back into my study. I ignored the bookshelves and went straight to my desk. I looked through each of the drawers. I saw everything that was supposed to be there. Pencils, papers, erasers, even a set of pastels I use very occasionally. Seeing everything in place didn’t stop me from looking through each drawer a few times each.

I wasn’t sure what I was looking for. I figured I’d find it, but deep down I knew that nothing new and interesting waited in the places I looked. I eventually resigned my search. I thought it’d be simpler to just pick up another book. I had made a chart that marked how recently I had read each book. That would make it easier to choose, because I’d only have to pick out of some of the ones I hadn’t picked up in months. My clocks said 9:57.

I looked at the list, and picked the one furthest up that hadn’t been scratched out. Then I scratched it out and wrote it’s title and the date at the bottom of the list. This page was full. I’d need a new one next time I read a book.

I read the book for a couple hours, but I didn’t remember much about it. It was refreshing, almost as if I had picked up a brand new book. I was glad for the change. I could quote an amount of these books with ease, and point out every literary element. I could point out the literary elements as I read this book, but I didn’t know exactly what they’d lead up to. I enjoyed it.

My grandfather clock rang out at exactly twelve o’clock. I suppose that meant it was lunch time. I put a bookmark in my book, then went back to my kitchen to get lunch.

Making my best effort not to look at the knives, I made a simple turkey and cheese sandwich. I ate that one, then made another. They weren’t the most filling meal, but a couple could easily hold me over until dinner. My clock said 12:38. I noticed that I was seeing a lot of even numbers in the minutes place.

I looked at my legs, and realised I was still in my pajamas. I decided to go get dressed. I had no idea how I hadn’t changed after my shower. It was an unclean move. Oh well, a simple change should alleviate the issues I’m feeling.

I briskly walked back into my bedroom, and pulled a pair of jeans out of my dresser. Then I opened my closet. I looked at all of my shirts. I knew that nearly any of them would match jeans, but I still liked to take my time deciding on the shirts I wear. I looked downward in thought.

My eyes were bombarded with a large bundle of rope I had piled underneath my shirts. I had looked at this rope every day for the past three months. I didn’t even remember where I had gotten it. I just know that I didn’t like the thoughts that came with it. Still, just like every day, I stared at it and considered the possible uses for the rope. My clock said 1:12 by the time I had finished staring and thinking. I shook my head harshly, then grabbed a shirt and got dressed. I never knew why I wasted so much time staring at the rope.

I sighed as I left my room. This was the life I chose. I chose to just sit about my home for the rest of my life, relying on an inheritance I had received only eight months earlier. Day after day I had become more and more reclusive. I wasn’t cut out for anything anymore. I didn’t use my laptop and internet for anything but ordering some food online every now and then. The people who deliver my food were the most social interaction I did recently. I always held them for about twenty minutes of conversation before tipping them double the cost of my food.

I reentered my study and tried to read. My clock said 1:18 when I finally gave up on reading anymore. I had lost my interest somewhere along the line. I found myself wanting to do more. I wanted to have more. I wanted…

I wanted to be more.

I slowly stood up from the desk. I took 3 steps and was in the hallway. I gently shut my study door. A dozen more tentative steps, and I was at my front door.

I took a deep breath. I was going to leave. The sun shone lazily through my window. I placed my hand on the doorknob, and turned it. I lightly pushed the door open. It lifted itself open in a similar manner. I was finally leaving. I took my first step outside in two weeks.

My clock said 1:20.

Enigma

A Sestina style poem about a creature found on a beach

If you are trying to read this on mobile, I’m sorry.

The doctor completes his examination
Of the victim from the coast
He runs to create his proof
Done by dawn
He wants glory
From his answer

A new man, his sanity coasts
This is irrefutable proof
A new man, a Madman, lies awake till dawn
The Doctor has his glory
The Madman lacks an answer
Both need a new examination

The Doctor’s peers study his proof
Late in the night, through dawn
The Doctor still basking in his glory
The Madman still searching for an answer
He searches and looks for his own examination
Lying on the Coast

The sun breaks through dawn
It shines its glory
Over a new answer
Our Madman, excited, takes his own examination
Of the new body lying on the coast
His own maniacal proof

Glory
It breaches through the surface, an answer
Spectators take their own examination
Of the Eldritch horror on the coast
It is it’s own proof
Lying dead at dawn

The world has seen their answers
And everyone knows the examinations
Of the the Eldritch beast that crashed on the coast
Some still doubt the proof
Of the creature discovered at dawn
A thing that gave a Madman glory

Have they really found a solid answer, an impossible proof?
Do you believe the examination created at dawn?
Or will you search that fateful coast for your own glory?

Noah

I wrote a story for Miya Ayala, and she created a piece of art to accompany it. Both are titled Noah

“I can do that, too!” Noah yelled after me, stumbling over the rocky path.

“No you can’t, kid. Your legs are too small and you don’t have the same motor control I do.” I kept walking, waiting for someone from Noah’s family to grab him. They didn’t. “Wait up!”

“Ugh, go back Noah!” I yelled at him, “I didn’t give you permission to come with me!” If only that would stop the toddler. Noah kept marching towards me, grunting as he struggled up the tall steps. He was panting. “See. I can. Climb this. Too.”

I shook my head. “Noah, you’re already exhausted. We’ve only moved about 4 meters from where we started. Call for help, and go back.” I should clarify that he’s actually 7, not any younger. He certainly acts like a toddler, though. Despite how unfriendly I’ve been to my cousin from day one, he still thinks he can appeal to me and make me like him. The kid needs to get used to disappointment.

He caught his breath after a few seconds. “See, I’m just fine. I’m not tired, my legs aren’t even scraped!” I sighed, and sat down on a rock.

“I’m not going anywhere with you, Noah. You’re going to get hurt on this trail.” I told him as firmly as I knew how to.

He sat down next to me. “Then I guess we’ll just sit here then. I’m okay with that.” I sighed once more.

“Noah, where do you even get this determination? You’re just so stuck on this idea of pleasing me, and I don’t get it. What do you have to gain?” I held my head in my hands.

He just gave me a weird look. “What do you mean? I thought friends did things together.” I shuddered inside. Friends? “I just trying to be a good friend.”

I held my breath. Noah waited in anticipation. I exhaled. “Noah, why do you think we’re friends?” At this point, I was actually curious. Who told him we were friends?

He shrugged. “We’re cousins, and cousins are supposed to be friends, right? I thought that family was supposed to stick together.” This didn’t surprise me. It was the same thing my parents told me as a kid. That was a long time ago, and things have changed.

I picked up my head. “Alright, Noah. You think we’re friends. But what if I told you you weren’t my friend?” Noah laughed.

“No, we are friends. That’s how families are. You’re my family, so you’re also my friend.” There wasn’t a doubt in this kid’s mind. Honestly, I kind of respected that. Everything was so certain to him.

“Fine, Noah. You win. We’re friends. As my friend, I would appreciate it if you let me walk up this trail alone. Okay?” I looked at Noah.

He shrugged. “Okay. I’ll go color while I wait for you.” Then he left. That was it. Did he just win the battle? I was determined to get him away, and he was determined to be my friend. And he left by his own choice. It was that easy.

I got up and started hiking. Is the world that easy for him? Does he just think everyone is his friend? I sat down after a little while. I remember when the world was that easy for me, too. I remember when I thought that the world would be my friend. Now, I’m just some angry teen who doesn’t want anything to do with anyone. When did I lose the light in my own eyes?

I looked down the mountain. Noah was totally content with everything. The only things he looked for to make his life better are material things that he doesn’t need. He’d gladly just wait for me, no matter what it takes. I wish I had that kind of motivation.

I shook my head. I stood up and made my way back down the mountain.

Quartz

Sabrina Tellez created a piece of art, and I wrote a story to accompany it. Distraction is the art, and Sage is the story.

The bustle of the streets was drowning out any other noise. I could barely hear myself think, there were so many cars and trams running up and down the road. The sun had begun to set an orange tinge over the horizon.

I took a sharp turn into an empty alleyway. “Here I am.” I looked down the dirty and beaten path that lay before me. I felt nostalgic. Tentatively, I stepped further into the alley. This was where my sister had been shot four years ago. I was almost twelve at the time.

I kneeled next to a building, and pulled a brick out of the wall. This was essentially my sister’s grave, because I couldn’t actually afford her a spot in a graveyard. Not in a city this large, anyway

Inside the wall, there were a few things I had left there for her. There were old, dead flowers, a few fake ones, and a couple notes I had jotted down previous years. “I miss you…” The words barely fell off my lips. I felt tears well up in my eyes, and I decided that it was time to leave.

I took a few tiny crystals out of my pockets- most of them were a blue variety of quartz- and placed them into the wall. I replaced the brick and walked away. Within moments, the crowds and the noise of the city had overtaken me once more.

I wove my way through street after street, pushing past crowds going through their day just like I was. They were going from their works to their homes, and vice versa. The sun was on the brink of setting, and my day was just beginning.

I finally got back to my workplace, which doubled as my home. I went to the door around the back, and slid inside. The bar was fairly empty tonight, so I shouldn’t have to worry too much about the police arresting me for being a minor.

I took my place at the counter, already in my uniform, and readjusted myself to the bottles and glasses that surrounded me.

“Hey, kid. Get me a drink, will ya?” I turned and looked at the drunk sitting at the bar. The only one who wasn’t with a friend or at a table. He was here before I left, too. He would probably still be here after I left. “Sure. What do you want?”

The man shrugged. He didn’t have a large build. Then again, neither did I. The tie and shirt he was wearing let me know he probably worked an office job or was a salesman. His wife was probably cheating on him, so he came here to drink away his worries. “I’m getting a little sick of hard liquor. It doesn’t taste that great. Could you mix me something a little better?”

“Right on it, sir.” I pulled a cocktail mixer and some liquids off of the shelf, and started to mix him a drink.

“I actually don’t like alcohol that much. Funny, considering my high tolerance. I’m actually quite sober right now, even though I’m a few shots in. Damn my Irish heritage.” I put his drink in front of him. “Then again, a true Irishman would be furious to see a martini.”

He took a few slow drinks. I stood in front of him. There wasn’t anyone else at the bar, so I needed to tend to this patron. “How did you get in here, kid?”

I shrugged at him. “Push came to shove, I guess.”

He nodded. “I had parental issues myself. I get it, you just need time away. Do you go to school?”

I shook my head. “I tried for a while, but school clashed with my time working here. This is a night shift, and school happens during the day” The stranger nodded.

“Ah, so you’re already quite a hard worker. That’s a wonderful trait to see in our youth. See, most kids just complain about how unfair the world is. I used to be one of them, so I know. Listen, you want off of the streets? You want out of the bar? I’ve got a deal for you. You want to hear it?”

This man had misinterpreted what I said. I didn’t have parental problems. It’s hard to have parental problems without parents. I didn’t just run away from some random home, and I’m not just here to get away for a while.

“Sorry, sir, but I’ll have to deny your offer.”

He laughed heartily. “I haven’t even made an offer yet. Hell, speaking of things I haven’t offered, my name is Guy. You mind telling me yours?”

“Quartz. My name is Quartz.” He finished his martini, then slid the glass to me.

“That was a marvelous drink. Make me another, will you?” I nodded, and mixed him another. “So your parents must enjoy gems. Are they hippies?” He chuckled, “All joking aside, do they?”

I shook my head. “My sister named me. She was a few years older than me. I didn’t actually know my mother. She gave birth to me outside of a hospital, then left me on the porch of a fire station.” When I thought about it, I didn’t actually know if my sister and I were really related. Neither of us had last names, and she was named by another stranger. “I met my sister in an orphanage.”

The man had a more serious look to his face. “I apologise for my rudeness. I didn’t know.” Neither of us spoke. He took a few more sips of his drink. “That’s kind of ironic. You go to the orphanage to get adopted, and yet you two adopted each other. Did your sister have red hair, too?” I nodded.

“Rough situation, friend. Where is your sister now?”

“Dead. She was shot in an alley. The police called it gang violence. Really, none of us know what it really was.”

“Real sad. I’m going to go out on a limb and say that she adopted you when she was eighteen?” I nodded. “You know something most of the other saps around here don’t. True loss. I could see it in your eyes when you walked in. Did you just finish visiting her grave?” I looked at my feet, nodded weakly. “That’s tragic.”

The man finished his drink. “Now I’ll ask again. Do you want to hear my deal?” I shrugged.

“I don’t see why not. Fire away.”

“I’m looking for some kids to help me out with a certain project; Adults have developed physically too much for what we’re trying to achieve. You look perfect for the part. What do you say?” He put out his hand.

“I’m not gullible. You haven’t told me what you intend to do with me. It’s probably shady.” He pulled his hand upward. “Right, I forget that not everyone knows what’s going on with us. Have you ever heard of migrant workers? Well, we’re doing a similar thing. We get some young, fresh bodies to do migrant work. It pays great, and you get three square meals a day.”

I saw the owner of the bar, Ted, tapping his hands impatiently on the table he was sitting at. He established direct eye contact, and held it. His tapping got a little faster. “Hold on, sir, I think my employer wants to see me.”

“Hold on a minute, Quartz. This is a rare opportunity. I’ve seen plenty of youth pass up this chance, and they all ended up on drugs and alcohol. Every kid that I’ve taken in has thrived in an excellent working environment. You’ll have the chance to make your sister proud. Wouldn’t you like that?” Guy looked at me directly. I couldn’t tell if he truly believed what he was saying, or if he was just saying it to attract my attention. Either way, I found my myself enjoying the idea that was being pushed to me.

“What kind of work would I be doing with you, Guy?” I leaned forward onto the counter. “I might consider it, but only if I know what I’m doing.”

Guy laughed ever so slightly. “You won’t be working with me, sadly. I’m just a recruiter. However, you will be doing all sorts of things for all sorts of people. Believe me, it looks great on a college resume. Oh, look at me, I even forgot to mention the higher education opportunities.” Guy was drinking with more confidence now. He was really trying to sell me this job. Issue was, it was working.

I saw Ted lean forward in his seat, and give me an even harsher look. Was he trying to scare me out of this offer? I thought about talking to him, but I think Guy would end up trying to distract me from him again.

“Guy, my boss is getting pretty impatient. I can give an answer, but only after I see what he wants. Sound good?” I offered my hand to Guy. “Yeah, alright kid. Just make it quick, please.”

I stepped away from Guy, then out from behind the bar. I moved over to Ted. He motioned for me to sit. “I don’t know who that guy is, Quartz. He’s been here every night for the past five days. I don’t know what he wants, but I wouldn’t trust him. He’s been making some sort of “tantalising deal” to everyone who bothers to talk to him. It’s incredibly suspicious.” I nodded.

“I don’t trust him either, but this could be my chance to get out.”

Ted nodded. “Aye, lad. This could be a chance for you. But at the same time, the worm looks attractive on the hook.”

I had a lot to consider. Should I trust this stranger? This well dressed man who seemed to have everything in order? Or should I trust the bartender who has taken care of me the past four years? There was way too much to consider here, and only so much time.

I took a deep breath. “Ted, what do you think you would’ve done at my age?” Ted leaned back and shook his head. “What I would’ve done doesn’t matter. I wasn’t orphaned at birth. I didn’t have so little to lose. Honestly, if he would just say exactly what kind of work you’d be doing, I might have recommended you join him.

“He just dances around the questions, and quite skillfully at that. Most people who he had talked to previously were drunk, though. I hadn’t seen his real persuasion skills until just now. It makes me just a bit uneasy, knowing he was trained to sucker in depressed sods to do whatever he’s trying to get them to do.

“I would’ve denied him, but I also had a happy house and home to return to. You only have me and your sister’s brick. I love you, but I still know what’s best for you. It might not always going to be this bar. In the end the choice is yours.” He put his elbow on the table, with his hand extended above it. I clasped it, and he squoze my hand in a way that reminded me he cared.

“I think I need some time to think about it. This is a lot all at once.” I stood and pushed my chair in. “Either way, he’s still a customer, and I still need to serve him.” I marched back to the bar.

“Quartz, perfect timing. Could you mix me a different drink? Thanks.” I grabbed his glass, put it aside, then got him a new one. I mixed something new, and set the glass before him. “So what do you say, bud? You in?”

I kept direct eye contact with him. “You haven’t told me what exactly it is that I’ll be doing. You’ve just danced around the question.”

Guy sighed. “Yeah, I know. Honestly, I don’t know what work you’ll be doing exactly. I just know that you’ll work under a few different employers, and each of them is basically random. I’m just one way that you can get in. I know some facts about the guys who leave after they’ve finished their work, and that just about sums it up. Either way, you’ve gotta take the first step to get in.” Guy thrust his hand forward. He looked at me with a gleam in his eyes.

“I have to deny you, Guy. You’re not looking very trustworthy right now. This is all very tempting, but the worm often looks tempting on the hook.” Ted held back a laugh.

Guy just shrugged. “Suit yourself. There are plenty of fish in the sea.” He placed a wad of bills on the bar, then walked out.

“I’m proud of your choice, Quartz,” Ted began walking towards me, “You could have very easily walked into that strange unknown, but you chose to live only with the most secure choices. That’s important in a world like this.” I nodded at him.

“Tomorrow, Quartz, we’ll see what we can do about achieving your aspirations, eh? All else fails, this bar will still be yours one day.

Entrapment

I wrote Sabrina Tellez a story, and she created an art piece to accompany it Entrapment is the story, and Sage is the art.

I woke up to my abrasive alarm forcing itself into my ears. I turned it off then stretched. There was a brand new day ahead of me, and I wanted to get as much done as I could.

I got out of bed and got dressed. I was ready for whatever came my way. Nothing could stop me from eating breakfast and brushing my teeth! The world was my oyster, and I could have whatever I want!

“Sage, are you ready to get to work?” I heard Mother’s voice call to me from the next room. I followed the sound, and told her yes.

Mother must have been up fairly early, as all of our gear was set up. I immediately got to work. “Thank you, Mother, for preparing our tools without my help.” She smiled, and began to work.

We had only been working for somewhere around an hour before Mother cut her hand. She covered the cut with her other hand, and told me to go downstairs and find our first aid kit. Luckily, she had shown me it before, so I knew exactly what to look for.

I went to the basement level, and began to look through cabinets for the kit. However, after only a few moments, I noticed a small door that I had never seen before. It was only about as tall as my knees. I wondered to myself what it could be for, but I ignored it. Mother’s hand was still bleeding, and I needed to get her bandages.

I looked through another few cupboards before finding the kit, and rushing back upstairs to give it to Mother. She told me where the bandages were, and how to apply them to her hand. Only ten minutes had passed between the initial cut and it getting bandaged. We spent another six hours completing our work.

After our work, Mother congratulated as usual. “I appreciate your efforts, Sage. You may return to your room, and spend your time as you will. Our work shall continue tomorrow.”

I replied in the way I had been taught. “Thank you, Mother, for providing me with fruitful work.”

I returned to my room, and turned on the light, expelling the pitch blackness within. I sat upon my bed, and reflected the knowledge I had. I have been alive for 17 years. I have always been within this home. Mother loves me. My work is appreciated.

Once again, I found myself questioning the knowledge I had. Why did I work? All I’ve ever known is myself and Mother, and she never seems to acknowledge our work outside of when we are working. She never explains the work, and she never tells me about anything. In fact, I don’t even understand why our lights turn on when we press a switch. I don’t actually know anything.

Suddenly, my mind drifted to the tiny door I found hidden in the corner, behind the cupboards that always obstructed my ability to see it. I had never known of it before today. Why was that?

I turned off my lights. “Goodnight, sweet Mother,” I whispered out of habit. I didn’t actually plan to sleep. I was going to enter that door.

I opened my door quietly and barely, then snuck out. There was no light in the hallway. The only reason I could see was because of the dim glow of lights lining where the floor and walls connect. I walked, quietly and crouched, toward the stairs leading down. I snuck down those stairs. This time, it was utterly pitch. There weren’t any lights in the corners like there were everywhere else. I wondered how I never noticed it before.

Still crouching, I used my hands to follow the walls and cabinets, following them until I felt the light divot between the wall and door. I pushed on it. It didn’t move, so I felt for a handle to pull it open. Of course, there was. I found myself crawling through it before truly understanding what I was doing.

It was still just as dark in the other room. I had to crawl blind. I tried to move slowly and keep my head down, just in case I ran into a wall. Eventually, I did.

My head pushed the wall open. It was another door, and it wasn’t closed very securely.

Light fell through the gap. It was a bright light that I wasn’t used to. It was brighter than anything I had ever seen before. I squinted and pushed the door open the rest of the way.

It took at least a couple minutes for my eyes to adjust to the intimidating light. Once they had, however, they couldn’t stop staring at the source. It was a clear wall above me. I looked for a switch to turn it off, but there was none. The light couldn’t be turned off. I looked about the room, and saw colors I had never been familiar with. I only recognised white amongst the rest of strange items. I put my hand onto one of the white ones. It was soft. I felt like I could destroy it by holding just a little too harshly.

Suddenly, I heard a door shut. It was a door I couldn’t see. I froze in place. “Sage, Sage, Sage. I should’ve guessed you were reaching that age. In fact, I thought you would never discover this place. All of the other ones found it after about thirteen years of life. I did think it was strange that you were four years late, but alas, you are here now.”

I turned toward Mother. “What is this place? Why did I never know about it?”

Mother pursed her lips. “It’s a garden. These things are flowers. I use it to disguise the scent in the room beyond. I presume you want to see that room, too?

I nodded. She took my hand, and pulled me around a corner and into a door. Suddenly, the sweet smell of the previous room became apparent as it was wiped out by the rancid one of this room.

This room contained a color I was more familiar with. Red. The color of blood. My heart pounded in my chest. “Goodnight, sweet Sage,” I heard behind before feeling a sharp pain stab into my neck, before everything became the same pitch as the rooms before these.

Night Terrors

5061 words. Luke is haunted by nightmares he can never seem to recall upon waking

I yawned a heavy yawn. It was about 10:30 at night, and I was exhausted. I had spent nine hours at school, doing extracurriculars. I wasn’t surprised that I was so tired. So, I decided I was ready for bed.

I went to the bathroom, brushed my teeth, and then went to bed. I hadn’t even gotten undressed before I felt my eyelids weigh down on me, and my consciousness faded into the night.

***

At around 3:00, I woke up unexpectedly. I wasn’t too surprised. I frequently woke up in the night. For the most part, I was just glad that I hadn’t woken up any earlier. That means that I got at least a few solid hours of sleep.

I got up and- with the help of my nightlight- maneuvered around my messy room to my door. I got out, went to the bathroom, and went back to my bed.

I knew it would be a bit before I fell asleep again, so I hoped that I would just bore myself back to sleep. I let myself drift into various thoughts.

I wonder what I’ll do tomorrow. It would be a Sunday, and I’m not very religious. I suppose I’ll just do a bit of housecleaning. I wish I had a roommate. It gets terribly lonely on my own, and that makes cleaning even more of a hassle, but it has to get done. I wonder when the last time I saw a friend outside of school? Well, there was that one dream I had. Although, I wasn’t very fond of it. I didn’t like dreaming about my friends stripping for a living. Haha, I actually had a dream where my best friend was a stripper. That’s entertaining. Although, I would rather call it a nightmare. No, nightmares are supposed to make you terrified of something. When was the last time I had a nightmare that actually terrified me? It has been a while. I think the last time it happened was nearly two years ago. I don’t remember what the nightmare was about, but I do know that I woke up terrified of turning on my phone. Mmm, my phone. I need to pay my bill tomorrow, too.

***

I woke up again at 3:47. I hadn’t been asleep long. That was disappointing, but not surprising. I didn’t need to use the bathroom again, so I got up and made myself some tea. That often helps me sleep.

Once again, I dodged around the clutter in my room, and my nightlight helped me see another time. Honestly, I think that light might have been my best purchase. I think it sees more use than any other light in my house.

I turned on my room light, so that I could see my hall light. Then, I turned on my hall light, so that I could turn on my kitchen light. I’d turn all of them off after I was ready to go to sleep again.

I put water into my kettle, then put it on the stove to boil. I had detached the whistle piece on my kettle, because it was hard to fall asleep after such a loud noise. I usually just watched the clock, and after a couple minutes I would take the kettle off the stove and pour myself a glass.

I yawned. I hated yawning. Why was it that I was tired, but had a hard time falling asleep? Insomnia is absolutely awful. I shook my head quickly, as if convincing myself to stay awake. My water must be ready by now.

I got up from my table, and checked the kettle. There was steam. That was good enough for me. I turned off my stove, took the kettle, and poured myself a cup. I took a tea packet and put it in the water. It would take another couple minutes for the tea to steep.

I sat and waited for the tea to steep. I laid my head on the table, and closed my eyes for a moment.

***

I woke up. I realised where I was. Startled, I looked for a clock. It was only 4:53. That wasn’t too bad. My tea was cold, though.

I took the tea bag out of the cup, and threw it away. I put my mug into the microwave, and microwaved my tea for 54 seconds. I stared at the timer until the last second, and then took my tea out. It was just warm enough to drink. I had done this many times over, so I knew that 54 seconds was the perfect amount of time to warm tea up.

I took a sip of the tea, and held it in my mouth. I loved the earthy taste. I swallowed. I tried to drink my tea quickly, and went back to bed, turning off all of my lights on the way. Well, except for my nightlight. That always stayed on.

***

I heard a strange, aggressive beat begin to play in my room. It felt like it was all around me, even though I hadn’t turned on any speakers. I was woken up by this disembodied music.

My eyesight was blank, though I knew for a fact that my eyes were open. This must mean…

My night light was off.

I panicked and tried to get to the plug my nightlight was usually plugged into. However, I couldn’t move. My breath didn’t change, but my mind was racing. All the while, the drum beat continued to blare around me in every direction.

I wanted to hyperventilate, but my body wouldn’t let me. I wanted to scream, but my body wouldn’t let me. I wanted to stand, but my body wouldn’t let me!

Slowly but surely, static began to rise around the loud music. It fluctuated volume at seemingly random intervals. Why was there static? Why were there drums? My eyes were the only thing I could control, and they were frantically searching the empty space in my sight.

Then words began to form through the static. They were hard to make out at first, but I understood what was being said. “YOU HAVE BEEN CHOSEN. YOUR SLEEPLESS NIGHTS WILL ATTEST THAT MY CHOICE FOR YOU IS CORRECT.” I still couldn’t see, and I still couldn’t move. My breath was steady and certain, but my eyes still searched for anything.

The voice still held strong, and it was getting clearer with every word. “YOU WILL DO AS I TELL YOU. WHEN YOU DO, THE WORLD WILL OPEN ITSELF TO YOU, AND YOU WILL RISE ABOVE YOUR PEERS.” I had never heard this voice ever before. What did the voice want?

“YOU HAVE SERVED WELL SO FAR. CONTINUE TO DO SO. LISTEN. OBEY. PROSPER.” The static faded out, and the drum beat followed quickly.

***

I woke up the next morning feeling a little beat. I can’t believe I actually fell asleep at my table again. And I think I might have had a nightmare, but I didn’t remember. I stretched as I stood up, and my back popped.

I got dressed, and then went to my kitchen. I poured myself a bowl of cereal. I groggily rubbed my eyes, then went back to my room to get my phone.

I pulled my phone from its charger, then turned it on as I walked back into the kitchen. I sat down at my table. My phone’s user interface loaded up, and then my phone immediately started to vibrate.

I unlocked my phone. All of the notifications were from Valerie, my friend. She wanted to know if I was busy today.

I text her back. “Not really. I was just going to do a bit cleaning if I didn’t feel too lazy.” I looked at the corner of my phone, and the clock said 7:24. That was good. I at least got a few more hours of sleep. I don’t know when I woke up last, though.

My phone shook in my pocket again. I looked at Val’s text. “Cool, I’ll be over in about an hour. Clean yourself up.”

I sighed. Well, at least I didn’t have to deal with awkward planning. I finished my breakfast, then took a quick shower.

I got out, got back into my clothes, and started drying off my hair as I walked out of the bathroom.

“Hey Lucas. Nice to see you’re not sleeping.”

I jumped back, and threw my towel into the kitchen. “Jesus, Val. You scared the hell out of me. I almost wish I hadn’t given you a key.” She laughed.

“Yeah, but then I’d just have to break in.” She winked. “You wouldn’t want that, would you?”

I took my turn to laugh. “Okay, you’re right. I wouldn’t want to get you arrested, at least.”

“Alright, let’s get going,” she proclaimed. I gave her an inquiring look. “Melanie’s new coffee shop opened today, remember? Let’s go greet her at her grand opening.” I nodded and put on my shoes.

We stepped outside and then got into her car. “So how has Melanie been?” I asked Val. I hadn’t seen Melanie in a bit, because she stopped doing theatre to pursue opening her coffee shop. I was still glad for her.

“Melanie was pretty stressed while trying to set up the place, but now that she’s finally opened up shop, she’ll probably be a lot more satisfied. I don’t know if you’ve noticed, but she really tries to keep her problems to herself more often than she should. That makes me worry more than she wants me to.” She gave an ironic laugh. “Oh well.”

She turned and pulled into the parking lot of a small building. It was Melanie’s coffee shop. I stepped out of the car after Val parked. “Good for her. Well, let’s go.”

I stepped up to the door, and tried to open it. It didn’t open. “The door’s locked, Val.”

Val pulled on the handle opposite of the one I pulled. The door opened. “I think you’re just a fool.” We laughed.

“Come on in guys! What I can I get you?” Melanie greeted us with a smile and rosy cheeks. If I wasn’t gay, I’d definitely try to hit on her.

Val spoke up first “Hey Melanie. What do you recommend?”

“Well, I’d suggest some sea salt coffee. I found a recipe for it from another shop, and asked if I could make it.” Melanie was grinning widely the whole time.

“Sounds intriguing. I’ll take it. Luke, what do you want?” I looked at the menu. “I’ll just take a chai latte. I don’t really drink coffee. I have enough troubles sleeping as it is.” We all shared a chuckle.

“Coming right up you guys.” Melanie did a little curtsy, then started setting up some gear. I wasn’t very familiar with coffee shop tools.

Val and I sat down at the nearest table. There were some other people already in the shop. It looked like Melanie was going to see success from the very start.

“Hey Val, did I tell you I had a dream you were a stripper a couple nights ago?”

Val cackled loudly. “Oh my god, are you serious? That’s hilarious. That’s the funniest thing I’ve heard in a while. Did I look good?”

I chuckled. “Yeah. They had to stop me from dancing with you.”

She snickered some more. “Yeah, you definitely would be hard to keep from strutting your stuff.”

Melanie came over with three cups. One must have been hers. “Here you guys are. One sea salt coffee and one chai latte. I hope you enjoy!” We thanked her, and she took the third cup to another patron. I guess she isn’t going to sit down with us. Oh well.

“Seriously, though, you have some weird dreams. Does insomnia make you remember your dreams more frequently?” I shrugged. “I don’t know about that, but I do think it makes me sleep in the lightest sleep state. That’s where you dream most often, so I guess that might make me remember my dreams more often.”

“Did you have a dream last night?” Val asked me.

“I don’t know. I might have had a nightmare, but I don’t remember very well. I did fall asleep at my table, however. I was making some tea, but fell asleep before drinking it. I woke up sometime later, and my tea was cold.” I took a sip of my drink. It was still too hot to drink fully.

“Wow. You hardly ever fall asleep at your table. That’s pretty nuts.” I shrugged. “I was probably just really tired last night, compared to usual. I usually don’t do that much heavy work.” She nodded.

“So, are you excited for our show?” I smiled and nodded excitedly. “You better believe I’m excited. I’ve been dreaming of this show for years.” She smiled. “Ah. That’s right. You certainly have idolised this show for quite a while. I’m glad you finally get to perform in it.”

“Thanks. It means something to hear you say that.”

She smiled at me. “Come on, let’s thank Melanie and then get out of here.”

***

I finally opened my door. Val kept me out of the house the entire day. I would need to check my mail tomorrow morning before I go to work.

None of my lights were on, so I had to turn on my phone’s flashlight to guide me to my room. I was already kind of tired- and had even bought some melatonin- so sleep should be even easier to achieve tonight, and it should be more consistent.

I turned on my room light once I stepped in. I opened up my bottle of melatonin, popped a supplement, and laid down in my bed.

I met a cute looking guy today at the coffee shop just a moment before I left. I wonder if he’d be into me? I would love to take him out, even if only once. Man, I haven’t dated since high school. It’s been at least five years since my last boyfriend. God, I guess I am kind of lonely. I think I might ask him if he’s gay tomorrow.

***

I woke up at 1:33. I think that means I was asleep for around 3 hours. Ugh. Well, maybe the melatonin actually worked better than I thought. Maybe it didn’t work at all. Either way, I decided I wasn’t going to get up.

I laid in bed. It felt too hot. So I threw the blanket off. But then, it felt too cold. So I threw one leg out from under the blanket. I wasn’t any more comfortable. I rolled onto my side. It didn’t feel much better.

I spent at least two hours just rolling around and failing to sleep.

***

My eyes fluttered open once more. I rubbed my eyes, and looked at the clock. It was 3:58. That’s wonderful.

I sat up. Maybe I should take some more melatonin? I shook my head. That seemed dangerous and unnecessary. I didn’t want to ruin myself more than I already had. I tossed the blanket back over myself, and rolled to the other side of my bed.

Melanie’s coffee shop is a pretty nice place. I’ll have to head over there and hang around more often. I wonder if she’ll do, like, some sort of membership or something so that we can get a discount, or points, or something. Ah, probably not yet. She’s still pretty early in her career. Either way, I’m certain everything will come together for her.

***

My eyes shot open. I couldn’t see anything. What happened to my nightlight? I panicked, and started searching every corner of my vision. There was nothing.

I tried to stand up. My body wouldn’t move. Shit! What’s going on? My heart was pounding out of my chest, but I don’t think it was out of fear. I think I was running.

I wanted to hyperventilate, but my body wouldn’t let me. I wanted to scream, but my body wouldn’t let me. I wanted to stop, but my body wouldn’t let me!

I could hear a harsh beat being played in my head. Underneath that, I heard shuffling. I think that shuffling was my feet. I was breathing quickly. I had to have been running.

Quickly, I heard static rise in volume. It fluctuated in the way that it sounded. After a couple seconds, I could make out a voice. “YOU HAVE MADE IT TO YOUR DESTINATION. GOOD. NOW, GET INSIDE.” I wasn’t sure what was going on. I still couldn’t see anything. All I knew was that I was no longer in control.

“WAIT. THERE IS NO ONE INSIDE. THERE IS NO NEED FOR YOU TO ENTER. RETURN TO YOUR HOME. WE WILL TRY AGAIN TOMORROW.”

***

I woke up feeling awfully sore. I must be in worse shape than I thought. No, that couldn’t be right. I did a lot of hard work on stage, and I wasn’t sore yesterday. There’s no way I’m that out of shape.

Either way, I got up. It was 5:56. That’s only a few minutes before my alarm goes off to wake me up for work. I guess four minutes will be enough time to try and stretch some of this stiffness away.

I got up- still in my sleep attire- went to my living room, and stretched. “God, I had to have done something really taxing last night. I don’t remember anything, though. Ah, whatever.” I dropped the topic, and went to the kitchen.

I made and ate breakfast quickly, then took a ten-minute shower, and finished my time at home by brushing my teeth. I tossed some shoes on, then went out to work.

“Wait,” I reminded myself. I almost forgot my mail. I braked my car. It was halfway out of my driveway. “My mailbox is right next to my door. How could I have forgotten?” I opened it up. It was empty. I shrugged, and got back into my car.

Work was incredibly uneventful. I work at a call center. My job is to make sure everyone else is answering their calls properly and gets the job done. You can imagine my enthusiasm.

Anyway, I got home at around 5:25. I realised I had left my phone at home that whole time, so when I got inside, my first plan was to get my phone and take a look at it.

I had received a few dozen notifications. 8 were from a couple games I played. 3 were emails. 25 were missed calls and texts from Val. My eyes widened, and I called her back.

“Hey, Val, are you doing alright?” I was freaking out, but I tried to hold my composure.

“Jesus Christ- Luke! Why didn’t you reply any sooner?” I couldn’t see her, but I imagine she was tearing out her own hair

“Sorry, I turn my phone off at night to help me sleep. Then, I forgot it at home this morning. What’s wrong?”

“Fuck, I’m pretty scared. My neighbor told me that they saw someone walk up to my window with a rock, before putting it down and running away. That was at five in the morning. I was only lucky that I had drunkenly spent the night at a friend’s house. I’m freaking out right now.” I could hear her quickened breath.

“What do you need, Val?”

“I need you to come over and stay the night with me. You wake up all the time at night, anyway. So if someone comes over in the middle of the night, you can just be up and fend them off for me. I can’t stay at other people’s house for weeks on end.” She was speaking very fast. I could hear fear in her voice. It quivered with every word that came out of her mouth. She could very well be near tears.

“Alright, I’ll come over in a couple hours. I just have to do a few important things here first. If you’d like, you could come over during that time.”

I heard a slight rubbing on her phone. She must have been nodding. “Yeah, okay. I’ll be over in a few minutes.”

“Okay. I love you, Valerie. Stay safe,”

“Love you too. Luke.” She hung up.

***

I parked behind Valerie’s car. We were at her house. She did show up to my house, like she said she was going to. I think she went double the speed limit to come over to my house even faster than usual. She’s lucky she wasn’t pulled over.

“Alright. What window did he try to get in through?” She showed me the window, then went inside. I followed her.

“So where do you think I should sleep in order to properly protect you?” Val’s hands were shaking.

“Just come sleep in my bed with me. I- I think that would be the best option.” I nodded at her, then pulled her close to me.

“You’ll be okay, Val. The person at the window couldn’t have been much more than a burglar. They probably thought they had been seen, and they probably left. You’ll be fine. I’m here for you.” She was crying in my arms. I played my hands through her hair. “Shhhhh. You’ll be alright.”

It was already 9:04. Val was exhausted, so she headed off to bed. I accompanied her to her room. She got dressed, laid down, and I did the same. “Goodnight, Val.”

“Goodnight, Luke.” She was still trembling.

***

I woke up once more at 11:43. It was the earliest I had woken up in at least five nights. I sighed. My bladder felt full, so I got up and went to the bathroom. I went back to bed, and fell asleep rather quickly.

***

My eyes stayed shut, but I felt awake. I scrunched my eyes closed further, but to no avail. I sighed, and got up. The clock on Val’s nightstand said the time was 12:43. Neat.

I got out of bed, and looked at all of Val’s windows. They were perfectly intact, and perfectly locked. Her door was still closed, and her lock was still stable. Nothing as of yet. I went back up to her room, and laid down.

Val. Poor girl. She was diagnosed with paranoia at a very young age. I was honestly surprised. This was her first anxiety attack in a year or two. She had held together really well before now. It was probably going to take months to convince her that she’d be fine on her own again. I’d probably have to sleep with her for that whole time to keep her stable.

***

2:10. I rubbed my eyes. I was probably waking up even more than usual due to stress. God, I’m probably going to die in my forties because of sleep deprivation. I rolled over and tried to get back to sleep.

This process is taking a lot longer than I wish it would. I wish that tonight could just be over. I wish her neighbor hadn’t said anything. God, I wish a lot of things. Either way, I’m here now. If only I had thought to bring the melatonin.

***

I woke up on the floor. I had rolled off of the bed. Everything that was sore earlier felt even worse now.

Stiffly, I pulled myself up. It was 3:17. I think I was asleep for around thirty minutes. God, I have work tomorrow morning. Maybe I’ll call my boss, tell him what’s going on. He might be understanding. Push comes to shove, I’ll offer a couple of favors.

I went downstairs and checked on all of the windows and doors again. There was nothing. Everything was still in place, and everything was still in perfect condition. There weren’t even any scratches.

I went back upstairs and went to bed. I hoped to fall asleep quickly.

***

I sat at the foot of the bed. It was 4:47. I hadn’t fallen asleep since my last wake up. I was beginning to think that I wasn’t going to get back to sleep. I felt miserable. I had to keep Val safe, but I also needed to sleep. I had poor sleeping habits as it already was.

I stayed at the foot of the bed. I had brought a few packs of tea, and had made myself three glasses already. I was drinking my fourth. I sighed again. I’m staying awake, I guess. I got my phone out of my pants lying on the floor, and turned it on.

It slowly turned on. Once it was done, I dialed my boss’ number. He didn’t pick up. Of course not, it was 4:50. “Hey, Mr. Maubree. I can’t make it to work tomorrow. My friend Valerie had someone try to break into her house yesterday morning. She was diagnosed with paranoia quite some time ago, so I’m trying to keep her safe. Anyway, I’m staying at her house. I haven’t slept very well because of the stress. So, I’ll do whatever you need later to make up for this. Sorry. Bye.” I ended the message. I think I’ll be fine.

I put my tea glass on the floor and laid back onto the bed. Ugh.

***

I couldn’t see anything. All I knew was that there was a quiet drum beat playing in the background. I started to feel scared. I knew my eyes were open, but nothing entered my retinas. I tried to push my hands up to my eyes, but to no avail. I had heard of sleep paralysis before. Maybe this was that?

I still felt uneasy, even after justifying that in my head. I had never had sleep paralysis before. What could be going on?

The drumbeat rose in volume. It sounded like someone made of pure fury was just banging on the drums, playing the angriest beat he knew how. As the drums grew louder, a small sound of static followed.

Am I having a nightmare? Probably not, considering that thought.

At one point the drums reached their top volume. However, the static still rose to match. Eventually, the static reached its maximum, and a voice could be heard through it, but only by barely.

“RISE, MY SUBJECT.” I felt my body stand. Suddenly, I knew where everything on me was. However, my eyes were still shut and there was nothing I could do to stop myself from moving.

I wanted to hyperventilate, but my body wouldn’t let me. I wanted to scream, but my body wouldn’t let me. I wanted to stop, but my body wouldn’t let me!

“GET A DEVICE. YOU KNOW EXACTLY WHAT TO DO. THIS ISN’T YOUR FIRST TIME.” I felt myself begin walking, and was eventually walking down stairs. What was going on?

I felt myself walking still. Then, I felt an object in my hand. It was a handle, and had to belong to a drawer. I pulled on it, then took something else out of the drawer. It was also a handle, but I think it belonged to some sort of cutlery.

Oh god. Do I have a knife? Oh god. No. No. NO NO NO!

I was walking again. I went back upstairs. The sounds of static and drums continued to beat in my ears. I decided to focus on just my eyes. I had to be able to do something to let myself see.

I tried pulling back my eyelids. I tried looking in every corner of my vision. There was no effect.

“GOOD. NOW FINISH WHAT YOU HAVE SET OUT TO DO.”

I felt my arm raise above my waist. I started flitting my eyes in every direction as frantically as I could.

VAL! WAKE UP! VALERIE! RUN AWAY!

I could hear her breath, faintly. Her sweet and soft air barely being heard through the angry drummer and static.

“YOU KNOW WHAT TO DO. NOW IS THE TIME.”

I felt my arm lower down. I was pressing the knife against her throat.

“NO!” Val screeched through the drums and static.

“NOW IS THE TIME! DO IT!” The voice shook all of my senses. My eyes opened.

I slid the knife through Valerie’s throat. She started a shriek, but it quickly was replaced by gurgling and blood.

“THE HEART!” The voice roared through me once more. I saw my hand move down her chest. I cut open her shirt, and cut off her bra.

I watched my hands force the knife through her chest, and tear her open.

I watched my hands greedily reach inside her.

I watched my hands use the knife to cut out her heart. Blood gushed out of her chest and neck, and rushed over her exposed breasts.

I watched my right-hand tear through Valerie’s heart, and my left hand lift it out of her chest.

I watched myself stand over her body.

I watched my hands use the knife to pin her heart to the wall above her bed.

“YOU HAVE DONE WELL LUCAS. THIS WILL BE YOUR LAST VISIT FROM ME.” The voice wasn’t nearly as jarring, and the drums began to fade away. “IN YOUR NEXT LIFE I WILL SEE YOU BECOME A PRINCE.” The static began to disappear.

“NOW YOU MAY REST.” The static was gone, and so was my consciousness.

***

I woke up. I sat up and stretched, my eyes still closed.

I opened my eyes and looked at my hands. They were… covered…

With blood.

I screamed, and frantically looked around. I saw Val. “NO!” Val’s clothes were torn open, and her blood covered her chest, neck, face, and the bed around her.

I picked her up and held her in my arms. “Val, did I fail to save you? Is this my fault?” I was crying.

I looked up and screamed. Suddenly my eyesight was caught. I saw her heart on the wall above us.

“V-V-Valerie… I- I think I killed you…”

I stumbled over to my clothing on the floor. My phone was lying on my pants, where I had left them last night.

I dialed three digits. My fingers left stains on my phone. “Hello, this is 911, what is your emergency?” I looked at a clock. It was 10:32.

“I… Help me.” I dropped the phone. I fell to my knees, and began to wail.